posted
So about 2 months ago I developed a bullseye rash and started researching about it like crazy. I was able to get my PCP to prescribe me 400mg Doxy for 3 weeks (he wouldn't prescribe any longer than that).
During these 3 weeks, I also set up an appointment with a local LLMD in my area and he extended my 400mg Doxy for another 4 weeks (making it a total of 7 weeks). During this time I had no symptoms or no Herx reaction either.
During that visit with my LLMD, I also had bloodwork/testing done (through Igenex)...
Well, I got my test results back and it says I tested positive for Lyme (western blot) and also Babs WA-1. It's been about two months since I developed the EM rash and I haven't had any symptoms whatsoever.
My LLMD prescribed me ~4 months of Mepron with Zithromax to fight the Babs. 4 months seems like a long time; especially since I have no symptoms whatsoever. Are there any common side effects to taking Mepron and Zithromax? I've heard about the potential liver issues with Ketek... should I be worried about Mepron/Zithromax damaging my liver as well?
Thanks in advance. This site is great.
Posts: 27 | From CA | Registered: May 2006
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tabbytamer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3159
posted
Hi Daveappen,
Welcome
Well, you asked an excellent question. Have you seen any of these recent threads regarding Babs?:
I think the question is a popular one as there really are no definite answers when it comes to tick-borne disease (TBD). There are so many variations, and then every person can respond differently to any specific treatment.
I'm sure others with more Babs experience will be along tomorrow.
groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi Dave
Babs is a Tuff Bug-Hard to kill--
Doxi may have little or no effect on early Babs -no clear evidence eather way
Late babs not much effect
If I was in your position I would take the meds--For Sure--
Then you wont be thinking later- If I had Only taken those meds-
Babs is serious and once it gets going its Real hard to stop--
Mepron has few side effects except $$$$
Dont be scaired of meds-No reason-- Be scaired of getting sick--Jay--
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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mlkeen
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1260
posted
Morning Dave and Welcome-
You've done an extremely good job getting good care organized.
Four months isn't out of line for mepron. What our llmd did differently with my Chris is have a two week break between bottles of mepron to give his body a chance to recover. He was symptomatic and did herx. He also had it a long time before diagnosis
He had either biaxin or tetra with the mepron.
Please do follow the anti-yeast diet, and take probiotics while being treated.
Our llmd is using diflucan alone after abx to purge yeast, mold and DNA bits from our bodies. It has gone well for us.
Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Congratulations, Dave!
You are ALL OVER IT!!! You have done what I wish everyone would do!
It sounds from your post like you haven't given lyme OR babesia time to even set up housekeeping.
That is incredibly smart on your part.
I have babesia WA1 also, except I wasn't as smart as you. I didn't pay attention to my tick bite and rash until MUCH later, long afterward. By then my uninvited guests had moved in for good, causing me horrendous headaches, cognitive issues, memory loss, nerve problems, brain lesions, -- you name it.
My LLMD tells me that my babesia WA1 might be harder to "keep gone" than lyme itself. Aaaack.
My 14 year old daughter, who's been off lyme meds for six months (yippee!), just had a relapse in the form of Bell's Palsy of her face.
If I knew then what I know NOW, I'd gladly swallow meds for any recommended length of time. Lyme is NOT fun. Babesia is a close relative of malaria and is definitely no fun and beastly to eradicate. Now, take your medicine, and pat yourself on the back with the other hand for being incredibly smart and lucky to have seen your tick bite!!
Oops, I almost forgot -- there's no lyme disease in California, right?!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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A follow up question for you. You say you went to a llmd and were given the WB. Were you on the doxy at the time of the test? Thanks
Posts: 554 | From Naples, Italy | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
Thanks everyone for your inputs! You guys are great.
Sojourner, yes I was on Doxy at the time when I got tested. I believe I had been on it for about 2 weeks or so... Would this have a drastic effect on my test results?
Posts: 27 | From CA | Registered: May 2006
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Western Blot IGM: 30 kDa. + 31 kDa. ++++ 34 kDa. IND 39 kDa. IND 41 kDa. ++ 58 kDa. + 83-93 kDa. IND (the rest were negative)
Western Blot IGG: 18 kDa. + 23-25 kDa. + 28 kDa. + 31 kDa. IND 34 kDa. + 39 kDa. IND 41 kDa. +++ 58 kDa. ++ (the rest were negative)
The sheet says the double-starred bands (23-25kDa, 31kDa, 34kDa, 39kDa, 41kDa, and 83-93kDa) are specific to Lyme. Again, I had been on Doxy for about two weeks when I was tested.
