Just to fill you in, I have been on treatment for 2 1/2 years now. I am supposed to start Flagyl and zithromax. I am worried becuase when I read Flagyl can cause seizures, and not to take it with Tegretol, an anti seizure medication. I had been on treatment for over a year, and just as I was feeling better I had 2 "seizure-like" episodes, 3 weeks apart. I started taking anti- seizure medication Topamax, and have not had another episode for a year. I am worried about starting the Flagyl when it lists seizures as a side effect, and also lists drug interaction with another anti seizure med. Anyone have any experience or knowledge with any of this?? Please help!!!
Posted by valbeth (Member # 12715) on :
Julz, this is a question for your doc, but I can say that I have taken Lamictal with both of these abx without a problem and I believe Lamictal is more similar to Tegretol than Topamax is. BTW, the Lamictal has been a HUGE help to my CNS lyme/babs/bart? symptoms especially pain and sleep cycle disturbance. If you have to take an anti-seizure medication anyway switching to Lamictal might be worth thinking about. Please note, I am NOT taking the Lamictal for seizures, so can't speak to that, and I AM NOT A DOCTOR! Good luck.
Posted by Julz (Member # 12678) on :
Thanks so much for the reply. Why are you taking tamictal??as a treatment for the lyme and co's??? I never heard of that!! I take so many things to help with pain and sleeping problems...maybe the tamictal could help everything. I have never taken Flagyl...how is it?
Posted by Julz (Member # 12678) on :
sorry for the miss up on the letters...I was thinking Lamictol...its just the lyme brain!!
Posted by lucy96734 (Member # 8372) on :
I had been taking Topomax for years for nerve pain prior to knowing I had Lyme. I took it during my treatment with Tindamax, which I hear is similar to Flagyl.
I am sure that doesn't help you at all
I would talk to your LLMD.
Posted by Julz (Member # 12678) on :
THanks for the reply. I am really sick with neuro lyme, we considered going back on Bicillin LA IM shots, but that's what I was on when I had the seizures, so he thought Flagyl was the best choice. I have never been on Tindamax either...I have no idea why Flagyl for neuro lyme.
Posted by Cobweb (Member # 10053) on :
I was diagnosed with a "seizure disorder"-just prior to starting treatment for lyme.
Anyway-the neurologist has me taking Keppra-500mg 2x daily.
I have pulsed through 3 cycles of Flagyl-without a problem.
I know this doesn't exactly answer your question-but it's as close as I can get.
Take Care, Carol
Posted by Julz (Member # 12678) on :
Thank you so much for your reply...it definitely helps alot! Do you think your seizure disorder is from the Lyme? How long have you been taking treatments for Lyme? and how is it taking Keppra? any significant side effects? The topamax has many side effects...so we are not sure if some of my problems are actually from the Lyme and Co's or the topamax!!!
Thanks very much!!
Julz
Posted by Cobweb (Member # 10053) on :
I definitely think it was/is from lyme. In fact it was the last straw that made me say that's it-I'm going to an LLMD.
I was extremely hesitant at first to take the Keppra-as I am with most meds-finally worked up the nerve-and was quickly impressed by improvement.
No side effects from Keppra that I can tell. I was supposed to take 500 3x day, but find that 2 x day is fine-with neurologist's approval.
Brief history-first dignosed with lyme July 2004-treated inadequately with 3 weeks low dose ceftin.
Health continued to decline- made the rounds of specialists.
Diagnosed in Spring 2005 with seizures. Went to LLMD in May 2005-was retested for lyme-diagnosed with "persistent lyme" Have been on orals and IV since then.
Heading for bed, Take Care, Carol
Posted by valbeth (Member # 12715) on :
quote:Originally posted by Julz: Thanks so much for the reply. Why are you taking tamictal??as a treatment for the lyme and co's??? I never heard of that!! I take so many things to help with pain and sleeping problems...maybe the tamictal could help everything. I have never taken Flagyl...how is it?
My LLMD psychiatrist started me on the Lamictal for depression which it has also helped, certainly worth talking about. I am just finishing up a month of Levaquin for my brain problems. Also taking Samento and Arteminisin. Since the Levaquin has helped I suspect I'm dealing with Bartonella (what my LLMD was thinking it was too). As far as Flagyl, do remember too much except everything makes me herx! If you also have neurogenic pain and/or problems with irregular sleep cycles I would definitely talk to your LLMD about the Lamictal. Good luck.
Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :
I take Topamax for migraines.
I also did six weeks of Flagyl while on Topamax.
The Flagyl about did me in! But I saw a lot of improvement afterward.
I would go slow on the Flagyl, for sure. It's a "barn burner." However, I've never heard I couldn't do them at the same time.
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If you also have neurogenic pain and/or problems with irregular sleep cycles I would definitely talk to your LLMD about the Lamictal. Good luck.