I am getting ready to pulse abx (Mon, Wed, Fri), and since this is my first time doing so, wanted to ask a few questions:
1. It seems to be a common practice, esp toward the end of treatment - but it feels counter-productive to me. (I thought we needed to take our abx consistently, and pulsing feels like missing doses deliberately.)
What is the purpose of pulsing, exactly, in TBD treatment?
2. For those of you who've pulsed abx on a similar M, W, F type schedule - did you find that you herxed less than when on a daily dosing schedule?
3. And when did your herx peak? Taking meds every other day, 3 days a week - I am not sure what to expect, or when.
Did you feel worse the day you took your meds, the day after, or just feel better and better?
Of course, I know there are no firm answers to all these questions - but reading about any personal experiences would be helpful.
Thanks for any insight, thoughts, or support, Cactus
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
The only time I pulsed was when I couldn't tolerate the full dose of zith. I herxed too hard on it and when I wasn't taking a full dose, I felt about 90% well.
My doc thought it was important to get the full concentration in the bloodstream so had me switch from taking half doses to taking it Mon., Tues., and Wed. then taking a break the rest of the week. Apparently it takes a couple days to build up to full concentration.
I understand this theory, but I don't really understand pulsing Mon., Wed., Fri., so maybe someone else can answer that part.
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
Thanks, six, for your thoughts here.
Being unable to tolerate the full dose brings up a good point -
This will be my first time on abx since Feb, when I had a major bout of pancreatitis, probably brought on by meds.
So perhaps this dosing schedule is intended to lessen the chances of developing pancreatitis again.
Thanks again for your thoughts on this!
Posted by coltman (Member # 21272) on :
Actually just looked at zith half life - 68 hours! I dont see how m-w-f would be pulsing it since it will in high concentration throughout whole week
Anyways I dont quite get yetwhat exactly is supposed to be achieved by pulsing , but it looks to me that it has to be highly specific for each drug and depending on its half life ,desired concentration and such
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
coltman, good point about the half-life.
I should have said which drugs I'll be pulsing, although zith is in the same class as one of them - Biaxin.
I will be taking Rifampin, Biaxin and Bactrim (Septra) on M, W, F.
Posted by coltman (Member # 21272) on :
quote:Originally posted by cactus: [QB] coltman, good point about the half-life.
I should have said which drugs I'll be pulsing, although zith is in the same class as one of them - Biaxin.
I will be taking Rifampin, Biaxin and Bactrim (Septra) on M, W, F.
Being same class does not mean same pharmacokinetics. Biaxin and Rifampin HL is only ~3h .Seems they need to be taken 3-4 times a day to maintain concentration . Bactrim is 12h
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
quote:Originally posted by coltman:
quote:Originally posted by cactus:
Being same class does not mean same pharmacokinetics. Biaxin and Rifampin HL is only ~3h .Seems they need to be taken 3-4 times a day to maintain concentration . Bactrim is 12h
Very true. Thanks for the info on HLs of these meds.
Would love to hear anyone's experience with pulsing these meds, and what schedule they used!