LymeNet Flash: Diflucan and Guaifenesin

This is topic Diflucan and Guaifenesin in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by felinitie (Member # 7403) on :

In the Immunesupport.com article entitled "A New Approach to Chronic Lyme Disease" (linked in an earlier post), Dr. Schardt says that he thinks that Diflucan weakens Borrelia through its inhibitory effect on the P450 enzyme system, which renders it more susceptible to antibiotics and our own immune system.

I find this very interesting because it happens that guaifenesin, promoted by Dr. St. Amand for the treatment of FMS, also inhibits this enzyme.

It has intrigued me for some time how much the initial effects of guai resemble herxes, and St. Amand's description of the cyclic nature of FMS symptoms resembles the cycles of Lyme symptoms.

I have come to believe that many, if not most, cases of FMS are caused by Lyme, and if the guai is indeed weakening the borrelia through its effect on P450, that would explain why it is so effective for some people.

I've read that many people experience a complete remission of symptoms with guai, some get moderate improvement, and some none at all.

I wonder if the cases of moderate to no improvement are impeded by co-infections.

I have been using guai for years, and I am one of those who have had moderate improvement.

I had stopped taking the guai since being on doxycycline the last 2.5 weeks, but after reading about Dr. Schardt's theory, I started taking the guai again a couple of days ago, and have been herxing terribly.

This leads me to believe that it must be having some effect on the borrelia over and above that of the doxy.

Has anyone else tried guaifenesin with antibiotics, and if so, how did it work for you?

[This message has been edited by felinitie (edited 31 July 2005).]

Posted by Foggy (Member # 1584) on :

I used Guai a few years ago per the suggestion of a duck who thought I had CFS/FMS. It was useless. Certainly worth another try now that I'm cycling abx.

Posted by lyme_suz on :

I am taking diflucan,biaxin, and minicycline. I've been also taking guafenex for allergies. My 2 kids and I have had Lyme 5yrs and started treatment about 6 mos ago. I am recovering much more quickly than them--I am looking into whether the diflucan and guafenex are making a difference as they have not been taking it. Now that I think of it, my son took a course of it this fall for yeast and he is better than my daughter.
Hmmm...

Posted by snowboarder (Member # 6346) on :

Just read that gua is helpful for FMS...didn't know that. Do you get it over the counter?

Would like to at least attempt to give it a try.

Posted by Foggy (Member # 1584) on :

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=301460&navAction=jump&navCount=0&id=prod976153

Posted by felinitie (Member # 7403) on :

I made a boo boo in my post above.

I had written "I had stopped taking the guai since being on diflucan the last 2.5 weeks..." but I meant to say doxycycline. I have never taken diflucan. I have corrected it now.

You can buy guaifenesin in slow (sustained release) and fast-acting forms OTC. You can buy it online here:
www.fibroconnection.com

and
www.immunesupport.com

Here is a link to info on guai availability from Dr. St. Amand's website:
http://guaidoc.com/guai_otc_may05_update.htm

I usually take 600 mg 2xday sustained release guai by Pro Health, but I have been herxing too severely taking it with the doxy, so I've cut down to 1xday now.

I had stopped herxing on just the doxy and serrapeptase, so the guai is definately having an effect.

One inconvenience with using guaifenesin, however, is that you have to avoid salicylates in topicals and supplements.

You can read about the guai protocol on Dr. St. Amand's website:
www.guaidoc.com

If anyone decides to add guai to their abx regime, please post your results.

[This message has been edited by felinitie (edited 31 July 2005).]