I just got my labs back and am concerned. I am going into my third month of Rifampin/Zith treatment for Bart.
Started with 250mg of Zithromax and 300mg of Rifampin and immediately my neuro symptoms cleared. In the gym 3-4x a week, feel much better overall. Slightly tired sometimes, and some dull thinking at times but other than that a miracle combination for me.
I just got my labs faxed to me from my LLMD however and my AST (SGOT) is slightly elevated at 57 (0-40 normal). ALT and Alkaline Phosphatase normal (in the middle range).
I took Doxy and Zithromax for two years prior and never had elevated Liver Enzymes.
LLMD wants me to INCREASE Rifampin to 600mg and Zithromax to 500mg daily. A bit worried since my AST is elevated.
Any thoughts???
I take NAC daily and just bought some Milk Thistle today (hopefully no interactions with Rifampin).
Thanks for any feedback.
Posted by Myco (Member # 9536) on :
bump
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Increase with elevated liver enzymes? That sounds screwed up!! Hmmmm..
Posted by Cockapoo1996 (Member # 14238) on :
Myco, I had high liver enzymes on one test. I was told not to worry and to increase my meds. Which I did, but of course like you I worried.
The next test they were way down again. Very puzzling. The doctor told me to take supplement NAC and also Phosphatidylyserin and Sarsaparilla. I just started these.
Posted by asus (Member # 13881) on :
Its up to your Dr., but that isn't a very high liver enzyme elevation. Usually, they either take you off to see if it goes back down and then put you back on and just watch closely. If it doesn't go higher, they usually leave you on. I'd check before you take milk thistle. Rifampin reacts with a lot of stuff, and milk thistle has been known to raise/lower the levels of certain drugs. You have to be careful with it. Its good for the liver, but its not benign and can cause issues with various drugs.
Posted by Myco (Member # 9536) on :
Thanks for the note on Milk Thistle. I will hold off that for now. Perhaps increasing my NAC will help. I take 600mg 2x daily. Maybe 1200mg daily will work.
Also may do the lemon olive oil drink.
Posted by Myco (Member # 9536) on :
Anyone else?
Posted by Stacyb (Member # 13084) on :
Hi Myco,
I have been on Rifampin and Zith for months now and like you I saw great improvments. This is my 2nd trial with it as I did the first run for 8 months but when I came off I slip back wards from the Bart.
I take Milk Thisle and lots of it. I also take ALA (Alpha Lipoic Acid) and NAC and Hep F #2 from Zhang. I have been able to continue my tx and not have to get off the abx. I also take liver detox and a few other things for liver support.
Also many on here have posted about coffee enemas and other liver detox and supports too.