Been on doxycycline for 2 weeks now for lyme; today, my test for co-infections came back positive for babesia.
My regular doc wants me to take the doxy and start mepron simultaneously. I went to an LLMD for a second opinion and they thought it was premature to start mepron (?). I thought that mepron is the first abx of choice for babs.
I picked up the rx for mepron, but did not start on it yet.
Anyone have lyme+babs that was treated successfully? Did it involve doxy + mepron?
I've also read some threads that even mepron alone (or even mepron + zith) are not enough to effectively treat babs.
Hope you can help!
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
Get on that Mepron!! And have your doc call in a script for Zith.
Any doc who would tell you to wait on Mepron when you've had a positive test result does not have your best interest at heart.
The vast, vast majority of us have the 3 Bs (Borrelia, Bartonella, Babesia), regardless of test results. If your exposure was recent, you absolutely have all three, plus maybe more in the mix. (Ticks are nature's dirty needles.)
Zith prevents the Babesia from becoming resistant to the Mepron. You do NOT want Mepron-resistant Babesia!
Don't worry yet about what works and what doesn't. It's different for everyone. But, the sooner you start treating, the sooner you will know what works, and the sooner you'll be in remission.
You need a GOOD LLMD. If your doc doesn't know about Mepron with Zith, s/he is not fully informed about Lyme.
Not to be dramatic, but the rest of your life depends on getting adequate treatment.
If you haven't, go to Seeking a Doctor, and post for an LLMD in your area.
Good luck!
Posted by Mindy159 (Member # 31149) on :
I would definitely check out what he is prescribing before you take it. I vaguely remember hearing Dr. Burrascano (Lyme King) say in his new DVD from CALDA that babs should not be treated with doxy (and mepron is definitely a babs med).
I also remember Dr. Burrascano saying that it's generally best to treat bart first, then babs because of something mepron does.
I believe the good docs focus on one co infection at a time (which ever one is bothering you the most--symptoms).
I was on mepron, zyth and amox for four mos, now I'm on doxy and rifampin for bart (my doc missed it).
Is your doc into ILADS? If not, you might look for one who is: lymediseaseassociation.org can provide you with some names of docs with ILADS affiliation.
Posted by Bitten in Bergen (Member # 34067) on :
Thanks for the replies!! My instinct was agreeing with you guys to start the mepron asap -
BTW - my second opinion LLMD is one of the better-known ILADS members (!!). Which also surprised me that he indicated to hold back on the mepron.
So now my concern is being on THREE abx's, especially given that mepron has such a nasty reputation re: herxes and mood reactions. Or should I stop the doxy for now?
It's already the weekend, so I don't think I can get the rx for zith until Monday.
Should I start the Mepron anyway so that I can take it slowly? MD prescribed the recommended dosage of it, but I'm thinking of taking only 1/2 a dose initially to see how my body reacts.
Mindy159 - how did your doc miss the bart? I was tested for all the tick-borne illnesses, including bart - only the lyme & babs came up. (Isn't levaquin the drug of choice for Bart?)
EEK!
Posted by beths (Member # 18864) on :
Some LLMD's like you to start with 6 weeks doxy first to knock down the lyme, and if you have erhlichia, it will also take care of that.
I first started on 6 weeks doxy...then moved onto babs.
Posted by Bitten in Bergen (Member # 34067) on :
Beths -
Thanks SO much - my LLMD just told me to hold off on the mep, but didn't say why - a little explanation from LLMD would have gone a LONG way.
Posted by Mindy159 (Member # 31149) on :
It's hard to remember everything to tell the doc as far as symptoms go, especially on the first visit. Co infections are easy to miss and the blood tests are no more accurate than lyme.
You should read Burrascano's guidlines on meds for bart and babesia. I think it's there where he explains why you shouldn't use the mepron first (has something to do with bart). I can't remember exactly--brain fog. It's not the end of the world if you do, but he has a valid reason for it.
I am leaving the med choice in the hands of my lyme doc. So far, the doxy/rifammpin have helped.
Posted by fflutterby (Member # 28081) on :
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mindy159: [QB]
You should read Burrascano's guidlines on meds for bart and babesia. I think it's there where he explains why you shouldn't use the mepron first (has something to do with bart). I can't remember exactly--brain fog. It's not the end of the world if you do, but he has a valid reason for it.
"A very recent article suggests that prior use of quinine-like drugs including atovaquone (Mepron, Malarone) may render Levaquin less effective. Therefore, in a co-infected patient, treat the BLO before you address Babesia species."