Topic: help for an oldie whose brain is fried...(drug, supplement, interactions)
lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
i am going to ask a question that i used to know the answer to
i am so messed up in the head now i can't even figure out how to search it
also arthritis pain in back and hands makes typing really hard
so if anyone has time at this crazy, busy time of year to help i would appreciate it
i am starting a new protocol from dr c in mo
all i am doing so far that is new is : iodine, flagyl, d2 and d3, theralac, enzalese, lecithin w/ phosphydidal choline, nystatin
for many years i did and still do most of dr b's supplements
the things i need to take away from food i almost always take in the middle of the night (theralac, nystatin, prevacid, armour thyroid, )
my prescriptions are: lipitor, prevacid, vistaril (to sleep), ibuprofen-1200mg a day, and sometimes skelaxin for musc spasm and dicyclomine for IBS-oh yeah-and the one baby aspirin a day.
so here's the question:
AM I CANCELING OUT SOME OF THESE BY TAKING THEM TOO CLOSE TOGETHER OR WITH A WRONG FOOD (MILK?, OTHER FOOD)
i've just gone thru a hard spot with the disease and my cognitive stuff really took a dive. i KNOW there are issues to deal with...but i can't remember them. i also want to start some regular detox (besides the milk thistle and saunas)-but i know detox supps are one of the things that can really disrupt my regimin...so i am holding off.
so...without taking too much of your time and energy...if you could point me to past postings that talk about this issue...or if you are aware of just one bad interaction...like magnesium...i KNOW there is something i should know about magnesium.
also..isn't flagyl the abx that you will get really, really sick from if you drink alcohol? why didn't the pharmacy write that on the long info they gave me about flagyl? if they didn't write that-they might not write "don't take with milk"-or whatever.
so-if you just reply with the ones you are dealing with now...or the ones you are sure of off the top of your head without taking a bunch of time to research it...maybe this thread will end up having a bunch of good info for all of us.
thanks and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! lp
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
The only thing I know for sure is alcohol is a big NO NO NO NO with Flagyl. You can get terrible heart complications from it.
Yes, they should have put that on your prescription. Posts: 257 | From Connecticut | Registered: Oct 2007
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
thank you. and more help is welcome.
just so this doesn't discourage newbies...you should know that:
-i had very active lyme for 10-15 years before i was able to get treatment
-the first llmd tx (dr. L) lasted 3 years and got me 80% better-able to work long enough to get my kids thru college
-i am also dealing with 2 significant head injuries (it was a 2nd head injury that finally put me on disability and unable to work)
and it is pretty common knowledge (i think) that lyme and other bugs love to go to the weakest part...so my banged up head is probably very inviting to them
i also pushed myself pretty hard for the last 1 1/2 years and kind of denied i still had lyme...
and i have put off ortho surgeries to knees and hands for a long time. when i was unable to walk my 30 min a day because of my knees...my back went downhill fast (and also a doc took me off my thyroid meds by accident) and it sort of snowballed ... until a month ago when i changed my envirnment to a more handicap accessible one, started back at my water exercise class and have lowered stress and increased time with positive people. i immediately started doing better..so i AM going in the right direction now.
yes-bad drug store!!! about the flagyl. i think i will call them when all of this (christmas) is over. i did know about the alcohol from here and from the llmd. also-i started the flagyl very slowly...a sliver and i am now up to one a day and not herxing or feeling anything at all (i take nystatin and pro biotics when on it)
---the cognitive stuff and inability to walk has been coming on since sept...it is not related to any new meds i am taking now---
lipitor-i have been fighting going on it for a few years. i really hate drugs...but i am overweight-my dad died of a heart attack and most of my brothers and sisters are on a statin. he orderd 80 mg a day...but my llmd was upset with that so i am taking 20 and really trying to be careful about diet. the trouble is now it is really hard to get exercise. i paddled for a long time when i couldn't walk much...but now my hands are so bad i can't get the boat on the car....(maybe i should change my name...to lpwheelchairlady or something...remember-humor's a good thing)
i have been taking ibuprofen over 20 years. i cannot find anything else that will do what it does. i used to take 3200mg a day but for years i am down to 1200mg. if i don't take it...i can't sleep cuz of pain and i walk even less...and cry from pain.(embarrassing..then i isolate-not good) i have tried lots of other anti-inflmam stuff..and nothing has worked so far
i have been on prevacid for over 7 years and can't get off it...probably because of the ibuprofen. i've tried enzymes and other things on here.
the docs (even llmds) say i will get esophogeal cancer if the symptoms are not controlled-so i am afraid to stop it
i understand how bad both these meds are for me and how they are causing new problems...but this is where i am now. i made a decision to treat my lyme and take ibu so i could keep working to "launch" my four kids. i don't regret it...but now i am dealing with this stuff and trying to have as many good years as i can.
i have tried to take as few meds as possible. i hate the way narcotics make me feel...and they don't seem to touch the pain.
