After finally feeling better and more functional with bicillin, levaquin, septra and malarone, cyptolepis, and -A- Mico- I'm now having serious stomach issues.
I was taking this regimen for two months and tolerated it, and felt much better Lymewise.
I have this trouble with all other abx in the macrolide family or doxy family.
But since last week, I have the runs, and I can't tolerate the abx and the herbs. So I'm stopping the abx tonight.
At my appointment last week, my LLMD took me off Levaquin, but even the Septra is giving me problems. Unless it's the herb A-Mico causing my gut issues, that I just started taking, and ramping up.
I have to be functional, because my mom is starting chemotherapy tomorrow, and I have to be there for her- and with her starting tomorrow.
I am so scared of sliding again, and I was finally feeling more functional- because I cannot tolerate treatment anymore these days.
It's as if my gut decided its just had enough.
I'm taking alot of probiotics, and three different brands. Unless my body got used to it because I'm taking the same probiotics for years.
Unitll I can get ahold of my LLMD, I am stopping everything.
Anyone have any ideas what to do?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Blessings upon you and your mom. I hope she does OK tomorrow.
have you tried Diflucan and the DIET??
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
I hope your mom does well tomorrow!
Posted by Dave6002 (Member # 9064) on :
Kefir or other probiotics that have many strains may help your stomach issue.
Probiotics that have one or two strains may not help
Posted by Bluemoon (Member # 25255) on :
+1 on the kefir, and if you really want the effects, eat some of the kefir grains. That always helps when I have digestion issues.
Posted by Talktel (Member # 7980) on :
thank you so much for your good wishes for my mom! and Amen to that!
I tend to eat alot of snackers and pretzels throughout the day, because that bulks up my stomach to make it feel better.
I can't eat veggies or high fiber, as that makes the diarreah worse. So I recently cut out the whole wheat bread from my diet for white bread.
I know that's not good for the Lyme and co., I did it for gut issues.
Where would I get kefir? I'm taking megaflora, metagenics and florastore probiotics. Is kefir or others any better?
I'm turning in to sleep (hopefully) as I need to be with my mom in the early afternoon. On the best of days I don't start functioning untill almost noontime!
So I'll look at your responses and links you mentioned tomorrow late afternoon.
I appreciate your advice so much!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Carbs like pretzels and bread help grow yeast. Stomach issues usually stem from Candida/yeast.
Posted by LymeT (Member # 35621) on :
Can you start slowly once you are regular again? I find I have to very slowly start wit one abx and start from 1/4 or some and work my way up so that my system gets a little more used to it.
Posted by Talktel (Member # 7980) on :
I'm taking 4 tablets nyastain daily for yeast. I think a side benefit of cryptolepsis is that it is also an antifungal.
I'm aware that carbs like pretzels, snackers and bread are not good for yeast, but what else is good to bulk up the stomach t?
I cooked rice tonight. But everything else make my stomack feel raw, and I run.
I don't think it's c diff. but who knows?
Do I get kefir in a health food store?
Posted by Talktel (Member # 7980) on :
Oh, and LymeT,
I did start slowly. working my way up from one tsp of Septra to four, as needed. Which went o.k. until this morning.
After a bout of diarreah last week, and being off treatment then for a few days.
I think the A-Myco herb-which I ramped up as directed by the llmd- together with the Septra abx did me in.
And I think bicillin IM does hit the stomach too. It doesn't bypass it completely
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
If you continue to have trouble with the abx, there's also the possibility of trying Buhner herbs, as described in his book, "Healing Lyme." His website is www.buhnerhealinglyme.com and the yahoo group is called Lyme_Aid_Buhner.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Charcoal is a good thing for diarrhea, and it absorbs toxins and helps eliminate them (a big bonus for those of us with Lyme)...
Might also try bile binders...questran or related meds.
Posted by lyme in Putnam (Member # 11561) on :
I hope your mom does well tomorrow. Feel better.. I just do the old fashioned way with bananas, but they're loaded with sugar. Probiotics I take mega flora, my sister uses vsl. God bless.
Posted by Talktel (Member # 7980) on :
I just spoke to my llmd who wants me off all abx until my system regulates.
even if it takes a week.
I am so worried about the Lyme and co. I've passed out before and had very scary sx in addition to the regular Lymie stuff.
I'm leaving soon to go with my mom to her first chemo session.
