I've been on Abx since july and am feeling like I ned a break. I have been ridiculous fatigued the past few weeks and am starting to wonder if some of my symptoms are from abx? Is it okay to take a break and reevaluate?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I would make it brief if you do.. like maybe a week or two.
Have you been evaluated for coinfections?
Posted by heatherliveswithlyme (Member # 14890) on :
I've been on break for 7 months now. Eating healthy and excersizing. It is more of a remission and anti yeast diet.
I tried taking breaks before and they didnt last this long.
Just don't take too long especially if you know you are starting to have the same old lyme problems.
This is just what I have done and NO ONE recommends it not even my LLMD.
Good luck, H
Posted by kareamber (Member # 20110) on :
Thanks...lymetoo I haven't been evaluated or tested for coinfections. My llmd is just assuming I have them I guess because of lack of improvement. He put me on artesunate and I only lasted a week. Made me feel horrible. Looking back it was prob a herx so I may try it again soon.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
I have taken breaks but I think it is something that you and your LLMD need to agree on.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
If you address the coinfections you will probably begin to feel better. Taking a break just allows everything to spiral right back to where you started - Lyme will come back full force in less than a month, bart in less than a week. Maybe you need to evaluate your symptoms and switch abx to fight the other infections you have. If you have an LLMD he will know which abx to use that overlap treatment.
So if you take a break be sure you have an arsenal of herbs already started - I used 1500mg TOA free cat's claw and 1000mg grapefruit seed extract for lyme. You can also try andrographis and teasel root but whatever you use needs to be a high dose taken 3-4 times a day to keep it high in your blood. Expect it to be very expensive as you need to take up to 6 times the recommended amount suggested (although you don't start there). I don't think anything is effective until the bacteria are already under control. The LLMD I saw, who also had a homeopathic partner that just used herbs, said there is nothing herbal that cures bart.
I quit abx for the same reason as you. I felt that I could not tolerate the drugs any more and at that time I probably couldn't as the side effects were pretty bad. I found when I was using herbs that I could slide way backwards believing I was herxing when in fact the disease was taking over again. I went back on abx three months ago. This time I hope I can stick with it. Remember that the most common reason for treatment failure is too small a dose of abx and/or not taking them long enough
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
When I was on heavy abx, three days was all the break I could get before babesia came roaring back. My LLMD wanted me to be a week off, but said to start the babs meds as soon as I needed to.
During a short break, I think it's good to take the opportunity to detox.
If you've been on longer term treatment and are talking about a break for a few weeks, I'd pay close attention to the return of symptoms, or try other protocols. I went on a 5 week break to try an alternative protocol that ended up being a good thing for me. Never ended up going back on abx.
IMO, it depends on how you use the breaks and why you are taking one.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Kare.. yep, most of us have at least one coinfection.
Posted by kareamber (Member # 20110) on :
Thanks for the help. Well I decided to take a short break...like a week. I have been SO tired and just blah and think I need to clear my body of some junk. I'm gonna focus on detox during the break. I've so been having GI issues so it will be helpful to let that clear. I've been off for 2 days now and am feeling pretty good. No increase of symptoms and haven't been as tired. The break will only be temporary...but hopefully it'll do me some good.
Posted by beths (Member # 18864) on :
I pulse..but this is after 3 years of abx..maybe I'm getting to the end. 10 days on, 21 days off. Feeling pretty good most days.
Posted by txgirl09 (Member # 21612) on :
I'm taking a short break too, Kare. About a week. I've been on high doses of abx since August and just need to give my body a break as well.
Its so hard to tell if things are lyme, coinfections or side effects.