my doc wants me to start it tomorrow in addition to the ceftin + doxy. Anything I need to know?
Eyal
Posted by liz28 on :
Opinion varies on this.
My list would be:
Try taking mepron at 10ml, 2x/day. Has much greater efficacy.
Take artemisinin, pref. from Nutricology or Allergy Research. Will greatly enhance mepron's strength.
Be cautious with your depth perception, especially if you drive. The first few weeks, I stumbled on stairs alot, almost walked through glass doors I couldn't see, almost put a hot coffee cup down on thin air because I couldn't figure out where the edge of a glass table was. Another Lymenetter got in a car accident.
In my case, treating for babs activated a latent case of bartonella. If you find yourself suddenly plagued with swollen lymph nodes, viselike headaches, sore throats, and sore muscles, check for this sneaky co-infection as well.
If the mepron works, be prepared to see big changes overnight in your personality.
Posted by lymelady (Member # 6207) on :
I only did a month of it and it helped my vertigo but gave me a schreeching sound in my ears. No side affects whatsoever. Good luck Lymelady
Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :
Your symptoms will increase at first, like fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, feeling off balance. Then you should get a wallop of a herx. The Mepron herx knocked me on my butt. It does get batter though. Just go with it and don't fight it too much because that will just increase your stress and fatigue.
Posted by Walnut (Member # 6585) on :
I have been on mepron for over 3 months (2nd round). I have not had any side effects, herxing or flare ups. Maybe my dizziness and blurred vision got a bit worse, but were already a problem before starting on mepron.
Make sure you take mepron with food containing fat. Otherwise your body cannot absorp it.
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
Will your doctor be increasing frequency of blood tests? My LLMD has patients on Mepron get weekly blood tests to catch any potential damages to organs (liver, kidney, etc.)
Posted by kaos (Member # 4144) on :
Mepron is usually prescribed with Zithromax or Biaxin.
Posted by Eyal (Member # 6676) on :
He didn't' prescribe it with zithro, maybe he wants to see how I do with it first??
He told me to switch between taking it 3 weeks and then 2 weeks off... (why?)
does it have a disgusting taste? can I mix it with something?
He gives me monthly blood tests.
Thanks all!
Eyal
Posted by KrisKraft (Member # 4329) on :
Mepron reallly got rid of my brain fog. The first month is rough, with fatigue and pressure headaches, but then things get better. Beware that your vision might turn green temporarily.
KrisKraft
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
I'd ask your doctor why the 3 weeks on and 2 weeks off. I'd guess it's because Mepron can be very hard on your system.
I also know many people have blood tests more than once a month when starting Mepron. Mepron is the only drug my LLMD has mentioned as having severe side effects since I started treatment. She decided to postpone it, but said she does weekly blood tests. That way you catch any problems before they become dangerous.
Posted by Corgilla (Member # 4066) on :
Hi,
I had blood tests every 3 weeks as rx'd by LLMD. My herxing was not too bad and got less intense over time. I was on it for 6 months with no breaks along with 600 mg of Zithromax, 500 mg of ceftin bid and 100 mg Nutricology artemisinin tid with no breaks.
It tastes kind of like bubble gum. Take it with fatty foods to help absorption. It's the caution sign/road paint yellow that makes you wonder if it's lethal or not.
Treating babs is the only thing that has caused any improvement for me so far.
Check out the "Mepron Buddies" and "Mepron Buddies Redux" threads to see how people did over time with Mepron.
Best of luck to you,
Corgilla
Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :
Bubblegum? Corgilla, you are too kind. The stuff tastes just the way it looks, like a yellow crayon. You get used to it though.
Eyal: It is only a recommendation that Mepron be used in conjunction with a macrolide. The hamster studies showed that a percentage relapsed without a macrolide, or became resistant to the Mepron. I did quite well on it alone for many months. Zith is hard on the stomach. I just recently added Zith into the mix (after 9 months) because a few early symptoms returned. You may do fine without Zith. Keep a diary of your symptoms for your MD so he/she will know if you need the macrolide.
I am not sure but, I think your MD will nix the Doxy if you go on Zith or Biaxin. I don't think the 2 are very compatible.
Let us know how you do.
Bc
Posted by Eyal (Member # 6676) on :
Thanks guys!
Beachcomber, what were your herxes like?
Eyal
Posted by flygirl (Member # 6669) on :
so far I can't say I have had side effects, no herces, but, sometimes the biax is hell on my stomach. talk about cha cha cha.
Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :
Eyal:
I experienced an increase in symptoms. I was dizzier, vertigo was worse, my balance was off. I had an overall "unwell" feeling for about 3-4 months. But, the brain fog lifted within the first 4 days of taking Mepron. Oh, I also got some whopper headaches, which I had never had before.
The first couple of months were unpleasant but, I was able to function for the most part. Some days I felt like I was on the tilt-a-whirl. Those were the days that I just locked myself inside and went from bed to couch and back.
It will improve. Hang in there.
Bc
Posted by Laurie (Member # 159) on :
My LLMD rx'd 4 tsp (4 packets) a day and said they have had really good results from this. I did not get any real "side effects" from the Mepron per se but I did get about a 6-day Herx (of course I had started other things incl supplements at the same time). I had to go off everything then start gradually again. I was up to 2 tsp a day for about 4 months. A few people had told me that felt terribly depressed and/or cranky on Mepron. Since this didn't happen to me right away I thought I was immune...but finally one day I realized I was starting to have road rage, short temper, a very dejected and hopeless feeling most days etc. and I said "that's enough." Of course part of the crankiness associated with Mepron may be the fact that it is so vile...looks like nuclear waste and tastes horrid -- and this is with the "citrus" flavoring added. Still, I am grateful that such a drug exists, and wish you luck -- try to keep at it.
Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :
I have been on it since July, with Biaxin.
No problems, just the first few days extra tired and after my very first one or two doses felt very very weird. But, it passed.
My LLMD says NEVER take a break on Mepron, it makes the Babs resistant.
