Hi Fellow Lymer's I was diagnosed with lyme in November 2012 after being very sick for 6 years. I have become remarkably healthier and feel much better. The treatment was Doxy and Flagyl.
Since the sun has come out, the dr. switched me to zithromiacin and I was afraid of that because of the heart issues and then Lymetoo mentioned tinnitus. Also don't want that.
I called the dr. and he then put me on Bioxin- a cousin of zithromiacin- same warning label. UGH. I was hoping for something else not as dangerous.
Also, I am so thankful for the antibiotic treatment but am getting scared of being on meds for so long. I have never been a medicine person and here I am now...reliant on them.
I have not taken any antibiotics for a week and am noticing that now I do not feel as good as I did. Much body pain and headaches. Is that possible?
I would just like some good advice...and encouragement.
Blessings, Campermom
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
For me, I listened to my doctor, but also had to go by how I felt.
It is possible you may need more time. Others will chime in -
My best advice is always trust your instincts. Your body will tell you -
Posted by MannaMe (Member # 33330) on :
Can you do herbals along with some antibiotics?
Or maybe look into rife?
Posted by RC1 (Member # 31923) on :
I do Minocycline instead of Doxy. It's in the same family as Doxy but isn't nearly as bad with the sun sensitivity. It can cause dizziness at first so they usually start you at 1/2 a dose.
I have been on Zithro on and off for the last 2 1/2 years, it hasn't given me any trouble.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
If I were you, I'd just got back to Doxycycline and avoid the sun. You need to take care of your emotions along with your body. Find what works for both if you can.
My doc tried to put me on minocycline last summer and it was a disaster.
I took a high dose of doxy all last summer and just covered up (hats, parasols, light-weight shawls, etc...).
I'm allergic to minocycline or zithromax (sometimes it's not always a herx).
"I have not taken any antibiotics for a week and am noticing that now I do not feel as good as I did. Much body pain and headaches. Is that possible?"
Yes, when you under treat this can happen and/or your body may have some damage from all the meds/illnesses. There may be co-infections that haven't been addressed too.
I finally saw lyme-literate doctor of Chinese medicine because my body just said "no" to anymore drugs.
I'm still not 100%, but I'm doing better.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Just so you know... if you get tinnitis from the zith or any other med.. it will usually go away when you stop the med .. if you stop it before it goes on too long.
And.. Biaxin carries a similar risk for the heart as Zith. If you have no problems taking it, then there is no problem.
Not everyone will react the same way. It's mostly a problem for those with QT syndrome.
I would try Rife too!
or .. minocycline, ceftin, clindamycin, on and on... there are plenty of abx options.
Posted by campermom (Member # 39856) on :
Thanks for the comments so far. I don't know why the dr. keeps putting me on the zithro-type meds with the heart issues. I don't have QT symptoms but do have PVC's caused by Lyme.
I guess I am worrying about this too much as I should just trust this dr. who seems to know what he is doing.
Can you do Rife while on antibiotics. I heard that you can't.
I wish that I could have you all over for coffee and discuss all of this stuff.
So confusing...and when you don't feel well...hard to think of all of the options, etc.
I hate to call the dr. back again to get another antibiotic. I called and told him about my concern with the heart issue on Zithro and so he put me on Bioxin with the same risks. UGH.
I just want to be better.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
YES! Let's have coffee!! Except that I don't drink it!!
You CAN do Rife while on abx but it is supposedly not as effective that way.
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
I have PVC's, POTS, tachycardia, but no QT problems. I took Zithromax, 2x/day, 4days on and 3 days off for 8 months straight with no problems.
Every medication out there can cause problems. You just have to listen to your body and if there is a problem, then stop taking it.
Even a simple baby aspirin can be very dangerous if you are allergic.
I am very sensitive to meds and am afraid of them.
One time, my therapist gave me a great piece of advice. When you get an RX filled, through away the paper that comes with it. It's only going to scare you. Just take the med and if problems arise, call the Dr. May sound stupid, but it helped me get over my fear of meds.
I have learned through this crazy lyme treatment ride, that the things you worry about never happen and the things that happen, you were never worrying about.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i didnt read all the comments but i think zith and biaxin are used a lot without too many problems
they were my 2nd combo...doxy was 1st
i pulsed with the biaxin and took amox at the same time
you really have to cover all the bases to get well...i would try it...be really good about diet and yeast etc..
i got sick early-many yrs ago and they didnt do flagyl or another cyst buster....i got a lot better but yrs later when a second llmd gave me that and rifampin i really moved forward
the only one i would be really cautios of is the one that hurts tendons...levaquin and i think another like it
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