richedie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14689
posted
I just started taking Rifampin and Ceftin the first week in September. It has been about two months. What is the time frame I should expect? 3 months to a year? Longer? I have friends with experience on this medication but I wanted to see what others have experienced on the road to recovery.
Thanks.
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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bcb1200
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posted
That is a good question. I hear it can be both easy and hard to clear. I know some have cleared it in 1-3 months with aggressive treatment (Levaquin or Rifampin), but have also heard it is THE MOST difficult one to clear (Per Dr B's )
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3134 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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richedie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14689
posted
So I guess it can be a long time.
Wow, you are taking Biaxin, Amantadine, Rifampin, Flagyl, LDN, Nystatin??? Should I be doing more? I am on Nystatin, Rifampin and Ceftin.
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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17hens
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posted
I thought Rifampin needed to be taken with Zith?
-------------------- "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26
bit 4/09, diagnosed 1/10 Posts: 3043 | From PA | Registered: Dec 2009
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richedie
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Member # 14689
posted
quote:Originally posted by 17hens: I thought Rifampin needed to be taken with Zith?
Who told you that!?
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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-------------------- I am not a doctor. I have no clue. Posts: 606 | From somewhere out there | Registered: Sep 2009
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bcb1200
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posted
I've been in Biaxin w/ amantadine since June. Amantadine is used with Biaxin for lyme (per Dr. B's protocol.)
I did Rifampin for 3 weeks but had to stop last week due to high liver counts. Getting new liver tests on Monday and will most likely restart Rifabutin and / or Bactrim DS next week.
Rifampin can be used with either Zith or Biaxin.
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3134 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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richedie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14689
posted
quote:Originally posted by bcb1200: I've been in Biaxin w/ amantadine since June. Amantadine is used with Biaxin for lyme (per Dr. B's protocol.)
I did Rifampin for 3 weeks but had to stop last week due to high liver counts. Getting new liver tests on Monday and will most likely restart Rifabutin and / or Bactrim DS next week.
Rifampin can be used with either Zith or Biaxin.
Rifampin can be used Ceftin or Bactrim as well.
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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richedie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14689
posted
Not sure who told you all that Rifampin can only be used with either Zith or Biaxin. That is false.
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
Dr B and Dr S mentioned it is "best used when combined with a macrolide." There are other combo's as you point out.
My main point was it doesn't need to be taken with Zith.
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3134 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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richedie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14689
posted
Thanks! So do you think Ceftin is OK? Or Bactim? My doctor knows Dr. B well and trained under him for years and still visits him often so I would hope she would know.
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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posted
My dr. has me on rifampin and doxy...is that okay? Maybe I should ask to add in zith. How long before I should notice improvements? The depression is pretty bad but I know I get depressed with herx's. Yes I am detoxing ...charcoal,water and cholestyramine.
Posts: 433 | From new york | Registered: Dec 2004
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posted
I am intersted in this Charcoal for detoxing. How do you buy it? Is it a pill?
Posts: 574 | From Out there somewhere | Registered: Jul 2010
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richedie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14689
posted
My only detox is exercise, sauna, lots of fruits and vegetables and lots of water.
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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posted
Jackie, You can get it at any pharmacy but buying it there is expensive. It is pill form. Check online for the cheapest prices it's called activated charcoal.
Posts: 433 | From new york | Registered: Dec 2004
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Tracy9
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Member # 7521
posted
So how long? I just stopped Rifampin after 6 months. I think it did wonders for me. I did take it with zith about half that time. Did I treat long enough?
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
I've come across some mainstream medical articles that say that when the infection becomes chronic, it isn't known how long it might take to treat.
One article referenced a treatment time period of up to 4 years for severe cases.
Relapses can be common.
So, I guess at this point in time, we treat until we feel better and when we stop treating we remain on the lookout for relapses?
Posts: 503 | From Maryland | Registered: Oct 2007
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nefferdun
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Member # 20157
posted
I have been treating it for almost two years but 8 months of that time was herbs only, which don't get rid of it.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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richedie
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Member # 14689
posted
quote:Originally posted by nefferdun: I have been treating it for almost two years but 8 months of that time was herbs only, which don't get rid of it.
Bart for two years? I thought the Bhurner protocol of herbs only was supposed to be good?
What is your Bart protocol?
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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posted
I am just on zithromax - not enough? My symptoms are relatively mild.
Posts: 133 | From Far Hills, NJ 07931 | Registered: May 2003
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posted
I've been taking abx for bartonella for right at 2yrs now, (with a break of about 2-3mo around a yr ago) and while much improved, I am definitely NOT done.
My son has been treating bart since Jan... same story. LOTS of improvement, but still a ways to go.
Posts: 155 | From Texas | Registered: Oct 2007
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richedie
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posted
Well I just want to see SOME improvement treating Bart. I have seen none in over two months.
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
Richie...what are your symptoms for Bart?
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3134 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
I first treated Bart with Levaquin in Feb 2009, which was very effective but after five weeks I had tendonitis and could not tolerate any drugs such as Rifampin. I got very dizzy with headaches and upset stomach. Now I look back and wonder if it was not just babs emerging.
So I switched to herbs to try to control things. I used 12-20 HH capsules plus Cumanda and clove bud oil for the Bartonella. I used TOA free cat's claw and grapefruit seed extract for lyme, which was pretty much under control prior to bart treatment.
I began to slide downhill but did not realize what was wrong until I was in a complete relapse 8 months later. I had headaches, hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, feeling detached and out of it, pain in shins and swelling around bottom of legs to name a few symptoms.
So I began the Rifampin I could not tolerate before along with biaxin or zithro. I took that for three months but felt horrible the whole time with no light at the end of the tunnel.
I switched to Bactrim DS and a macrolide which slowly brought me back. I also took cysteine, resveratrol and lumbrokinase. I tried andrographis but could not tolerate it. When I had a bout of air hunger I added in artemisinin which I took every day.
I was feeling pretty well but had insomnia from the drugs and decided short breaks allowing me to sleep would be helfpful, so I tried four days on abx and three off. I went very downhill in one month.
I resumed full every day schedule including some left over rifampin trying to regain ground. The rifampin ran out in a couple of weeks but I was coming back up and continued with the Bactrim DS and zithro.
Finally three weeks ago, I had a black tongue from the yeast and my mouth was burning. I could not get rid of it and I was having a lot of dizziness so I decided to stop all drugs again and just use herbs until my LLMD appointment on the 23 of this months.
Now just for bartonella, I am taking cysteine, lumbrokinase, resveratrol, artemisinin, and huge amounts of cumand and quina three times a day along with all my supplements including olive leaf extract, bee royal jelly and glutathione.
I take nystatin every day and the tongue is better. Emotionally I have plunged into depression but my son was just diagnosed with diabetes so that doesn't help. I am having more babesia symptoms now than bart; air hunger, dizziness, weakness, no stamina and feeling like "walking off a mountain top into the clouds".
The bart is under cover emerging now and then.
It goes on and on, doesn't it? I don't know how to get rid of it and I hope the LLMD does.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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richedie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14689
posted
quote:Originally posted by bcb1200: Richie...what are your symptoms for Bart?
burning feet, soles, crushing foot pain, left arm pain, arm twitching, discolored hands. Right foot pain is worse when sleeping on right side. Left arm pain is worse when sleeping on left side. My doctor says the bacteria combined with the immune system is irritating the nerves and I could be lying on irritated nerves making it worse.
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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