I did two rounds of Coartem, the standard 4 pills 2x/day for 3 days.
The first time I stopped all other meds. The second time I did not. It definitely worked better the second time.
The 3 day run is not enough for me. I would like to try 2 tabs 2x/day, with other meds, either every day, or 5 days on, 2 off.
I know one of the meds is quite long acting. That would be the reason for the pulse.
Is anyone taking Coartem this way? I have some Atovaquone resistance, so I would like to get as much out of Coartem as I can, while my Babesia is still sensitive to it.
Posted by joalo (Member # 12752) on :
Up.
Posted by tickbitt (Member # 33753) on :
2 coartem pills/day? I had one every three weeks or so. It didn't help any, nor did the artemisia.
Have you tried malarone + a macrolide or ketolide? It does have atovaquone, but it has another drug too. I'm fighting with the insurance company now to get the malarone.
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
I could fill a barge with the Malarone and Zith I've taken.
Posted by tickbitt (Member # 33753) on :
What dose of mepron did you take? Half the dose for twice as long doesn't get the job done.
Two teaspoons/day is the usual dose, but Dr B suggests that if that doesn't do it a higher dose may be necessary.
I certainly saw that with Bart. On cipro for many months from one llmd, but the next llmd doubled the dose. I had a gawdawful herx for 3 weeks, took the cipro for another month, and was done with bart.
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
I took 2tsp/day for 9 months, then upped to 4tsp/day for the final 3 months.
My first year of Mepron put me in remission for Babs. I relapsed 18 months later with Atovaquone resistance and have been fighting ever since.
Thanks for the advice but Atovaquone is merely static for me now. I hold my own but don't gain ground, no matter the dose.
I do brilliantly on meds my Babs is still sensitive to, hence the Coartem question. It was a great med for me. I just need to take it for a longer run.
Yes, I have Artemether, Artesunate and Artemisinin. They are good, but Coartem was the bomb. Really trying to get to the end of this.
Posted by tickbitt (Member # 33753) on :
Yikes! That's a lot of mepron. Forget what I asked about adequate doses
Sorry, I took the coartem three weeks apart. I thought it odd at the time and it seems odder now.
Did you try malarone? It has another drug with it. Just one pill/day was a big help for me.
I'm sorry I don't have any good advice for you. Like bart there are few drugs that treat it well. I wish you well and hope I have an easier time getting rid of mine than you have.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
A number of docs rx Coartem every 2(?) or 3 or 4 weeks with other Babs meds in between.
There are a LOT of meds that you can't take with it or for 3 days or more days on either end. Ask for the package insert, as it lists them.
I have had a doc who rx'd it on a schedule like the one you suggested. However, I don't agree with that. I think it's too watered down. The big blast is part of what does the trick in my opinion.
What about adding Cryptolepsis and possibly Sida Acuta on the days you are not taking the Coartem---along with whatever meds.
Babs is a "you know what!" I hate it. Coartem has helped me a lot, too. The first time, it knocked me flat on my back for a week, and barely able to stand or walk even after that.
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
I took Malarone at 6 pills/day for 3 years, then 8 pills/day for 3 months. I've also combined Mepron and Malarone, both at full dose. I feel I've given it a fair chance.
I would love to take the full dose of Coartem every week. I don't think every other week would be enough. It's possible my doc would prescribe it every week since I did so well on it.
Yes half the dose won't be as strong, which is why I would like to combine it. Just seeing if anyone else has tried this.
I've taken both Cryptolepsis and Sida Acuta.
My Babs hates me. If I had my way, I'd just move into a pharmacy til it's gone.
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
Yes, I took tons of Babs' meds between rounds of Coartem. But Coartem blew them all out of the water, especially with other meds on board.
This resistance issue is making me crazy! I take SO MANY drugs. My poor liver is going to flop right out of my side and run off down the street!
Anyhoo...I start Primaquine/Chloroquine next week. Fingers crossed for an old Malaria remedy.
The pharmacist was super sweet. She called all over town to find the Primaquine. Said, "You want to start this right away. Just get rid of it (meaning Malaria) so you don't have to think about it."
If she only knew...
Posted by mlg (Member # 35383) on :
Have you tried high dose clyndamiacin with quinine.
Heparin injections.
Pulse crypto and artemisinin.
Infrared sauna.
I've seen very good progress with this. But it is very hard on my stomach.
Acupuncture, homeopathy, PEMF.
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
Can't take Clinda due to high C.diff risk.
Would LOVE Heparin. Should look into cost.
Crypto and Art work.
Been doing IR sauna all along.
Mostly, want meds my Babs has not seen.
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
Wow Boxermom, how on Earth could you tolerate all of that????
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
I have a liver of steel. Never raised enzymes.
I tell my doc there's a robust and healthy person under all these infections!
Posted by RC1 (Member # 31923) on :
I was doing a round of Coartem every 10 days. I developed resistance to it. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Coartem was great while it lasted, I'm back on Mepron now, I haven't developed resistance to it, only to how much it costs.
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