Doctors shouldn't 'play' with things they know nothing about. I'm darned lucky to still be around.
My LLMD wanted me to use a PICC line with claforan but no one will do it for me locally. I have zithromax and that's all. The closest I'll come to a PICC line will be Monday or Tuesday and I can't wait that long. I'm just too sick to wait. Will the Zithromax work?
Sorry I didn't finish the story, I'm just too sick and tired.
I'm so sorry you had to endure all that. You're right-----you are lucky to be alive. What happen to you is beyond the pale.
You were so acutely ill. The combativeness is a huge symptom of meningitis. They didn't need to call in a Psych. How scary.
I read your post twice & I still don't understand why they wouldn't give you IV Rocephin or Claforan. I know they didn't believe you had LD, but it would have turned you around immediately.
If you were on ABX at the time of the PCR or still had some in your system, it would tend to turn out negative. Once they saw the negative PCR-----they kicked you out. That sounds like what happened maybe???
I realized you couldn't be moved you were so sick, but the only recourse would have been to have each doctor involved sign a statement that he refused to treat acute neuroborreliosis with the following symptoms. Submit the statement to the state governing board.
But if you did, they would have kicked you out & you were way too sick to be moved.
I'm afraid I would be so hacked off, I would get someone to type my story & submit it to the state board anyway, hospital administrators or somebody.
Anyway, you sure need that IV now.
The Zithromax will penetrate the cells. Your LLMD might want to add on an antiobiotic that's extracellular-----to hit it two ways.
The Zithromax does stay in the system a long time.
I finally got a spinal tap in an ER, but the doctor didn't even bother measuring the opening pressure. That would have shown inflammation or infection. One of the counts on the test was slightly elevated, but they ignored it.
I had chronic neck pain when I awoke in the morning & later went on to hurt the back of my head. I didn't look sick, so it was ignored.
But I would think someone as sick as you would have gotten quick treatment.
So finally, when I found an LLMD, he told me it was aseptic meningitis and all LD patients have some degree of it-------even if they don't show symptoms. I never had a fever with it.
Hope you will stay in close touch with your LLMD. Let us know how you're doing.
I'm concerned for you. Take Care.
Merry Christmas,
Jan
[This message has been edited by RECIPEGIRL (edited 24 December 2004).]
I'm deathly afraid to take the zithromax, but I have to make it to our family Christmas a few minutes away. How bad will I herx from it?
I'll look for one of recipegirl's post & make her aware of your question to her on your post BB. Betty G., Iowa
Having had a severe go-round with meningitis--and in hosp. with no lights on for 4 days--I am shocked beyond belief of what you have experienced.
That was incredibly dangerous---I hope you are ok now and can raise some kind of big-big ruckus when you are able.
Prayers for you and Merry Christmas.
I'm sorry I didn't see your reply until now.
If Christmas Day is your 1st day on Zithromax, you'll probably be tired mostly. Maybe take the Zith right before leaving? I hate to see you go without meds.
My LLMD let me cut my 600 mg Zith in half and take twice daily, instead of all at once. (It's not a time-released tablet) That will help the fatigue factor.
But you've been so sick, you might consider taking the entire tablet all at once. That's up to you.
Depends on the person, but it takes a while for it to penetrate. The more days you're on it, you'll develop a headache & more of your symptoms will appear as a herx.
That's my best GUESS.
Hope you have a very Merry Christmas.
When I got home, I would resume my regular schedule of Zithromax because you were so dangerously ill. Zith only mildly passes the blood brain barrier.
Hope this helps. Normally I would have watched the board closer, but things are so hectic.
Take Care,
Jan
quote:
Originally posted by Chocolat:
BB-
Having had a severe go-round with meningitis--and in hosp. with no lights on for 4 days--.
I too was hospitalized for a week with meningitis, four days of which were in total darkness except for a night nurse straight from the bowels of hell who would flip the light on in the middle of the night and ask how I'm doing.