Anyone else ever diagnosed with high ammonia levels that resolved flu-like flares when you brought the levels down?
I'm getting nasty flu-like flares roughly every other day that last about a day, then resolve and then the cycle starts all over again.
Recent blood test confirmed a high ammonia level. I know pretty much any vector can cause flu-like AND high ammonia and heaven knows, I've been through plenty of treatment over 19 years of dealing with Lyme, parasites, and babs.
But, wondering if my high ammonia level (whatever the cause) can be responsible for these frequent flu-like attacks as well. None of the lyme, etc flares were ever this frequent!
Dr. is trying to get the level down. Praying that will help resolve these symptoms.
Dave
-------------------- Thx, Dave (Now in VA.) Posts: 207 | From Lynchburg, VA. | Registered: Jun 2004
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CD57
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11749
posted
how is he trying to get the levels down, Dave?
Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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Well, I'm waiting on a script for Rifaximin out of Canada (cost). In the meantime she just put me on Zith 500mg a day. Said it's not as good as Rifaximin, but does help some.
Took it starting Sat and actually felt great Sat and Sun. But, today the flare is back (total body ache, stiffness, nausea, the usual)
I also am doing Zeolite drops and Yucca and other supplements she already had me on. Other than that, detox baths and pain meds as needed.
-------------------- Thx, Dave (Now in VA.) Posts: 207 | From Lynchburg, VA. | Registered: Jun 2004
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High ammonia levels are frequently caused by elevated levels of G.I. bacteria such as enterobacter and klebsiella. So yes, I think flu like symptoms could be one presentation.
You did not mention diet - the other obvious thing you can do is limit protein - especially meat protein.
I would also suggest changing to a different brand of probiotics and increasing the doses of probiotics. Actually it would be better to combine 2 or 3 different brands and to make sure to include s. boularrdi in the mix.
If elevated ammonia is the real cause of your symptoms then you should notice a dramatic difference in symptoms when you start the zifaxin - the other name for the drug rifaximin.
This is not medical advice, just my opinion based on hubby's experiences.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Thank you Bea. The irony is I tested high for both those bacteria ( and a few others) back a few months ago and my Dr. put me on Rifaximin then.
At the time I was having a lot of gut problems with cramping, etc. and that cleared up with the Rifaximin. It was once I stopped the Rifaximin that the flu-like symptoms started.
I thought maybe I was herxing or something but all my labs were negative for the usual suspects and I had treated Lyme and co-infects many times over the years. These flares are more powerful than any I remember from Lyme, etc.
Anyway, at my last visit, Dr. decided to test a bunch of things and it was then that the ammonia level showed up. So, she suspects that we may not have treated the gut bacteria long enough hence putting me back on Rifaximin.
The bummer is I have to wait a couple weeks coming out of Canada so that's why she decided to try the zith.
She's also recommended a lot of what you mentioned so I'm incorporating that as well.
Dave
-------------------- Thx, Dave (Now in VA.) Posts: 207 | From Lynchburg, VA. | Registered: Jun 2004
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
I've just discovered that homeopathic Causticum helps with some of the ammonia toxicity symptoms.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4167 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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How did you get tested forthe enterobacter and klebsiella? Was it a blood or stool test?
Posts: 848 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010
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