My mother was just diagnosed with Babesia microti and will be starting her protocol next week:
1 teaspon (750 mg) of Mepron 2X a day 250mg zithro 2X a day Artemisinin (Digestive Enzymes)
Should she be taking a probiotic, too, or does Artemisinin serve THAT purpose?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Clarissa
Posted by Monica922 (Member # 13496) on :
Hi You should join our Babesia Buddies in the Support section. The members have great ideas. I would always suggest taking a probiotic anytime you are on abx....zith 250 is enough to justify it.
Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
Thanks, Monica! I appreciate your input and invitation.
I had a feeling a probiotic was necessary...
Posted by heiwalove (Member # 6467) on :
i'm quite sure if she's on an abx that she should be taking probiotics. artemisinin kills babesia, it doesn't replenish beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
That's what I though...sheesh! Sometimes I feel like Nancy Drew when it comes to these TBD's.
Her LLMD did not mention any probiotics (sigh). I just knew it from my Gut 101 classes.
Thanks!
Posted by Chia Pet (Member # 12399) on :
I read ART has powerful anti-fungal properties, and I know it helps me in that respect, but I still take my probiotics to replenish the lost good bacteria.
Posted by Hides1 (Member # 6348) on :
Sadly many docs don't mention the probioitcs and anytime anyone is on antibitoics- especially with Lyme and coinfections- they need to make sure they take a really good probiotic.
Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
Hi Friends,
I'm writing out a meds schedule for my Mom to help her get started on probiotics, zithro, mepron and supplements.
Me being a Lymie/Bart victim, I have no idea if Mepron should be taken in same time-frame of zithro.
I'm having her take her probiotic one hour b4 zithro (after a full meal) but when should she take the mepron in that regime?
Please advise, and thanks again, for any input!
Clarissa
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
Yup, what Monica said!!
I always took Mepron & Zith at same time!!!
JUST REMEMBER to have your Mom take Mepron with FAT!!! If you don't take it with fat it doesn't absorb!! So remember that!!! Best wishes, Sarah
Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
"I wish they all could be California girrrrls"
THANKS!!!
Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
So I have her taking her zith, mepron and supplements at same time.
Are supplements okay with the zith and mepron or do they need to be separated, as well?
Sorry! It's just so confusing!
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
Probiotics should be taken 2-3 hours away from antibiotics or they fight each other. Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
Thanks, AliG!
I've always just done 1 hour btwn probiotics and anitbiotics.
This is good for me to know, too.
Posted by robi (Member # 5547) on :
Also, no co-q 10 with mepron. Read your multi vitamin labels and no additional co q 10.
No co q 10 at all while on Mepron.
Also, Check further on this one ............. milk thistle should be opposite of mepron schedule. IE mepron @ 6am and 6pm: milk thistle @12am and 12 pm.
I also think it's usually a good idea to take the supplements 2-3 hours away from ABX as well. ESPECIALLY if taking any calcium, magnesium and in some cases iron too.
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
quote:Originally posted by Clarissa:
Artemisinin (Digestive Enzymes)
Artemisinin is not digestive enzymes, did you mean to post the enzymes separately, in addition to the artemisinin?
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
As mentioned the Mepron needs to be taken with a high fat meal. I take my Mepron and clarith. with breakfast and dinner. I take my probiotic at least two hours after meals.
Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
Thanks to ALL of you for your input/experience/articles and advice. My Mom had a first good day with her Mepron...thanks to all of you.
AliG: My Mom referred to Artemisinin as a digestive enzyme but she was mistakened...she's just learning the Babs lingo and me being a Lymie/Bart Simpson patient had no clue.
I'll keep you posted...we just ordered some Xango Mangosteen to help energize her and help my depression and both our ph levels.
Thanks again...I don't know what I'd do without you guys!
Gratefully,
Clarissa
Posted by HaplyCarlessdave (Member # 413) on :
No- artimisinin is not a probiotic- it is just another anti-plasmodium drug that targets babesia. Thus it reinforces the 'mepron'. It can be, I think I did read somewhere, indirectly good for digestion, but if you are on zith too, you definitely should take a "probiotic" as well(probiotics are "good bacteria"-- acidophilus is the main one). Good yogurt is loaded with "probiotics". Be sure to allow at least a couple hours between zith or any other abx, and the "probiotics". Otherwise You will be wasting both probiotics AND the abx! (you use up some of the abx killing good bacteria).
If you're starting out with more than 100mg of artimisinin in each bidaily dose, you may have a slight adjustment reaction- kind of like a "herx", but in general I just got better and better in a big way from it, and think it was instrumental in my recovery. DaveS
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I have found that a good time to take probiotics is at bedtime, as long as that's 2 hrs after any antibiotics.
Good luck to you and your mom!!!! Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
Funny! My Mom and I were just discussing this very topic...bedtime or early in the morning if you get up togo to the bathroom! (sorry)
Any longer than 2 hours or is 2 hours a long enough buffer btwn pro and anti biotics?
Posted by Amanda (Member # 14107) on :
Mepron works best when serum levels in your blood are maintained. Therefore, the best way to take the mepron and zith is 12 hours apart. I know that can be hard to do because you need to eat a meal with Mepron, and like Sarah said, it needs to be high in fat (around 24g). The best I can manage is 11 hours apart.
Posted by Amanda (Member # 14107) on :
oh yeah, in addition to the bacteria probiotics, there is also a GOOD yeast probiotic called Florastor. It is supposed to help prevent C. dificile (that very nasty intestinal infection you can get from abx). Follow the directions on the bottle. I saw where the Mayo clinic actually presribes this for patients that get C dificile.
Costco sometimes has it, you can ask them to order it. Also, I noticed that pharmacies sometimes have it too, ask if you don't see it.
Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :
Thanks, Amanda! We've got 3 bottles of Florastor in our fridge...that stuff ROCKS!
I also take Primal Defense and Natren Healthy Trinity.
Theralac is really good, too.
Mom is just taking the Florastor.
Day 3 of Babs treatment and she's doing great! I hope this keeps up...she shopped for 4 hours today and drove me to LabCorp for my Igenex BabsFish & Ehrlichia test.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed...Bartonella is such a special 'gift' and I'd rather not have any other coinfections...but fate will take it's hand. At least I got the Lyme out of the way 5 years ago (relieved sigh).
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