Right now, I'm on a very aggressive treatment I feel and am wondering about cutting back to get a bit of my life back.
History: Sick & misdiagnosed for over 2 years Went 1/2 time @ work Nov. '07 dx w/Lyme & erlichiosis Dec. '07 -started many supplements and prescriptions -doxy (400 mg*) **daily total listed**
-switched to omniecef in Feb. '08 (600 mg*) -added azithymycin in March '08 (500* mg) -stopped azith. after 1 month because of - ekg
-started iv doxy in May '08 (400ml*) Bart suspected and started treatment -added iv rifampin in July '08 (600 ml*) -added tindamax in Aug. '08 (250mg*)
Of course, I'm taking other supplements and prescriptions to cover yeast & other fun yuck
sooooo my question.... How much would I backslide if I took a break from treatment to get away from the herxes and fatigue? Would I feel any better?
I know I am not functional to the point that I can work full time. I am still going to try so I can pay the bills...not working is not an option. I will backslide one way or another.
I have spent the entire summer resting, sleeping, eating right, taking my meds and being a model patient. I feel I have made a slight improvement, but my patience and hope is thin right now.
I see my LLMD tomorrow...She will tell me to stay the course and not to work. I know I will cry...
Soooo back to my question...
What would you suggest to have the least amount of backsliding, yet be able to get up every morning and get through a day of teaching?
just "wantabe" well Posted by disturbedme (Member # 12346) on :
No one can really answer your question about whether you'd flare (and how soon) after you stopped treatment to take a break or whether you'd feel better.
It's so different for everyone. Your LLMD might not even be able to tell you when YOU'd get worse or if you would while taking a break.
Some people start getting a flare-up as soon as they stop to take a break. Other people can go a few months and not flare up.
I was just on a two month abx break and did pretty good with it. I still had good and bad days, but it was a surprise that I did as well as I did.
Goodluck...
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
Teaching is one of the hardest professions there is when it comes to our being able to do it. There is no way to do it from home, or to rest when we need it. We are stuck on the schedule we are given.
I know when I tried to go back part-time it was a disaster. At the end of the three months I was barely making it, and also glad it was the end of the year, since my duties decreased then.
I was not in a classroom at the time, but worked with small groups of children for remediation and enrichment.
You know your body the best, but in my opinion you will backslide if not on your tx plan, and then you will just end up worse, Who knows how long that will take?
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
I'm in the same position. I have to go back to work August 20th, and I'm suffering from the Lyme flu and malaise during treatment. I've been trying to take it wasy all summer, but now I'm terrified of going back and not being able to do it. I took a 2 year hiatus, but if I don't go back this school year I lose my job and pension unless my reluctant doctors extend my disability.
God help me and wantabe!
CherylSue
Posted by herxuk (Member # 15873) on :
Wouldn't a reduced dose get you by ?? I'm sorry, but I'm too scared of total breaks, as I fear giving free reign for them to multiply, putting you back nearer to were you started. A LLMD told me it can't breed on 2 or 3 gram of amox. But I see your treatment is for more than one, but you could still work something out.
Good Luck. Hope you come up with some good decisions for yourself.
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
OK, thought some more about it. One thing that allowed me to teach as long as I did, until fall of 2001, was having a Diet Coke in my hand every morning by the time the kids came in and another at lunch. I don't drink coffee.
Perhaps some kind of stimulant, such as Provigil Adderall, or Ritalin, will allow you to work. I really think it is counter-productive to healing, though, just my opinion.
Posted by wantabe (Member # 14703) on :
Thanks for all your replies! It always helps to hear from others
I'm just really down because the healing hasn't happened yet and I'm so tired of feeling like this...been a bit blue while being sickly-green.
I'll ask about reducing the tx. I would hate to stop iv and then have insurance not pick it up again.
Caffeine was my saving grace before I started tx. I can't count the cups of coffee and bottles of Pepsi I drank daily.
LLMD has taken away my caffeine (but I sneak 1/2 cup every Sunday after church ) This truly is my only cheat on the *&%*Lyme diet. Eating would sure help!
Going to stay over after my appointment tomorrow and relax at a motel- no dishes or worries for a day-too bad we don't have a "lyme spa" that caters to our needs...boy, that would be a crazy place! thanks again!
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thanks again!