My elderly father, who had acute Lyme, has relapsed (I'm the chronic one with multiple coinfections). He was only treated for Lyme. We have two LLMDs, one felt that since he was treated for Lyme so quickly, his immune system could handle the coinfections. The other LLMD felt that he should have been tested and treated for coinfections.
After six months off antibiotics and doing great, he has relapsed.
The LLMD who had always wanted to treat coinfections has suggested an Artemisinin challenge, and Babs testing. I have not yet been treated for my Babs, so need a recommendation for the best brand. I've heard some people use Allergy Research but I'm unsure about which is best.
I have concerns about putting him on Artemisinin without Mepron or other Babs medications, or whether to assume it's Babs causing his relapse. I have a horrendous case of Bartonella and we were both bitten in San Diego, but four years apart.
Thank you, Jill
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
I used Dr. Zhang Artemisia but there are other brands and ALL of them seem to work well!!!
Posted by CD57 (Member # 11749) on :
Hey Jill, I used Allergy Research Group's but they only come in 100mg capsules. But should be enough for a challenge?
What does the LLMD will think happen with the art challenge if he has babs?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Hope this works for him. I took it with zithromax. Worked great!
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
Hi,
Thank you for each of your responses. The Allergy Research brand is the one I had vaguely recalled, so I'm glad to know it is so widely used.
My dad doesn't want to pursue this yet. He's 85 years old and really not wanting to go into Babs treatment unless absolutely necessary given how hard it can be. He is responding quickly to Lyme meds again, so maybe he can hold his own for a while.
But we are awaiting a cancellation to get in to see our LLMD, and she felt strongly that a coinfection had caused his relapse. She tends to use an artemisin challenge of a couple of weeks. I'm not quite sure what reaction she looks for - maybe night sweats?
Thank you again. Jill
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
My LLMD had me start on Artemisinin first, with no other Babs meds. Now that I have tested positive for Babs we are gradually adding in Biaxin and then Mepron.
On Art only I have had increased sweats, body temp changes. But nothing too bad.
From my research, and you can google Nutricology and it confirms this at the site for both Allergy Research Group and Nutricology (one site), Allergy Research Group is supposedly only available to physicians for resale to their patients. I did see it on the site Tutu mentioned though.
I have been buying mine through Vitacost and getting Nutricology, which is the brand made by the same company, but available in health food stores, online, etc.
FWIW, it is a bit less expensive at Vitacost than at the other site.
Posted by 5dana8 (Member # 7935) on :
Hi JillE
I am so sorry to hear about your dad & his relaspe
It must be hard to get to that age & face TBI problems.
I used nutricology brand ( the one posted above by lymednva) in the past but never did take it by itself but in combo with other meds...I hear if you just take the art the babs has a chance at becoming resistant.
I never had the bad night sweat with babs untill I started treatment & then only on my second go round when I was on like 3 different meds for babs including the art.
It must be a delemon to have to take such strong bab combo's at his age. Hopefully your LLMD will know what to do at this point.
I'll keep him in my pryares & good luck with your LLMD appointment
I hope your LLMD can come up with some answers for you.
hugs Dana
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
Thank you Lymednva and Dana for your info on Nutricology, and also your sweet words about my dad. I do shop on Vitacost from time to time, so that is helpful to know.
I was bitten in San Diego four years ago and became chronic. My parents have spent this time trying to help me function, driving me to the LLMDs, etc- not a great way to spend their golden years.
In the cruelest of ironies, my dad was bitten four years later. Neither of us are outdoors types (I was bitten when feeding a hungry cat). It is sad watching him be so incapacitated, especially when I and my mom are in bad shape, too.
I really appreciate the kind thoughts and advice from everyone who responded.
I, too, have heard that artemisinin alone can cause resistant Babs. I think that's why this LLMD does a short challenge. But I have another LLMD, too, who I haven't reached yet but would like to compare opinions.
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