I was diagnosed with Lyme just over a month ago after feeling sick for almost 2 years. I have lots of drug allergies including doxycycline so I was started on zithromax (by my request) I had my follow up appointment today.
Dr asked me how I was doing. I told him the first 2 weeks on Zith was awful. Felt terrible, more pain, all the fun herx stuff. I told him I had been feeling somewhat better with some more energy, less muscle pain but more joint pain than when I started. I told him this week wouldn't be a good time to judge because I'm, sorry guys, PMSing and always feel lousy right now.
He wants me to switch to Biaxin. Although I realize they are in the same family, I am afraid to start a new drug due to allergic reactions. Is Biaxin really going to make a difference or will Zith continue to help.
I tested positive on the Western Blot IGM from quest but negative on the IGG. He wants to retest the Western Blot with Quest and he'd really like me to do the IGNEX test which is out of pocket. I have a son with a kidney transplant so money is extremely tight and I really don't have the money to do it.
I'm not sure if he's questioning the Lyme diagnosis or not. He's concerned as I tested positive for mold exposure and we did have a mold issue out upstairs bathroom which is being erradicated. He also says I have a lot of allergies.
If anyone can help me sort this out, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!!
Posted by wtl (Member # 19883) on :
Dr. B's guide says that biaxin(clarithromycin) is more effective than zithromax (azithromycin) but it also seems to say that they are alone might not be effective.
I am sure someone with more knowledge will jump in soon.
Posted by chattygirl (Member # 20611) on :
Thanks WTL. Any other opinions?
Posted by hope4sofia (Member # 20577) on :
I'm quite new to this as well but I also read that neither is very effective alone. I am on doxy and zithromax. I'm considering a switch from zithro to biaxin because I was told it was less expensive. Good to know it might be more effective.
Hope you get better responses. That's all I've got so far.
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
I switched from Zith to Biaxin because Zith gave me tinnitus which hasn't gone away months later. Biaxin can too, but is supposedly less likely. But I will have to be on guard for ear issues from it.
Biaxin is a little easier on the liver than Zith in terms of the macrolide family. This is important to me due to past liver issues from an antibiotic.
My insurance hassled me about the generics for both and would give me only short courses of it, so I'd have to keep refilling.
Jill
Posted by opus2828 (Member # 15407) on :
I have heard the same - not effective alone. I took Biaxin with Amoxicillin.
Posted by Suz (Member # 3502) on :
Chatty girl
Can't email you back wish i could but all i can tell you in here is move on to another Dr.
wish you good health Suz
Posted by Suz (Member # 3502) on :
Chatty girl
Can't email you back wish i could but all i can tell you in here is move on to another Dr.