I have noticed that several people here have used monotherapy, or only one abx at a time throughout their treatment. Sometimes for months on end.
Curious about how effective this approach has been, and if anyone who's tried it feels they've made great strides toward wellness?
Is there any advantage to taking only one class of abx at a time? What is the school of thought behind this approach?
My own treatment consisted of multiple abx combos, switching every few months based on symptoms and which infection was being targeted.
For the most part - I feel my treatment was very effective, but I know that there are many paths to getting well and each of us need something different.
I am curious about the monotherapy option, and whether it is as effective as taking a combo of several abx.
Any thoughts?
Posted by unsure445 (Member # 15962) on :
I have been using multiple abx for a long time with lots of supplements.
One of my friends just completed 8 months of monotherapy (zithromax )with a different LLMD and is completely better. No supplements either, just probiotics.
I don't think she had any coinfections though. I guess it depends on what you are dealing with and what kind of shape your immune system is in.
Posted by gemofnj (Member # 15551) on :
cactus and unsure,
i basically did the same abx mono therapy with zithromax in the end we treated for bart with rifampin only for approx 2 months.
i took (still take some of this-including probiotics) MANY supplements, including vitamins, b-complex, magnesium, immune booster, bromelain, virastop, antifungal herbs and LOADS of refrigerated probiotics. (and i did exercise when i felt well enough)
i have been in remission for approximately 8 months and my total therapy was considered very short by my LLMD. (it was 9 months total)
i do agree with you that it depends on how long you have had lyme, how seriously it affected your immune system, and whether you have multiple coinfections.
it seems as tho a good treatment plan is with finding the correct treatment plan for you, and whether or not you respond positively. if something isnt working, i would definitely change things up a bit.
ps..unfortunately, i dont consider my self cured by any means and i definitely feel as though i have been permanently affected by lyme.
Posted by IckyTicky (Member # 21466) on :
I've been on mono-therapy for the last 17 months. I've gone from dying to living a functional life. We switch it up every 2 or 3 months. Dr. is suppose to start me on combo soon, cyst busters etc.
Posted by unsure445 (Member # 15962) on :
gemnfoj, 8 months...that is terrific. Conratulations!
Ickyticky, glad to hear you are living a functional life. Onward and upward right?
I just stopped at the pharmacy and my 8 year old said "mom, aren't you only supposed to have Lyme disease for maybe a year or so?".
Even my kids are starting to think this is absurd!!!
Have a good evening.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- All the different forms of the spirochete have to be treated and that requires different medicines - and timing.
Also, many patients have more infections than lyme, alone. -
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
I did monotherapy for awhile, after one round of Mepron/Zith. What I took was very high dose Amoxicillin.
It was good for two reasons: it gave my body a chance to rest some, and detox.....and I also do feel like it was a good drug for me and that I made strides just on that medicine alone.
It didn't get me better, but I made progress I'd say.
If you do something like that though, you may want to keep in mind that you could need a cyst buster later on.
I'm not one to get paranoid about forming cysts by using Amoxicillin on it's own. I think if cysts do exist...(keep in mind while colonies appear to exist, I'm not sure anyone has ever found a bb cyst, so it seems to be theoretical)...that they are inevitable, and you'll just have to use Flagyl or Tindamax at some point to bust them.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I got well on monotherapy. Sometimes I was treated with flagyl plus the main abx.
And when it came to babesia, I was rotated on meds so that neither infection would get the upper hand.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
I did a round of zith and flagyl, then after that it has been monotherapy. Been treating 16 months. I have improved a little, but still have a long way to go.
Oddly I seem better on low dose doxy, which I am on now, then when doing moderate to larger doses of other antibiotics.
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :