I am feeling really desperate and hope that someone knows more than me about this! I have been on Malerone for about 1 month. My babs test didn't come up positive, but I've had major night sweats for many years w/ fevers, so my LLMD put me on Malerone (especially since I'm not getting anywhere w/ my symptoms while on IV Rocephin). Since starting Malerone, my pain syndrome's gone through the roof, my night sweats have gotten much worse, I'm nauseous all the time, weak, fatigued like I've been hit by a bus, more confused than normal, etc. I'm also on Zith--only 250mgs, though, although I'm working up to 750mgs. Oh, and I'm not sleeping at all...
Does anyone know if this is normal? Can you herx from Babs treatment? Or could this be a side-effect of Malerone? My doc seemed to think it suggested I do have babs and this is kicking it's butt, but he seemed unsure.
Also, in a few weeks I'm switching from Malerone to Mepron. Does Mepron do the same thing?
Finally, anyone know how long it takes to make progress (ie--see symptoms improve) w/ babs treatment?
Thanks for any help!!!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Absolutely YES!!!!! Very normal! Malarone is called "mepron-lite"....so be ready for that mepron herx!
You WILL make more progress now that you've identified and are treating the babs. Good luck!! It could take many rounds of meds to clear it.
Posted by KarenB (Member # 10510) on :
I totally agree. I have babs and on my first round of mepron herxed really bad then felt better.
I just finished malarone and switched abx and in 2 weeks I am to add Mepron back in at a lower dose. (I had a lot of nausea with Mepron).
I can deal with nausea as long as I know the med is working.
So hang in there, you will feel better.
So the story goes, you have to feel worse before you get better.
You are not alone.
karen
Posted by bsm (Member # 8951) on :
Thank you both so much. Just those few comments have made me have a little more hope. I just keep looking for improvement after a year of tons of oral abx and months of IV rocephin, and it's been so up and down. So I am really hoping that this babs piece of the puzzle is the one that's been missing.
Posted by Beverly (Member # 1271) on :
Hi bsm,
I took Malarone, Plaquenil and Ztihromax for over two years to knock out the Babesia. (Low dose too)
I agree with all the above, you do indeed herx from babs, hang in there it gets better.