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
I'm with Lymetoo - Start Diflucan, rather than Nystatin (which only hits oral yeast). And while the carbs may make you feel better in the immediate, you are making the situation worse. Bread, whether it be white or whole wheat, is a big time carb, and is adding fuel to the fire down below.
You'd be better off with nuts or even hard boiled eggs.
Unfortunately, as time goes on, it will get more and more difficult to control yeast while on abx.
I was in your boat, and Diflucan was my life saver.
Hope your Mom is ok.
Posted by Talktel (Member # 7980) on :
Diflucan is an issue for me as my liver enzymes were very elevated at one point from Rifampin.
They were in the normal range as of a few months ago.
I haven't taken blood works yet, to see how they are today. But I'm leery of taking anything that doesn't have to be taken that can affect my liver.
Nyastatin is easier on the liver.
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
Be nice to your liver: Diflucan is very hard on the liver!
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Wow - Here's a scary thought... what if it's CDiff? If so, she shouldn't be hanging around anyone with a compromised immune system.
Two words: BROWN RICE. Even brown rice cakes, puffed cereal or crackers. It's all Gluten Free, and non-glycemic. Lots of Chinese Take-Out Restaurants make it now, and you could pop into any one of them for some freshly cooked at a bargain price.
I would also try adding different pro-biotic strains... right away. I find that a good whole milk yogurt like those made by Brown Cow or Seven Stars Farms, is a great way to breakfast a touchy tummy. Unsweetened is best if you're fighting a problem, as you likely know.
I wish you and your Mom the best of luck and a speedy return to good health.
Posted by lululymemom (Member # 26405) on :
Try a cup of strong black tea.. it has always worked for my family and I. You might want to substitute the sugar but that is what we have always used.
Important! Always consult your doctor before trying these or any home remedies. "Natural" does not mean it is safe for everybody.
Diarrhea occurs when a person ingests food and the large intestine does not remove the excess water. The body, then, gets rid of that water in the form of diarrhea.
When you have a case of diarrhea the most important thing to do is to prevent dehydration and prevent the diarrhea from getting worse. Some home remedies to relieve diarrhea are:
Tips to Relieve Diarrhea Black tea with sugar - Tea not only keeps the body hydrated, but it contains tannins that will reduce bowel inflammation.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by lymeinhell: I'm with Lymetoo - Start Diflucan, rather than Nystatin (which only hits oral yeast). And while the carbs may make you feel better in the immediate, you are making the situation worse. Bread, whether it be white or whole wheat, is a big time carb, and is adding fuel to the fire down below.
You'd be better off with nuts or even hard boiled eggs.
Unfortunately, as time goes on, it will get more and more difficult to control yeast while on abx.
I was in your boat, and Diflucan was my life saver.
Hope your Mom is ok.
Nystatin tablets work in the gut. Best to get those.
Very correct about the carbs.. they will backfire on you.
c.diff? better check it out to be safe .. If your stools smell strong, it is a distinct possibility.
best wishes to you and your mom!
Posted by Talktel (Member # 7980) on :
You are all so wonderful!
What would I do without you guys?
I went with my mom today, and she got the chemo. The first of many.
It was tough seeing all the people, from young to old who are bald, so skinny, and yellow.
I had crazy thoughts; I was thinking is Lyme better than this? At least with her lymphoma/leukemia disese there are people who r ally around her and care, and doctors who take her seriously.
They don't deny such illness and the blood tests diagnose accurately.
And either the patient makes it or not. It's not death in increments or vegetative.
They put in a heplock in her vein, and I was thinking shades of my heplocks until all my veins collapsed.
I made sure to have all my probiotics on hand- and the med dicyclamine, to calm any stomach spasms.
I am listening to my llmd and stopped all abx, and my stomach may possibly be somewhat better for now, so I don't think it's C diff.
I'm due for a bicillin shot tomorrow, but I don't think I should take it.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Sorry this post may be TMI for others...
Try stopping the cryptolepis for a few days, see if that helps.
It causes noticeably looser stools for me. It actually caused diarrhea when I started it. I was shocked that it could be the cause. But since then I have had to stop and restart cryptolepis several times when I ran out of the herb. I only take it twice daily now.
Make sure that you are taking S.boulardii (to prevent c.diff) along with your acidophilus mix of probiotics.
Take care to you and your mom Posted by Talktel (Member # 7980) on :
My stomach feels better, since stopping abx, even though still a little achy.
I will still not start taking the abx, even though some sx are starting up again.
