As part of my new protocol (flagyl pulsed 3 days on/4 off with zithromax pulsed 4 days on/3 off, plaquenil, nystatin, mepron, septra DS) my LLMD also prescribed bicillin shots.
The thing is, the Bicillin is a bit more expensive than the oral penicillin pills I'd get. The doctor said the efficacy was the same, but the bicillin was easier since its only 3 times per week instead of 12 pills per day.
Just trying to control costs where I can. I want to do what is more effective. Anyone have any comments on whether the shots are better/worse than the oral pills?
Thanks...
Posted by janet thomas (Member # 7122) on :
I suggest you read Dr. B's guidelines for treatment, page 14.
Oral pencillin is of little value but IM Bicillin is effective, usually combined with a macrolide and cyst buster.
Efficacy is not the same.
Posted by Beachinit (Member # 21040) on :
Dr B says Bicillin shots are close to IV meds in effectiveness, oral penn VK etc is not. I like to save money but also want to be realistic. I have heard that good bicillin is much less expensive in Mexico. Know anyone in California or Texas? I do think you can get good efficacy from combining 2 or 3 or more oral meds but again for those with very chronic symptoms or weak stomachs, Bicillin shots may be a relative bargain.
Posted by drew (Member # 25220) on :
Thanks for everyone's reply. The bicillin isn't that expensive I guess. My plan allows for 12 shots for $50. I'd need to take 3 a week. I'd probably need a 2nd round to get to my next dr appointment, so I guess in total that is $100. I think the oral penn would only cost a $10 copay for the entire course though.
I want to do what is best and most effective. It's just a difficult thing to manage, that is the finances of this disease. We all have to pay for out of network Dr's. We all have to pay for several supplements (usually) which are NEVER paid for by insurance, so if you can get the insurance company to spring for the meds, it's hard to choose the more expensive option.
The bottom line though, is that I want what would be most effective.
I will talk to the Doc again, she did tell me that one wasn't more effective than the other, only the managment of the oral was more (12 pills/day).
I also trust Dr. B though, he obviously was a big fan of the bicillin over the oral penn...I think he mentions that the shots have a more sustained blood and tissue levels than the oral...
Again, thanks for all the comments...
Posted by janet thomas (Member # 7122) on :
I started IM Bicillin twice a week with ketek, 800mg daily. After 3 weeks I had a massive herx and my LLMD told me to stop until the herx passed.
That took 11 days. After that I made good progress.
I think that doing bicillin 3 times a week you will soon see for yourself how much more potent it is.
Posted by tic chick (Member # 9156) on :
I am also taking Bicillin 3x/week and having to pay out of pocket of about $600/month. Although I've had to take a break from it recently because the nausea was severe and I couldn't eat, it has made a significant improvement in my neuro symptoms. Blessings, Tic