the vistaril helps me sleep (that's important), helps irritable bladder and keeps my anxiety under control...and i take a really low dose.
the other stuff i just take as needed and not much.
and finally...i don't believe dr c does a "one approach fits all tx" at all. if i suggested that before i want to clarify it here. i can really put my foot in my mouth sometimes)
he does write a lot of stuff down ... the basis of what he wants everyone to do. but then he individualizes it all . the order of the drugs and supplements and alternative tx are all different for each patient...and then the way they follow thru on it is all different cuz it is based on how they react. i like this better in the long run than some llmds where i felt like a lab rat...hmmmm...anyone know where labrat is these days?
so i'm happy with my doc and grateful he is so organized...it helps to have it all written the way my brain is and it also helps with finances....
but i think it is reasonable to think most lymies would need some help figuring it all out.
so-thank you for your answers...does anyone else know what not to take with magnesium...other meds and supps? please help remind me...or refer me to old posts. thanks again
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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Truthfinder
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8512
posted
Hi, Ip - very sorry you are having so many troubles right now. It can be really hard to figure this stuff out even when your brain is at full function!
(And I hope you are taking some CoQ10 - I find that even 30 mg. a day can help my brain function better.)
Magnesium can interfere with a number of drugs - like certain antibiotics, stuff like Neurontin, some blood pressure meds, etc. - so if possible, I would take it 2 or 3 hours away from any medications.
When in doubt, call your pharmacist. Generally speaking, they know more about this than docs do, and most of them have a large database they can refer to. They might even be willing to help you prepare a `schedule' for taking your drugs and supplements, with or without food, etc. (Sounds like you spend quite a bit of money with them so it wouldn't hurt to ask.)
I looked up a few `magnesium interactions' online, and none of them even mentioned Neurontin, but I happen to know that magnesium is a problem with that drug. So, I think your best bet is to check with your pharmacist and see what he says.
I'm sorry, but I don't have any personal experience with any of the drugs you are taking but maybe some others here do.
Merry Christmas!
-------------------- Tracy .... Prayers for the Lyme Community - every day at 6 p.m. Pacific Time and 9 p.m. Eastern Time � just take a few moments to say a prayer wherever you are�. Posts: 2966 | From Colorado | Registered: Dec 2005
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AliG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9734
posted
I'm going to come back & try to help with this. I don't have time to work on sorting the meds out now.
I would appreciate if you could just give me, in list form, each medication, how many times/day you take them (if more than once), and whether or not food is known to be required.
I just wanted to share some stomach info, as the taking of meds in middle of the night concerns me.
It is never a good idea to recline more than 45 degrees for an hour after eating or taking pills when you are having stomach issues. Also pills requiring food should have a few bites saved to follow, to keep them from lodging in the esophogus and be followed by a good amount of water.
You need to make sure that everything gets flushed down into your stomach and starts to digest before laying down or it can work back up & cause more problems.
Magnesium, aspirin and ibuprofen are known to be hard on the stomach. You should be especially cautious to drink a good glass of water following these.
I lived on ibuprofen for years, just as you've been doing. I found out that it can cause rebound inflammation, causing you to need it even more. I try to avoid it as much as posssible. I believe all NSAIDs can do this.
Try alternating Tylenol with the ibuprofen, if you can, it's easier on the stomach. A tube sock, filled with rice, tied in a knot & heated in the microwave (1 minute at a time until you know how long because microwaves vary) can become your best buddy.
It molds to fit the curves of your neck & shoulders and you can move it around to different areas that hurt. It also gives off moist heat because the dry rice absorbs moisture from the environment & gives it off when heated.
Lipitor can cause Rhabdomylosis(sp?) (so can some other meds) which I believe is a break down of skeletal muscle tissue that causes kidney problems. I'm not certain so someone may want to look that one up. I had my dad pretty well stabilized and Lipitor screwed him all up again. (Pain & Neuro stuff)
Yes, NO ALCOHOL WITH FLAGYL. I believe that some people even have issues with alcohol in mouthwash, hand creams, etc... It causes an antabuse reaction.
Magnesium & Calcium supps can interfere with the absorption of many meds, not good to take with other things. Milk thistle can intefere with meds metabolized in the liver.
Antibiotics & probiotics should be taken 2-3 hrs apart because the ABX will fight the probiotics instead of the Lyme.
It's also important to make sure that you are drinking plenty of water to keep toxins flushing out of your system. A slice of lemon helps, I usually prefer seltzer w/lemon (for me it's easier to drink )
I'll check back later for a listing of meds & see what I can do as far as the interaction checking/timing issues.
Sorry you're having such a tough time. Ali
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
thank you i will try to get you the specific info soon. busy and overwhelmed right now.
your info was really helpfula dn what i need now.
some of your concerns i am aware of. i do know a lot-just confused now.
more soon-thanks again. lp
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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AliG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9734
posted
quote:your info was really helpfula dn what i need now.