It's not the cryptolepsis causing this, because from what I read up on it, it helps for diarreah, and when I take the crypto, I do not run from that.
I do make sure to eat some food prior to taking the crypto, which has helped me enormously in the bab.
Posted by terv (Member # 29410) on :
When you re-start abx, you might want to try adding one at a time and see if any one in particular gives you diarrhea and make sure you give it more than one day to see if it makes you sick.
I have been taking mino and zith for a while with no issues. I was supposed to add omnicef. I took it by itself over the weekend with no issues. Then took it on Monday and now have fire hose diarrhea. One of the side effects is that it can cause this and to call the doctor when it happens.
Have you looked up all your meds to see if any of the serious side effects is diarrhea?
Posted by Talktel (Member # 7980) on :
all of them say that. Any abx can cause diarreah especially if taken long term, like us.
But certain abx I won't go near because that is instant diarreah, such as in the mycin family or biaxin. Doxy is also a stomach killer.
I've been off abx now a few days, and I already feel foggy, waking up in middle of the night, achy, headachy and the numbness, neuropathy is back.
My stomach is still iffy and achy, even though yesterday and today I didn't have the runs, but I feel it can still happen.
The bicillin is probably still in my system somewhat.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Talktel: I'm taking 4 tablets nyastain daily for yeast. I think a side benefit of cryptolepsis is that it is also an antifungal.
I'm aware that carbs like pretzels, snackers and bread are not good for yeast, but what else is good to bulk up the stomach t?
I cooked rice tonight. But everything else make my stomack feel raw, and I run.
I don't think it's c diff. but who knows?
Do I get kefir in a health food store?
- 4 tablets isn't that much
Why do you want to "bulk up the stomach"?
Be careful with store bought Kefir .. it can contain a lot of sugar. (as can yogurt)
Posted by Talktel (Member # 7980) on :
When I bulk up the stomach, it doesn't feel so achy raw and grumbling.
Which is a reason I've also been gaining weight!
I'm constantly nibbling on carbs.
Does anyone think that even though I may not have acute diarreah, I should still be tested for c. diff?
And would restarting abx sooner depend if its c. diff, or just an irritated intestinal issue?
Posted by gatorade girl (Member # 24896) on :
Yes to the cdiff test. Especially bc you are around an immune compromised person. Plus cdiff can be very serious!!!!! Also, anything out of a box right now is the worst thing for you crackers, pretzels, etc. I would make my own broth . It will settle your stomach and settle any dehydration. Go on the www.pecanbread.com site for a specific carbohydrate diet. Feel better. Prayers for you and your mom.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
May as well be tested just to be safe!
Eating carbs all day WILL BACKFIRE, trust me.
have you tried aloe vera?
I like Nature's Herbs Aloe Vera GELCAPS. (not the capsules)
Posted by Talktel (Member # 7980) on :
I just went to the lab to get the cup for the cdif script.
Now I just have to provide the speciman.
Yikes. I'm nervous.
I feel such deterioration since I stopped abx. My stamina that I had recovered, is now gone.
I sure hope I can restart abx soon.
Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :
quote:Originally posted by AuntyLynn: Wow - Here's a scary thought... what if it's CDiff? If so, she shouldn't be hanging around anyone with a compromised immune system.
Two words: BROWN RICE. Even brown rice cakes, puffed cereal or crackers. It's all Gluten Free, and non-glycemic. Lots of Chinese Take-Out Restaurants make it now, and you could pop into any one of them for some freshly cooked at a bargain price.
I would also try adding different pro-biotic strains... right away. I find that a good whole milk yogurt like those made by Brown Cow or Seven Stars Farms, is a great way to breakfast a touchy tummy. Unsweetened is best if you're fighting a problem, as you likely know.
I wish you and your Mom the best of luck and a speedy return to good health.
I was thinking C. Diff too. Have you tried S. Boulardi? A great (but expensive) brand is Florastor.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Aloe vera is a mucus membrane irritant. I would NOT recommend taking it (can cause leaky gut).
Posted by Talktel (Member # 7980) on :
Hi, I do take florastore.along with other probiotics. recently I've been upping to 3x a day.
I won't get results on c. diff test for another 4-5 days, according to the lab.
My doc told me not to go near my mom with her condition and chemo.
Meanwhile, the chetes are multiplying. No abx or anything.
Posted by Talktel (Member # 7980) on :
and for milk yogurts. I tend to be lactose intolerant so especially now I'm afraid to try anything.
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