Topic: Why fat with mepron? 2 boys starting it this week.
ktkdommer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 29020
posted
I searched through the old posts for info on taking mepron with fats. Got lots of good info on good fats and how many grams.
What I couldn't find is why there needs to be fat with the mepron. I assume it helps absorbtion but I don't know more than that.
Can someone quickly explain this to me as I will have to sell it to a 16 and 18 year old who are starting mepron on Friday? Both of their ECP numbers tripled. We had been doing Zhang's artemesia 2 treatment for a year. ARGH!
Thanks guys!
-------------------- Things are never dull. After 3 fighting Lyme, 2 are in remission. Youngest is still sick, age 22. He has new diagnosed Chiari Malformation and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Posts: 1366 | From Perrysburg, Ohio | Registered: Nov 2010
| IP: Logged |
Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
Yes, Mepron needs to be take with fat so it is absorbed properly. I hope it helps your boys!
Posts: 4681 | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Kari, thanks for asking this, good to know since I am in the same boat.
TF, that is a great link!
Posts: 76 | From IL | Registered: Oct 2010
| IP: Logged |
ktkdommer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 29020
posted
Thanks TF and everyone. I even had copied and saved that information from the link but forgot.
We are fighting insurance right now so they will probably not start it until Monday. My youngest will have to stop CoQ10.
-------------------- Things are never dull. After 3 fighting Lyme, 2 are in remission. Youngest is still sick, age 22. He has new diagnosed Chiari Malformation and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Posts: 1366 | From Perrysburg, Ohio | Registered: Nov 2010
| IP: Logged |
nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
It is really important that you take it with a fatty MEAL, not just a spoonful of something. The meal should contain at least 23 grams of fat. Fat increases the absorption of Mepron 4-5 times. As only 47% is absorbed, when you take it with fat, it would be pretty worthless without it.
There are a lot of healthy fats. Avocado if your boys like it. Peanut butter, coconut oil, nuts and seeds. Just look on the package to figure out how much you have to eat to get the right amount.
Be aware that it can be a pretty tough drug increasing depression, especially the first month. Good luck.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
| IP: Logged |
ktkdommer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 29020
posted
What are the thought with increase in depression on mepron? My youngest battles depression especially when in pain and not living a 16 year old life. It sounds like mepron will set him back for a while so I worry about depression.
Thanks nefferdun.
-------------------- Things are never dull. After 3 fighting Lyme, 2 are in remission. Youngest is still sick, age 22. He has new diagnosed Chiari Malformation and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Posts: 1366 | From Perrysburg, Ohio | Registered: Nov 2010
| IP: Logged |
nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
Some people get so depressed they become suicidal so you have to be careful. Someone reported when this happened to them they quit Mepron for a week and when they restarted it was not so bad. Look for old posts on the merpon blues, depression etc.
Most people try to just push through it. It takes 4 weeks for Mepron to build up completely in the system and that is often when people get their worst herx. I felt it right away.
The LLMD gave me the anti-psychotic drug Seroquil which I did not take as it made me so groggy. I got through the anxiety/depression but sure was posting a lot! Later on when I had trouble sleeping I found just one quarter of a 24 mg pill would put me to sleep for the night.
I think it took about two months before I was feeling better. It has been 7 months now and I am doing well. I am more motivated, much happier and not too many symptoms bothering me.
You should take Mepron with 500 mg zithromax to prevent resistance. If your kids reach a plateau or it does not seem to be working you can change to Malarone which has another drug in it but the atavoquone is not as well absorbed (not liquid). I am on my second round of Coartem which is helping me a lot. I suggest you wait to try this when they reach a plateau.
I hope your kids respond quickly.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
| IP: Logged |
TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
See post "Quick Links to Popular Topics" near the top of Medical Questions forum.
One of the links is "Mepron Blues."
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
| 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