Terri
Don't know of any drug interactions.
Can't answer regarding herx either because my hubby has so many symptoms I have a hard time figuring out which end is up most of the time.
Bea Seibert
It helped to confirm the babs dx for us. I had major headaches on artemisinin. I've had LD headaches in the past, but had not experienced headaches this painful for at least 6 months before starting on art. I also had intensified muscle aches, particularly in my legs, and intense irritability.
These sx intensified on the mepron/zith. I took artemesinin for the 7 months I was on mepron/zith. For me this tx worked (so far) for babs -- I have been off mepron/zith for about 8 months, with no relapse. My husband, who did the same protocol but for longer, did have a babs relapse and had to re-treat.
I still take artemisinin (pulsed). I no longer experience any herx effects from it. I think it might help with the LD, and it's thought in general to be an excellent antimicrobial.
Artemisinin has been approved by WHO for treatment of malaria. It is considered very safe, but I can't find a lot of studies on it (that aren't clearly biased).
It is also used as a cancer treatment. Google on cancer, artemisinin and on malaria, artemisinin. Here is one article from the Townsend Newsletter
Here is a good site to check for interactions (doesn't have artemisinin, but does have lots of other good stuff). I don't know of any artemisinin-drug interactions.
Another good site for info is http://www.iherb.com/health.html
[This message has been edited by minoucat (edited 29 July 2005).]
I've been on artemisinin, 1200 mgs daily for a couple of months now....awaiting latest babs test..
I will say that I am feeling much better than I have in ages, these last three weeks. Whether it's the artemisinin, I don't know yet. We shall see.
My LLMD added in Ketek and Tinidizole a month into the artemisinin trial, so it's hard to know what to attribute the good feelings to....
I am wondering if this might be a herx???
I experienced more rage than depression, but it may well be part of the herx, too.
It was 4-5 months before these sx started subsiding.
Any doctors in NY or CT that recommend this as part of their protocol?
I am having a hard time choosing one doctor and just feel SOO much rides on my decision. I am afraid to choose. I do have an appt with a Dr. in MA, but nobody seems to have heard about her so I am feeling like she is on the newer side and not sure if I feel comfortable with her or not.
Thanks!
Terri
I just pulsed it for three weeks when I pulse the zith.
Went out in the heat and got a terrible rash! I mad the bugs mad! They were trying to get out of me! They hate the heat too!
My sister saw an almost immediate improvemrnt in my personality--more me.
I just drag with fatigue and sleep with a herx--so I'm mean cause I'm tired...
But I love this stuff and really feel like it helped me turn a corner. You have to pulse it and I didn't take as much as some. But take it a couple of weeks and go in a sauna and see what happens.
A few weeks after I quit taking it (doctor thought I was allergic) I had the same reaction when I went out in the heat--I swear the artemisinin weakend the bug.
L
I know you are trying to select a doctor for yourself but in the meantime you may want to put a call into the child's LLMD Dr. J for your son.
There is usually a 4 month wait and if you request it, he may start your son on antibiotics thru his primary care physician to hold the lyme in check until the appointment. Dr. J spoke to our PC and told him what to write Rx for and to give 3 refills till our appointment, it really helped.We did get CDC positive testing our first try at Igenex.
I don't even know if I could convince my doctor to believe me that my son HAS lyme. He will go by the tests and if negative then it's negative. It's such a grey area.
THE CDC HAS to start doing something. Too many people are sick, but nobody cares.
Terri
It will be worth every penny in the long run. This is your children's futures you are dealing with. I know it seems far, but I travelled to their office by car from NJ. Now I have to do all by phone-- as we have moved to TX. My kid's primary care doctor here in TX doesn't get the big picture, but he doesn't have to.
Get to a LLMD. There is no time to waste when dealing with Lyme. My oldest son has been battling lyme for about 7 years and my youngest has had it for 4. Lyme sucks. Lyme treatment costs $. Just get yourself to a LLMD so you all can feel better.
Love ya (really)
Melissa
ps. Our pediatrician in NJ told me how dangerous it was to be on long term antibiotics. If she had treated my son aggressively and properly, it is likely he would not now have the memory problems he now has. He missed most of Jr High and part of high school. He was in a wheelchair for half a year. I could keep going on & on... Do your own research, and never give all of your trust to ANY one doctor. Fight for your health and your family's