This is topic Zithromax! in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by ByronSBell 2007 (Member # 11496) on :
 
It is time I switch ABX and I wanted to ask how some of you cope with this ABX?

The thing I have learned about this drug compared to all the others is that it stays in the system for 10-14 days. I am very sensitive to ABX, I herx from every single dose of ABX I have ever taken and everytime. I can only handle the smallest doses of ABX and have to pulse them as well. So I have no idea how to take it. It says in Byran Rosner's new book that once you take this drug there is no turning back! Herxes are intense, last a long time, and stay in the system.

I am starting at 250mg everyother day for now, will probly have to cut down even more! Then my LLMD wants to add Flagyl to that so I am attacking the spirochete and cyst form. [dizzy] [dizzy] [dizzy]
 
Posted by kelmo (Member # 8797) on :
 
My daughter had to start out pulsing like that. It was HARD at first.

She was able to get up to 500mg/day and is still on that dose after a year.

We have added Rifampin for bart, and now switched to mepron for babesia.

Something that might help you is an oil to coat the stomach. I found it at Siberian Tiger Natural...here it is...www.siberiantigernaturals.com

For some wierd reason, it really helped with GI issues.

Good Luck
 
Posted by ByronSBell 2007 (Member # 11496) on :
 
I really dont have a problem with ABX on my stomach. I think I could take any form of ABX at any dose and it not harm my stomach at all...

Maybe I just need to be permanantly hooked up to an IV drip all day to keep the toxins flowing out. They always seem to make me feel better! [Big Grin]
 
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
 
I had a lot of diarrhea from zithromax which resolved when I doubled up on my probiotics. I take a ton of them 2X per day plus yogurt and kefir. I also require a ton of things for detox which I've mentioned to you in previous messages.

You will tolerate abx much better if you take care of your detox needs.

Terry
 
Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
 
Byron,
Go slow with the Zithromax, just as you have planned. The half life is approximately 3 days, so, yes it does build up in your system.

The good thing to know is if it gets too intense you can always stop. In a couple of days it's reduced. I'm learning the hard way to go at this slow. I just started again last week. *takes a deep breath* so far so good. (I am taking a similar dose to yours.)

One other thing, get good and comfortable on the Zith before adding anything. That'd be my advice.

I have no medical background and am just telling you what it's like for me and my opinion.


My last run on Zith the doc wanted me to take 600 2x/day. I talked her down to one. Way, way too much, in a few weeks I had halved it then quartered it and took it every 3 days. She wasn't thrilled at that. In 2 months the herx was so bad she made me stop. If she didn't I would have. I have a new doc now.


Good luck! Heck, if I can do it...

Search my old posts and you'll see what my drug reactions are like, yikes! [Wink]
 
Posted by ByronSBell 2007 (Member # 11496) on :
 
He meant by "no turning back" as once you take it, the zithromax will stay in the body for 10-14 days,so herxes can be severe and longer lasting... As opposed to other ABX which stay in the system for about on average 2-3 days at the most.
 
Posted by robi (Member # 5547) on :
 
I have the book ........... can you give a page reference. I thought he was referring to the cephlosporins and penecillins. Isn't Zith a macrolide?

robi
 
Posted by ByronSBell 2007 (Member # 11496) on :
 
It is the page right before that chart with all the antibiotics listed on it, towards the front ofthe book...
 
Posted by savebabe (Member # 9847) on :
 
My doc never prescribed zith for lyme, but he added this drug to my treatment when I was fighting babesia.

One important thing to remember while taking zith, watch your hearing. This drug can do permanent damage and cause hearing loss.

Good luck with treatment!
 
Posted by rmruss (Member # 11409) on :
 
Byron,

Don't be too nervous about taking Zithromax. I started off just like you, taking 250 mg every other day, and now I take much more than that. I vividly recall how horrible it made me feel at first. But stick with it. It may take a while and it may be difficult for you to believe right now. But you are going to feel better one day. It has made me significantly better (Babesia is gone and Lyme is pretty much under control).

