Topic: IV Zithromax in my eyes/UPDATE New Antibiotic Terramycin
Jellybelly
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Member # 7142
posted
Well it has been nearly 2 weeks since I started putting IV Zithromax in my eyes. A compunding pharmacy dilutes it for me and puts it into an eye dropper.
A little back ground for those who need it. I have had an conguncitve like infection for about 7 months that came after a 3 day venture into Restatis for dry eyes. I have suspected that I have Lyme in my eyes for some time due to a multitude of eye issues.
Over the couse of the last 7 months I have tried the standard eye treatments. Erythromyacin ointment, oral low dose zithromax, augmentin at full dose, antivirals, and colloidal silver. Of every one of those I tried the colloidal silver seemed to work the best. The others did really nothing. It seemed as if my eyes were getting better for a few days, then back to square one.
My regular MD was really beginning to think that since we had ruled all else out, maybe Lyme was really the issue. Problem is she didn't know what to do or what we could directly put into my eyes that targeted Lyme.
I spoke with my compounding pharmacist and he was stumped as well. All he was able to tell me after some research was that minocycline was not an option for sure. Not sure why though.
So, I made an appointment we my old faithful doc who is not an LLMD, but has been totally on board and willing to treat the Lyme as recommended or however we feel works for me. He has been treating me for mycoplasma infections for many years. He has always believed that we have been sick and constantly is looking for answers. Mycoplasma was where he kind of got stuck, but since my new diagnosis, he is now turning to look closer at the most current Lyme information.
Anyways, I went to see him to brain storm as usual. I told him I believed that the Lyme was in my eyes and I wanted to target my eyes without throuwing my whole body into a massive herx.
You see the problem with the eyes is that the circulation around them is not very good. Get full dose of anything to them is tough, even tougher if the infection is inside. Treating Lyme in the eyes can be difficult.
He got out a bunch of his reference books and we started going through antibiotics one at a time. Then it dawned on him, why not IV solutions!!??
Zithromax is the first one we thought of. He believed that if it could go directly into our viens, it could go directly into my eyes.
So that is what I have been doing. So far this is the most progress I have made. I am finally able to NOT carry tissue waded up in my hand for the first time in 7 months. Keep in mind I took Zithromax orally, not at full dose, but it did nothing at all. The difference may be that the ABX is directly at the spot now.
I haven't gone blind...so far. I didn't have a nassive allergic reaction. Actually the drops feel really good in my eyes. I keep them in the fridge, so they are very cooling. I put the drops in 4 times a day. Problem is, they are very liquid and tend to run right out. I plan on speaking with pharmacist to see if the IV solution can some how be mixed with an ointment intended for the eye, just to keep the ABX in my eye longer.
But, so far so good. I expect to do this for as long as needed. I will let you know in a couple more weeks if there is anything interesting to report. I am hopeful, because the problems with my eyes seems to be one of the last strong holds, that and my brain for these bugs.
One last point, I am back on oxygen in large doses through a rebreather and micro doses of Minocycline. There may be more on that later, but I need more time for that comparison.
There are many of us out there with infection in out eyes. Maybe this will turn out to be a viable way to treat our eyes. Time will tell.
[ 22. September 2007, 06:20 PM: Message edited by: Jellybelly ]
Posts: 1251 | From california | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Wow! Sounds really promising!! Keep us updated!! and good luck!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
pharmacist can add glycerin to thicken. also drops need to be normal saline i think its 5% saline. if not it will draw water out of the eyes. sort of how your eyes feel after you get them wet in the shower.
also may want to use.a gel lube over the counter 10 minutes after you use them, and an ointment or the gel before bed. the gel helps me get thru the day. it stays and lubicates a long time. just gel tears nothing else in it.
docdave
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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Jellybelly
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Member # 7142
posted
Thanks Dave for that information. My doc and I were wondering which solution we should use to dilute the IV solution. We ended up with sterile water I think, but maybe we will try the saline and see which is better.
My eyes do feel just a bit sticky at times. I will also speak to the pharmacist about glycerin. I have read about solutions that are for they eyes and have a quality of sticking to the mucous layer awhile, I think it was called muco adhesive. I wonder if they have that?
Thanks again for the info.
Posts: 1251 | From california | Registered: Apr 2005
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I have tons of eye issues right now which I think is caused by Lyme and over 12 months of oral antibiotics haven't done anything...
I have just started low dose Zithromax and my eye issues have flared up a bit, so hopefully it is killing something.
I am considering getting I.V antibiotics to see if they help.
