LymeNet Flash: When to stop IV ABX?

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » When to stop IV ABX?

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Author

Topic: When to stop IV ABX?

paul g
Junior Member
Member # 29161

posted

9 months of IV Rocephin/Zithromax have dramatically improved my neurologic lyme symptoms. Brain fog has lifted, memory improved and headaches infrequent. Looking forward to return to a (mostly) normal life.

How do I know when the time is right to stop IV ABX and pull the PICC line?

I've come so far and fear a backward slide without the IV meds. Of course I'll continue oral ABX.

Appreciate your comments/suggestions,

Paul

Posts: 3 | From Minnesota | Registered: Nov 2010 | IP: Logged |

wgshuckers
Member
Member # 27869

posted

Did you take oral abx pre-IV?

Posts: 92 | From Georgia | Registered: Aug 2010 | IP: Logged |

Deb133
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 18544

posted

IV should always be followed up with an herb and/or oral antibiotic protocol. My daughter stopped IV cold turkey and relapsed 2 months later.

Posts: 499 | From Malta, NY | Registered: Dec 2008 | IP: Logged |

paul g
Junior Member
Member # 29161

posted

Yes, before the IV I took oral abx for over a year. It helped somewhat, but the IV meds really made the difference. I'm also on flagyl and mepron with the IV.

I'm sure my doctor will have me follow up with orals post-IV.

Posts: 3 | From Minnesota | Registered: Nov 2010 | IP: Logged |

july
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 10469

posted

My doc says continue with IV until ALL symptoms are gone.

I was treated with IV 4 years ago, made great improvements, but symptoms not completely gone.

4 years of backsliding. I'm starting all over again.

Posts: 111 | From northeast Iowa | Registered: Oct 2006 | IP: Logged |

paul g
Junior Member
Member # 29161

posted

July, thanks for your advice. Sorry to hear your condition has regressed. Did you follow up with orals after IV?

For me, it would seem impossible to determine that ALL symptoms are gone. I've been sick for 7 years. Some symptoms are obviously still Lyme related, others from aging, and yet others must be side effects from all the medications.

It's hard to know where to draw that line. But I will definitely err on the side of caution.

Posts: 3 | From Minnesota | Registered: Nov 2010 | IP: Logged |

blinkie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14470

posted

I've been on IV vancy with flaygl for 4 months. Sill not symptom free but I know which symptoms are lyme. I will be adding in another month of ketek and lariam.

If I survive all that and get well, my Dr wants me on all those meds two months after being symptom free. I can't wait to get rid of this PICC line but will keep it for awhile after stopping just to be sure I'm done.

Posts: 1104 | From N.California | Registered: Jan 2008 | IP: Logged |

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