posted
Through the many years with my illness I have had difficulty with speech. I get confused, forgetful and speech doesn't come out right or at all.
After 6 weeks of daily IV abx Vancomycin and Naphcillin in hospital(for septicemia) in 2003, my speech returned to normal and most symptoms disappeared. No one could explain it.
But gradually I have relapsed and now my speech is once again most difficult and cognition and memory are very poor. Again I am in bed most of the time.
I started amoxycillin and biactin (total 3000 mg daily)several weeks ago and feel worse than ever. I am too exhausted to do anything. Headaches. Speech is terrible. Symptoms worse since starting meds.
Is this a herx reaction or are the meds not working? Doc did warn me that he may order IV meds if these don't work after 2 months. Do IV's work better for these symptoms? Should I wait for 2 months or ask for new meds now? Is it (IV) worth the risk? Does anyone have any suggestions?
I don't expect professional medical advice...just the voices of experience!
-------------------- DOCTOR: "I don't think you are sick." PATIENT: "We are all entitled to our opinions. I don't think you are a doctor." Posts: 697 | From Northern California | Registered: Jul 2009
| IP: Logged |
feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Is this the first time that you are treating Lyme farraday? If so, it is very common to feel way worse after starting antibiotics. You are probably herxing.
Also, if Vanco and naphcillin? helped you in the past, it may help you again. Make sure you mention this to your doctor. He/She may want to try this again should you go onto IV meds.
Am I understanding that you were undiagnosed for many years?
hang in there, FF
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks Feelfit! Yes, this is a new development. I was dxd at UC Irvine with CFS and Fibro in 1996 after years of illness. Was totally bedridden for years, had a port for pain meds, severe cognitive and speech problems.
Septicemia put me in hospital in 2003. Surprise, surprise I got better! For several years I did fairly well...walking, talking, reading, even driving a little.
Then I began to spiral down fast. That's when my husband began to call labs. He finally found the PCR test that found the Lyme.
New LLMD knows about the Vanco and naphcillin. He may yet use them, but they are pretty powerful and I was in hospital 6 weeks with them.
The herxing was horrific! I had rash everywhere and lived in the bathroom. I lost 70 lbs. in 6 weeks! I think that is partly why he hesitates.
Next week I have Spect scan. Speech is very bad. I go to speech therapists but they mostly work on cognition, memory, swallowing.
You are correct...this terrible feeling is probably from the new abx. I wish I knew if they were working or if I am just getting worse.
Thanks to all of you for the great messages and support. I am so thankful that I found this wonderful list of people. It helps so much to know that I am not alone!
-------------------- DOCTOR: "I don't think you are sick." PATIENT: "We are all entitled to our opinions. I don't think you are a doctor." Posts: 697 | From Northern California | Registered: Jul 2009
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic