9 months of IV Rocephin/Zithromax have dramatically improved my neurologic lyme symptoms. Brain fog has lifted, memory improved and headaches infrequent. Looking forward to return to a (mostly) normal life.
How do I know when the time is right to stop IV ABX and pull the PICC line?
I've come so far and fear a backward slide without the IV meds. Of course I'll continue oral ABX.
Appreciate your comments/suggestions,
Paul
Posted by wgshuckers (Member # 27869) on :
Did you take oral abx pre-IV?
Posted by Deb133 (Member # 18544) on :
IV should always be followed up with an herb and/or oral antibiotic protocol. My daughter stopped IV cold turkey and relapsed 2 months later.
Posted by paul g (Member # 29161) on :
Yes, before the IV I took oral abx for over a year. It helped somewhat, but the IV meds really made the difference. I'm also on flagyl and mepron with the IV.
I'm sure my doctor will have me follow up with orals post-IV.
Posted by july (Member # 10469) on :
My doc says continue with IV until ALL symptoms are gone.
I was treated with IV 4 years ago, made great improvements, but symptoms not completely gone.
4 years of backsliding. I'm starting all over again.
Posted by paul g (Member # 29161) on :
July, thanks for your advice. Sorry to hear your condition has regressed. Did you follow up with orals after IV?
For me, it would seem impossible to determine that ALL symptoms are gone. I've been sick for 7 years. Some symptoms are obviously still Lyme related, others from aging, and yet others must be side effects from all the medications.
It's hard to know where to draw that line. But I will definitely err on the side of caution.
Posted by blinkie (Member # 14470) on :
I've been on IV vancy with flaygl for 4 months. Sill not symptom free but I know which symptoms are lyme. I will be adding in another month of ketek and lariam.
If I survive all that and get well, my Dr wants me on all those meds two months after being symptom free. I can't wait to get rid of this PICC line but will keep it for awhile after stopping just to be sure I'm done.