Last fall after taking rifampin/amonxy/plaquenil/zithro for 6 months I felt better than I have in the 6 years of treatment. The rifampin helped tremendously. But, I didn't have money to continue. So I have been without abx for 7 months.
I was bitten by a cat yesterday, a balding sickly looking cat that lives in a very rural area and has been following me around. I barely pet the cat because it is so nasty looking and I don't want to get any diseases.
I went to the ER and they wanted to give me a shot of Rocephin, which I refused because I took it for 10 days and I ended up on Actigall for 1.5 years, with gallbladder pain every time I went off of it. So, I was given Augmentin instead.
I have never tested positive for Bartonella or Toxoplasmosis, if I get either of these diseases (the cat version of Bartonella) now, I swear I will just give up. I can not get another disease.
What are the best prophylactics to take for bartonella and/or anything else I could get? The ER doctor said that 80% of cat bites become infected, which means, knowing me, I have an 100% chance of getting something if I don't make every effort.
And yes, I did get a tetanus shot even though a lot of you would argue against it. My immune system sucks (besides Lyme) and I need all the help I can get.
I know you aren't doctors, but you know more than most of them, please let me know what you think I should take.
Thanks,
gambler
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
OH that is terrible!! I'm so sorry to hear this and I understand your feelings completely!! AARRRGGH!!
I guess Rifampin would be good. I don't really know since I did not have bart.
I sure hope you recover QUICKLY!!!!
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
I was a vet tech so lots of experience with this.... i Dont know where you were bitten but they usually take an xray of where the bite is because it isnt unheard of to have part of the tooth break off in the wound. Augmentin is standard for cat bites. Now with that said do you know if the cat had a rabies shot? If not they should have suggested you get the shots. The shots suck badly. Rabies is real where i am from. I have actually handled rabid animals before. I am vaccinated and the shots made me sick.
I can understand declining the shots, but they should have suggested them. Keep an eye on the cat. If it acts weird of dies within 10 days you need to contact animal control so the nimal can be collected and tested.
Its not likely to get toxo from a bite. Thats more poo related.
Posted by burnsjw (Member # 11819) on :
my husband and I were bit by sick cat/stray last year and given augmentin. my husband was fine, my bite got worse and had to have a rocephin shot later. it finally got better.
Posted by Houdini (Member # 30615) on :
I had to have rabie shots after being bit by a cat years ago. There is a certain window of time where the treatment needs to be started or it doesn't work from what I understand. At least that is how it was when I needed treatment.
It is nothing to mess with so I agree with merrygirl as far as keeping a close eye on the cat.
I also agree with her that the shots can make you sick. My skin hurt so bad from the treatment that I couldn't stand to have clothes on. It saved my life though!
Posted by momindeep (Member # 7618) on :
I had to have the rabies shots because a stupid bat crawled under my foot when I was sitting on my back deck! I could not believe it...I went to the ER because they say you CANNOT take any chances whatsoever whether you think the animal has rabies or not.
I am surprised that this wasn't suggested or discussed with you.
I had the shots a year ago and didn't have any problem with them whatsoever...but I don't have Lyme either.
I strongly suggest you consider rabies shots...once you start to have symptoms you are dead...or at the VERY least have the cat tested.
Posted by philly78 (Member # 31069) on :
I'm surprised the rabies wasn't offered as well. I work in the ER and we always offer it...not that everyone takes it though.
As for the cat bite, we just give Augmentin 875mg twice a day. It is a 7 day course I believe. I have also seen Unasyn given IV for really bad bites.
Posted by annier1071 (Member # 28977) on :
I was bitten a couple of times by my own cat..not bad bites but she also never had rabies or any shots at all since a kitten.
She never goes outside so I was told by others with cats that it isnt needed. Since there are some vets here could you tell me which I should do. My bites never got infected? Nor did I see a doctor for them and YES I they were after I had lyme..so she was not the cause of bart.
Posted by gambler (Member # 8441) on :
Thanks for your kind replies.
I'm paranoid enough that I asked about rabies and they said there isn't much rabies around here. And if the reason I had to get a tetanus shot was that one person had it last year, there really must not be a lot. Although today, I asked the owner and the cat has never been vaccinated for anything, including rabies.
I have been taking the Augmentin, but I am getting very concerned, where the cat bit my wrist there is increased redness and swelling, and I have pain in my right breast lymph nodes.
The good news is (not that Augmentin is top pick for Lyme) no herx. I really want to add zithromax or doxy and rifampin, I'm more concerned about Bartonella, I don't want another crappy illness that hides and doesn't go away.
Good to know about toxoplasmosis, that is a relief.
I've never even heard of unasyn...but if it gets worse and the Augmentin doesn't help fight the infection, I'll ask for it.
