LymeNet Flash: What doc said about the risk of developing gallbladder problems from IV rocephin

This is topic What doc said about the risk of developing gallbladder problems from IV rocephin in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by adamm (Member # 11910) on :

That it's been greatly exaggerated by the opponents of long-term

treatment, and generally isn't significant unless the bugs are

already inflaming the gallbladder. This seem about right to you?

[confused]

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

From what I've read around here of others' experiences .. NOPE!

Maybe some will come forth who've had IV Roc and NO GB problems.

Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :

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NO - that way of thinking does not seem right.

You need to act in a preventative manner to protect the gallbladder with either Rx or supplements that have some research behind them (as plenty do). Food choices matter, too.

Whether it's been overstated or not, matters not. Besides, how is alerting patients to risk now termed "overstating"?

If there is a risk (as with certain drugs), cover your risk, for crying out loud.

Prevention can make the difference and there are ways to do that.

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[ 06. June 2008, 12:40 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]

Posted by tad (Member # 14433) on :

I did 12 weeks of IV Roc, without taking anything for my gallbadder and had no problems.

But that was just me.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Adam... It IS true, however, that many if not all of us with chronic lyme start out with GB problems we don't know we have.

Add abx and it's done for. I lost my GB to either Lyme or abx and I never had IV.

Posted by djf2005 (Member # 11449) on :

adamm take atigall and youll be fine.

its no big deal

Posted by Rianna (Member # 11038) on :

I did 5 months of IV Rocephin and by week 12 had chronic Bilary sludging despite taking 3x300mg Actigal 3 times a day - My gallbladder stuff got so bad I puked all day. It took 6 months to clear after stopping it.

This does not deter me as I am back on it on Tuesday via a PICC with IV Rifampin Im just going to do a lower dosage of 2gms a day not 4gms.

My LLMD actually said most of hs patients on IV Rocephin get gallbladder problems to differant degrees week 8 onwards and prefers to use 2grams/day 6 out of 7 days a week rather than what I was on before which was 4gms a day 4 days and off for 3 days.

Rianna

Posted by ElaineC (Member # 9857) on :

I think it is VERY important to take Actigall while on IV Rocephin!!

And even on low dose pulsed regime GB problems can still develop very quickly - About 2 1/2 years ago, I did over 5 wks IV Rocephin, just 2g/day, 5 days
per week. I had this done in Germany, and asked if they would give
me Actigall - but it's not routine there! So, weeks 5 and 6, I had
horrific colic attacks, really really bad, so stopped treatment.
Ultrasound showed sludge and gallstones. Had this repeated over 3
weeks after stopping, and sludge and stones still present.

I then did a flush, with olive oil and lemon juice - not pleasant!
But the next ultrasound was clear. Maybe the flush worked.., or maybe it just dissolved
itself......but it's definitely better to take Actigall in the first
place and not have the gallbladder worries.

Also when i later became a patient of Dr.B before his retirement he did mention that it was possible that the Lyme had already affected my GB and that would have made GB issues inevitable, especially with not taking Actigall.

Elaine

Posted by atheana (Member # 14273) on :

Hi,
I am on Urso to support my GB,and milk thistle every other day.

Should that be ok?
Atheana

Posted by InADaze (Member # 7711) on :

My friend was on IV rocephin for a month several years ago. Last year, he had to have his gallbladder removed.

Yes, protect your gall-bladder!

Posted by Cold Feet (Member # 9882) on :

Y'all, why not try one of the liver & gall bladder cleanses? I finally got around to doing the Hulda Clark type (epsom salt, grapefruit juice, olive oil) a few weeks ago. I was astonished to see the results exactly as pictured on some web sites! I expelled hundreds of green marbles! Some were one inch long (yup, I measured them). [dizzy]

I will do these monthly until I see "diminishing returns." There's another unforeseen effect for me: I now dream vividly or recall my dreams more clearly. Go figure.

I read that 500,000 people have their gall bladders removed each year. Maybe, just maybe, these simple cleanses can help us keep our body parts that we need!

http://www.curezone.com/cleanse/liver/huldas_recipe.asp

PM or email if you want to see the pictures. [Eek!]

Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :

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I try to stay out of controversy and I am fully aware that many swear by liver and gallbladder "cleanses" - if one is sure the product is reputable and they feel better that's good. But if one feels depleted, that's not so great.

IMO, these can be very harsh, putting a strain on the liver and other organs. And, they may move stuff out of you, but do they really do what they say? And, even if so, sudden rushes are so rough.

There are many kinds of supportive measures that are kinder and effective, including diet and even herbs you'd use in cooking (or as a supplement). Tumeric / curcumin in just one supplement that comes to mind.

PubMed has many abstracts on that alone.

Some Rx ( Actigall) protects the gallbladder, too, when taking rochephin.

Also, more than one ND whom I asked has said that the marble stuff after the olive oil and lemon cleanses were not gallstones but the oil all congealed.

It's just that "cleanse" has become an event where, in the body, it is intended for that to be a process. I do best when I encourage that and I reel when I push it.

Regarding the epsom salt - magnesium tablets will encourage bowel clearing - epson salt diluted in water can be very irritating to tender tissue in the mouth and throat. I took some recently when I ran out of magnesium tablets and my mouth was raw for a week.

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Posted by Cold Feet (Member # 9882) on :

Keebler, good points all around, thanks for saying that. These cleanses are definitely not for everyone.

I talked to some folks from this (and other forums) about this cleanse before emarking on this challenge. Some saw dramatic results, others not. My wife also did it and was surprised with some results, though very different -- and not as dramatic -- as mine.

I cross-sectioned my stones, which had a consistency of cold butter; there were definitely some interesting things inside. Does anyone know where I can send my green marbles of joy for analysis?!

[lol]

Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :

i agree that cleanses can be harsh on you. i tried one, and man was i sick.

then i told my doc and he bout had a fit, said never to do that. said if you don't have problems you will have, after drinking all that oil....

nope, not for me.

unfortunately i lost the ole gallbladder due to lyme anyway.

Posted by Clarissa (Member # 4715) on :

I did IV Rocephin for 5 mos and took no preventive measures for my gall bladder. The topic wasn't even mentioned.

All was fine. Once again, very individual experiences.