My issues are basically:
Dry eyes, light sensitivity, halo's and glare around lights (I can't drive, especially not at night because headlights and brakelights have huge halo's around them and glare coming off them, it would be too dangerous!), pains in eyes, after-images after looking at lights, sticky and irritated eyes and sometimes blood-shot eyes...
They are especially bad when I first wake up in the morning - my eyes are so dry, irritated, red and sticky - it's horrible...
I had my eyes checked out last year and they were OK, no problems found. But I am going to get them checked again this week, this time very thoroughly. If the oral antibiotics don;t do anything, then I think my only option would be I.V.
Posts: 263 | From UK | Registered: Mar 2006
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
A Novel In Vivo Rabbit Model that Mimics Human Dosing to Determine the Distribution of Antibiotics in Ocular Tissues.
Owen GR, Brooks AC, James O, Robertson SM. Alcon Research Ltd., Fort Worth, TX.
Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish a novel method to predict the human ocular penetration and distribution of topical antibiotics by using a controlled rabbit model that mimics the human eye with manual blinking and tear flow.
Methods: After anesthetizing the rabbits, a single dose of commercial antibiotic formulations was given with precision directly onto the cornea.
This was followed by a 30-min controlled period applying manual blinking (4 blinks/min) and a supplementary tear flow (2 muL/min) that mimics the human eye.
Tear samples were collected every 5 min and after euthanasia, conjunctival, aqueous humor, iris-ciliary body, and scleral samples were collected.
The corneas were mounted in perfusion chambers to determine the level and continuing rate of release of the antibiotics, the levels of which were all determined using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis.
Conclusions: Moxifloxacin achieved the highest levels of antibiotic in ocular tissues.
In the conjunctiva and cornea, the moxifloxacin level was 3-30 times the level of other fluoroquinolones, at least twice the level of the aminoglycosides, and 25 times the level of the antibacterial trimethoprim.
PMID: 17803431
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All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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Pocono Lyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5939
posted
Here's an ointment for animals. I'm considering it out of desperation. States it works against spirochetes and much more and also antifungal.
Ophthalmic Antibiotic (oxytetracycline hydrochloride) Antibiotic with Polymyxin B Sulfate
Active Ingredient(s): TERRAMYCIN Ophthalmic Ointment with polymyxin B sulfate is a suspension of oxytetracycline hydrochloride and polymyxin B sulfate in a special petrolatum base. Each gram of ointment contains oxytetracycline HCl equivalent to 5 mg of oxytetracycline and 10,000 units of polymyxin B as the sulfate.
Indications: TERRAMYCIN Ophthalmic Ointment with polymyxin B sulfate is indicated for the prophylaxis and local treatment of superficial ocular infections due to oxytetracycline- and polymyxin-sensitive organisms, including infections due to streptococci, rickettsiae, E. coli, and A. aerogenes, such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, pink eye, corneal ulcer, blepharitis in dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, and horses; ocular infections due to secondary bacterial complications of distemper in dogs, and bacterial inflammatory conditions which may occur secondary to other infectious diseases in the above species.
Pharmacology: TERRAMYCIN (oxytetracycline HCl) is an antibiotic, bright yellow in color, possessing potent antimicrobial activity. It is one of the most versatile of the broad-spectrum antibiotics, and is effective in the treatment of infections due to gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, both aerobic and anaerobic, spirochetes, rickettsiae, and certain of the larger viruses. Polymyxin B sulfate is one of a group of related antibiotics derived from Bacillus polymyxa. The polymyxins are rapidly bactericidal, this action being exclusively against gram-negative bacteria. The broad-spectrum effectiveness of TERRAMYCIN against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms is enhanced by the particular effectiveness of polymyxin B against infections associated with gram-negative organisms, especially those due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, where polymyxin B is the antibiotic of choice. In addition, there is evidence to indicate that polymyxin B sulfate possesses some antifungal activity. The combined antibacterial effect of TERRAMYCIN plus polymyxin is at least additive and, in many instances, an actual synergistic action is obtained.
Dosage and Administration: TERRAMYCIN Ophthalmic Ointment with polymyxin B sulfate should be administered topically to the eye 2-4 times daily. Presentation: Available in 1/8 oz. tubes.
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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Jellybelly
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Member # 7142
posted
This is great Pocono!!!!!! I am going to speak to the pharmacist about this!!
And Sarah, thanks for the heads up on moxifloxacin. Is this an ABX that works on lyme? I have never heard of it. I'll have to do some research.
