posted
Taking 2000 mg of amoxi right now, severe nausea, unsure if it is the pregnancy, the antibiotics or a combo of both.
Started dramamine yesterday with some relief.
Had the nausea in the past with all orals and finally switched to IM then IV.
I was considering asking for the injections to see if it makes a difference. I know they are both penicillins but are they comparable?
Just found a new tick attachment with grape sized raised itchy bump. No new treatment from doc since already on amoxi.
I have tried calling Dr J for a phone consult but just get a recording regardless of hours that I call that the office staff is out. Any thoughts on this?
Thanks so much
Cheryl
Posts: 204 | From kentucky | Registered: May 2003
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
Cheryl,
I can't answer your specific question, but just know that there is a temporary Bicillin-LA shortage right now due to a change in manufacturers.
The 2.4 million units is easier to get than the 1.2 million units. I've gone through months of hassles trying to get it, finally got enough to get started. So make sure you can obtain it before you go off your current antibiotic.
Some people are having easier times getting Bicillin than others. Do a search - this has been a recent topic of discussion.
By the way, does your doctor say it's safe to take ginger during your pregnancy? Ginger has been a lifesaver for me for nausea.
I either buy the ginger tea bags in the health food store, or buy fresh ginger and grate it into hot water for tea, or buy ginger candies at Asian or Trader Joe's types of stores.
Good luck, Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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AZURE WISH
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 804
posted
I agree about the ginger if it is ok to use while you are pregant...
I have used Fresh ginger from the grocery store... in tea like Jill.
TheCrimeOfLyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4019
posted
I took amoxy 3000 mg a day. It worked WONDERS ( and I do mean wonders)
I now do bicillin 1.2 IU once per week. Same thing, works more.
BUT, I have done antibiotics for a longggg time,so its no wonder the bicillin isnt me like amoxy did. Amoxy was my FIRST antibiotic.
BUT, I do know you can use bicillin during pregnancy. I think I read your pregnant?
They have this flat cola stuff you can drink. I know, I know, its sugar. Whoopitidy ding. it saved me LOTS of nausea when I was preggers. Put it in some ice chips and drink it slowlly. ( if the ginger doesnt help)
Are you taking probiotics?
-------------------- You want your life back? Take it. Posts: 3169 | From Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 2003
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
hello!
I know you can take Bicillin while pregnant by itself or in addition to the Amoxicillin. Are you having your blood levels of the antibiotics tested regularly? Hope so, to make sure the dose is high enough. Usually the dose is higher than 2,000 mg so you might need Bicillin shots in addition to your oral Amoxicillin. I am pretty sure your doc can add Augmentin, a small amount in to increase the staying power of the Amoxicillin in your blood. Not 100% on that though so ask your LLMD.
You just got a new tick bite? make sure your doctor knows this and you are tested for co-infections. Did you save the tick? you can send it to IgeneX for testing to see if it has Lyme and coinfections in it. When the baby is born you know to have the placenta, cord blood, and baby checked right?
posted
Thanks to everyone for the responses. Ive tried to do searches but I am at the point nuerologically that nothing I read makes sense, it just swirls in my brain and gives me headaches, not to mention the fact sitting at the computer is totally a killer.
I am going to try Dr J once again today to get a phone consult. I dont have an LLMD at this point, was doing holistic prior to pregnancy.
Had stopped antibiotics over a year ago, long story there.
Looking into acupuncture, cranial sacral and essential oils at this time to go along with the antibiotics.
I have a nurse practitioner who has been willing to work with me locally on the antibiotics. She has been great and very open-minded, reads the lit, etc but we just dont know enough.
I had no idea that the amoxi 2000 might not be enough. We arent doing blood levels. There have been very few days that I have been able to keep it at 2000 because of the herxing.
Looks like I need to get the ball rolling on the Igenex tests. I am planning to make an appt with the pediatrician who will be in delivery to discuss/teach all of this to her.
Ive read conflicting advice on the ginger during pregnancy. Have a call into the health store owner. Had been doing grape sodas ( yeah, the sugar, but at this point if it works....)
I did do epsom, kosher and sea salt bath in semi-hot water last night. Releived my constipation this morning. Yeah!!!!!
Now I understand all those elderly people and their fixation on the bowels when I was a nurse. Not to mention the toxins!!!
Anyway just praying for the day that, as most lit (what little there is) says, the symptoms of pregnancy are masked by the hormone production.
Would really love to enjoy this one as it is my husbands first and definitely our last child. Unkowingly had the lyme with the other 4 and felt bad but no comparison to this.
Thanks again
Cheryl
Posts: 204 | From kentucky | Registered: May 2003
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
Oh Wow! Yes, you need to have your blood levels checked every week to 2 weeks while preganant to make sure your Amoxicillin levels are high enough. You may very well herx, but that is the price you pay for wanting a baby while sick. You may need to double or triple your current dose to protect the baby. If you do not get adequate treatment while pregnant you can pass it on to your baby. If you can afford to have a baby, you can afford to go to one of the best LLMD's and fly to see them, and get the proper treatment. You should have been more prepared for this if you knew you had Lyme, you are now knowingly putting your child at risk. This may sound harsh, but it's true, and I am concerned for your unborn child! If you are working with a NP that is helping you, bring them the treatment guidelines, have them have a phone consultation with a good LLMD. Please!
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There is a difference in sounding harsh and obviously not knowing/disregarding the personal facts and posting a comment based on your own values.
Some things in life, pregnancy, illness, death,divorce, etc, JUST HAPPEN regardless of what precautions are taken.
I have taken the guidelines to my NP, OB, maternal fetal specialist and nuero. They are all willing to treat but as you know, not only can this disease be very harmful to this baby, so can medications.
The fact that the lit is very limited and mainly says antibiotics are a must but doesnt give a guideline on antibiotic combos doesnt help either. The combos I have found are not appropriate for pregnancy.
Everything I have read says Amoxi 500 4 times a day. Thats exactly what I have been trying to do.
Blood levels are only of value if you are able to continuously take the medications at a designated dose.
You commented "herxing is the price you pay for wanting a baby while sick". Once again, I did not plan this.
Besides, thats like telling a hiker with a broken leg from a fall they knew the risks and ignoring the fact they still need medical care and personal support during recovery.
Mega herxing is not good for any lyme patient, how can it be good for a fetus?? The bacteria crosses the placenta, why wouldnt the toxins???
You commented "if you can afford to have a baby you can afford to fly to a LLMD...."
Even in planned pregnancy things dont always go smoothly and complications arise increasing the financial cost.
Reality is, I do have to be very careful on what I spend my health care dollars on.
My husband and I are willing to pay what it takes to insure a healthy baby. But it is very easy to spend thousands of dollars on evaluation, treatments and testing that are futile.
Hence, my search for experience and knowledge on this board.
I refuse to justify this pregnancy to anyone again as I am still trying to get past the "OH my Gosh how could this have happened, what will happen, I need to do something!!!" phase.
Beleive what you like, feel free to share your medical experience. You do have a vast amount.
But please, before posting your personal values, think it through.
Im in a desperate situation and just searching for answers and SUPPORT like everyone else here.
Thanks
Cheryl
Posts: 204 | From kentucky | Registered: May 2003
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
Originally posted by twobusymom:
Hi Cheryl,
Okay! I did not read you earlier post before I posted this. All I saw was a pregnant Lyme patient who looks like they are not getting adequate treatment. I stepped in to help you out!
>>>>I have taken the guidelines to my NP, OB, maternal fetal specialist and nuero. They are all willing to treat but as you know, not only can this disease be very harmful to this baby, so can medications.
Yes, but according to what you have posted, they are not treating you correctly. You can be angry if you ant to but in my opinion Lyme disease is much more harmful to a growing fetus than antibiotics.
