My doc did some retesting recently, and it came back with a positive Bart Henelae IgG 1:256 suggesting an active infection.
My other Bart test (forget the species name) came back borderline at IgG 1:128.
Now my question is, what would be the recommended medications?
My doc suggests Levaquin, although he is wary due to tendon issues. Anything else useful? I can't tolerate Bactrim, so that one is out, and the other one (which starts with an R, Rifampycin?) interferes with lots of meds, so I probably can't go on that either.
Currently on Omnicef, and did Doxy over the Summer. Minimal improvement so far, at best. My doc is thinking that perhaps the majority of my symptoms are from Bart, not Lyme.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
My now famous lyme doc put me on Levaquin for bart. He told me side effects are rare. I had no problem.
I was on Levaquin for 2 months. Then, took Bactrim DS for babs. I understand it also hits bart.
I did the Burrascano weight-lifting exercise program while on levaquin.
Just know what to look out for and call the doc at any sign of tendon side effects.
Also, you can load up on magnesium before you start the levaquin, per Burrascano.
Read what Burrascano says about what to do if tendon problems begin.
People are given levaquin all the time--for sore throats, etc. Plenty of my neighbors have taken it. Lymies just take it a little longer than the average patient.
Posted by Lemon-Lyme (Member # 19229) on :
I think one problem I have is that I have weird pains already. So determining if a strange tendon pain is from levaquin or just one of my normal aches, may be difficult to figure out.
How much mag is recommended, and should it be taken while on levaquin too? I don't mean the same time of day, but should it be taken at the same dose throughout treatment?
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
I've been typing a lot about Bart both today and last night, so I won't repeat it all and bore everyone. Just click on my name to see my recent posts. There's another one near the top in Medical that also has "bart" in the title that I commented on.
Bactrim DS with Zith helped me the most, but I also saw benefit from Zithromax with Plaquenil.
Sometimes people can tolerate Bactrim DS the second time they try it, if they didn't the first, so you can decide for yourself if it's worth a second try, based on what kind of a reaction you had the first time (how bad it was, etc).
Some people use Factive or Cipro instead of Leavquin. But it seems like Levaquin has the most success associated with it.
Posted by Lemon-Lyme (Member # 19229) on :
Thanks for the responses. I'll look up old posts too.
Bactrim is pretty much off-limits for me. My reaction was the 'I am going to die' sort of reaction. Fever, headaches, very odd complete body rash (most likely allergic) and I fainted once. Some of that may have been a herx... but a lot of it felt like side effects or an allergic reaction.
Zith + Plaquenil may be an interesting option. I'll ask my doc about that next time I see him. I expect he'll still prefer one of the quinolones though.
One tricky thing both myself and doc is trying to determine is if my lack of progress is because I need more time on Lyme meds, or if Lyme may not be the main cause of symptoms. He said he'd expect more progress symptom-wise if it was primarily from Lyme.
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
I liked Levaquin but always have an issue about 4 weeks in. My left achilles will start to get tender. So I've been reluctant to take it again.
It's a good drug though. You just have to mind your body...
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
Levaquin wiped out most of my bart symptoms in a few weeks but at week 5 I got tendonitis which lasted 8 months and was worse than the bart. After levaquin I couldn't use anything chemical and tried herbs which were useless. Now I am using Rifampin and zithro, going into the fourth week at full dosage but not seeing results unless this is herxing. I would very carefully try levaquin after you have built up on magnesium - like 1000mg a day for several weeks. Good luck.
Posted by Lemon-Lyme (Member # 19229) on :
Ugh... sort of sounds like I may be doomed either way. Breaking tendons doesn't sound like much fun. But I have a lot of unresolved symptoms, and don't really seem to have an alternative but to treat somehow.
I will be upset though if my symptoms don't improve AND I get tendon problems -- then I'll just be worse off.
Is there any difference amongst the quinolines as to side effects? Any least likely to cripple a person?
Cipro or Factive maybe? Although perhaps they may be less effective for Bart too.
Posted by bears1985 (Member # 17271) on :
My Bartonella titer immediately went away with Zithromax and then Biaxin has got me to 95%.