LLMD just switched me from Zithromax and Bactrim to this new combo. Tolerated the Bactrim very well - hopefully same will hold true of Rifampin. Only real issue I have now is joint pain. He said rifampin will help with any coinfections. Anyone else try this combo?
Thanks,
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Rifampin is good for bartonella. I used it after I had already used Levaquin, so I didn't really need it much, we were just being sure the bart was gone. It will turn your urine red, so be ready for that!
Posted by triathletelymie (Member # 26456) on :
I started with biaxin and ceftin and had no improvement, so my LLMD switched me to rifampin and zithromax. I have been on it for three weeks and no improvement thus far. I agree with six...that rifampin is supposed to be good for bartonella.
Posted by BackinStOlaf (Member # 23725) on :
Is rifampin an expensive drugs?
Is Bactrim?
I want to discuss Bart treatment with my doc and curious about the cost of these two.
I don't need exact numbers but is the price reasonable?
Posted by billclo (Member # 12939) on :
Rifampin isn't that expensive. Zithromax was the expensive one. My wife, despite being a pharmacist, has LOUSY RX coverage - we pay 50% of retail price. NO co-pays, etc, 50%...that gets quite pricy. Zithromax for me is $190/month, whereas the Rifampin is about half that.
Posted by geo (Member # 18333) on :
up
Posted by BackinStOlaf (Member # 23725) on :
Bill- I also pay about $160 per month for Zith..for the past few months- I wonder if there is a similar drug that is cheaper
Posted by Wolfed Out (Member # 23727) on :
Now, that's a serious Bart combination. And, I like it. When I Started with Zithromax every other day and Bactrim DS twice daily, I was seeing a slow improvement. When I added in Rifampin about 2 months later, I noticed more improvement -- especially in certain areas of the skin, nerve tingling and fatigue. Been on this protocol for roughly 1.5 months.
Beware, I did have a massive herx roughly 4-5 weeks into this treatment. I was laid out for days, and a complete mental case. When I spoke to my LLMD, he basically confirmed that this was a common occurance during this time period.
P.S. To those thinking Zithromax and Rifampin are expensive, I sure hope you don't have Babesia. Two of the three medications I've been prescribed for Babesia (Mepron and Alinia) are chiming in at over $1,400.00 retail...
For a month's supply.
-Wolf
Posted by lyme in Putnam (Member # 11561) on :
Just started rifampin 3 days ago. Mental case isn't the word. Don't know if I should continue. Just tested pos. for bart after 6 mos. of iv. Doc usually hits bart with zithromax, - oral 500mg, rocephin 3 gr, rifampin 300 x 2. Its bartonella - take it slow. You most likely are herxing.
Posted by mattnapa (Member # 26414) on :
Unilab either has a generic for zithromax or is close to haVING IT ON THE MARKET, BUT THE NAME IS NOT AT MY FINGERTIPS RIGHT NOW.
Posted by Wolfed Out (Member # 23727) on :
Putnam,
To be more accurate, I started with 1 300mg capsule of Rifampin daily for a week. When I bumped it up to 2xdaily the next week, I felt awful for a few days as well.
I questioned stopping medications so many times throughout my treatment because of herxing, but I'm glad I never did. I always come out feeling better from it.
Posted by Wonko (Member # 18318) on :
I was on that combo earlier this summer and it was rough for me.
I experienced lots of bad headaches and was really moody, in addition to overall malaise, aches, and pains.
I think I stayed on for about a month, after which I took a several week antibiotic "holiday." I felt very well during that time, perhaps my best yet (been treating for 20 months).
However, when I tried to resume abx this month (a mino/zith pulse combo) I had a huge flare/Herx, from which I'm still recovering.
Now I've stopped abx again and am just doing cat's claw for now (LLMD's suggestion, which we'll re-evaluate in a few weeks).
Posted by jwick25 (Member # 15190) on :
I just picked up bactrim for the first time. I was given a generic.
It was under $4.
Now I just have to pray I can handle it.
Posted by Wolfed Out (Member # 23727) on :
jwick,
There are many different theories about dosing. My LLMD is more comfortable starting low and going higher, and I'm a believer in the system.
If I had gone straight in with Plaquenil and taken the full dose, I might have died. I had serious problems with Plaquenil, but I haven't with anything else.
When I started Bactrim DS, I started with 1 tablet daily for a week. It was rough for a couple days, but I made it through and bumped up the dose the next week to 2xDaily.
This systems works for me, and just stay positive.
-Wolf
Posted by triathletelymie (Member # 26456) on :
Up
Posted by troutscout (Member # 3121) on :
I would say we are all different.
When I was done with 16 months of IV I took an antibiotic break for about three months.
I then went back on meds...I made a strong stand to my LLMD...I TOLD him for years that I had suspected Bartonella. and I also told him that we had been doing too light and too short of a treatment.
So I TOLD my LLMD zith/rif for no less than one year.
Changed my life.
Good luck...I had horrible dreams and temper flares for 2 months....
Posted by Beachinit (Member # 21040) on :
Bactrim needs to be taken with something else, doxy, mino, biaxin, zithro seem to be favored. Ok to start slow with single med though, then advance to combination of choice for better gains. Bactrim is nice Bart to Babesia segue med. Eg start with one of the above combos then say adding Artemisinin to treat Babesia for instance doxy,bactrim both have mild antimalarial activity, add Artemisinin to have a Babs combination. I am taking these 3 now, I have Bart, Babs, and Lyme/Bb. Also taking Levaquin for Bart but I have seen development of new antimalarial of the same eg quinolone drug class.