My LLMD made sure that I understood the need to take probiotics, drink plenty of water, and detox while taking abx. I hope that your LLMD has done the same for you.
 
Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
 
Keep this in mind the mind through fear can cause all kinds of problems.
Take everything with a grain of salt.
 
Posted by Boomerang (Member # 7979) on :
 
Byron, hubby took the Zith for quite awhile....it was really a good ABX for him.

Good luck!
 
Posted by Jellybelly (Member # 7142) on :
 
Really odd for me, but I had no problem with Zithro, EXCEPT for vertigo after about 3 doses. I was taking it to try and combat an eye infection and was taking it every other day for about 2 weeks....nothing in the way of a typical herx reaction for me.

I say this is odd for me because Doxy put me in the ER, micro doses of Mino cause me to herx significantly and Cipro did nothing either except to cause me vertigo.

Why I have nooo idea.
 
Posted by LisaS (Member # 10581) on :
 
I think Zith is one of the few drugs that I didn't have a bad reaction too. I had the normal herx but none of the side effects I hear other people talk about.
 
Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :
 
Byron:

I had a heck of a time getting up to full dose on Zith. I ended up taking the liquid version. It is meant for children and, unfortunately, it has a little sugar in it. But, it was much easier for me to handle.

Maybe you could try that?
 
Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
 
Ew... beachcomber, liquid Zith tastes nasty! [Razz]


Update for Byron...
I got through my first week on Zith, this time, and have lived to tell the tale. Nice and slow... I'm doing it, I'm pretty proud of myself. [Smile]
 
Posted by Vermont_Lymie (Member # 9780) on :
 
Hi true

You still taking the amoxy too in addition to zith?

Take lots of probiotics with that combo; it is a
great combination, but did a number on my stomach
flora and fauna!
[hi] Vermont
 
Posted by mikej2323 (Member # 8913) on :
 
Zithro. has a 1/2-life of about 68 hours, so yes, just short of three days, which means it takes that long just to decrease the original dosage by half! Worked up to 500mg/day and experiencing mucous/phlegm running from nose and in the throat. Don't know where it's coming from...but thinking about backing off, or pulsing.

Mike
[email protected]
 
Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :
 
Yeah, eewww is right.

Well, just got put back on Zith and Mepron. Bleee! I tanked on Minocin so, had to stop.

Doc said to take no more than 250 mgs every other day to start. He said 250 will probably last in my system for 63 hours so back off as needed. I will pulse and eventually work up to 250 once or twice a day.

Lots of probiotics too.
 
Posted by ByronSBell 2007 (Member # 11496) on :
 
The half life is much longer on zithro than what your doc are saying. My LLMD said atleast 10 days, Bryan Rosner says 2 weeks!
 
Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :
 
Thanks much. I think he meant at full potency for 63 hours. He said I can be flexible to start. I intend to be!
 
Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
 
Both IV and oral Zithromax worked really well for me. If you can get liquid, have it compounded so it tastes good. [Smile]
I did 1,000 and 500 mg IV, and 600 and then 1,200 mg orally of zithromax for a year. Worked great!

 -
 
Posted by mikej2323 (Member # 8913) on :
 
The Physician's Desk Reference states the 1/2-life for Zithro. as being 68 hours. Yikes is right. I'm wondering if this is a drug that should be used at smaller dosages and pulsed in those with a high bacterial load.

Mike
[email protected]
 
Posted by ByronSBell 2007 (Member # 11496) on :
 
Since it's long half life my doc has told me to take 500mg AT THE MOST a day

I am taking 250mg once every 3 days right now. So in a sense I am constantly on it...
 
Posted by ByronSBell 2007 (Member # 11496) on :
 
So far I dont have any side effects of the drug... but my pain is staying higher than usual. This whole week I have had has been hell, lets see what next week is like [Roll Eyes]
 
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