>>>The fact that the lit is very limited and mainly says antibiotics are a must but doesnt give a guideline on antibiotic combos doesnt help either. The combos I have found are not appropriate for pregnancy.
>>>Everything I have read says Amoxi 500 4 times a day. Thats exactly what I have been trying to do.
This is the wrong dose! Have you read the Lyme Disease Treatment Guidelines? Scroll down to pregnancy and you will see the dose is stated to be 1 gram, that is 1,000 mg every 6 hours (4,000 mg per day, not 2,000) and adjusted according to your blood levels.
>>>Blood levels are only of value if you are able to continuously take the medications at a designated dose.
And you are supposed to take those medications throughout your preganacy at 6 hour intervals during the day and again, have your dose monitored to ensure that it is strong enough.
>>>You commented "herxing is the price you pay for wanting a baby while sick". Once again, I did not plan this.
Planned or not, herxing while taking the antibiotics that are being used to protect your fetus is the price you have to pay.
>>>Besides, thats like telling a hiker with a broken leg from a fall they knew the risks and ignoring the fact they still need medical care and personal support during recovery. ???
>>>Mega herxing is not good for any lyme patient, how can it be good for a fetus?? The bacteria crosses the placenta, why wouldnt the toxins???
Have you done ANY research on this? You really should get a LLMD and have a full evaluation.
>>>You commented "if you can afford to have a baby you can afford to fly to a LLMD...."
Even in planned pregnancy things dont always go smoothly and complications arise increasing the financial cost.
>>>Reality is, I do have to be very careful on what I spend my health care dollars on.
>>>My husband and I are willing to pay what it takes to insure a healthy baby. But it is very easy to spend thousands of dollars on evaluation, treatments and testing that are futile.
Ok, I am trying to help you. I apologize if my personal opinions offended you. You have to do what is best for you and your family and your unborn child. You asked for help.
>>>Hence, my search for experience and knowledge on this board.
>>>I refuse to justify this pregnancy to anyone again as I am still trying to get past the "OH my Gosh how could this have happened, what will happen, I need to do something!!!" phase.
>>>Beleive what you like, feel free to share your medical experience. You do have a vast amount.
>>>But please, before posting your personal values, think it through.
>>>Im in a desperate situation and just searching for answers and SUPPORT like everyone else here.
>>>Thanks
Cheryl, I am here to help you. You are going to get 10 replies saying"its going to be okay" but in my opinion you really needed help knowing what to do about your current situation. I wish you all the best in your pregnancy. I thought it through, and that is why I posted the way I did...to encourage you to take action, and make sure you are getting the proper care. I have seen what happens to children born with Lyme and I did not want to see the same thing happen to you and your child. I still don't!
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Regarding dose... Amoxi is sometimes taken at up to 6,000 mg a day. I don't know if there is any advantage to that high of a dose though, and pregnancy is a cause to be conservative.
Bicillin LA on the other hand is just a very slow release form of Penicillin G, the original natural Penicillin. The blood levels from Bicillin LA are VERY low, yet it seems to be really effective for some people.
Why Bicillin can work so well at such low blood levels is a puzzle of sorts. A number of years ago the IV form of this same Penicillin G at a very high dose was sometimes used to treat Lyme. The odd thing is that the high IV dose was not very effective, yet the low dose from IM Bicillin seems to work.
The bottom line, Bicillin seems to work better than Amoxi at lower blood levels. It might be worth trying if you can get it.
For what its worth... My daughter had two little boys BEFORE she figured she had been suffering from Lyme. She wasn't on any ABX at all, and they are both healthy.
Babies come along when you least expect them. Just make the best of the situation and try not to stress out over the Lyme excessively. Stress can do as much harm as the bugs if you let it take over.
Posts: 714 | From San Antonio TX | Registered: Oct 2004
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it saved me LOTS of nausea when I was preggers. Put it in some ice chips and drink it slowlly. ( if the ginger doesnt help)
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