Wondering if anyone knows what the success rates are for ABX treatment for very long-term chronic (15+ years) cases if handled by one of the top LLMD's in the country? In my case, I am in relatively good shape physically, ambulatory, but having nueropsych and cognitive issues,fatigue, and neck pain. I know that the patient's condition is important for success rates.
Trying to slog away at non-ABX methods since diagnosis in Nov., but considering that perhpas I should have given ABX a try first--hesitate because they can be such a damaging dangerous "try".
Wondering what any of you might have heard from your docs or at recent conferences on the numbers for long term chronic lyme/ABX. I have been under the impression that rates are low--around 50-60% seeing resolution of symptoms with only mild relapsing.
Thanks! e
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
Most patients recover function with long term treatment, even when undiagnosed long term. However, patients often complain that the symptoms don't entirely abate. They get "better", but they don't necessarily get well. Antibiotics are extremely valuable, but they aren't the only tool that needs to be employed when dealing with persistent infections like Lyme Disease, or the co-infections and other associated problems.
With antibiotics alone, success won't be as high as if mixed with other treatment modalities, including exercise, diet, detoxification, herbal, or other therapeutic treatments. When mixed and individualized, most patients see a significant recovery rate.
The problem is financial in many cases, as well as a lack of physicians willing to comprehensively treat based on the entire spectrum of tick-born illness, not just looking at Lyme Disease alone.
You must understand all the complex issues, from multiple infections, damage done to the host of the time-frame of illness, toxicity.