I have taken flagyl in the past but never consistently.
I can tell you that without reservation flagyl is probably one of the best drugs in the fight against Lyme disease.
Most recently I was experiencing a huge downturn- crazy high blood pressure, unrelenting pain in neck and joints, neurological activity I hadn't had in sometime, and much more.
I was at the point of believing I need iv antibiotics or I'm done.
Went on flagyl in conjunction with standard abx and have done a complete turn-around - I'm still picking up the pieces as they say but doing much, much better.
It brings out the symptoms and one might think it is only making things worse but it's really getting rid of borrelia.
I know someone that has taken it for about a year and has hasn't felt better in years.
it needs to be taken with something else like ceftin, doxy , or zithromax etc but it can make a big difference.
Posted by Dawn in VA (Member # 9693) on :
I completely agree; adding a cyst buster helped me out a lot, too. Makes me herx like a banchi, but worth it. I was PO'd that a supposed LLLMD did not have me on it as part of combo therapy right when I was Dx'd, as I think it would have made a big difference.
Posted by Haley (Member # 22008) on :
Josh - Do you mind if I ask your dosage and how long you have been on it or plan to be on it?
Posted by lymebytes (Member # 11830) on :
Flagyl is a good drug. But what works for one Ld patient will not work for another. Flagyl can cause damage to nerves, so if nerve pain increases as it did for me, stop and talk to your LLMd.
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
I pulse flagyl for this very reason (nerve damage, etc.) I am told by two LLMD's that the latest research shows that a 72 hour pulse is effective in getting the cysts. Any more an you can risk peripheral neuropathy.
One LLMD does 500 mg / day, 3 days weekly.
The other LLMD does 1000 mg/day, 3 days every 2 weeks.
Do you guys pulse or not?
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
TF said it's absolutely necessary too.
Posted by buzzsflybox (Member # 26808) on :
My LLMD wouldn't put me on it because of the previously posted reason/side effects. BUT he knew did need a "Cystbuster" he prescribed Tindamax. I saw a great response to this "Cystbuster" with no side effects. Of course you all know the name of the game: "Everyone reacts differently". Buzz
Posted by Beachinit (Member # 21040) on :
I am pulsing flagyl 250 3x/day on 4/7 days and Artemisinin the other 3/7 days, Also every day I am taking amox/probenicid 2500mg/500 2x/day, clarith 500 2x/day, bactrim ds 1 tab 2x/day. Getting ready to start levaquin soon, have medication on hand but need to get up the courage to go there--have had psych problems on this class of medication in the past.
Posted by jennie46 (Member # 20953) on :
quote:Originally posted by bcb1200: I pulse flagyl for this very reason (nerve damage, etc.) I am told by two LLMD's that the latest research shows that a 72 hour pulse is effective in getting the cysts. Any more an you can risk peripheral neuropathy.
One LLMD does 500 mg / day, 3 days weekly.
The other LLMD does 1000 mg/day, 3 days every 2 weeks.
Do you guys pulse or not?
You say 3 days weekly...is that 3 consecutive days, every other day? Just trying to get some ideas here. I hate taking daily meds if it is not necessary.
Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
I believe Flagyl is absolutely essential to getting better. Posted by Beachinit (Member # 21040) on :
4 consecutive days for me, would be suprised if others are not also taking on consecutive days be it 3 or 4 days.
Posted by karenl (Member # 17753) on :
I am on doxy 200 mg and now my LLMD wants me to add 1,500 mg flagyl a day every day. This sounds quite high in comparison to the other posts.
Posted by joalo (Member # 12752) on :
I'm pulsing flagyl one week a month, 500mg 3 times a day.
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
Flagyl caused me global transient amnesia--meaning I had no idea what I was doing or who I was or where I was for several hours.
Best,
Cass A
Posted by steven (Member # 13101) on :
since taking flagyl i have brainfog as a symptom (or side effect). cant say it helped me.
Posted by Marrit (Member # 25454) on :
Pam Weintraub does not mention taking Flagyl in her last desperate attempt to get well. She took Ceftin (following what Dr B did to get himself well) until all symptoms abated for a few months, then went off until she crashed all the way to the bottom again, then went on until symptoms abated, went off and crashed, then on again. The third time all symptoms resolved completely and permanently. This is allegedly what Dr B did for himself as well. Maybe it takes longer without Flagyl? But, if it gets the job done, it seems a better plan as Flagyl is so toxic to the nervous system.
Posted by ThatColorGreen (Member # 16016) on :
For me, Flagyl is a much needed rx.
I also noticed a HUGE difference when I switched from the generic (metronidazole) to non-generic (flagyl)
...i herxed like crazy on the generic and even more so on the non-generic.
(I also pulse... i take it every 3rd week)
Posted by joshzz (Member # 23526) on :
i take 1000 mg daily
Posted by joshzz (Member # 23526) on :
brain fog on flagyl got much worse initially then much more improved than ever before.
Posted by steven (Member # 13101) on :
please be careful with flagyl and tinidazol. i still havent got rid of the neuro symptoms they caused:
can you take Flagyl on the same days as other ABX (like doxy, or whatever?)
