Due to my ongoing head, heart, neuro issues. LLMD has suggested 1 month IV Claforen.
I am scared to venture into this unknown territory.
Please offer me any comforting advice. I am not real excited about having a PICC line, concerned about herxing on IV and how bad it could be.
On the flip side, this could get me over the hump allowing the orals to work a bit better.
Thanks for listening.
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
Why claforan? This is not the usual first choice for IV. And some people have had issues with this one. Not sure one month will do it, but maybe it will be some help.
Do a search in the archives for this drug, spell it with two "A/s" like I did.
On the plus side, you have already done orals for a while and presumably knocked down the germ load, so the herx should be lessened with IV.
Posted by LBS (Member # 33323) on :
Based off of LLMD research Claforan has a higher response rate. He mentioned Rocephin too, but thought I would forgo the possible gallbladder risks.
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
OK. Hope it does good things for you.
Posted by sleeping dog (Member # 27267) on :
greetings lbs. i was literally terrified about getting a picc line. i procrastinated for months. i was afraid of cleanliness (i have two dogs), infection, and the logistics and mechanics of infusing the medication each day. at the time, i was in pretty bad shape physically and the lyme had greatly compromised me cognitively. i was overwhelmed by the thought of it. well, i was sorry i waited so long. almost immediately, my symptoms improved (both physically and mentally). at first, i was overly cautious with the picc line, but over time, like most things in life, it just became part of my routine. the dosages are already set up for you and anyone could easily do it after the nurse gives the initial orientation. finally, and this may sound bizarre, but there was something very empowering about putting what i knew to be very strong medicine directly into the picc line (into my vein) and watching it flow. i felt like i was actively fighting lyme and i was going to win! i hope this helps you feel positive about your decision. and good luck! smiles,
Posted by LBS (Member # 33323) on :
Sleeping Dog,
Thank you for your thoughts...you gave me the warm and fuzzies.
Posted by LSG Scott (Member # 21624) on :
7 months IV saved my life, 2 years later i'm in a relapse back on IV and back to getting better and better, i now know i am going to make it, before IV i wasn't so sure,
so I really don't get the fear, because the Lyme you would be treating, if not treated aggressive enough, is a much more harmful risk than the IV, so please, do not misplace your fear. i hope this helped
God bless Scott
Posted by lyme-o (Member # 35115) on :
my husband started out on Rocephan. After 2 weeks his liver enzymes went up.So they took him off it. Waited for enzymes to return to normal. 2 weeks ago, started him on Claforan. 1 1/2 weeks later same thing. Enzymes up. Stopped taking it today. Not sure where we'll go next. But blood test weekly is extremely important. Visiting nurse has been doing the dressing change but I'm going to start doing it when and if he goes back on something. Local hospital does the blood draw. Good luck. PM with questions.
Posted by Parisa (Member # 10526) on :
Lyme-0,
Look into NAC and milk thistle to help protect the liver.
Posted by lyme-o (Member # 35115) on :
Hes on the milk thistle already. Guess his doc is going to 3 days off, 4 days on with Claforan. Thanks
Posted by katiebobatie (Member # 28753) on :
i started with iv claforan too, and it worked wonders for my bartonella!
personally, i think it was a great first choice for me.
i am now starting to lose the progress i made though (typical for me), so my doctor is moving me on to a different iv anti-biotic.
Posted by marypart (Member # 27012) on :
Katie, What were your bartonella symptoms, and what improved on Claforan? Thanks.
Posted by lyme-o (Member # 35115) on :