All oral antibiotics failed me so I have been on Bicillan for 15 months and I am wondering if anyone else has been on these injections this long?? Thanks:-)
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
Hi,
Honestly I have never heard of people being on them for that long.
The shots were so painful I don't know if I can survive 15 months! How often will you be doing the shots?
Posted by Talktel (Member # 7980) on :
I just started these injections one month ago, but some years ago I have been on them for two years.
I cannot tolerate oral antibiotics.
Given by the right person, they were not all that painful.
Lymehead
Posted by lyme37 (Member # 34720) on :
Well every time I stop them I get sick. I was down to doing them every ten days, however I wanted to see how I would feel without them and WOW it was bad! I do not think it is working and I also think I may need a different plan of action such as a IV treatment!!!
Posted by lyme37 (Member # 34720) on :
I will be back to doing them every three days now!!! Thanks for answering back! I am new and need some support:)
Posted by Laura_W (Member # 31491) on :
The leader of MLDA said she was on Bicillin for 5 years.
Posted by lyme37 (Member # 34720) on :
Thanks I just was not sure about that!! I need to find another location to do them because my butt is so sore!!! I tried my thigh before however it hurt so bad the next four days:-) Thanks for responding I am new!!
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
The only other spot you can use to inject Bicillin is the ventrogluteal site (near the hip). Google "ventrogluteal IM injection" to see pictures and descriptions.
It would be best if you could ask a doctor or nurse to show you exactly where to inject before you try it on your own. Be sure to rotate your sites to help prevent pain, lumps, and scar tissue build up.
Posted by David95928 (Member # 3521) on :
I've been on them three times a week for over eight years. My recovery has been remarkably stable.
Posted by willbeatthis (Member # 31111) on :
Hi Lyme37... there is plenty of amazing support here....
I don't know where I would be after three years had it not been for this board.
Like you, when I was taken off after 7 months... well, they tried me on heavy augmentin doses every 12 hours as well as a host of other things for babs and bart... and to no avail... With the Augmentin, my knees went nuts.
I practically begged to be put on it again as I had made so much progress. I have had these same questions as my local doc asks me how long do they think.... well... 7 months sure didn't do it.
The key I found to the site not being painful -- is one, I have someone give it to me... now I go to my gp and her nurses give it to me... before that - for the 7 months a nurse friend gave them to me for free but I knew it was time to let her have a rest. Well, what we discovered is that if you go REALLY slow... and the bicillin is warmed up... my nurse keeps in in her shirt for me in the morning (BLESS her) I have found just sitting it out until it hits room temp works just fine. And she just goes really slow. I think if you go fast, you force a lot into a small space and for me I could barely sit down for days.
I am hoping this will help you. We always rotate sides and I massage the area after I get the shot and through out the day-- as much as I can without being found out (smiles). This road... well, at least I know the MLDA lady is off finally... I am resolved to however long it takes my questions have just been like you... do I need IV. My doc believes you don't do IV until you have to and he told me unbearable headaches would be the tell tale and those have gotten way better over the three years.
Godspeed-
Posted by willbeatthis (Member # 31111) on :
Dave: If you don't mind me asking... are you on anything else and how long had you had lyme when you started Bicillin? Did you ever do IV. Any thoughts on this... thanks EVERYONE!
Posted by lyme37 (Member # 34720) on :
Thanks everyone!! I give myself my shots!
Posted by fflutterby (Member # 28081) on :
I hurt too bad when I do them myself. I always have the nurse at my Dr.s office do them. It is worth the trip.
Posted by WhitneyS (Member # 25666) on :
Are you in "remission" on the shots? If you feel GOOD when you're on them, then keep on at it and try to ween off after however long it takes.
If you still feel sick, then I would be trying other things. I feel like after that long, its done what its going to do.
Posted by David95928 (Member # 3521) on :
I went about fifteen years undiagnosed. I've been consistently treated with Bicillin plus a macrolide such as Zithromax or Biaxin. I also have ulcerative colitis so I avoid taking more oral antibiotic than I have to. When I try to cut back I start getting various random infections, one right after another or even simultaneously. When I keep up the regimen I am generally well.
Posted by Laura_W (Member # 31491) on :
I actually found that when I gave myself the shots, that it hurt less than if anyone else did them. Because I wasn't in a hurry. I planned on taking my time. Normally I took about 3 minutes per shot.
However, because I was doing it to myself I would always put a single ice cube exactly where I was going to give myself the injection. Then cover it with a couple of wash cloths, and carefully put my jeans back on.
Then in about ten minutes I would be numb, ready to give myself the shot, and have a perfect red bulls eye from where the ice had been. One less thing to stress about.
After the injection.... besides massaging the area... if you can manage it try walking around your house some. And if you don't have a heating pad.... It is totally worth the money!! It really helped sooth, my sore bum. But, you could always take a warm bath as well.
Unfortunetly, lots of sore bottom days are in your future.... but hopefully not as severe.
Laura
Posted by Talktel (Member # 7980) on :
Hi,
Is levaquin effective with Bicillin?
I cannot tolerate the oral biaxin, zith etc. I'm having trouble tolerating anything now after taking years of oral treatment .
I'm just been on bicillin for about a month, together with Levaquin which I've been taking a long time. and am herxing. I'm also on malarone.