LymeNet Flash: Rifampin for Bart & Ehrlichia?

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Rifampin for Bart & Ehrlichia?

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Topic: Rifampin for Bart & Ehrlichia?

Clarissa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4715

posted

Does Rifampin hit both co-infections? I know Doxy is the main choice for Ehrlichia.

Just curious because a family member just tested positive for both infections. It would be nice to kill 2 birds with one stone.

Thanks, in advance, for any input.

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Clarissa

Because I knew you:
I have been changed for good.

Posts: 1625 | From Florida | Registered: Oct 2003 | IP: Logged |

lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830

posted

Yes Rifampin is used for Bart and Ehrlichia. Just yesterday I talked with my LLMD about my Bart and Ehrlichia.

For me Biaxin "cured" the Bart, I stayed on it one year, he hoped and thought it would also get the Ehrlichia. He is always surprising and arguably unconventional (maybe ahead of others) in his choices for treatments. He (he is well known ILADS LLMD)said Doxy is ok for Ehrlichia if caught early and even one strain of Bart. According to him the best for Ehrlichia/Bart is Flagyl w/Azithro.

I am pretty sure Levaquin hits both, Bartonella for sure.

Hopefully it will hit 2 birds w/one stone, but I have found Bart takes more time and reoccur and possibly several tries with other abx.

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www.truthaboutlymedisease.com

Posts: 2003 | From endemic area | Registered: May 2007 | IP: Logged |

Clarissa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4715

posted

Thanks so much for the information. I was on the Biaxin/Plaquenil combo when treating Lyme 4 years ago but haven't heard it mentioned for treating Bart, as well.

Good to know...

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Clarissa

Because I knew you:
I have been changed for good.

Posts: 1625 | From Florida | Registered: Oct 2003 | IP: Logged |

sixgoofykids
Moderator
Member # 11141

posted

It probably varies based on which bart you have .... Biaxin didn't touch my bart ... I got better on Levaquin after 9 months of Biaxin.

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sixgoofykids.blogspot.com

Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007 | IP: Logged |

Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370

posted

Rifampin has really helped my bart symptoms.

I know it can be a rough abx, but I've made a lot of progress taking it.

Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged |

Clarissa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4715

posted

Yes, Andie, I agree, Rifampin is a rough drug. As of this week, I'm up to 1200mg 4 days a week:

Herxing bigtime...mostly very anxious and
agitated with some tremors, numbing limbs, and depression. (The other days 750mg zithro).

I'm deeply grateful for all of your feedback!

Andie: SO glad to hear it helped you. How high a does were/are you on and for how long?

Thanks, in advance, for any thoughts!

Clarissa

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Clarissa

Because I knew you:
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Posts: 1625 | From Florida | Registered: Oct 2003 | IP: Logged |

Dave6002
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9064

posted

I recently up Rifampin to 900mg per day and seen great improvement, mainly on sleep, 6-7 hours straight.

Posts: 1078 | From Fairland | Registered: Apr 2006 | IP: Logged |

Clarissa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4715

posted

That's awesome, Dave! Thanks for your input.

I'm almost 2 mos on Rifampin for Bart and it's been herx after herx.

Upping my Rifampin (per Doc's instructions) to 1200mg caused a HUGE herx this morning and I, literally, felt CRAZY. I took a bath and a nap and it seems to have passed...for now... and there seems to be some "clearing" in my head. (sigh)

What a hellish roller coaster this Bart herxing is!

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Clarissa

Because I knew you:
I have been changed for good.

Posts: 1625 | From Florida | Registered: Oct 2003 | IP: Logged |

Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780

posted

Hmmm....my doctor does not want me to take more than 600mg/rifampin per day. Interesting to hear that others are on higher dosages.

For anyone on over 600mg/rifampin daily -- do you think that the higher dosage made a difference for you?

Thanks!

Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006 | IP: Logged |

Clarissa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4715

posted

Vermont_Lymie,

My LLMD started me on 900 mg from the get-go. Then, as I mentioned, after almost 2mos, he pushed me up to 1200 mg.

I can't tell you the outcome until I get through this but I can tell you that even just 300mg more gave me a huge herx and then a head clearing.

Hopefully others will respond, too!

Good Luck with your treatment.

Clarissa

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Clarissa

Because I knew you:
I have been changed for good.

Posts: 1625 | From Florida | Registered: Oct 2003 | IP: Logged |

sixgoofykids
Moderator
Member # 11141

posted

I'm only on 600 per day .... but this is after a 3 month course of Levaquin.

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sixgoofykids.blogspot.com

Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007 | IP: Logged |

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