I've been undergoing abx treatment for Lyme for just under 2 years. I began treatment 1 year after infection.
14 months ago, I took Flagyl ago for 2 months. My body really struggled with it but after a month I was able to work up to the full recommended dose of 3 pills (250mg) per day. I feel this medication really helped me.
2 months ago, my LLMD switch my regime back to Flagyl to target cysts. This time, I am taking it alongside Bactrim DS (Sulfa) to target bacteria. My body handled the same dose of Flagyl (3 per day) much better this time around & I continued to improve. After 2 months, I felt that I reached a plateau. I consider myself 95% but that last 5% feels so far away. I called my LLMD so switch meds. He instead recommended that I gradually increase my Flagyl dose to 6 250mg pills per day. I will also be switching Bactrim DS (Sulfa) for Zithromax.
Taking 6 pills of Flagyl per day really scares me. Please reach out to me if you've successfully taken this dose. I've met a lot of Lymies that are surprised I can even take 3 per day. For a lot of people, it seems Flagyl really sets them back. Please share any opinions or experiences. Should I be concerned about any long term effects for taking such a high dose?
Thank you! -K
Posted by Marcie (Member # 10070) on :
My llmd wants me to work up to 2000mg a day, but only for 2 days a week. I am up to 1000 mg a day for 2 days a week. Are you pulsing it or taking every day.
I have read that flagyl can have some bad side effects. I am okay pulsing but not sure if I would be okay taking it everyday at that dose.
Posted by hopeful_K (Member # 25915) on :
I take Flagyl everyday. I'm currently up to 1000mg per day & I'm doing really well. My LLMD never discussed pulsing on this medication. His protocal has gotten me this far so I feel I should stick with his recommendation. However, I'm pretty nervous about this high dose.
-K
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I would never have been able to take that much, though I did later when I was going off treatment.
I do know that former member Wild Condor took 1500 mg of flagyl in her treatment.
I would look for any nerve problems or weird head stuff going on. You want to watch for that.
Good luck with it!!
Posted by bigstan (Member # 11699) on :
Yea 1500mg is what my doc in MI said should be the max. Currently I'm taking 1500mg and today is a bad herx day. Keep on pushing on. Flagyl is one of the best if tolerated. There are some who believe that it kills all three types of LD (Spirochete, Cyst, and Cell Wall Deficient)
Posted by Marcie (Member # 10070) on :
bigstan- are you pulsing or taking it everyday? If you are taking it everyday, how long have you been on it for and how long will you stay on?
Is it safe to take every day for a longer length of time?
Posted by bigstan (Member # 11699) on :
I have been pulsing over the last few yrs. At first I was doing it three days a week at 1500mg. However I am trying to stay on it longer because of the good CNS penetration. I will be using it soon in a combination with Doxycycline.
Is it safe to take every day for a longer length of time? That's a good question. Everyone seems to respond to Flagyl. For some the herx is too much and they choose another cyst buster like Tinidazole. Flagyl is strong and really can penetrate the CNS and BBB greatly.
Today and maybe a few days after for example I am skipping the dose as I have great pain in my neck back area, and last night elevated heart rate. All symptoms of a herx.
The goal is to stay on the Doxy and taking the Flagyl 3 weeks out of the month.
I see your in MI that's where I am. Send me a PM if you like.
KA
Posted by Kern33 (Member # 36267) on :
Hi, I have been taking 1500/day, but only for seven days max. Flagyl is suspected to increase cancer risk(what could be proved with mice, but could not be confirmed with humans). I understand that certainly long term impacts were not monitored. Anyway, I would be cautios with taking it continously. Why not pulsing? I think there is little risk of resistances.