[This message has been edited by maxima (edited 15 June 2005).]
 

I was being treated for a uti a few weeks ago. I was put on Cipro.Well it has been an ongoing thing, because there really is no infection but she now has me on keflex, blah blah blah. I now need to go see a urologist, but she still has me on meds.

In the meantime, my lyme starts to flare up...symptoms i haven't had since the last time i was on ceftin and dynabac.

I had an appt. with Dr. H last night, and i told him i was on abx, and what was going on with the bladder thing. He specifically asked me if i stared flaring when i was taking the Cipro. I really think i did.

Now, i tested negative for bartonella. But now there is a possibility that i was reinfected, so i will be getting tested for the co infections again. But i really feel i only have Lyme. That is just my gut.

So, i think the Cipro DID cause me to flare.
Hope that makes sense and helps a little!

Jellyfish
 

There is a misunderstanding about the "herx" that a lot of peopl have. Some diseases can cuase the socalle pyrogenic reaction "ie herx" whereas others do not. This , at least to published treatmetnn guidelines.

One that is well know to be able to cause a "herx" is bartonella. It does not happen all the time but does occur.

The bartonella tests are really really crappy so the test results do not mean much. Further to this it appears that bartonella is a co0infection in a vast majority of kyme patients. What is not clear is if the this co-infection came fromt he tick or was just a symtomatic disease prior to lyme hitting the immune system.

Cipro is a close relative to levequin. Levequin is the current drug of choice for bartonella. Also note that cipro does affect lyme but is not very good at it and it therefore is not used as the dosage levels needed are far higher than with other drugs.

Finally, many Dr's will treat Lyme patients with an initial short course of levequin in recognition that bartonella is so prevelent.

So as far as "do you have bartonella also", the answer is "if you live in the north east, up to 80% of the lyme patients also have bartonella, so the odds are that you have it."

In terms of resistance. This depends on a lot of things, including the dosage and length of treatment. My guess is that the answer is no, not to any significantr degree and if yes then there are other drugs that will work.

Thanks,
L