I have had undiagnosed lyme disease for 10+ years and tested postive approximately two years ago. I started treatment with Doxycyline 100mg twice daily for a couple of months then switched to Biaxin with Plaquenil for about 6 months. I developed a rash with this drug combination.
I was then switched over to Tetracycline 500mg three times daily. This is my current drug regimen. In addition I take all the recommended supplements for adrenal support, probiotics, liver detox, multivitamins, etc.
So is Tetracycline by itself effective against Lyme or do I need to be on at least two antibiotics. I have tested negative for coinfections.
thanks!
Posted by erikjh1972 (Member # 20964) on :
i was on tetra for 8 months and made alot of progress. see how it goes is my best advice.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
I don't believe one is enough. Dr B doesn't in his guidelines, which are pretty much gospel for Lyme treatment.
My old LLMD loved one drug therapy. It made me go bye-bye as I disagreed. It's all personal though. Few here ever got into remission on just one drug from my readings.
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
If ynou did doxy at only 100mg twice a day, that's not effective except possibly for early-stage Lyme, IF you aren't too big (100-125#).
Biaxin & Plaquenil togther are a great combo for many. How much did they have you ON? Did they determine what type of rash it Was? It May have [only] been a Herxheimer reaction.
Tetracycline at 500mg t.i.d. (3 times a day) helps many, but I fear you've already dulled the remaining Lyme critters' sensitivity to the "cyclines" with that doxycycline underdosing 2 years ago. So I don't think you'll make any more Good progress at This point remaining on that therapy (speaking from 1st-hand experience here). hmmm.... I Strongly suggest you talk with your LLMD about switching you to a pennicillun; either a hi-level amoxicillun protocol (a favorite of the ol' Dr. L. in CT ) or twice-weekly I.M. Bicillun shots.
And I'd add in DiFlucan after a week or 2. Sounds like you need to get your full energy levels back. It CAN be done! Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
Where is your cystbuster? You are most likely driving all of the lyme into cyst form.
Suggest you find another doc who follows Dr. B's protocol. You need higher dosages and a cyst buster at least.
You want to treat the intracellular, extracellular and cyst form of lyme.
Posted by Tammy N. (Member # 26835) on :
I thought plaquenil was a cyst buster. I've heard both sides of the coin on this. But Dr. H. considers it a cyst buster (if I remember correctly) so that sort of settled it for me.
Posted by manynaps (Member # 28253) on :
Thanks everyone for the feedback. My current doctor thinks that Tetracycline alone is effective for treating my lyme. I was on the Biaxin/Plaquenil combo for about six months and in the sixth month broke out into a rash. My doctor determined that it was a drug allergy due to Biaxin and then switched me to Tetracycline. I know this is not enough because I do not feel like I am getting much better. Might have to look for a new LLMD.
Posted by karenl (Member # 17753) on :
my doctor has the same opinion as bcb: doxy always needs a cyst buster like tini or flagyl...( he thinks plaquenil is not a cyst buster)
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
If you're not getting better and he won't switch meds or add more, I'd look for a new LLMD.
Tests for coinfections are not accurate nor complete. I had both babs and bart and tested negative for both of them.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I would look for a new dr. I haven't heard too many people getting well on only doxy or tetracycline.
And you could have coinfections that are not showing up on tests.
--- and in my opinion--- plaquenil has minimal effect on cysts
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