cactus
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7347
posted
Out of curiosity...
I have noticed that several people here have used monotherapy, or only one abx at a time throughout their treatment. Sometimes for months on end.
Curious about how effective this approach has been, and if anyone who's tried it feels they've made great strides toward wellness?
Is there any advantage to taking only one class of abx at a time? What is the school of thought behind this approach?
My own treatment consisted of multiple abx combos, switching every few months based on symptoms and which infection was being targeted.
For the most part - I feel my treatment was very effective, but I know that there are many paths to getting well and each of us need something different.
I am curious about the monotherapy option, and whether it is as effective as taking a combo of several abx.
Any thoughts?
-------------------- �Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005
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posted
I have been using multiple abx for a long time with lots of supplements.
One of my friends just completed 8 months of monotherapy (zithromax )with a different LLMD and is completely better. No supplements either, just probiotics.
I don't think she had any coinfections though. I guess it depends on what you are dealing with and what kind of shape your immune system is in.
-------------------- unsure445 Posts: 824 | From northeast | Registered: Jun 2008
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gemofnj
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15551
posted
cactus and unsure,
i basically did the same abx mono therapy with zithromax in the end we treated for bart with rifampin only for approx 2 months.
i took (still take some of this-including probiotics) MANY supplements, including vitamins, b-complex, magnesium, immune booster, bromelain, virastop, antifungal herbs and LOADS of refrigerated probiotics. (and i did exercise when i felt well enough)
i have been in remission for approximately 8 months and my total therapy was considered very short by my LLMD. (it was 9 months total)
i do agree with you that it depends on how long you have had lyme, how seriously it affected your immune system, and whether you have multiple coinfections.
it seems as tho a good treatment plan is with finding the correct treatment plan for you, and whether or not you respond positively. if something isnt working, i would definitely change things up a bit.
ps..unfortunately, i dont consider my self cured by any means and i definitely feel as though i have been permanently affected by lyme.
Posts: 1127 | From atlantic city, nj | Registered: May 2008
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IckyTicky
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21466
posted
I've been on mono-therapy for the last 17 months. I've gone from dying to living a functional life. We switch it up every 2 or 3 months. Dr. is suppose to start me on combo soon, cyst busters etc.
-------------------- IGM: 18+, 23+, 30+, 31+++, 34+, 39IND, 41++, 58+++, 66+, 83-93IND IGG: 31+, 39IND, 41+ Also positive for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and RMSF. Whole family of 5 dx with Lyme. Posts: 1014 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
gemnfoj, 8 months...that is terrific. Conratulations!
Ickyticky, glad to hear you are living a functional life. Onward and upward right?
I just stopped at the pharmacy and my 8 year old said "mom, aren't you only supposed to have Lyme disease for maybe a year or so?".
Even my kids are starting to think this is absurd!!!
Have a good evening.
-------------------- unsure445 Posts: 824 | From northeast | Registered: Jun 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- All the different forms of the spirochete have to be treated and that requires different medicines - and timing.
Also, many patients have more infections than lyme, alone. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
I did monotherapy for awhile, after one round of Mepron/Zith. What I took was very high dose Amoxicillin.
It was good for two reasons: it gave my body a chance to rest some, and detox.....and I also do feel like it was a good drug for me and that I made strides just on that medicine alone.
It didn't get me better, but I made progress I'd say.
If you do something like that though, you may want to keep in mind that you could need a cyst buster later on.
I'm not one to get paranoid about forming cysts by using Amoxicillin on it's own. I think if cysts do exist...(keep in mind while colonies appear to exist, I'm not sure anyone has ever found a bb cyst, so it seems to be theoretical)...that they are inevitable, and you'll just have to use Flagyl or Tindamax at some point to bust them.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
I got well on monotherapy. Sometimes I was treated with flagyl plus the main abx.
And when it came to babesia, I was rotated on meds so that neither infection would get the upper hand.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96238 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I did a round of zith and flagyl, then after that it has been monotherapy. Been treating 16 months. I have improved a little, but still have a long way to go.
Oddly I seem better on low dose doxy, which I am on now, then when doing moderate to larger doses of other antibiotics.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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cactus
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7347
posted
Thanks to all for the responses.
-------------------- �Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?� - A.A. Milne Posts: 1987 | From No. VA | Registered: May 2005
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