Just starting to treat bartonella and wondering if you could share your success with Rifampin and additional antibiotics you took while on Rifampin?
Also is Rifampin hard on the stomach? Any input would be greatly appreciated. I anticipate being on the Rifampin/Doxy combo for four months and then possibly the Rifampin/Azithromyacin for a few more months.
If you did the Doxy with Rifampin what dose doxy did you take daily?
Barb
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
Hi Barb, I can't offer much in terms of experience with Rifampin yet because I'm just starting it also.
But the dose of doxy I'm on right now, for the Rifampin combo, is 400 mg daily. Is that the same dose you're taking?
Hoping this combo is spectacular for both of us, Cactus
Posted by jjeennnniiee (Member # 7964) on :
Hi Barb,
I'm taking 600mg/day of Rifampin now, along with 1,000mg/day of Tetracycline and 250/100mg/day of Malarone.
I herxed pretty bad the first couple of months I took Rifampin.
I'm herxing pretty bad now from taking Tetracycline, which is hindering my progess toward taking my full dosage of it of 1,500mg/day, but I'm slowly getting there.
I recently started taking Malarone also and am herxing pretty bad now from taking it too.
Taking Rifampin doesn't give me any nausea.
Taking Tetracycline gives me some mild, but passing, nausea.
Taking Malarone has given me some severe nausea, which hardly passed.
Since I've started taking my Malarone with some extra fat though, it's mild now.
Ginger, either in capsule, lozenge, or tea form, is a really good herbal remedy for nausea.
Phenergan (the generic form is Promethegan), a suppository, is a really good prescription remedy for nausea.
I only use the prescription, as a last resort though, since it tends to cause drowsiness, or at least, it does with me.
I hope this helps you.
Love, Light, & Health, Jennie
Posted by sfcharm (Member # 9392) on :
up
Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
While I was on Rifampin, I was also on Doxy and Biaxin.
Doxy every day.
Rifampin Monday - Friday
Biaxin - Saturday and Sunday only
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
I'll be using Minocycline 200 x 2, Rifampin 300 x 2, and then I have a ton of Tetracycline and made include that, 1gm x 2, and possibly some Levaquin 500mg x 1, and Amantadine 100 x 2
We'll see if that rapes the little bast-ards. I'm going to war! I'll be on Zhang Coptis, HH, and Artemisia too. I started the Art about 5 days ago.
Posted by CraigC (Member # 13732) on :
Metallic,
You're considering taking the Levaquin along with Rifampin? I thought it was usually one or the other. I've been on Rifampin [600 mg.], along with Biaxin [500 mg.], for about two months. So far, not really much change in the neuro symptoms. I'm still experiencing the occasional myoclonic jerks at night [before sleep], constant muscle twitches, mild dizziness, and fullness of the ears.
I'm seeing my LLMD in two weeks, so perhaps he can shed some light on things, or even suggest more aggressive action. I still don't think I'm ill enough to warrant IV therapy, nor can I afford it.
Posted by fatigued15 (Member # 6437) on :
Doxy 200 mg. IV Rifampin 300 mg two times ad ay Plaquinal
The first 2 months of Rifampin were a consatnt herx. Finally seeing good results.
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
quote: Metallic,
You're considering taking the Levaquin along with Rifampin? I thought it was usually one or the other. I've been on Rifampin [600 mg.], along with Biaxin [500 mg.], for about two months.
I've never thought much of taking a Macrolide with Rifampin. I think a cycline in combination has shown better results. Macrolides, when mixed with Levaquin show a significant reducing in the effectiveness of Levaquin, as an example.
quote: o far, not really much change in the neuro symptoms. I'm still experiencing the occasional myoclonic jerks at night [before sleep], constant muscle twitches, mild dizziness, and fullness of the ears.
I'm seeing my LLMD in two weeks, so perhaps he can shed some light on things, or even suggest more aggressive action. I still don't think I'm ill enough to warrant IV therapy, nor can I afford it.
I wouldn't go with IV if you feel that way. Bactrim or Levaquin are really the weapons of choice in my opinion for BLO"
Posted by CraigC (Member # 13732) on :
Metallic,
I just wondered, since your post read like you were considering Levaquin along with the Rifampin. I would think it would be "either" "or".
My pharmacist told me that Doxy tends to counteract the effects of Rifampin, but I still see a lot of people on here, state that they have been prescribed both in combination. I was doing 200 mg. of Doryx with Rifampin, but changed to this combination, since I wanted to see how Biaxin/Rifampin would work.
Posted by pamoisondelune (Member # 11846) on :
Here's a bit of information, that scared me. I do miss doses! I thought that as long as i miss doses, i'd better not start Rifampin-----
QUOTE FOLLOWS:
Rifampin is not recommended for intermittent therapy; the patient
should be cautioned against intentional or accidental interruption of the
daily dosage regimen since rare renal hypersensitivity reactions have been
reported when therapy was resumed in such cases.
Rifampin has been observed to increase the requirements for
anticoagulant drugs of the coumarin type. The cause of this phenomenon is
unknown. In patients receiving anticoagulants and rifampin concurrently,
it is recommended that the prothrombin time be performed daily or as
frequently as necessary to establish and maintain the required dose of
I just wondered, since your post read like you were considering Levaquin along with the Rifampin. I would think it would be "either" "or".
My pharmacist told me that Doxy tends to counteract the effects of Rifampin, but I still see a lot of people on here, state that they have been prescribed both in combination. I was doing 200 mg. of Doryx with Rifampin, but changed to this combination, since I wanted to see how Biaxin/Rifampin would work.
The studies I've seen show it's "possible" there could be an interaction, but most studies done show they work synergistically, and actually perform better.
As far as I can see, Rifampin can be used with Levaquin. I have not come across any contraindications nor drug interactions. Confirm with your physician.
Also, Macrolide antibiotics (Biaxen) may decrease the metabolism, via CYP isoenzymes, of rifamycin derivatives (Rifampin).
Posted by CD57 (Member # 11749) on :
I did Rifampin 600 + 400 doxy + 100 mino for 8 months. My LLMD knew that Rifampin decreased efficacy of doxy so ordered a peak/trough test for the doxy. It was at 6 and was supposed to be at 10. so he added the 100 mino.
I felt great on this combo until I stopped. And bart is not gone. Hopefully you all will have better luck. I'm not sure what to do next.
Posted by sfcharm (Member # 9392) on :