LymeNet Flash: Frustrated with babesia

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Posted by Rene (Member # 4870) on :

Hi all,

I don't often post, but lurk daily and really

appreciate all the help this board has given me.

I cannot seem to get rid of babesia. I have

been on mepron/zithromax for 11 months.

For the last two months my LLMD has upped my

dosage of mepron to 3 teaspoons a day instead

of two I also take arteminisin 2 caps twice

a day. This month I have also added Ceftin

500 mg twice a day. I still have babs

symptoms which include chills, occasional

night sweats, brain fog worse in am's,

feeling "woozy" at times and depression.

I guess I would just like to know if there is

anyone out there who believes that they have

kicked babesia.

Rene

Posted by Oz (Member # 2905) on :

I can't say I have "kicked it" completely but I am so much better than I was. I have been off all medications for well over a year. It took me a year after being diagnosed and treated to turn the corner. There were times I didn't think anything was helping but gradually I started having more good days than bad. Keep the faith. I got better and there is no reason to think you won't too!

Posted by Lymeblue (Member # 6897) on :

I'm waiting for lab results including FISH from Igenex to see what happened with my babs.
I've been treating babs for more than 2 years.
Hang in there!

Posted by sweet pea (Member # 6495) on :

Rene,

This might be a stupid question, but have you been tested for Lyme? Lyme and babesia have similar symtoms. I have both and do not know what symptom belongs to which disease. I have to just take the meds for both. So far it's been 7 months. You might want to try artemisinin for the babesia. I think it's working for me. You can get it from Allergy Research pharmacy (online).

Posted by lla2 (Member # 2364) on :

did you ever consider that some of your symtpoms could be caused by hormones also if your anywhere near perimenopause etc.? i hadn't considered this and treated my babs for WAYYYY too long...similiar symtoms with sweats, dizziness, headaches etc...

just something to consider..I hadn't

Lisa

Posted by riversinger (Member # 4851) on :

Lisa,

You hit the nail on the head for me! I am struggling to know whether I should be treating for seronegatitive babesia. My doctor is basing the treatment on my headaches, which I am concerned are hormone based.

I know I have high estrogen levels, but my doctor doesn't know what to do about it. And I also know that the high estrogen triggers the headaches.

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack the thread, but this is exactly what I am trying to discover.

------------------
Sonoma County Lyme Support
[email protected]

Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :

Lisa has a good point. My MD also checks my hormones because I am "at that age" so we can be sure we are not throwing Babs meds at the wrong thing.

Just a thought.

Posted by liz28 on :

If your insurance will cover it, you might want to throw in ketek in place of zith. It's much stronger, and helped turn my situation around.

I'm on levaquin now, which is too strong to take at the same time as ketek, but am continuing with artemisinin.

Posted by Walnut (Member # 6585) on :

I have babesia WA-1 and lyme. Like Rene, I have been undergoing treatment for many months and still have babesia.

I got infected by babesia in April 2003, but first got diagnosed and started treatment in January 2004. Over the last 13 months ago, except for a 3 month break, I have been on mepron, artemisinin, zithromax, and ketek in various combinations. I am now on mepron, ketek and plaquinel.

My last WA-1 test came back reactive at 512. My LLMD wants to see 3 negative babesia tests over a 3 month period before stopping the treatment.

Like Rene I am getting fustrated. I would love to hear from others who have successfully been cured from babesia, and what they did to beat this disease.

Posted by islandgirl (Member # 5914) on :

Am on my 3rd month of zith/mepron. So many people talk about adding artemisium. Do you do this by yourself or do you check with your Dr? And if so, how much do you add?

My llmd is happy with my present regime but I still have such distinct babs symptoms including sweats/chills, tight band around back of head, stiff neck. I think these are my main babs symptoms.Cycles fairly quickly, like every week. Is this typical?

Lyme stuff adds in with ringing ears, loss of balance, serious cognitive problems. I did 6 months of ketek/flaygl, or ceftin/tini.

Am I being too impatient? Would it hurt to add on the art?

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