Is is time to empirically treat me for Babesia, despite negative labs and negative typical symptoms (no sweats, chills)?
I am Igenex WB positive for Bb (11/05). I also just tested MDL positive for Mycoplasma Fermentans PCR.
Igenex and MDL labs for Babesia have been negative. I've done 8 rounds of abx at high doses, including: Augmentin, Septra, Doxy, Minocin, Levoquin, Tinidazole, Flagyl, Omnicef, Ketek.
I generally feel better on abx but when I come off I get the paresthesias, brain burn/pressure, ear, neck pain, fatigue, sore feet, twitches.
If I do empirically treat, it's usu for 4 months? How soon do folks start to feel better?
thanks in advance!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by mtnwoman: If I do empirically treat, it's usu for 4 months? How soon do folks start to feel better?
My babs test was "borderline" but I responded to the meds bigtime.
It took a long time to clear it...years, not months.
Can't say how long till you would feel better. No way of knowing.
Posted by minimonkey (Member # 8693) on :
My babs test was completely negative, but my symptoms screamed babs... and I responded amazingly well to treatment for it. However, after 4 months, we stopped... and now my babs has come roaring back. I'm not surprised, I know this is common... but still bummed out... it was *so* nice not having crushing migraines and drenching night sweats... sigh.
I'm all in favor of empirical treatment if it is available.
Posted by mtnwoman (Member # 8385) on :
I know everyone talks about "treat co-infections"! But I don't notice any babesia symptoms and my labs are negative.
Guess I will not push for empiric treatment of babesia, and instead work on the Bb and mycoplasma
Posted by sometimesdilly (Member # 9982) on :
Hi Mountainwoman:
I tested negative for Babs- twice, and I didn't have many, if any, of what I understand to be classic babs symptoms, certainly not when I began tx.
Four-5 months into treating just the Bb, I started sweating profusely much of the day. Never at night. Other than that, I had bad headaches ongoing for 4 years.
Based on my lack of progress on abx, and understanding that the 2 symptoms I just mentioned might not be Babs related, my LLMD and i decided to treat for babs for a month to see what happened.
Magic happened. One month later my neuro symptoms are 90% gone, at least for the moment, for the first time in 4 years. IMO, txing for babs would have been worth the experiment even if it had not succeeded so incredibly well.
But, as always,a completely individual decision.
Good luck- Dilly
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
It's worth a try, mtnwoman. What if it is THE KEY to getting you well??
Posted by micul (Member # 6314) on :
Mtn Woman
The Sx's that you list sound like Bart to me.
For those that say that they responded to Babs Tx even tho they tested negative; There are other protozoan infections that respond to the same meds as babs. Chances are that you might have one of those without knowing it like Blastocystis Hominis or Entamoeba Histolytica. Response to Babs meds is not proof of having it.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by micul: Response to Babs meds is not proof of having it.
I don't care what it's called....it appears to be gone. That's what I like!
Posted by sometimesdilly (Member # 9982) on :
Well, for what it's worth-
spoke with my llmd today. says that because malarone is working may NOT be sure-fire proof that I have Babs.
says that his most recent sharing of notes with DR's indicates PERHAPS Malarone + Mino might work as a cyst-buster on the Bb (thus explaining my improvement).
at the moment my take is: A rose by any other name- Bb or babs or both-- who cares? This particular combo is working like crazy, and I'm staying on it if my blood cells cooperate.
Hope i haven't hijacked this thread. maybe Tutu can set me straight if so.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)