I've had my PICC Line for 7 months now. Have not seened any changes.
Can someone tell me how long it took them before you seen any changes
Posted by lululymemom (Member # 26405) on :
I would think if you haven't noticed any changes, you should switch to something else..
Posted by saved10 (Member # 18413) on :
yes....clarithromycin, 500 mg twice a day
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
I think you are a little overdue for a change. This combo isn't working for you. Something should be happening--either improvement, or reactions to meds like herxing and recovery.
If you get no reaction at all, that is an indication that these meds are not hitting the germs that you have OR something else is impeding your recovery.
An example would be heavy metals.
Here is a quote from Burrascano:
"In patients who have chronic Lyme, who do not fully respond to antibiotics, one must search for an explanation. In many cases, these patients are found to have pituitary insufficiency of varying degrees. The abnormalities may be extremely subtle, and provocative testing must be done for full diagnosis. Persistent fatigue, limited stamina, hypotension, and loss of libido suggest this possibility.
Similarly, a small but significant number of these patients harbor toxic levels of heavy metals. Challenge testing by knowledgeable, experienced clinicians is necessary for evaluation. Treatment must be directed toward correcting the specific abnormalities found, and post-treatment retesting to assess efficacy of treatment and endpoint of therapy should be done. Suspect this when poor immune responsiveness and persistent neuropathic signs and symptoms are present." (pages 20-21)
Posted by Bugg (Member # 8095) on :
I saw improvement on it at least by one month into it.....I was on it for a total of 120 days...Yes, it seems odd to me that you're not seeing a favorable response by now...
Posted by laurie sm (Member # 14584) on :
I herxed for 3 weeks and then started feeling better. I was on it for 6 months total. Rocephin has too many side affects(gallbladder) to be on it for so long with no improvement. What does your doc.say? I say time to try something else. Good Luck!
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
My friend is on it. She saw improvements by the end of month 1 and definitely by the end of month 2.
Posted by lightfoot (Member # 2536) on :
It took a while for me to see the improvement. My two questions would be: 1) What is the dose? 2) What else have you tried with it in combination?
I won't even tell you how long I was on it.....it was years rather than months.....
I was on 4 grams per day. I think it was zith/plaquenil I had the best luck with in combo with it.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Yes, dosage is vitally important.
From page 16 of Burrascano:
"Treatment with ceftriaxone is dosed at 4 grams daily- given either as 2 grams IV twice daily, or 4 grams slowly once a day, four days in a row each week, usually for 14 or more weeks. Such a regimen is not only more effective in the Chronic Lyme patient, but regular interruptions in treatment lessen the potential complications of intensive antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone, such as biliary sludging and colitis. Hence a more effective, safer regimen that by virtue of the treatment breaks, is less costly and affords the patient a more acceptable lifestyle. IV access with a heparin lock becomes possible (and preferred)."