There's so much to read and I can't get a handle on it. Dr. B says take artemisia with Mepron but then I read others who say every other day, or 5 days on and ? off. Had to reduce Mepron to 1/4 tsp as depression was too great. Going to maybe try an anti-d to get through all this but in the meantime--should I introduce artemisia at 3x day everyday? Want to beat this but not sure how to attack. Any help is appreciated.
Posted by joalo (Member # 12752) on :
Up.
Posted by Florence1 (Member # 22960) on :
i was taking mine with mepron daily then my LLMD switched to 3 tabs twice daily for 5 days every 2 weeks......seem to feel the effects much more this way.......
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Burrascano says to add artimesinin to babesia treatment in all cases. But, he doesn't say how to take it. He doesn't say to take it daily.
My now famous lyme doc had me take it 3 days in a row, then 4 days off. Others have described other schedules.
But, evidently there is an important reason for not taking it daily. I have heard that the reason is your intestines will begin making an enzyme that will stop the absorption of artimesinin if it is taken every day. So, that explains why you should not take it daily.
Once you start treating babesiosis, you should notice a weekly flare. Mine was like clockwork every Friday evening. It lasted until Sunday evening of each week.
So, my doc had me take art to encompass the flare. I started taking it on Friday morning and took it through Sunday evening.
This worked so amazingly that it seemed like a miracle. My symptoms instantly went down to nearly nothing.
So, I strongly suggest you do the same.
I told this to another person on LymeNet and they did it and had the same amazing result.
It may be that the babs flare is when the babs is vulnerable to being killed (it is multiplying), so that is why you want to take the art to encompass the flare.
Whatever the explanation, I think it would be best for you not to take the art every day.
This is the exact quote from Burrascano, page 24:
"Artemesia (a nonprescription herb) should be added in all cases."
So, this is where the expertise of the lyme doc comes into play.
I completed my lyme treatment 5 years ago and I am still symptom-free, enjoying my life. So, this worked for me. I had lyme, babs, and bart for 10 years undiagnosed.
Posted by solar (Member # 26078) on :
Thank you. I appreciate the info and the fact that it worked for you. Did you take mepron with the art? I think lithium orotate may be added to this mix as the depression is deep with all this. But I'm very grateful for your giving me this direct clear response (and also thanks to Florence1)
Nothing like hearing it from those who have been there.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
My doc prefers mepron and zith for babs, but I can't take zith, so he treated my babs with Bactrim DS instead.
He says Bactrim will do the trick, but it takes twice as long as mepron/zith.
I took the artimesinin twice per day on an empty stomach, by the way..
Posted by solar (Member # 26078) on :
I'd be curious to know what was involved with a flare? All I know is worsening depression....is that a flare?
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
My flare included a totally horrible feeling of complete DOOM. I felt like this is how I would feel for the rest of my life. There was no reasoning with this train of thought.
Also, extreme weakness so that I just lay there. I didn't get up for anything--not to go to the bathroom, or eat, etc.
I didn't talk. I didn't move. It was just terrible.
Someone else may have different symptoms. But, I never felt anything like this normally, so this was very easy to spot.
As the flares lessened thanks to the art, they could just be an overwhelming need to lie down and sleep. No matter where I was. I would go right out.
The flares came like clockwork every Friday evening at the same time. So, look for something that does this. Mark down days on the calendar and see if you start to notice anything like this.
The flare lasted 2 days--until I hit it with art. It amazingly would just "lift" after 48 hours, and I would start to feel normal mentally, get up, go to the bathroom, get something to drink, look in the refrigerator for food, etc. And, then I knew that IT was over!
Posted by solar (Member # 26078) on :
I don't know whether to PM or to continue on this thread for others? Yesterday started to increase mepron --only up to 1/2 tsp. and today feel the dip of depression --(or increase of already depression) Stopped art on saturday. Should I take some art now or ride it out? Now that I know a flare can be depression not sure if this is flare or not. Any help is appreciated.
Posted by TnFlowerChild (Member # 24717) on :
Wow - my depression lately has doubled, no, tripled.... I never really thought of it as part of a flare, but that does make sense.
I can't take ANY Rx anti-depressants - too many problems for me - but I do take 5-HTP, which helps me, so I doubled up and it does seem to help.
I've been taking a Good-N-Natural brand, primarily because it has Niacin, B6, magnesium, and Valerian in it also.
From my research (for depression), 5-HTP needs the B's and mag to metabolize properly. I have done well on it for many years - adjusting my dose when I felt it necessary - up or down.
Best price I've found (with really good service) has been at LuckyVitamin online. NO FINANCIAL INTEREST other than I buy a lot!
With that thought... maybe I do need to buy stock... there and Petsmart!!!!