I finally bit the bullet and am trying Levaquin for bart, but was wondering how long it typically takes before any symptoms (especially foot/calf pain) may improve?
My doc doesn't like to go with quinolones very long, 1-2 months is typical, maybe 3 months at most. So I'm thinking if it provides any help, it should be faster than compared with Lyme treatment.
But should I notice something within a week, two weeks? Or will it take a full month or so to notice something?
I'm on day 2, so I know it's rather early to expect anything... just wondering.
Posted by Kerry23 (Member # 28383) on :
of course, you will feel worse before you will feel better. I can tell you this, I was on Levaquin with Minocycline. Levaquin for almost5 months and I still have foot and ankle pain. I will not go back on any more antibiotics due to candida yeast overgrowth. Levaquin is one of the worst for that. I am fighting this yeast now. I will only take one minocycline until I can rid of this. Make sure you are on preventative meds for yeast before starting Levaquin. It is the best med for Bartonella but the worst for yeast. My doc never gave me preventative so I got screwed. I am very hurt and would love to run to an attorney. I am so sick from this. Make sure you are on Nystatin or Diflucan. Liver enzymes must be checked. I don't know if my bartonella is cured or not. I have no clue due to other illnesses that share the same symptoms. I don't even know all the symptoms of Bart, too busy fighting off lyme, scleroderma and others. Good luck.
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
Lem-Lyme, levaquin was one drug that made me feel better within a few weeks. However, I developed the tendonitis issues at about week 4.
Watch for this side effect and don't forget to pop extra magnesium at safe intervals away from your meds.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I felt HORRIBLE for six weeks, then saw steady improvement. I was only on it for three months, then switched to Rifampin.
Posted by Lemon-Lyme (Member # 19229) on :
Thanks for the replies. Guess I'm hoping that since I took Doxy/Zith for quite some time before the levaquin, that my bartonella has been weakened somewhat... so perhaps will get killed off within a month or two of levaquin. Guess I'll find out.
And yeah, loading up on magnesium, taking 8 mag tabs/daily. And when I run out, probably will switch to citrate or malate (a lot cheaper for high doses). Also adding some extra ester C too.
I read a rodent study where vitamin E may also be helpful in avoiding tendonitis, but I think the mechanism there is that vit E can alleviate some magnesium deficiency problems. So assuming mag amounts are good, it's probably not needed.
Posted by Nicole2011 (Member # 30672) on :
I also have foot/calf pain. I wasnt sure if it was from lyme or bart. But now i know. I wish my llmd would add something with the zithromax for bart instead of having me wait 4wks
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
lemon...how can you take 8 magtabs??? i wouldn't be able to get off the toilet!!!
so-how much ,magtab do llmds say to take with lev?
i can't believe i refused it from my primary...she thought i had diverticulitis and wanted me on it right away...
i had testing first and am waiting for results
i just feel afraid cuz only a few days of cipro gave me tendon pain
Posted by Lemon-Lyme (Member # 19229) on :
quote:Originally posted by lpkayak: lemon...how can you take 8 magtabs??? i wouldn't be able to get off the toilet!!!
so-how much ,magtab do llmds say to take with lev?
i can't believe i refused it from my primary...she thought i had diverticulitis and wanted me on it right away...
i had testing first and am waiting for results
i just feel afraid cuz only a few days of cipro gave me tendon pain
Yeah. The tendon pain issue is the real problem with all quinolones. I put off taking it for a while, as we were hoping doxy/zith would eventually knock it out. All I think doxy/zith did was make it angry.
Unfortunately, I think levaquin is considered even worse than cipro as far as tendon pain goes. My doc goes with levaquin/avelox/cipro, in that order of effectiveness, yet levaquin also has the higher risk of tendon issues.
There is also Bactrim, which has some issues of its own, but would be considered safer. Unfortunately for me I had an extremely bad reaction to it.
Then Rifampin I guess is next. But it doesn't play well with other medications. And according to my doc, is only so-so as far as effectiveness. He more or less said it can kill Bartonella, but usually doesn't.
As for mag tabs, remember each pill is a relatively small dose of elemental magnesium, 84mg or something like that. For higher dosing of mag, I'd probably recommend glycinate/citrate or malate, as it's a lot cheaper. Although bowel issues do come into play, as you mentioned... but I've been okay there so far.
My doctor didn't recommend any specific dose of magnesium with the levaquin. I'm just dosing based off of what others sort of used and on the basis of animal studies as far as reducing risk. Not much downside to it, unless you spend all of your time in the bathroom, which if that is the case, I'd say cut down or change types of mag.
Posted by willbeatthis (Member # 31111) on :
I was just put on Levaquin about two weeks ago and at first I felt horrible- that is lessening and I feel like it is hitting the bart like no other. I consider it a wonder drug; however, I am aware of the things to look out for. I too am on minocycline. I too am loading up on magnesium - ALA and Vitamin C/take Nystatin/ Probiotics every day (big doses) and am on candex as well. I have not noticed any tendon issues or yeast issues as of yet. Wishing you fortune as you and I have the same foot/calf pain. Best-
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
You may also want to consider Factive...a newer Fluoroquinolone like Levaquin which has fewer side effects.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i have taken 1-4 mag tabs a day for 20 plus yrs since dx
if i don't take it i get leg cramps...more than 4 can't get out of bathroom
other mag doesn't seem to help me at all
i can't imagin more
maybe i'm not meant to take lev or cipro
rifampin worked really well for me
i'm glad to know about factive...i wonder if it would work on diverticulitis
bactrim i am allergic to...immediate hives
Posted by lymecap (Member # 31307) on :
PLEASE DO NOT USE FLUOROQUINOLONES (CIPRO, LEVAQUIN & AVELOX EVER EVER EVER.) I speak from experience, Google FQ Toxicity-do not let your dr rx it,which is why drug reps make the $$ ask for something less nasty(see black box warning for tendon damage/tendon rupture) I have damage so far it only gets worse the longer you suffer with it.
Perhaps the greatest usefulness of the new warnings may be for patients who develop side effects with quinolones and who consult the PDR, or for doctors who ... www.medicationsense.com/.../warning_antibiotics_052205.html - Cached - Similar Home Page of the Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Research Foundation In OverDose, a leading medical researcher shows how Americans are being overmedicated, resulting in millions of avoidable side effects. ... www.fqresearch.org/ - Cached - Similar
Posted by daniel (Member # 22201) on :
sure... thats why burrascano recomments levaquine.. because its THAT DANGEROUS! .. Ive taken it 4 months completely now.. if you have your magnesium levels checked and high.. the risk of side effects is low.
Posted by Lemon-Lyme (Member # 19229) on :
It's all about risk/reward, with all medications.
Although I would recommend trying safer alternatives first, such as Bactrim, or even perhaps zith/doxy or rifampin, once all options are tried and quinolones are all that is left... then the patient + doctor need to decide if it's worth the risk.
One thing to remember is there is a greater amount of negative quinolone opinions on the internet than what occurs in RL. Most of those who take levaquin, for instance, and never get a negative reaction, simply never post about it. We hear all the horror stories on the internet. And yes, there are risks and I wouldn't suggest it as a first option... but living with foot/calf pain and feeling lousy for the rest of one's life isn't such a great option either.
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Ive taken it 4 months completely now.. if you have your magnesium levels checked and high.. the risk of side effects is low.