LymeNet Flash: Starting IV Tigecycline!

This is topic Starting IV Tigecycline! in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :

I saw my doctor today; I'll be starting IV Tigecycline in about two weeks, give or take with the holiday next week.

I go on Monday to see the doctor who will be writing the prescription (neurologist) and they said from that appt, it will only take about a week to get a PICC line inserted and the medication started.

I'm so excited! My LLD said that Tigecycline is THE most effective drug out there for Lyme Disease.

Unfortunately due to the political climate, he is unwilling to write the prescription himself until there has been at least one published peer reviewed article regarding its use with regard to Lyme Disease.

He did, however, say that neurologists have more legal latitude in being able to prescribe whatever they choose, so I will be seeing the neurologist he works in conjunction with; who has begun treating several Lyme patients with IV Tigecycline.

I will keep you posted! He said to expect a MONSTER herx, but I'm very hopeful this may be the key to my recovery!

Posted by Vermont_Lymie (Member # 9780) on :

Tracy,
That's exciting news! Best wishes to you, I hope it is quick and effective. Please keep us posted!! [Smile]

Posted by Sojourner (Member # 9424) on :

Oh WOW!!! That is excellent. [bow]

Please keep us updated and let us hear the TIGER roar too. Tigecycline....It's GRRREEAAAT! (in my best Tony the Tiger voice)

I wish you the best.

Wanted to PM you but your box is full.

Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :

-

I hope you can support your liver now - and then - so the herx can be kinder.

-

Posted by yanivnaced (Member # 13212) on :

I looked up Tigecycline. Looks like it's a next generation derivative of Minocycline and is considered bacteriostatic, which messes with Borrelia's outer protein coat structure rather than try to kill it outright. It "cripples" them before they have a chance to curl up into a ball.

Seems superior to the often used Rocephin, which simply ends up creating a myriad of cyst forms waiting to come back full force.

Posted by KS (Member # 12549) on :

Good for you....I'm hearing some good things about this drug. Please keep us posted!!

I tried "PMing" you but your mailbox is full. Would you mind sharing with me who your prescribing LLMD is??

Kristin

Posted by GADaisy (Member # 12964) on :

Tracy -

We are about 4 weeks behind you in getting started with tigecycline. Would love to hear more about your experience with the Tiger. Dosing, frequency of dosing, herx experience etc...

Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :

tracy,

Good luck and keep us posted. In Cure Unkown, a biologist named LUFT has been experimenting w/ Tigecycline.

He has found that tigecycline blocks the efflux pump and that it is 100 times more effective than doxy. He states that doxy only cripples the ketes, rocephin kills them, but it takes a very long time.

Tigecycline KILLS Bb quick. Luft said that w/ Tigecycline in vitro (test tube) kills Bb w/in 24 hours!!!

HOPING THAT THIS IS YOUR MAGIC BULLET,
Feelfit

Posted by djf2005 (Member # 11449) on :

hope it works well for you.

if its better than mino and roc, than id say you have a good chance of having some good improvements on it.

please keep us posted on your progress.

is ins covering it?

best wishes

derek

Posted by dmc (Member # 5102) on :

I tried to send you PM but your mailbox full. Will post it here.

I started it yesterday.

Not as easy to infuse as Rocephen. Have to mix it yourself and put into IV bag.

I feel wiped while infusion. In fact going now 10:39am back to bed...need a nap.

Good luck,
donna

Posted by Sojourner (Member # 9424) on :

Donna....you too! Fabulous! I can't wait to hear of your experiences too.

I fantasize that my husband will be able to go on this, but being so far from Ct, I don't know how it would work.

Posted by SForsgren (Member # 7686) on :

Anybody getting it for less than 100 bucks a day + supplies?

Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :

I am hoping my insurance will cover it, otherwise I can't do it. So far, it looks like they will.

I have Medicaid and they have paid for everything else I've been on with no problems at all. There is no reason to think they would deny this. In fact they have a standard of care where the first month of ANY med is covered automatically before a prior auth is even needed.

Is anyone getting it anywhere other than CT? Just curious. I cant' wait to get there.

This LLMD also takes insurance, which was surprising. My state insurance won't cover, but I'll do anything to be better!!! IF it covers the med, I'm good to go.

Posted by hcconn22 (Member # 5263) on :

Grrrrrreat !

[spinning smile]

Posted by djf2005 (Member # 11449) on :

i cant believe medicaid treats u like that.

i have blue cross and they are pretty much done approving anything for me.

crazy.

good luck

Posted by CD57 (Member # 11749) on :

Does anyone know how the Tigecycline deals with the L form? Also how long are you folks on Tigecycline supposed to stay on it?

Am I correct in understanding that it essentially prevents the ketes from going into cyst form? What about cysts that are already there, does it bust them?