posted
for Bartonella? And if so, what is the normal amount of time to be treated with Levaquin. I read that people have been treated for up to a year. Is that so? What about taking breaks from treatment...does that mean you are starting all over again when you begin taking abx again?
Posts: 19 | From New York | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
While talking to my MD about antibiotics and all of my allergies I had mentioned that Levaquin was something that was prescribed to me often. HE told me long term use of Levaquin can cause ruptured tendons.
He said he was treating someone for that problem. So that may be something to discuss with your Dr. Good luck!
Posts: 50 | From nj | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
I had some nice improvement on IV Levaquin....just 4 weeks, pulsed. I had some tendon and bone pain, but it helped with Bart symptoms. I wanted to continue, but my LLMD said it was too strong to continue. Tendon issues subsided after several weeks off Levaquin.
-------------------- IV graduate. As of 1/10, oral Omnicef, Minocyline, Mycobutin, Levaquin, and Flagyl. Lyrica and a bunch of supplements. Posts: 123 | From Atlanta | Registered: Mar 2009
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I finished my lyme treatment 4 years ago and I am still symptom free, enjoying my life--the same life I had before lyme disease.
My doc put me on levaquin for bart. I took it for 30 days.
Then, he switched me to Bactrim DS. I took that for babs, but he said it hits bart also. I was on the Bactrim for nearly a year.
It worked for me.
My friends who are in treatment now say their doc says that it now takes longer treatment to get rid of bart--like 3 months of levaquin.
I don't know. Maybe it worked for me because I went on Bactrim DS for so long right after the Levaquin.
There is the possibility of tendon problems with Levaquin, so you have to let the doc know if you start getting any tendon type pain.
I would not take breaks from treatment unless I had to.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
Tumbleweed, I'm running levaquin now for at least a month with Omnicef, Mepron, and Rifampin...
Dr. B claims taking extra Magnesium while on Levaquin may prevent some of the tendon issues from arising but you still should watch for sides obviously...
Space the Magnesium away from your meds to avoid lessening the effectiveness of your abx...
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
It killed my Bartonella when combined with Biaxin XL, take the magnesium, Levaquin was great for me.
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Don't know if bart is gone but I took it for a long time. I had major tissue changes during that time.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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Dawn in VA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9693
posted
I had tendon issues- was on crutches for a few weeks- after taking levaquin the first time BUT it was before I knew to load up on magnesium b/f, during, and after taking it.
I have since taken two more periods of it and have had no problems as long as I keep that Mg way up high.
-------------------- (The ole disclaimer: I'm not a doctor.) Posts: 1349 | From VA | Registered: Jul 2006
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
How much Magnesium is necessary? What type of Magnesium?
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
posted
I am on my 3rd or 4th month of Levaquin. I have some tightness in my tendons so I tried to go off to see if it was from the Levaquin. I got rapidly worse. Worse than I have ever been. When I started the Levaquin back up, I had immediate improvement.
It is definitely helping me.
Posts: 984 | From US | Registered: Dec 2007
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CD57
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
I took it for 4 months oral and then a few doses IV. It worked initially and then stopped working. I don't think it's the magic bullet for everyone.
Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
The important question here is, are we curing it, or lowering the load of the infection only to see it sprout again when the drug is removed?
What other options are required? I hear a few options here. Bactrim (I can't take), and Biaxen, which I had no results with. However, combining it as XL with Levaquin could potentially help.
What other ideas do we have?
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
posted
Was on it last year for 6 weeks. Ripped up the tendons in my foot. A year later after months of physical therapy I still can't walk with out pain. I was on loads of magnesium at the time. Be very tuned into your body for any type of foot pain. I tried to bear with it to get the benefit of the medication and I have regretted waiting too long to let my MD know.
-------------------- Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in... Breathe out... Breathe in............. Breathe out.......... Be still. Posts: 10 | From Sacramento | Registered: Feb 2009
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How long were you on the Rifampin and Zith for Bart?
Did you take anything else for the Bart? How long?
How did you know the Bart was no longer an issue?
Posts: 648 | From northeast | Registered: Feb 2009
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
Yeah, my achilles' tendon was sore for about half the time I was on levaquin. I didn't consider it to be a huge deal though. You just have to watch and not push yourself too hard. It will go away once you stop treatment providing you don't push to the point of damage or rupture.
Overall, I felt a little better after using levaquin.
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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I don't think it's the magic bullet for everyone.
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