posted
On my first visit with my LLMD, he put me on 4000 mg of Amoxicilin a day. I had my first follow up appointment a month later and he asked how I felt and I told him no better. I was actually having more strange symptoms pop up.
He said that meant the Amox wasn't working and he wanted to start me on Ceftin. I am now taking 2000 mg of Ceftin a day.
Where I'm confused is, why wasn't my new strange symptoms I was getting on the Amox considered a Herx? And if it was a Herx, wouldn't that mean it was working? I have been on the Ceftin now for about 3 weeks and feel no better, but also feel no worse. Nothing has changed, it's almost feeling like a waste of time taking all these pills daily.
A nurse there told me he usually starts everyone off on Amox, then something stronger, then multiple abx at a time, then last resort being IV abx. Why don't they just cut to the chase and jump straight to the IV abx to speed up this recovery process?
I'm losing my patience.. (never really had any to begin with). Sick of being sick and want to go out and have fun with friends.. Tired of staying home cuz I'm too tired and know I shouldn't drink and such. OK, I'm rambling.. Sorry. Thanks
-------------------- 7/09- WB IGG Neg all bands -WB IGM Pos bands 23 & 41. Treated w/ 21 days of Doxy. 10/09- WB IGG Pos bands 41 & 58 -WB IGM Pos bands 23 & 41. 04/11- WB IGG Pos band 66 -WB IGM Pos bands 23 & 41 Pos EBV. Posts: 121 | From Western PA | Registered: Oct 2009
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Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
I guess different docs do different things. I've heard some people do actually get better just on amox.
My doctor gave me three different meds to kill all 3 forms of spirochetes right from the start (meph, zyth, ceftin). I couldn't handle the ceftin, so I just took the other two for a few weeks, and didn't have much reaction to them.
Now I'm back on 3 abx (the third one is amox), and I just got through my first herx (sucked).
Maybe the spirochetes are shifting form so you're not getting any reaction (I dunno).
I am on herbs too though. Does your doctor have you on any herbs?
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
All docs have different approaches I know one lyme doc that if a patient is really ill and comes in to the office saying money is no object then she starts out with IV's. Most of her patients don't have the money to do it that way but she is open to it. All the IV stuff really adds up.
Posts: 805 | From Utopia | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
Hmmm, interesting. I just feel if I'm gaggin on all of these pills everyday, shouldn't I notice a difference? I mean I would even be happy if I felt worse because then I would know that something was going on in there. I am not currently on any herbs. Only taking Acidophilus with every meal. Vitamin B Complex and a multi vitamin.
-------------------- 7/09- WB IGG Neg all bands -WB IGM Pos bands 23 & 41. Treated w/ 21 days of Doxy. 10/09- WB IGG Pos bands 41 & 58 -WB IGM Pos bands 23 & 41. 04/11- WB IGG Pos band 66 -WB IGM Pos bands 23 & 41 Pos EBV. Posts: 121 | From Western PA | Registered: Oct 2009
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Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
My doctor said that some people get a herx reaction and some don't. He said that either way, it's all good.
Do you have any co infections? I take some herbs for co infection.
From what I've read (various books) the lyme docs consider how long the patient may have been infected, and focus on what is really bothering the patient at that time. We're all different.
I really do think that there simply isn't one answer for all patients. I think each doctor does what has worked for him/her in the past with his/her patients.
Joe Burrascano (famous lyme doc) cured himself on one oral antibiotic, ceftin (book, "Cure Unknown"). That book was so good.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
My doctor said that some people get a herx reaction and some don't. He said that either way, it's all good.
Do you have any co infections? I take some herbs for co infection.
From what I've read (various books) the lyme docs consider how long the patient may have been infected, and focus on what is really bothering the patient at that time. We're all different.
I really do think that there simply isn't one answer for all patients. I think each doctor does what has worked for him/her in the past with his/her patients.
Joe Burrascano (famous lyme doc) cured himself on one oral antibiotic, ceftin (book, "Cure Unknown"). That book was so good.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
Mindy I guess your right, not everyone is the same. I just wish that there was a cut and dry protocol for treating LD. I have not read that book, think I'll go get it tonight for a weekend read.. Thanks
Lymetoo I am taking the acidophilus separate from the abx. Sometimes I may take it an hour later than my abx, but never sooner than that.
-------------------- 7/09- WB IGG Neg all bands -WB IGM Pos bands 23 & 41. Treated w/ 21 days of Doxy. 10/09- WB IGG Pos bands 41 & 58 -WB IGM Pos bands 23 & 41. 04/11- WB IGG Pos band 66 -WB IGM Pos bands 23 & 41 Pos EBV. Posts: 121 | From Western PA | Registered: Oct 2009
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-------------------- IgM- 31,34,39,83-93 IND IgM- 41+
IgG- 31,34,39,83-93 IND IgG- 41++ Posts: 610 | From Lymeville | Registered: Nov 2010
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
If you are under the impression that all Burrascano took to cure himself was ceftin, that is the wrong impression.
Ceftin was the final treatment he used against lyme, but was by no means his only treatment. You can read about it in "Cure Unknown."
It was a "last ditch effort" as I understand it after many other treatments had failed to get rid of the lyme. (Doesn't work for coinfections. They must be treated separately.) He put Pam Weintraub on it as a last ditch effort to cure her lyme also. She had to stop all meds, let herself get totally sick with lyme--a complete relapse, sick like a dog--and then hit it with the med. Had to do that about 3 times, as I recall.
So, just know that this is not typical lyme treatment at all. And, the treatment for the coinfections is being omitted from this story. That is separate treatment.
You are not going to notice a change right away just because you have been taking meds 1 month or even 2. I believe it took me 6 months to start feeling better. So, you will have to develop some patience and stick to swallowing all those pills. That's the only way you will ever get rid of this disease.
Here is what Burrascano says regarding proper dosage of Ceftin:
"*Cefuroxime axetil- Oral alternative that may be effective in amoxicillin and doxycycline failures. Useful in EM rashes co-infected with common skin pathogens.
Adults and pregnancy: 1g q12h and adjust." (page 18)
The dosage in plain English is 1 gram (1,000 mg) every 12 hours and adjust.
I had undiagnosed lyme disease (plus babs and bart) for at least 10 years. I got rid of lyme with amoxicillin plus probinecid and flagyl. And, it didn't happen over night. In April, it was 6 years since I completed my treatment and I am still symptom free, enjoying my life.
Just remember that I patiently took pills for 6 months without seeing any difference. Patience has its rewards. If you have a good doctor and obey, you should have a good result. If you start and stop treatment, you can make your lyme more resistant to medications. So, I encourage everyone to keep treating until they succeed.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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