any ideas??
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
When you've been on treatment for quite awhile and find that antibiotics that once worked seem to not work at all. Especially if you shift to entirely new antibiotics. If you then hit it with Flagyl, Tindamax or other cyst destroying drugs and react strongly -- that is also possibly another good indicator.
Patients like me, who have a low load infection and who have been treated for years and years probably have a lot of cystic forms. I need heavy drugs that hit cysts now.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I've read that within 20 minutes of exposure to doxycycline that some spirochetes go into cyst form to protect themselves.
That is why combination treatment is required that also addresses the cyst form. As for when that is introduced, the LLMDs know more about that and what each patient can handle at what time regarding a die-off load.
Any stressors to the spirochetes can push them into the cyst form. They do not like vibration, heat, cold, either so they run and hide. -
Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
As soon as there threatend or reproducing.
Posted by migs (Member # 16496) on :
From my experience, I started Doxy about 3 weeks past bite and 4 days into symptoms. About a week later I started Flagyl and had a motherF--Ker of a herxheimer reaction. Stiff as a board, couldn't even tie my shoes...couldn't finish a sentence either.
One LLMD told me cyst busting is essential from day 1 and another told me it takes an extended illness. I believe the former from what happened to me.
Posted by johnnywv (Member # 23012) on :
ok, i have not seen my LLMD yet but I am told he will only Rx one ABX at a time.
I have had a script for Doxy since 10-15-09 should i request a cyst buster as opposed to the Doxy?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Is he "ILADS-educated" meaning that even if not a member of ILADS, has he read all the articles. Has he read both ILADS treatment guidelines and Burrascano's. There are two sets.
Then, who else's work impresses him? Has he read Alan MacDonald's work about biofilm.
You can ask him how he plans to treat the cyst form. I'd sure want to know a basic outline for the entire treatment course. He may not have all details as much depends on your progress, etc. But you should be able to get an overview of his basic approach.
There may be reasons why he's doing only one Rx at a time.
1. He may be unaware of the cyst form (if so, find another doctor).
2. He may be very aware but also aware of what your liver/kidneys can or can't handle regarding drugs and die-off.
3. He may be aware and simply operating on his research or conversations with other doctors.
4. Just as important important as addressing the cyst - or maybe more so - is attention to biofilm. How might he be planning on working with that?
(The biofilm is a protective sort of gel layer that the bacteria make so that medicines cannot penetrate - or at least have trouble getting through.)
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I went back up to see if I missed anything. I see your have not yet even met with your doctor. How did you find this doctor and have you spoken with anyone at the local lyme support group to see if anyone there has had success with his treatment?
It's also important to know that you should be assessed for coinfections. If present, they may need to be treated first.
You asked about a cyst buster instead of doxy. You would need both, together.
First, learn more about his approach. Listen closely to what he says. Everything he says. That is how you will get an idea of his knowledge base. Hopefully, he will know tons more than all of us here, combined. Hopefully, he will have guided MANY patients back to health.
And, remember, while there are certain guidelines, each patient presents with a different mix, and different tolerances regarding treatment options.
In addition to the usual coinfections from ticks (such as babesia, bartonella, ehrlichia, RMSF, etc.), there are some other chronic stealth infections that an excellent LLMD should know about: