Jamers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28016
posted
I have been treating Bart for 6 months with rifampin. I feel I've really knocked it down but not eradicated it. Is there really less risk with cipro for tendon issues or are they similar? What are your experiences?
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
| IP: Logged |
Jamers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28016
posted
Up
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
| IP: Logged |
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
nothing good for me. i was on levaquin and after about a month or so could barely walk up stairs.
i tried cipro and had the same effects.
so for me, i tell doctors no levaquin and no cipro.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
Jamers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28016
posted
Thanks Randibear. I'm terrified of it but want to be rid of Bart. What do you take for Bart now?
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've read alot about the Levaquin issues and could never take it as I have too many tenden, ligament injuries. But I never saw anywhere that Cipro was as bad as Levaquin. ?
Posts: 348 | From MA | Registered: Dec 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
I would say they're the same. Both are fluoroquinolones.
How about trying Bactrim?
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
Jamers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28016
posted
I'm allergic to bactrim unfortunately. So its not true that cipro has less of a tendon risk?
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
| IP: Logged |
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
Cipro is in the same family and yes has the same side effects. Check out askapatient.com
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
I think the risks are the same for either med.
You may consider trying Levaquin first as that is what Dr. B recommends for Bartonella. Factive is another in that class that many here have done well with. These have been 2 of the most helpful antibiotics that I have tried.
Remember that the quinolones can help treat not only bartonella but also mycoplasma, cpn, and other intracellular infections.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
| IP: Logged |
kidsgotlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23691
posted
My husband had problems after taking long-term Cipro for a prostate infection. At the time, we had no idea that these drugs could cause problems.
If you take either one, you just need to be mindful of the issues you need to be looking out for.
I just read recently somewhere on lymenet where it's a good idea to up your intake of magnesium before starting it.
-------------------- symptoms since 1993 that I can remember. 9/2018 diagnosed with Borellia, Babesia Duncani, and Bartonella Hensalae thru DNA Connections. Posts: 1470 | From Tennessee | Registered: Dec 2009
| IP: Logged |
BoxerMom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25251
posted
I had no trouble on Cipro, then I ruptured my Achilles tendon on Factive.
You should load up on magnesium and vitamin C to lower the risk of tendon damage.
I would take Cipro again. I'm trying to avoid Factive and Levaquin. Right now, I'm herxing on Rifampin, Doxy, Zith. I like this combo and feel like I'm making progress.
canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Boxer,
That is a good combo. Be prepared at some point to either raise the dose of Rifampin or switch to Myocbutin.
Just a though Bart does develop resistance and it's good to eventually switch it up.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
| IP: Logged |
BoxerMom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25251
posted
Canefan - Thanks. I will pay attention and change up when the herxing slows down.
Levaquin is the better drug for bart. Both levaquin and cipro can cause tendon damage, so go for the levaquin but take it as the website advises.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
Jamers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28016
posted
Thank you all, very much appreciated
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
| IP: Logged |
jackie51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14233
posted
My llmd gave me Cataplex ACP to take prior to going on Levaquin. Rarely does a patient have tendon problems.
I'll let you know. Posts: 1374 | From Crazy Town | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
Jamers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28016
posted
Good to know Jackie! Please keep me Posted.
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic