She is being treated by Dr. Jones, and has tested positive for babs since she was 21 months old. She is also pos. for lyme, but Jones doesn't have her on treatment right now.
She has done Mepron three times, a total of about six months, but is still postive.
Jones' nurse said today that this is very unsual, and she wasn't sure what they would do.
Anyone else been through this? How else would they treat Babesia?
Thanks, Kristin
Posted by arg82 (Member # 161) on :
Although I have never tested positive for Babesia, I have been treated based on symptoms for the past three years. I've done a total of probably 9 months of Mepron and Zithro (not all in a row). At first, the first time I went on them I herxed and the symptoms I attributed to the Babesia started to go away. They stayed pretty low-level for quite a while after that but I still had them so I was treated again. Then my current LLMD thought some of my other symptoms are probably from the Babesia so now she has me on Zithro, Mepron AND Artemisinin. I feel like it's doing something for me. The mepron and zithro alone just weren't doing the trick for me. So, maybe try Artemisinin too? I don't know anything about it's use in kids, it's an herb and in capsule form so I don't know if a 5 year old could swallow it. But, I thought it was worth bringing up.
--Annie
------------------ ``The best way out is always through.'' -Robert Frost
Posted by bel1268 (Member # 4133) on :
I am still going through this and I am so sorry you little one is having a hard time. I have talked to others that have been through this too.
From what I understand it is not that unusual. Babesia can be tough and sometimes longer treatment is necessary. Stacey
[This message has been edited by bel1268 (edited 24 June 2004).]
Posted by Sue (Member # 5671) on :
I am being treated for babesia, but not on abs anymore, only naturopathic support and various body therapies. I have a very smart ND in Dallas, really has helped me, took a few weeks to kick in good, She does electrodermal screening and customizes remedies w/ have worked well for me more than anything else. Other Lymies have told me the same. The abs were ripping me up and slowing down healing progress.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
mepron didn't work for me but artemesia did. i don't know if kids can take it, but i'd ask the doc
Posted by Lishs mom (Member # 2344) on :
Our daughter had the WA strain, which is very difficult to treat. Dr.Jones had her treated for it for nearly a year before we were under control!
She also took SMZ which seemed to help for whatever reason. She is still on Mepron though.....wont quit that until our next appt.
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Pay close attention. We're looking at perhaps another electrolyte imbalance...
The following is curious, isn't it? (Note the date.)
J S Afr Vet Assoc. 1976 Mar: 47 (1): 29-33
The diagnosis and treatment of acid-base deranged dogs infected with Babesia canis.
Malherbe WD, Immelman A, Haupt WH, Walzl HJ.
A study was made of the acid-base status of Babesia canis infected dogs judged unlikely to recover after specific babesicidal drug therapy despite the use of blood transfusion and other conventional supportive measures. Such cases were invariabley acidotic and responded well and often dramatically to supportive intravenous sodium bicarbonate administration. Elevated blood urea nitrogen, also responded gratifyingly to this procedure. The rationale is discussed in some detail. http://www.sodbrennen-welt.de/science/1976/1976_4617.htm
Yes, dogs, but...
Posted by KJ (Member # 960) on :
Thank you, everyone...
I haven't heard back from Jones as to what we will do, but honestly, how much more Mepron do I have to force her to take? She HATES the stuff, not to mention that it is outrageously expensive...
Herbs are typically a no-no for children in generally, simply because the lack of study.
Has anyone ever had a blood transfusion due to stubborn babesia?
She is supposed to start Kindergarten in mid-August, but she is so fatigued now, that I don't know how she'll do it.
Kristin
Posted by pab (Member # 904) on :
KJ,
Dr. C uses Quinine and Clindamycin for Babesia.
I don't know if a 5 year old can take those meds.
My kids are 13 and 17.
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Posted by Neil M Martin (Member # 2357) on :
KJ
I had a stubborn case. It ate mepron/zith and clindy/quinine for breakfast. But after ~5 months on Hepalin (one a day) the tests returned negative and the symptoms cleared.
Do search of "hepalin" for more info.
I wish Dr. Jones and Dr. B would talk with my LLND, J.C., about Hepalin (artemesia.
I wonder if they are basically the same product differently packaged?
[This message has been edited by oxygenbabe (edited 25 June 2004).]
Posted by Stella (Member # 3119) on :
There you are!!!!!
At one point in my treatment you were my guardian angel, KJ! And even though I have been lousy at keeping in touch I have been praying for your family since we first met. I really hope things have improved and continue to do so......
I don't know much about babesia, since Dr. H never found co-infections in me. I'm only here to provide support and wish you the very best!
Posted by BobC on :
I took Mepron & Zithromax and then Quinine & Clindamycin. I think both combinations helped, but I think my 9 months on low dose heparin was what worked the best. I still have Lyme, but I do not think that I have babesia anymore, as I no longer have night sweats and hot and cold chills, which I think were caused by the babesia. I tooked the oral form of heparin as opposed to the injections. I do not know if this therapy is suitable for a child, but you might ask your doctor about Heparin.
Posted by Sue (Member # 5671) on :
It seems like most of you are dependent on medications, why don't you give Naturopathic medicine a try along with these meds? It's been so much more effective for me and really helped the parasites, plus the therapies in her office, these are custom for what ever else is found. I think I am like an onion, peel back the layers of toxicities is the key and getting those one by one ! I would give this a try since you are still sick and not getting very far.
Posted by minoucat (Member # 5175) on :
edited because of me being cranky today.
[This message has been edited by minoucat (edited 25 June 2004).]