Posts: 1251 | From california | Registered: Apr 2005
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Pocono Lyme
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Member # 5939
posted
Let me/us know what you find out OK? I thought it looked promising esp. to have antifungal properties also.
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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Jellybelly
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Member # 7142
posted
Oh goody, goody, gooody. Pocono and others it looks like this stuff has recently been approbed for humans around 2006, so very new.
Pocono Lyme
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Member # 5939
posted
Well Jelly if we could really see it we wouldn't be needingit huh? I like it. This didn't mention antifungal properties ?
Anyway, I just ordered some and it is supposed to be here in three days.
Desperate guinea pig here.
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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Jellybelly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
Anxious to hear how things go for you. Further researching I found that they have used this abx way back in the 50s in the eyes of humans.
Posts: 1251 | From california | Registered: Apr 2005
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Pocono Lyme
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Member # 5939
posted
Thanks Lymetoo.
I think maybe we're better off following vet sites etc. for treatment of animals. I think they're ahead of human treatment. There are no insurance companies etc. involved there.
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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Pocono Lyme
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Member # 5939
posted
Well, it arrived and now I'm afraid to use it.
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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Jellybelly
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Hi Pocono
Got your PM and I know your concerns. I had mine with the Zithromax.
Are the ingediants the same in the vetrinary kind as they are in the human one, namely petroleum jelly and the ABX?
Fungi is a problem anywhere when using abx. Wonder what to do if fungus appears. Would antifungal work and is there an antifungal for the eyes?
Posts: 1251 | From california | Registered: Apr 2005
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Pocono Lyme
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Ingredients are the same. I wonder about an antifungal for the eyes also.
Such a frustrating disease. And soooo discouraging.
My two month wait for an opthalmologist appt just turned into another month wait. And the statement was, "Well it's ONLY for a consult 'cause you have Lyme isn't it"?
'Bout ready to throw in the towel. I called my optometrist, he's a doll, but clueless to Lyme and company. Maybe by chance he'll offer something besides steroids and allergy drops. "Prolly" not. How'd ya' like that Lymetoo?
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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bejoy
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posted
I'm certain I read a post about somebody successfully clearing floaters with terramycin from the feed store. No clue which topic it was posted under though. Let us know how it goes!
-------------------- bejoy!
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." -Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 1918 | From Alive and Well! | Registered: Feb 2007
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Pocono Lyme
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Well, my optometrist called me back and said Terramycin wasn't on his (6/07) list of FDA approved meds.
He did order me an antibiotic ointment as I requested as opposed to drops as they just roll right out of my eyes.
So I will have worse blurred vision than before. I'll try this for now and see if I get the courage to try the other stuff if needed. I hope this works.
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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Jellybelly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7142
posted
Here are some older comments on Terramycin:
I used Terramycin eye ointment (a mix of abx in a sterile oinment base) made by PFIZER and FDA approved for humans... but it's sold as a veterinary product in the USA- and sold as a human product in developing countries.
I used it at night with the full knowledge of my Opthalmologist - and it helped my eyes alot.
(I also couldn't use seroid drops - made everything worse).
Barb
quote: spookydew Frequent Contributor Member # 8432
posted 17 January, 2007 09:21 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I buy terramycin eye ointment at pet store. I get fevers and chills when I use it. My floaters decrease. If stop using it floaters increase. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posts: 185 | From: ohio | Registered: Dec 2005 | IP: Logged
quote:bpeck Frequent Contributor Member # 3235
posted 20 April, 2005 10:25 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I used 'Terramycin eye ointment' while I was going thru Lyme abx treatment (and my eyes got worse while on abx). Polymyxin B and tetracycline ointment. Pfizer makes this ointment - and it's sold as a veterinary procduct in the USA but it is FDA approved for human use, and is sold in the developing countries for people.
It was very effective ( I used at nighttime for about 5 months) and my eye doc approved it's use (although I did get it from my Vet.)
Pocono Lyme
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Member # 5939
posted
Well, I've been on the antibiotic ointment, prescribed for me, since Friday night and continue with the symptoms and possibly worse.
Redness seems a bit better but having increased gunk and increased eyelid edema. The blurriness, who knows as I was blurry before and the ointment of course causes blurred vision.
I am thinking this may be fungal and not bacterial? Maybe the antifungal properties of the Terramycin is the key.
Don't know if it would be fungal keratitis? May try the Terramycin. I'll give this a bit more time as it's only been three days.
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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I like it. This didn't mention antifungal properties ?![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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