hi lads, after fighting babesia for 5 months, I feel that bart is rising. Experienced two days of -insomina (becoming so angry that I have this disease that i could find no sleep during the nights)
-agitation (yelling at nice working colleagues when they would just ask me a question)
-pain in lower shins and feet/soles (feels "dull" as if I have walked miles even though I was just sitting in office)
At the beginning of my treatment, i took some bactrim (against suspected cpn) and I really experienced strong herxes (esp. psychologically). I also developed a big "bump/nodule" on my outer right side (between hip and thigh). Didn't suspect bart then and neither did my LLMD...
I have rifampicin at home and I know Burrascano says it is best to take this esp. when "psycho-issues" are strong.
-I read it is necessary to combine it with a zith-like abx, is that true? -I have zith but it would be the third time already that I take it so it may be better to switch to another drug?
For those who have/have had bart, how often did you whitness a flare and how long did it last?
All opinions and comments welcome, thanks in advance, Kern
[ 06-08-2013, 10:05 AM: Message edited by: Kern33 ]
Posted by OtterJ (Member # 30701) on :
My flare ended slowly, when taking herbs, it is about the marathon race to health, not the sprint. I have taken A-Bart herbal treatment by Byron White. Have you considered trying an herbal treatment?
Posted by Kern33 (Member # 36267) on :
hi Ott, thanks for your reply. To be honest, I have not really considered herbs, since they have never changed anything for me. I would prefer abx, nevertheless I agree that the slow and steady aproach is certainly better. A-Bart is not available over here in Germany Posted by jlf2012 (Member # 36002) on :
My dr. had me on bactrim and some other abx and then he had me drop a few, stay on bactrim and add zith and plaq. On bactrim I felt like I had been run over by a semi truck...VERY sore everywhere...even my tongue!! haha
Posted by betty1939 (Member # 18240) on :
According to Burranscano's treatment guide, it says not to take rifampin or levaquin drugs with "zith" type drugs.
He suggests either cephalasporins, penicillins, or tetracyclines as better combinations.
Posted by Kern33 (Member # 36267) on :
thanks jlf and betty. I remember when I took bactrim it was really bad, felt so sick, couldn't tolerate caffeine, didn't see it as a herx then.
Has anyone tried rifa alone?
Posted by surprise (Member # 34987) on :
Rifampin and Azithromycin are used with children for Bart and/ or Myco. P.
Rifampin alone, I have heard and read, becomes resistant/ ineffective.
(lots of google information/ studies citing, and also stated in the book The Lyme Disease Solution)
Posted by jlf2012 (Member # 36002) on :
Betty, Are you certain we're not to take rifampin with zith type drugs? Because my dr. has me adding rifampin in a few weeks while still on zith. Do you know what Dr. B.'s reasoning is for this? Is it noneffective or is it dangerous?
Posted by betty1939 (Member # 18240) on :
Recently,I checked Burranscano's treatment guide on this website for the same reason, as I still need to address bartonella and I am still be treated for Mycoplasma with clarithromycin.
Here is the direct quote right from the treatment guide.
"The drug of choice to treat BLO is levofloxacin. Levofloxacin is usually never used for Lyme or Babesia, so many patients who have tick-borne diseases, and who have been treated for them but remain ill, may in fact be infected with BLO.
Treatment consist of 500 mg daily (may be adjusted based on body weight) for at least one month. Treat for three months or longer in the more ill patient.
It has been suggested that levofloxacin may be more effective in treating this infection if a proton pump inhibitor is added in standard doses.
Another subtlety is that certain antibiotic combinations seem to inhibit the action of levofloxacin, while others seem to be neutral.
I advise against using an erythromycin-like drug, as clinically such patients do poorly. On the other hand, combinations with cephalosporins, penicillins and tetracyclines are okay.
levofloxacin include rifampin, gentamicin and possibly streptomycin. 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.
Levofloxacin is generally well tolerated, with almost no stomach upset. Very rarely, it can cause confusion- this is temporary (clears in a few days) and may be relieved by lowering the dose.
There is, however, one side effect that would require it to be stopped- it may cause a painful tendonitis, usually of the largest tendons. If this happens, then the levofloxacin must be stopped or tendon rupture may occur.
It has been suggested that loading the patient with magnesium may prevent this problem, and if the tendons do become affected, parenteral high dose vitamin C (plus parenteral magnesium) may afford rapid relief.
Unfortunately, levofloxacin and drugs in this family cannot be given to those under the age of 18, so other alternatives, such as azithromycin, are used in children."
[ 06-09-2013, 09:31 PM: Message edited by: betty1939 ]
Posted by jlf2012 (Member # 36002) on :
Thank you for the info. Dumb question...what is BLO?
Posted by betty1939 (Member # 18240) on :
BLO (bartonella like organism)
Posted by Bitten in Bergen (Member # 34067) on :
I'm taking rifampin along with minocycline.
I did try banderol at one point, which definitely stirred things up. Am curious about the Cowden rotation of banderol, cumanda and houttuynia.
My kids' doctor has them on chrysanthemum and beyond balance Bab-1 or bab-2.
I had to reduce my rifampin dose because the side effects and herxing were too much (vomiting, etc.) even with binders and liver support.
Posted by Bitten in Bergen (Member # 34067) on :
There's also a great yahoo newsgroup devoted to bartonella treatment.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Rifampin and doxy really helped my bart (4 months worth). Also a little zith added to that for six weeks. But it was A-Bart that got rid of it for about 9 mos. It's resurfacing on me again, so I'm back on A-Bart.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)