I hope that means you're feeling a little bit better today.
I know what it's like to feel so awful that you can't think how to help yourself. You just can't even make your make your brain fish out the answers you know you must already have in there. I feel like I'm getting close to that place again myself right now.
I've had pain that Tylenol & Aleve do nothing to help for the past few days. I just started Cefdinir on Tuesday & was looking to see if it could be related to that. The rhabdomylosis is listed as a possible side effect of Cefdinir.
My eyes have been really bloodshot, so it's different than my "usual" Lymie stuff and it has me a bit nervous. I just made DH go get ME some ibuprofen, so your thread might actually be helping me. Here's hoping.
I hope you're feeling better! Ali
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
lp, something that jumped out to me from your post? Do you set alarm and take this meds/supps in the middle of night? Or are you up for another reason?
I take my thyroid meds as soon as wake in the morning with at least 8 oz water and nothing else in my stomach for 1 hour, well but coffee.
I then take my theralac proboitic about 9 pm evening with my cal/mag/vitd3 liquid supps. I was told these things were good for my body to process thru the night while asleep.
Flagyl kicked my butt. I could only do slivers of it. Then I had to pulse like 4 days on, 4 days off. Mentally I was a wreck during flagyl. That was at least 5 yrs ago.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
thanks pam and ali
well we "did" christmas on 24th-so two of the kids could be with their dad on 25th.
we had a really, really good time. they are all young adults and have been so busy with college and careers i have had a few holidays totally alone and they have not interacted much since they left home...so it was a really good day. It actually started a week ago...so a good week.
but i might have forgotten to take something...maybe even the flagyl. i don't know. and i'm eating bad...and more coffee than i should. so i 'm all mixed up-good and bad---so if i was better i probably wouldn't know it!!!
i don't set an alarm to sleep. i take sleep meds and hope to sleep 4-6 hrs at a time . that is success. without them i sometimes get to sleep but am up every hour or so. frequent urination-but just plain insomnia too. so i have been taking the meds when i wake up.
pam...i think what you are doing will help me a lot. we are on a bunch of the same stuff. i'm supposed to take lipitor at night too. think that is a problem?
it will be easy for me to have water in the morning and hold off the coffee for an hour.
i'm only up now cuz i ate so late cuz of church and visiting , i can't lie down cuz of reflux. i'm not quite tired enough to sleep sitting up in the recliner yet.
i will get back again with meds and mg soon.
thanks again for your help. i don't think i'm much better...but i'm so happy having the kids here for a little while i'm just not so worried about it. i will have to get back to reality and eating right soon. lp
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi IP
I remember you from when I first started on Lymenet-
Sorry to hear that you are not doing so good -
I looked up dicyclomine and it has a Big List of medicine that you are Not supposed to take with it --Very long list --
I did not see any of the Meds you on in the list- but someone should double check-
One thing the list did have on it was Do Not take Antacids with it--
This was not on the list but Dairy (Milk) is Not a good thing to take with many ABX -
I will look latter today and see what else I can find out for you -- Jay --
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
thank you jay-so nice for people to take time during the holidays to help.
i rarely have to take the dicy... it is for emergencies if my bowel goes nuts and cramps...
i always have to take it after a colonoscopy...but only once or twice a year when i get real emotionally upset...like a kid having emergency surgery far away or something.
i am able to control the ibs with diet now pretty easily.
but thank you. i had a break here-but still have more family coming so will check back later. lp
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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lymeinhell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4622
posted
Hi LP
So sorry to hear you're not doing well.
Just wanted to chime in about something you can take for inflammation pain that is non-prescription and really really works (got me off Bextra) -
It's ok to take up to 10 a day. I even give it to my elderly dogs who have both had ACL surgery (and Vet approved).
It's carried in the store at Vitamin Shoppe and is found easily at many places on the net. Hope this helps!
Worth every penny!
From the link:
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blended in the correct proportions, contain at least 8 phytonutrients that may safely and
significantly promote a healthy inflammation response.*
HOLY BASIL (Ocimum sanctum) Contains ursolic acid, which significantly enhances
detoxification and promotes a healthy inflammation response.*
TURMERIC Unique curcumin phytonutrient complex, synergistic with green tea, significantly
multiplying each herb's ability to promote healthy eicosanoid balance.*
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Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
julie-that is really helpful---so maybe with that i can get rid of the ibu and with the gum stuff i can get rid of the prevacid...and maybe then i can get on with fighting the ketes.
this news has not come too soon. i was in the ER early this morning really thinking i was having a heart attack and it really was probably the reflux...just 10 times as bad and centerd on the left upper chest instead of the middle....
thanks to everyone. i hope others are getting some help from this thread too.
my younguns have just left the nest again-back to their busy lives...so i can start to get back to my job of fighting this disease. i might take a nap first tho. thank you.lp
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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