Okay. So levaquin was teribble Dont know if its a herx or a reaction.
Can I get rid of bartonella with herbs?
I have done rifampin before but it messes up all my other medicines.
I have also done septra.
I need something that slow and steady bc I cant stand the herxs.
Some imput please on what has worked for you.
Thanks Trish
Posted by Toppers (Member # 20083) on :
Byron White A-bart is a bartonella killter. MD Junction has a 30+ page thread about how people are improving on it. In the past I would say no to herbs only treating bart, but judging by what they are saying, this is as strong as antibiotics.
Posted by JenInMa (Member # 31544) on :
Our doctor has kids on Zithro.
Posted by skies (Member # 28064) on :
Some people use minocycline & zith for bartonella. Have you tried that?
Posted by tricia386 (Member # 29623) on :
I am just finding antibiotics so toxix. Honestly I hate taking them they scare the Sh*t out of me. all of them besides penicillans. But all the other ones have such nasty side effects. How do you know its a herx or a side effect?
Posted by tickbitt (Member # 33753) on :
Herx's subside after a while. They're something that come highly individualized - some people herx terribly at anything, some never feel much of anything. I'm somewhere in between.
I don't think you ought to give up on abx altogether. Talk to your LLMD about reducing the dose, break combos down into single drugs to get things under control, then start the combo again.
Separating herx from drug reaction can be really tough. You have lots of company there.
How long were you on abx?
Posted by katiebobatie (Member # 28753) on :
i'm getting rid of my bartonella with IV claforan (cefotaxime)...
it's the only thing that has helped me!
the herxing was horrific at first, but now that my doctor lowered my dose, i'm fine. it is definitely working!
so far other anti-biotics and herbal remedies have had no effect on my bartonella, but i know other people can do well with them..
Posted by tricia386 (Member # 29623) on :
I was on 250 mgs for 4 days. Then I read all the side effects are the same as a herx and can leave people completely disabled. SCARY STUFF.
Not sure if its a herx or what?
Posted by katiebobatie (Member # 28753) on :
what are your symptoms from taking levaquin?
if it's a herx, then i would keep taking levaquin because it's obviously working..
my doctor allows me to take breaks from my anti-biotics when i start to herx, maybe you could try that?
or you could try lowering your dose, which could make all the difference.
if you just feel worse because it's not helping you, then that's another story and you should probably try something else.
Posted by tricia386 (Member # 29623) on :
I did stop taking it on Thursday still seeing the affects.
I had horribble muscle pain and bone pain. Weak upper arms. Burning pain in arms and legs foot pain.
My arms are just so weak, everything is cracking and popping.
I have been doing epsom salt baths and Alzeter Gold. If it was herx I could never go through that again. Got I hope it is a herx.
Posted by tricia386 (Member # 29623) on :
What are other options to treat bart? Septra, Rifampin?
Posted by jackie51 (Member # 14233) on :
I tried to find the 30+ page discussion on MD junction and couldn't find it. Can someone provide a link or instructions?
Posted by gagamooppop (Member # 34314) on :
You can also just go to mdjunction.com/lyme-disease and use the search function on the upper right hand.
I've been using the Byron White A-L and it hits you. Also doing antibiotics, which hit me too but do feel toxic.
Was never a believer in the power of herbs and am convinced.
Started A-bart today, very low dose (1 drop in 1 oz of water and only had half) and am feeling it.
Posted by tricia386 (Member # 29623) on :
Gaga-
Let me know how this goes.
I did rifampin and I am fine with it but levaquin just scares the sh*t out of me. BC a herx could just be a NASTY side effect.
Also Bactrim makes me alil nervous bc of SJS syndrome
Posted by unsure445 (Member # 15962) on :
Take lot's of deep breaths and try not to get too far ahead of yourself.
Package inserts that come with medications have to list the worst possible scenarios. Major side effects are fairly uncommon. Could you be having some anxiety from Bartonella making your medication worries worse?
I remember a few years ago having a herx and I thought I had Steven Johnson's syndrome. I had no symptoms of it but I was convinced I was a goner. I was literally hyperventilating! The anxiety was part of the herx. It was completely irrational.
Take lot's of Milk Thistle to keep you liver functioning well and you should be fine.
An alternative to antibiotics is A-Bart but it is very potent. As potent if not MORE than antibiotics. It has to be used under your doctor's supervision.
Hang in there!!!
Posted by Lala (Member # 29864) on :
I was prescribed mino with azi plus rifampin plus artemisia for bartonella.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
With those symptoms I would get off the levaquin ASAP.
Bactrim DS worked for me.
Posted by tricia386 (Member # 29623) on :
I did get off it. Bactriam scares me too!! I guess pick the less of the two evils!!
Posted by gagamooppop (Member # 34314) on :
Thank goodness for this website and community..if this wasn't here for me to check in I'd think I'm going mad.
The A-Bart, just as the A-L, is very potent. I only took half a drop this morning and the whole day has been brain fog central with a huge side helping of anxiety....
...more then before...
But I know its the bart and just took it nice and easy today..as much as I can.
Blugh.
Posted by tricia386 (Member # 29623) on :
Please let me know how A-bart is going....are you on any other antibiotics gaga
Posted by Jason21 (Member # 16393) on :
Levaquin did not help my bart at all. What finally got me well was cipro for bart (250 mg) and tindamax for LD (500 mg) twice daily with meals.
Posted by tricia386 (Member # 29623) on :
I am scared of that family of drugs I haev read horribble things about them
Posted by tricia386 (Member # 29623) on :
Jason are you still in treatment?
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
is cipro the same as levaquin?
Posted by tricia386 (Member # 29623) on :
It is in the same family
Posted by Jason21 (Member # 16393) on :
Tricia,
I am not treating presently. I did 18 months of doxy, zith, biaxin, and flagyl, which got me back to about 80%. Levaquin did not help.
My feet continued to hurt, so I started on cipro for bart and tindamax. I took this combo for 3 months, but my symptoms started coming back when I stopped abxs. I then did another 3 months of this combo and felt like I got back to 100%.
I was fine for a year until I got a cold and sinus infection back in May and took a z-pak. A few weeks later, my hands and feet started getting sore and stiff again, which is how my symptoms started years ago. I did another 3 months of tindamax and cipro, and my symptoms went away again. Its has been a few months since I stopped all abxs, and I feel ok.
Whether I am cured, I just don't know. I keep a supply of tindamax and cipro on hand just in case.