LymeNet Flash: Mepron with Zithromax for Babesia

This is topic Mepron with Zithromax for Babesia in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by BW Houston (Member # 5085) on :

In my treatment for Lyme, I have been on Doxy and IV Rocephin. The Rocephin IV really helped but insurance would only pay for 6 weeks.

Started 600mg Zithromax about 4 months ago. During this time I also took most of the supplements recommended by Dr. B's guidelines and did not feel any better.

2 weeks ago I started treating imperically with Mepron and Zithro for Babesia and taking 1000 to 1500mg of magnesium supplements.

During these two weeks, I am feeling my body and mind coming back to almost normal again.

I have heard that some people stay on Mepron continuously. Some use it 3 weeks on and 1 week off.

What is the most common protocol for Mepron?

Is is possible to see such a dramatic improvement with Mepron in only 2 weeks.(No Herx)

Could the magnesium supplement make such a dramatic improvement too?

Could it be just a coincidence?

Thanks,
BW

Posted by KrisKraft (Member # 4329) on :

I just started a protocol of 3 weeks of Mepron (5ml 2xd) & Biaxin (500mg 2xd), and the first week I felt really good--improved neuro symptoms, and no herx. Then on day 8 I was hit by a big rash all over, sort of like a poison ivy rash.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Do you think the rash is an allergic reaction or some Babesia-related response?

Thanks!
Kris

Posted by suki444 (Member # 18960) on :

All the things you are taking can make you feel better ...I think it depends how bad you Babesia infection is, what strain etc - people respond differently & in different timescales. It's hard to know what is helping most.

In the new guidelines it says not to take breaks in Babesia treatment (Mepron) as the parasites can build resistance, so the 1wk off is a bad idea. Dr B told me not to do this.

Bw
Emma

Posted by tritchie on :

After 3 years of illness, I was finally dianosed with Babesia/Lyme this past February. In the second month of antibiotic treatment, I was put on the Zith/Mepron combo. That is absolutely the best 30 days I've had in over three years. My doc says we'll probably be using that combo again soon, I hope so. The only side effect I had was constant constipation. I'm in my third month of treatment doing Zith/Minocin/Flagyl and while still doing much better than before diagnosis, I do not feel nearly as good as when on Zith/Mepron.

Posted by WildCondor on :

The rash is from the Mepron. Its a side effect of the medication that almost half the people will get who take it.

I thought my rash was a herx, or an allergy, but its the Mepron, and it went away in 2 days and has never come back.

------------------
Lyme Disease Help
http://www.wildcondor.com

Posted by lla2 (Member # 2364) on :

do a search here under 'mepron buddies' adn youll find a bunch of us who did mepron at the same time and herxed on the same schedule..it's amazing ....mepron herx's are identical for everyone.

the first 3 weeks it's a miracle..you feel like your'e healed! like this is the best thing ever..then whamQ! 4th week you get hit by that freight train you didnt see coming! watch out, it's a doozy! it'll knock you sideways for a few days..but don't get discouraged..you'll get back up agian..the second month , was terrible...i remeber feeling really lousy for most of the second month...don't remember too many good days at all, althoguh not as bad as herxing..just not as good as i felt those first three miracle weeks!
month three started to get better after week number 7-8 which was another sideswipe by the freight train..bam! big time herxing that week too...then month three gets better, adn month four is better stilll..

read the mepron buddies..we all herxed and felt the same way, it was amazing. It's the only med I've seen where alot of people felt and responded the same way on it, and had the same cycle of herxs...really bizarre.

I also did it without a break in between...no week 4 off..continued for four straight months with biaxin, and fatty meals for better absorbtion,and added in artemesinin to help...finally went away...

keep us posted on your progress...the herx by the way is mostly night sweats, extreme ,can't hold your arms up type of muscle fatigue, nausea, heart palps, dizziness etc...but moves quickly. drink lots of water with lemon adn take lots of epsom salt baths to flush out toxins....

take care,\

Lisa

I also did it without a break in between...no week 4 off..continued for four straight months with biaxin, and fatty meals for better absorbtion,and added in artemesinin to help...finally went away...

take care,\

Lisa

Posted by minoucat (Member # 5175) on :

Hi there. My husband and I are just finishing the second round of Mepron/Zith. We are on the 3 weeks on and one week off protocol. We are also taking artemisin (300 mg 2x day). We expect to be on this a minimum of 3 months, and probably 5.

We are on Bicillin LA shots 2x week to mop up any Lyme -- in addition to controlling a continuing Bb infection, my understanding is that the Bicillin also mops up any Bb that have parasitized the Babs protozoan and are released during Babs die off.

My herxes actually started with artemesinin, and were mostly neuro -- floaty, VERY IRRITABLE, weak, VERY IRRITABLE, drifty, VERY IRRITABLE; also very achey on and off. Oh, and did I say VERY IRRITABLE?

I'm trying not to be as hopeful about this as I truly feel, I've been down so many rabbit trails. But after the last round of LD treatment, I really didn't feel LDish any more, although I still was pretty sick. So the Babs would explain a lot.

After the second round of Mepron/Zith/Artemesinin I did a colon flush and liver detox during my abx holiday, and after that I had 3 very nice days, the best I've had in a while.

I started on Mg before the M/Z/A. Backed off, because you can't take Mg within 2 hours of Z. But I think the Mg may have helped pave the way for me, as well as the detox and all the garlic I eat and ginger tea I drink. My husband is way herxier than I am.

[This message has been edited by minoucat (edited 18 May 2004).]

Posted by liz28 on :

They pretty much said it all, but just to add to your discussion of time frame, I took malarone for four months, and recovered from babs.

Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :

BW:

I too am on Mepron. In just 2 days I started to feel human and had energy. I was pretty good for about 2 weeks. Into week 3 I started to get night sweats. Week 4 I had a herx that was bad but not intolerable. The 2nd month was up and down but I was functional. I am into week 10 and have had a non-stop herx for 6 days with fever, back and neck aches, nausea, diziness, diarrhea, and so on.

I am not taking a break between the 21 day rounds - just going straight through, as recommended by my MD. I am running a temp. of 100.9 today and will see my nurse and MD. My body temp is usually 96.

Because of the good days I had in the beginning of this protocol, I am feeling pretty confident that I am in the middle of a big Mepron/Zith/Rocephin herx and will come out feeling better on the other side.

I will say, the good days on Mepron have been batter than ANY days I have had in the past 2 years. I know I will be on this protocol for a minimum of 12 weeks, probably longer.

Hope this helps.