LymeNet Flash: New Gall Bladder question...has anyone not had had problems on rocephan?

This is topic New Gall Bladder question...has anyone not had had problems on rocephan? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by ivebeentricked (Member # 6944) on :

Hey everyone...I was wondering has anyone been on rocephan and not had gall bladder problems? What is actigall? Where do I get it?

Does doing 5 days on and 2 off of rocephan cut back the chances of gallbladder problems? Thanks everyone

Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :

Actigall is a prescription bile supplement -- made from polar bear bile I think.

During Rocephin IV (120 grams spread over 3 months instead of 2 -- ramped up from 250 mg slowly and did 2 grams daily for 6 days a week at the end) -- hubby had no gallbladder problems.

He used then and still continues to use Ox Bile supplements (he uses Allergy Research/Nutricology brand). Takes 2 or 3 capsules with lunch and supper.
http://www.vitacost.com is a good source for supplements

Hubby also takes milk thistle and dandelion for liver support also.

On occassion we do castor oil packs over the liver area.

Olive oil and lemon juice can be used for daily support as well -- up to 2 tablespoons of olive oil mixed with juice from 1/2 lemon. You can do this nightly. Don't worry about doing the full gallbladder flush you may have read about -- slow and consistent is better anyway.

Phosphatidylcholine is another supplement which is specific for liver detox, but this can be expensive. Could always be added in to mix if problems arise.

I wouldn't let the concern over a potential side effect from Rocephin stop me from using this med if your LLMD suggests it.

Just try to stay aware of any new symptoms such as nausea from eating fatty foods or pain in the liver area or change is stool color (light tan color due to insufficient bile) or elevated liver enzymes.

Bea Seibert

[This message has been edited by seibertneurolyme (edited 13 August 2005).]

Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :

Hello,

I was on Rocephin, 2g daily for about 5 months and didn't experience any GB troubles. I was also on Actiguall.

Good luck,
Melanie

Posted by ivebeentricked (Member # 6944) on :

thanks everyone...also I am taking the weekends off, so 5 days on while I am in the HBO, and then on the weekends I'll continue the orals but take the two days to give my liver a break. Hopefully that will help some. anyway, I appreciate the responses.

Posted by mountainmoma (Member # 6503) on :

I was on rocephin 3 months with no gall blader or liver trouble. Just horrid neuro herxing. I also took actigall, at least for part of the time--dont remember

Posted by Deb (Member # 4393) on :

I was on rocephin for twenty weeks/seven days a week without taking actigall and I did not have any gallbladder problems. The actigall can increase glucose levels in diabetics, thus I did not go on it.

I don't know if it made any difference, but I infused at a much slower rate using a greater dilution. I also infused 1 gram of rocephin twice daily, took probiotics and drank lots of water during my infusions and throughout the day. I also tried to not tax my body by eating fatty foods and a lot of meat. Even my doctor was surprised that I went so long on the rocephin without any gallbladder problems.

Best wishes-Debbie/RI

Posted by lymie tony z (Member # 5130) on :

I was on two gms IV for two months daily followed by one month clindamycin and no actigal/was also on metronidazole with no gall bladder problems every day for those three months

I believe it has to do with whether your gallbladder is flushing the sludge out efficiently or not...so a supplement would probably be a good thing........zman

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[This message has been edited by lymie tony z (edited 14 August 2005).]

Posted by Korinne21 (Member # 7472) on :

heya ivebeentricked...

I thought i'd share my story with ya about rocephin...hehe.

I started treatment on June 20th...i was off of it within 16 days of treamtent because of gallbladder sludging/small stones.. they gave me a week break from it then put me onto 1.5 grams instead of 2...

Not even 24 hours after my 1.5 infusion i had a gallbladder attack again, went off it once again... then we tried the 1.5 grams mixed with 250 cc's of saline...again had a sludge... was complete hell if you ask me..

I had my gallbladder removed on Aug. 1st...on Aug. 2nd i started back up on the rocephin and i haven't been having anymore problems...I was not on actigall at all. I fell that if your on rocephin, say goodbye to your gallbladder.

But you want to know what? I feel it was worth it for me to get my gallbladder removed because rocephin helps me so much, i have neuro lyme for about 3 years now... a year and a half undiagnosed..

I don't think the pulsing does anything at all to prevent it, but thats only my opinion.. cause its going to build up into your gallbladder anyway no matter if your on it every day or 5 days on 2 days off.

I wish you good luck with your treatment, ive only been on rocephin for almost 2 weeks now and i am improving so much ... hope i helped somehow..

Korinne

Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :

I have done a total of 28 weeks of IV Rocephin without Actigall. I had my liver enzymes checked weekly and have had a few ultrasounds. I have not had any gallbladder issues.

I did not eat fatty/fried foods. I took Milk Thistle and DGL Licorice.

Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :

I have done 2 courses of rocephin. The first 5 months and the second quite a few years later for about 3. I didn't have problems with my gallbladder and I should have.

I had some gallbladder issues before-hand and am the only person in my family that still has one. Go figure!

(I don't much eat fatty foods as they've never agreed with me.)