LLMD wants to go this route before starting Mepron as it would be a 1400.00 out of pocket expense.
Has anyone had some success with this? She said to expect to feel badly if it is being effective, within 3 to 4 days of taking it.
I need to start now because I have 2 weeks before my 3 active kiddos are on vacation for the summer and I can't be feeling the madness she describes.
Can anyone tell me what happened to them when starting art? How long did you take it? Does anyone have some good success stories?
Thanks!
[ 06-02-2012, 07:47 AM: Message edited by: pme ]
Posted by lymeboy (Member # 24769) on :
I got extra tired and groggy. My ears also got fuller, they were already pretty bad, but when I am pulsing the Art theyre horrendous. Basically, my Babs symptoms flare up worse when I take Art. Over time, the symptoms seemed to die down. But I am still pulsing it. 7 Months now.
Posted by pme (Member # 31621) on :
Silly question but why are you still pulsing? Are you seeing any progress? How long is it supposed to take to work?
I am with you.....head is so so full. I can't imagine that getting worse but thanks so much for the warning and your honesty.
Posted by philly78 (Member # 31069) on :
I just started art about a month ago and within a few days of taking my first dose I felt like absolutely horrible. Like...more horrible than I had felt in a long time.
I was very tired...legs felt like they were on fire...weak...air hunger with difficulty swallowing. These all came out of nowhere. I hadn't had any of these symptoms for months.
I am doing 2 days on...3 days off and my symptoms are not nearlly as bad as they were.
Posted by pme (Member # 31621) on :
So it's helping philly? Tis is what llmd told me to expect.
I am pretty scared because of my kids being on vacation soon. I don't want to rob them of their fun mom and I want to enjoy them. I hope I can survive this.
Posted by philly78 (Member # 31069) on :
Yes. I think it is helping. I have a 7 week old I'm dealing with and it was no fun when I first started it!
The art really knocked me on my behind! But for me....that didn't last too long. I still get symptoms but not severe
Posted by pme (Member # 31621) on :
Wow. Can't imagine a 7 week old although I hope you have a good sleeper!
Posted by trubeee (Member # 34030) on :
My LLMD says it depends on your bacterial load (he meant 'parasite' load)- if you've been infected for a very long time or severely ill (both me) then you can usually only tolerate tiny Art doses.
He also said he pulses Art so the bugs don't develop resistance and only puts pts on it for a few months then takes them off. I've got one more mth of pulsing and then off. Definitely worse on Art but am adding tindamax so let's see what [more] h--- breaks loose!
I've read people here on LN who take huge doss and do fine.. good luck and let us know!
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Nobody is ever to take art continuously. There was a study done that showed that if you take it continuously, your gut makes a substance that stops the art from being absorbed.
So, it is always pulsed.
You take it as long as necessary to get rid of babesiosis. For some people, that can take more than a year.
I took it with my babesia medication. I started it one month after the babesia meds. (Had a positive babs test from Igenex.)
As soon as I started treating babs, I got weekly babs flares that were like clockwork. They started about 7 p.m. on Friday and lasted until 7 p.m. on Sunday--48 hours of pure hell.
When I reported this to my doc, he had me add art to encompass the flares. I started taking it Friday morning. It worked like a miracle!
It delayed the flare until Saturday afternoon and made the flare MILD. I will never, ever forget it. It was totally wonderful. A mild 6 hour flare and that was it.
Each weekend it got better and better with the art.
We knew when babs was gone because there were no babs flares. My doc said babs has a 7-day cycle and a 14-day cycle. I first experienced the 7-day flares and later a flare every 14 days.
It took 7 months for my flares to end. But, I continued with treatment another 5 months. Then, I was done.
So, for me, art was a great, great med. Burrascano says it must be added to all babesiosis treatment.
Posted by pme (Member # 31621) on :
OK good. Arrived today. Any tricks on when or how to take it....I think it says away from meals. Can I take it with other abx?
Will ask LLMD too....
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
0 I always start anything new WITH food - in the middle of lunch on a day when I have no plans to go out.
One a day for a few days until I see how that works. Then, I can move to between meals and go to 2 a day, gradually increasing to desired dose.
[Unless for a brand new bite, brand new infection. Then, getting right up to speed may be best.]
My stomach did fine with this between meals but my nervous system became a bit overstimulated.
Be sure you have good liver support and, perhaps certain herbs that are calming in nature.
Usually, do not combine Rx and supplements at the same time - unless your LLMD advises so.
Hours apart:
Rx
Supplements (What I call "direct impact" supplements might also do better a bit away from "support" supplements.)
For more details, Search LymeNet Archives -
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
I was told to take it on an empty stomach.
It never caused me any stomach problems or other problems of any kind.
Antibiotics kill everything in their path, so I would not take it within 2 hours of antibiotics. You don't want the meds to destroy the art.
Posted by pme (Member # 31621) on :
Haven't slept well since I started taking it. Last night I barely slept at all. It sure if this is a side effect or not. Anyone else have this?
This treatment seems lime it takes lots of patience.....
Manybites what was ion your liver? Babs or the other parasite. How are you doing now?
Posted by nonna05 (Member # 33557) on :
My LLMD said to include 4-6 ounces of Grapefruit juice.....don't know why, also never told to separate it.
Amazing what you don't know unless you keep on site and collect info as you go.....
My Abx's have been to close and or with other "STUFF"....not always ,but enough ....One more FYI.
Can't tell ya how many times I've asked about timing etc..