I haven't done Flagyl since early 2007 and i pulsed it for a week every four weeks but only took Flagyl during that week.
Another question - does Flagyl kill other forms besided cyst? Does it cause the cyst to go back to spirochette form or does it "kill" the germ?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by mojo: can you take Flagyl on the same days as other ABX (like doxy, or whatever?)
I haven't done Flagyl since early 2007 and i pulsed it for a week every four weeks but only took Flagyl during that week.
Another question - does Flagyl kill other forms besided cyst? Does it cause the cyst to go back to spirochette form or does it "kill" the germ?
Yes.
It kills the cyst form.
Tindamax is basically the same as flagyl, without as many side effects. I found that to be true for me.
I believe at least one of those is NEEDED in order to get well. Just watch out for side effects, some of which can cause permanent damage.
Posted by kimmie (Member # 25547) on :
Great info! I just came back from a consult with the best pedicatric LLMD...the great DR J in CT. I love that man. I asked him everything.
Here is what he said in regards to flagyl/tindamax. He pulses it 2 consecutive days every week for the kids. It only kills cyst and the released spirochette from the cyst can convert back into cyst form again. He uses either flagyl or tindamax but currently is preferring tindamax over flagyl. He believes it not only kills cyst but cell wall deficient forms as well.
My daughter is 48lbs and she takes 250mg tindamax 2Xday 2 days week every week. Ominicef and zith daily.
The GOOD news...when asked if chronic lyme is curable...he said yes he believes it is! In his pediatric practice the average patient receives 1-3 years ABX, has done as much as 12 years. 98% are able to remain off ABX. He says about 1-2% relapse repeatedly when coming off ABX. That is better than what I thought.
Posted by BackinStOlaf (Member # 23725) on :
Originally posted by mojo: can you take Flagyl on the same days as other ABX (like doxy, or whatever?)
Can someone answer this? when you pulse flagyl, do you stop your other meds on those days, or take them all together?
Posted by dali (Member # 24458) on :
Thanks for the inspiring information from Dr. J
My LLMD has me on flagyl 750 mg/day every day since April. I haven't felt much of anything! I have involuntary movements/contractions and these are about the same since I started; I have no symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, yet I wonder if every day for several months is advisable? I have had lyme for over 20 years, had treatment in 2005, relapsed 2009, in treatment again. I don't seem to herx much (never did) but certainly have this bug running around my body.
I want to get rid of this thing. Is pulsing with a chronic, late stage case like mine enough? Anybody else? Overall it seems like it works....but how much does the trick?
Thank you
Posted by arkiehinny (Member # 26546) on :
About Flagyl, and to answer the question about taking it on the same day as other Antibiotics.
Just an FYI about how I'm doing it. On the days I begin to take Flagyl, I don't take Doxy. I'm slowly building to 3 Flagyls per day for 3 days per week, but ever so slowly. 1/1/1 2/1/1, 2/2/1, 2/2/2, 3/2/2, 3/3/2, then to 3/3/3.
That's just how I've been directed to do it. I hope it works as my arm pain is really bothering me.
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
quote:Originally posted by BackinStOlaf: Originally posted by mojo: can you take Flagyl on the same days as other ABX (like doxy, or whatever?)
Can someone answer this? when you pulse flagyl, do you stop your other meds on those days, or take them all together?
I pulse my flagyl with my daily meds. SO for me it is Baxin / Amatadine EVERY DAY and then I add 1000mg of Flagyl on top of that on the days I pulse.
Posted by we'll win (Member # 11112) on :
I didn't read all of the posts (a little lazy today)....but, I'll throw my two cents in the ring.
I agree that Flagyl is extremely important. Or perhaps a cyst buster like Tindamax, which I have not been prescribed.
Flaygyl does cause a bix HX and makes me feel bad. But it has started eliminating some new pains I have gotten, such as in the ankle.
By the way, I am on bicillin shots, up to 5 per week.
I have had lyme for many years now. I think flagyl, or a cyst buster is crucial because the longer we are on antibxs -WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL- I do believe some resistance can occur.
Hope everyone is doing well, and trying to smile.
We'll Win.....eventually
Posted by Blackstone (Member # 9453) on :
If the patient can afford it, I suggest Tindamax over Flagyl - it does much the same thing with many, many fewer side effects for many people.
Quite a few people that I've spoken with have made great progress on one of my most popular protocols of Tindamax (500mg, BID), Minocycline (50mg, BID), Omnicef (300mg, BID). Its a fairly heavy load for many, but it "hits" Lyme itself in its various forms and has the benefit of a little overlap against some other "less known" coinfections, though I still suggest direct protocols against them if they can be confirmed (mycoplasma, CPN etc..), and separate protocols for Babesia and Bartonella, and other pathogens (viral, fungal etc.)
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
I took Flagyl with Zith "everyday". Did not pulse them.
Posted by kimmie (Member # 25547) on :
I take my flagyl on the same days as my other ABX...Mondays are my hardest....oral flagyl 1500mg, zith IV 500mg, Rocephin iv. I hope my liver makes it
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