posted
My daughter has been on the Zithromax/Mepron/Plaquenil combination of abx for about 6 weeks.
She experienced major herx episodes with increased pain in leg joints, rashes, ganglion cysts, severe migraines, vivid dreams, etc.
She is just now showing some signs of improvement. In particular her neuro symptoms have begun to decrease.
She hasn't been slurring her words, her conversations have been more logical. She has even been able to get out of the house and spend quality time with her brother.
OBTW: She has been diagnosed with LD, Bartonella and Babesia.
Hope this helps some.
LymeDad
Posts: 681 | From California | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
I was dxed for MS in 1997. So, I am not sure if the heightened level of pain is from the Zithromax/Mepron or something to do with my 'MS'.
Posts: 122 | From Connecticut Shoreline | Registered: Apr 2005
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NP40
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6711
posted
Justme, this definitely sounds like a herx. Mep/zith is a good treatment for babs. May want to throw artemisinin into the mix as well. Hang in there, in time the symptoms will subside.
Posts: 1632 | From Northern Wisconsin | Registered: Jan 2005
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I'm supposed to be taking my Mepron/Zitho combo...but have 86'ed the old liquid gold Mepron because I just have not been able to handle it lately.
Prior to the holidays, I had been trying to be a good little Lymie trooper and took my PEDIATRIC dose of Mepron (can only take up to 3 drops MAX of Mepron now) - but the herxes were just keeping me too sick.
And YES, I believe herxes can give you 'new' symptoms as the buggers die off in different places in your body.
When I was being a good girl and taking my meds and suffering beyond belief -- one of my main symptoms was the neuropathy from HELL.
Now that I am on an extendd vacation from the Mepron - simply because I told my LLMD (while WEEPING dramatically) that I just couldn't take Mepron during the holidays -- I've not had much of a problem with my neuropthy.
Hmmm... That sounds suspicious, don't you think?
BTW, how long have you be dx'd with LD? AND have you ever considered that your '97 diagnosis of MS might be a manifestation of LD that was mistaken for MS by a doc inexperienced in Lyme?
Just a thought.
Hugs & Kisses,
-------------------- DR. Wiseass NOT a real doc - just a real wise Posts: 792 | From USA | Registered: Jan 2005
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Hi, JustMe!!
Sounds like...
IT'S WORKING!!!
With only five weeks of treatment under your belt, you're going to have your work cut out for you.. :-)
But even though it's miserable, isn't it kind of a relief knowing that you have Lyme disease and not MS? And that the pain you're feeling is going to eventually lessen?
It sure sounds like pretty classic herxheimer reaction. That is GOOD news as it confirms you're killing borrelia, even though they're exacting their revenge on the way out.
My 13-year old daughter is finishing up treatment for Lyme right now. Really bad knee pain was her main problem. Some days she would limp. This is mortifying to a 13 year old, whose chief concern is appearing at all times to be Extremely Cool, which hardly ever involves limping.
After just a couple months' treatment, she could hardly even remember the pain.
Make sure and keep your doctor posted on how you're doing. Drink tons of water with lemon to help your body flush the junk out. And hang on. It will get better!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
My first 3 months on mep-zithro-doxy-plaquenil-artemesia were plain hel..... and misery; however, at the end of this horrendous 6 months (been on doxy-zithro for the first 3 months of tx) I really started to improve. It's a hard combo but it works.
Hang in there
Lymster in WA
Posts: 303 | From WA | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
Thank you for all the responses and encouragement.
I was dxed for MS in 12/97. The diagnosis consisted of:
A) Me telling the neurologist that my hands and feet tingle B) Me telling the neurologist that I fell one time while trying to get dress in the dark at 5 am C) An MRI showing a few lesions on my brain D) A negative Quest lyme test E) A spinal tap with Quest analysis suggesting MS
For a long time, I was skeptical about my MS diagnosis as I didn't have the typical symptoms. For instance, I didnt have the great ups or downs that are usually associated with MS. Instead, I am in pain all the time and steroids have had no positive impact on me. I take Avonex 2x a week with no side effects. I wonder if side effects only occur with people with MS. I can sit in a hot jacuzzi with no real impact on hot I feel.
I was dxed for lyme in May 2005. The LLMDs that I have seen said that the lyme could be causing the MS symptoms or I could have both. I am pursuing a regimen designed to address the CNS lyme with tackling babesia the first order of business.
I see my MS neurologist on Monday. I am sure that he will be upset about how stiff my legs are. I am not sure as to whether I should tell him that I am on Zithromax/Mepron of Babesia or just let things lie. Does anyone have a recommendation about this?
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