Babs WA-1 antibody: Reactive at 1:640
The tests were done approximately 3 weeks after the initial EM rash appeared and I had been on Doxy for about 2 weeks. Do these results look like it was from someone who was recently infected? Again, so far I've had no noticeable symptoms. The only clue (besides the test results) was the EM rash that I got 2 months ago (which only lasted ~5 days). The rash started from what looked like a mosquito bite.
Posts: 27 | From CA | Registered: May 2006
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posted
I have the same diagnosis as you but I didn't get the correct diagnosis until four years later. The babesia is really tough now to get rid of. I took mepron and zith for 6 months and now I have to start again probably for another 3 months.
I sure would take it for four months minimum to avoid a lifetime of WA-1.
During the 6 months on mepron and zith I only had elevated liver enzymes once and it wasn't to bad.
Ketek is what really elevated my liver enyzmes.
I got my liver panel blood test every 2 weeks while on mepron and zith to give myself piece of mind.
Posts: 293 | From healdsburg, ca , sonoma | Registered: Feb 2005
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Western Blot IGM: 30 kDa. + 31 kDa. ++++ 34 kDa. IND 39 kDa. IND 41 kDa. ++ 58 kDa. + 83-93 kDa. IND (the rest were negative)
Western Blot IGG: 18 kDa. + 23-25 kDa. + 28 kDa. + 31 kDa. IND 34 kDa. + 39 kDa. IND 41 kDa. +++ 58 kDa. ++ (the rest were negative)
That is one screamin'-a$$ positive western blot! Holy mama!
Goes to show: While it's preferable to be off antibiotics for the most accurate igenex test results, it sure didn't hurt YOU one bit!
In your favor is the fact you're newly infected, meaning your immune system is REALLY pumping out the antibodies and trying to fight back. The longer you're infected, the weaker your antibody response will tend to be.
You are on the right track, Dave. Down those meds -- don't let either of those bugs get a toehold, for sure!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
So the high antibody response in my Western Blot test could be just an indicator of how strong my immune system response is and not necessarily how strong the lyme/babesiosis infection is?
The doctor said my immune system was quite strong with around 170-180 Natural Killer cell activity/count. Would this explain the high numbers in my Western Blot?
Also, my LLMD wants me to get another Western Blot in about 1.5 months. What would be the purpose of this if your antibody response may actually decrease with time? What would the new test results reveal?
From the limited info I know about antibodies, they stay in your system even after you fight off the bacteria or virus, right? So how do you ever determine if you've completely eradicated the bacteria from your system? Is there another test?
Thanks again!
Posts: 27 | From CA | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Bump.
Posts: 27 | From CA | Registered: May 2006
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NP40
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6711
posted
Dave, there is no test to determine if you've gotten rid of the disease. Standard rule of thumb with knowledgeable lyme doc's is to treat until symptoms abate and then an extra 6-8 weeks to make sure.
Posts: 1632 | From Northern Wisconsin | Registered: Jan 2005
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So I just started the Mepron/Zithro treatment. I was previously on Doxy for about two months without any symptoms or Herx reactions. If I don't have any symptoms or Herx reactions on Mepron/Zith as well, would that be weird?
Again, I had a bullseye rash appear about two months ago, but I had no symptoms whatsoever. My Igenex test results came back pretty positive for Lyme and Babesiosis. I'm just wondering since I haven't had any symptoms or Herx reactions, is that out of the ordinary?
Posts: 27 | From CA | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Bump.
Posts: 27 | From CA | Registered: May 2006
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hiker53
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 6046
posted
Dave,
Although I have not done doxy or mepron, I have done 9 months of anitibotics of various sorts including zithromax. I did not herx, except for a little extra fatigue and my tummy did not like the drugs.
Also, I think the earlier you catch the disease, the less germ load you have and thus the less you may herx.
Consider it a blessing!! Hiker
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 8931 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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I have been on mepron + zithromax for 2 1/2 months now. at week 3 I sunk into a deep depression, my doctor did not warn me about this at all. It felt very odd, not like my normal down in the dumps I have had since being sick. It was nice to go online and find out others have experienced this, well reassuring at least. Sad for all of us that have experienced this though.(I have had tremors and twitches too--all symptoms actually new to me. )
I wish i had known before hand and planned accordingly however. ( My son was out of school and i was planning on doing fun things--if I had any idea what was coming I would have lined up a camp for him or something) A few weeks later the severity of the sadness lifted but I have had more brain "fog" than ever before tx.
I do have a sneaky suspicion that you may not go through any of this but thought I woud give you a heads up.
best of luck, let us know how it goes
jif
Posts: 208 | From Santa Fe | Registered: May 2006
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