8 weeks of Doxy this fall yielded profound improvement in my neuro symptoms. Unfortunately, after only 4 week off of Doxy most of my neuro symptoms are back. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, what do you suggest now?
I have an apptmt with my LLMD next week. Should I ask for another cycle of Doxy or something "stronger"? Where do I go from here???
I'm very frustrated--4 weeks ago I thought I was cured, now I think I'm cursed. Help!
Posted by thomasx (Member # 13431) on :
What I've heard is that antibiotic treatment should go two months past when you start feeling well. Maybe you stopped too early? What does your doc say about the duration of your previous treatment?
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
for neuro Lyme IV Rocephin is great- but has risk! Only 2 months orals??? Most LLMDs treat until 2-3 months NO symptoms because otherwise pepole relapse!!!!! If you have neuro symptoms you don't want to mess around!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get back on abx and don't get off until you are well for sure- otherwise you could be chronic for LIFE!!!
Best wishes, Sarah
Posted by sal66 (Member # 13223) on :
I was on Doxy 2 months then went to Ceftin double dose for months now. Slight improvement. Next is Biaxin/ Plaquenil. Anyone used these?. What's the risk with IV therapy? I'm scared about having to go the IV route.
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
BACKGROUND: Outpatient antibiotic therapy (OPAT) has become accepted therapy for patients who need long term IV antibiotics. Despite the increased usage of home parenteral antibiotics, few studies have examined adverse reactions and access related complications associated with OPAT.
METHODS: Retrospective review of charts of patients (pts) receiving home parenteral antibiotics through a home infusion program, between 1997-2003. Patients with HIV, infections caused by non-bacterial microorganisms, or pts lost to follow-up were excluded.
RESULTS: 300 charts were reviewed. 200 pts with at least 2 outpatient follow-ups for their infection were included. Age ranged from 19-84 years, with a mean of 55. Duration of antibiotic therapy ranged from 14-364 days, with a mean of 42.
Prosthetic joint infections (28%) and osteomyelitis (26%) were the most commonly treated infections, followed by cellulitis (6%) and endocarditis (3%). The other 36% included line, LVAD and wound infections. Gram-positive organisms accounted for 70% of all infections (MSSA 20%, MRSA 16%, CNS 15%), gram-negative for 14% and 16% were culture negative.
Vancomycin (50%) and cefazolin (15%) were the most frequently used antibiotics. The most frequent drug-related side effects noted were antibiotic-associated diarrhea (8%), rash (7%), fever, nausea (4% each), and C-difficile (2%).
Rash was seen more frequently with beta-lactams. Anemia (5%), leukopenia (5%) and thrombocytopenia (0.5%) were also noted and were not related to any specific antibiotic. Side effects occurred on average 14 days after start of therapy.
Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) were used in majority of cases (72%). Access-related complications occurred in 6% of pts and included phlebitis and line infection (2%). Pts were rehospitalized in 23% of the cases, mostly due to relapse of infection (17%), and side-effects or line infection (5%).
CONCLUSION: Pts on OPAT require close outpatient monitoring to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.
Publication Types: Meeting Abstracts Keywords: Anti-Bacterial Agents Catheterization Catheterization, Peripheral Cefazolin Communicable Diseases Disease Progression Humans Infection Osteomyelitis Outpatients Vancomycin complications drug therapy Other ID: GWAIDS0024783 UI: 102264407 From Meeting Abstracts
Posted by jenin98 (Member # 12617) on :
I agree with JB. I read that they have IM injections for bicillin and Rocephin. Bicillin is intense. Jenin
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