This is topic LONG TERM ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY SAFE?? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by A.BURNS (Member # 8596) on :
 
I HAVE AN APPOINMENT WITH DR. E HERE IN NJ ON WEDNESDAY. IM VERY EXCITED AS IVE BEEN VERY SICK FOR 7 YEARS AND NO ONE KNOWS WHATS WRONG. WHAT I DO KNOW IS IVE BEEN SICK SINCE I WAS BIT BY A TICK BUT MY TESTS ARE NEGATIVE. I HEARD DR E. HAS MANY WAYS IN SEEING IF IM POSITIVE. I TALKED TO MY PRIMARY DOCOTR AND HE SAID "DR E IS A GOOD DOCTOR BUT I WARN YOU NOT TO GO ON LONG TERM ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY IF SHE PRESCRIBES IT!IF SHE DOES GET A SECOND OPINION" I ASKED WHY AND HE SAID THET THE CONSTANT USE OF ANTIBIOTIC OVER A LONG TERM PERIOD CAN EVENTUALLY DOWN THE ROAD DESTROY YOUR IMMUNITY. HE SAID IF I ALWAYS USE IT, THEN WHEN I NEED AN ANTIBIOTIC, SAY FOR A DIFFERENT INFECTION IT WONT WORK. THE ANTIBIOTICS WORK UP FRONT BUT DOWN THE ROAD DESTROY THE IMMUNE SYSTEM. NOW IM DOWN IN THE DUMPS AND DONT EVEN KNOW IF I SHOULD SEE DR. E. WHAT DO I DO? HAS ANYONE HEARD THIS BEFORE. IS ANYONE A PATIENT OF HERS.PLEASE GET BACK, ITS NOT ONLY FOR ME BUT MY 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SUPPOSEDLY LUPUS!!
 

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Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :
 
Hi, A. Burns!

My, Toms River is kind of a "hotbed" of Lyme, from what I've heard! Lucky for you you're set to see an LLMD.

This same doctor who's warning you off long term antibiotics would probably not even blink as she wrote out a scrip for six months to a year of antibiotics to treat severe acne -- a COSMETIC problem. But say the word "Lyme" to them and OMIGOSH!!! No way!

It IS true these drugs can take a toll on your immune system, your liver, everything. However, under the care of a good LLMD, with regular blood work and monitoring and attention to yeast issues, it's a WHOLE LOT BETTER than the alternative. Which is the unchecked proliferation of Borrelia burgdorferi -- Bb - in all your body systems, including your brain. Is the doctor saying that would be a better idea???

Of course not.

Pay no attention.

Click the "Newbie Links" on the top of the page. Read Dr. Burrascano's Guidelines. Read everything you can get your hands on and keep educating yourself.

And lose the ALL CAPS in your messages. Hard to read!

Good luck! Come here often!

Michelle
 

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Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
Your topic should read "Is long term LYME safe?"

Which is worse?? Lyme or antibiotics? I can tell you my opinion.

Yes, please don't use all caps.... And come here often!!

Glad you found an LLMD. Sounds like you need it! PS...What are your worst symptoms?
 

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Posted by Andie333 (Member # 7370) on :
 
Hi,A

I saw your post. While I'm not qualified to address the efficacy (or danger) of long-term antibiotics, I can talk about Dr. E.

I've been her patient since June.

I'd been chasing a myriad of awful symptoms for 4 or 5+ years. She was the first person I felt really listened to me and was able to get an overview of what was going on with me.

I see her this week and wouldn't think of cancelling.

Let us know how your appt. goes.

I do have two suggestions: if possible, take someone else along with you -- someone who can take notes during the appointment.

Somebody on this board made that suggestion to me, and I was really glad I followed it. I was overwhelmed during the appointment, and afterwards, I couldn't remember anything. Thankfully, my friend isn't Lyme-brained and had taken a lot of notes.

I also found it helpful to write out my medical history in outline form...as well as the questions I had.

Andie
 

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Posted by humanbeing (Member # 8572) on :
 
From what I understand, the issue of resistance is not about your personal resistance but the bug itself.

Anotherwords, virulent abx-resistant bugs are often found in hospitals and nursing homes. It is the bug that will be resistant and this resistance will be true for all members of that community taking a particular abx.

Resistance is a worry for the entire community. That's why docs are extremely concerned...they are in trouble cause patients want a ZPack for a runny nose or cold that will resolve by itself.

LYME DISEASE IS NOT IN THIS CATAGORY!!! We need to change the paradigm with md's that LYME is the exception to the resistance worry.

Just my two cents.

That's why we always need new abx developed.

Also, if you have lyme and no symptoms then your immune system doesn't need much help-it is doing it's job well. If you have lyme and do have symptoms, abx is needed to help your immune system fight.
 

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Posted by HEATHERKISS (Member # 6789) on :
 
Also you can take vitamins, herbs and probiotics to keep your immune system as healthy as possible.

I heard Dr. E is wonderful. I go to Dr. S who also is a Lyme doctor. Maybe you can get your second opinion from him.

When you read the lyme symptom checklist did you say, "Yes that's me! I have Lyme!"?

Did you have your primary "chicken" doctor give you biaxin until your "real" appt? Are you on anything now?
 

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Posted by brentb (Member # 6899) on :
 
Good news and bad news. Is long term therapy safe. No way and No how. You're in effect taking on all bacteria in your system as you try to kill borrelia. The toughest bugs on the scene seem to be strep,staph,c difficile, VRE and I'd throw borrelia in. (it's the "smartest"). Many on this board (like me) have taken abx and have not only not been cured but have had disastrous consequences. search the site for c difficile egads!
thats the bad news.

good news is that silver and oil of oregano are two products that kill pathogens and are relatively harmless. If one can get cured this way GREAT. If not then start experimenting with some traditional abx. dont forget the probiotics! It's ALL hit or miss. This to me seams the safest AND most effective approach to tackling lyme.
best of luck.
 

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Posted by flyers999 (Member # 1397) on :
 
This myth that long-term antibiotics hurt the immune system is pure hogwash. They actually strengthen it, according to Dr. B, and according to my experience. What destroys the immune system is lyme, Coinfections, alcohol , bad diet , lack of exercise, stress , among other things.

Antibiotics, especially the IV version, can have side effects but as Michele mentioned a competent LLMD (such as Dr. E. ) will monitor the situation and know how to protect you from any potential damage.
 

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Posted by JimBoB (Member # 8454) on :
 
In actuality, antibiotics help your immune system, to a point, WHEN your immune system is weakened by any of the things Jack pointed out.

HOWEVER, the antibiotics do KILL the GOOD bacteria along WITH the bad ones. THEY are pretty much indiscriminate for the most part. Some do more than others.

So you MUST replace GOOD bacteria to BALANCE out your system as much as you can. Acidophilus is one way to do this. Taking breaks once a month for a week is another way to help out your OWN natural immune system.

NO scientist, doctor or anyone else can best the great Immune System the creator put into us. Unfortunately mankind is destroying the earth with all his pollution and synthetics, totally screwing up the "balance" of Nature.

AND antibiotics do screw up the "balance" in our natural systems.

You will do good using SOME antibiotics, but you will do even BETTER IF you use more herbs and less antibiotics.

It was suggested up above that Oregano is good. AND it IS! I have been on it for about a week or so now and is helping some. But I haven't slowed down any on the herbal protocol of Stephen Buhner.

NOR do I intend to anytime soon.

Hope this helps you some on your quest for good health.

Jim.
 

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Posted by brentb (Member # 6899) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by humanbeing:
From what I understand, the issue of resistance is not about your personal resistance but the bug itself.

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