posted
My boyfriend got bitten by a tick a few weeks ago.
i gave him doxycycline to take about a day after it happened (i had alot of leftover refills on it since my doctor switched me off it for the summer and gave me cefdinir instead)
he started at 200 mg for a few days then worked up to 400 mg a day
He said it made him tired and cranky
That got me a little nervous. as its not a good sign (herx!)hes going to start taking probiotics
i want to give him flagyl to help break the cyst open and see if he herxes.
he CAN'T afford to go to a LLMD right now. in fact he barely has money to even LIVE right now never mind pay so much to see a doctor for this
should I give him some flagyl. what should i do?
Posts: 995 | From somewhere out there | Registered: Oct 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Should I give my boyfriend the flagyl?
The "official answer" is NO. Never give anyone else a pharmaceutical that has not been prescribed specifically for them.
He needs to get himself to a LLMD. (Again, the "official answer" - alternatives below, though.)
Doxy, alone can CAUSE chronic lyme, as you seem to know since you are (understandably) advising he take flagyl.
But, here's the bottom line. You have to always know that this could happen:
He could have a reaction the the med and be seriously harmed (or worse). You could go to jail. It's against the law and if he suffers a severe reaction, you could be prosecuted.
Is it likely that both would happen? Oh, not likely. But, it's important to know the risks.
I know how hard it is to find LL doctors (I don't have one myself) . . . and I've certainly taken others' meds now and then. Most of us have.
But, you just never know how someone else will react and, really, you can't keep supplying him meds ongoing.
little bit is not going to make that much of a difference, and if he just feels worse, how's he going to get the liver support that REALLY needs to go along with flagyl?
I fully understand the having no money. So, while I have no proof this will be perfect, I think the best approach for those with no money would be
ORGANIC GARLIC. IF his stomach can handle it. IF. Only IF. And only if ORGANIC.
In the middle of a meal, very gently break nudge the outer layer of a peeled garlic clove. The cloves are the many almond-sized pieces of a garlic head.
By only very lightly breaking that with his teeth and then swallowing whole (if possible and not too large), the best part is kept until it gets to his stomach.
After doing one clove a day for a few days, if he feels he can do two, he may move up to two (say, with breakfast and dinner).
Later, he may be able to do this on an empty stomach. However, for some, garlic can cause serious burns to the oral mucosa - so careful.
To be very clear: I am not a doctor, this is not official medial advice but - for someone with no funds whatsoever other than for some basic food, from all I've read and pondered for my own treatment which will soon need to be scaled down even more soon . . . garlic does hold some promise.
I hope he is off all processed foods and sticking to a clean diet.
If he can get DANDELION GREENS at the market or Farmers' Markets, a very good move. Every day. Other leafy greens, too, of course, for each meal but DANDELION greens can help the liver.
ANTIOXIDANTS in foods, too. DARK foods seem best. VARIETY matters.
GARDEN HERBS: Rosemary; Thyme; etc. so many hold some medicinal value. Read up on all that.
RIFE ? Do you know anyone who can "share" a rife with him, letting him go to their place and use theirs?
Now, if he can sell any possessions or ask friends or relatives who may be in the position to easily help him, I hope he can do so.
he doesnt have any family or friends who will help him, in fact all his friends and family are SELFISH people. ..SOME of them are just broke and cant even afford for themselves....
I have no money either. All my money goes to lyme treatment
I definatly wont give him the flagyl. do you think its ok to keep him on the doxy..or no?
KEEBLER....do you take CATS CLAW or anything like that?
Posts: 995 | From somewhere out there | Registered: Oct 2010
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randibear
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posted
hon i don't share ANY med. ain't worth the risk to me. you can get in serious trouble..
go herbal, like olive leaf extract capsules, try parasite treatment or something...
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Seems continuing doxy would be a reasonable choice. I know of two people who had lyme and seemingly did fine with just doxy. They were very lucky, maybe had an "easier" strain or fewer coinfections, etc. but it's possible that might be okay.
Again, this is your prescription, so be aware of the risks and move wisely.
As Randibear suggests, Olive leaf extract is a good choice but you said he has no money. Still, you might see if he can get whole olive leaves somewhere and make a tea.
You might call SEAGATE OLE and see if they can help in anyway at all. Seagate is the only brand of capsules I'd recommend.
Now, OLE may not be a substitute for flagyl, directly, yet it has many good properties.
Can he take some garlic, not at the same time as doxy, but later, with a meal?
The allicin in garlic can help against biofilm (not not sure that's also going to help with the cyst form but it may).
I think, with garlic or some other agent along with doxy, he'll have a better chance. Other than garlic: fresh rosemary leaves, ground as in a mortar and pestal . . . thyme, too.
Those may help be the balance for the doxy. Again, just a guess for what can be "picked" from the garden choices.
PROBIOTICS - again, considering there is no money to buy (?) these, that yellow flaky Nutritional Yeast (sometimes called Brewers yeast) also contains some probiotics.
MISO SOUP also has probiotics as do some other foods.
Plain organic yogurt can be spendy but try to get that, too. Kefir might be even better.
I know this is a very difficult place for both of you. I do hope this works out well. It makes me work even harder to think of just how someone can do this on $5. a week or so. So many are in that position.
Connect to FOOD CO-OPS, FARMERS' MARKETS, etc. Get to know any herbalists in your area.
GROW A GARDEN. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
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posted
I would take doxycycline for at least four weeks past the last symptom for a new infection. Hopefully, he won't need flagyl.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- Just saw your question about Cat's Claw. I answered as if no money was in the mix but did suggest OLE if some were.
Regular, original, real Cat's Claw can be very nice, indeed. I've taken it, mainly to help calm that nervous system "wired" stuff and it's always worked well for me.
I've not studied it for awhile and Buhner is more up on that than I so look to his writings on this - but OLE has a broad base so that came to mind. It has also been used for malaria, so I wonder if it might have some impact on babesia. OLE also helps against candida.
Since this is a new case, he may do fine with the doxy and whatever target nutrients can can get, even if just from real food.
There may be some gardeners' groups in your area who can supply you with plants of rosemary, thyme, oregano, etc. -- and then some area herbalists who might instruct safe ways of consuming all kinds of greens and plants for health.
You might contact the farm or "home extension" program with your STATE university system. They educate about gardens, etc.
Start chomping on that stuff like goats and you might just become strong and frisky enough to be jumping all over mountaintops, eh?
Adding:
MINT & BASIL are also very nice garden herbs that can help with health. I'm sure there are dozens more, so I hope you find the perfect gardener in your area to help you out. -
[ 05-27-2012, 05:39 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- Not sure where you live but if you have any college of acupuncture or naturopathic studies near you, sometimes, they have sliding scale fees and - sometimes - even donated supplements to share.
Sounds like he does not even have a doctor but if there is anyway for him to see one regarding lyme, many pharmaceutical companies also have certain programs for those who can't afford meds.
Be sure to double check with everyone at all the area lyme support groups just to see if there may be a doctor that might be within his means.
Costco or similar "clubs" pharmacies have good prices (you need not be a member just for the pharmacy).
Still, if there is no way to see a doctor, since this is a new case, he may be just fine with doxy at least a month past symptoms (as SGK suggests) and key food / plants and good self-care habits. He's lucky to have you on his team.
I'd also ask support group members about the possibility of a RIFE-share of some sort, though. You might post here, just in case someone happens to be in your area and may be in the position to help:
RIFE Support Discussion Thread here on LymeNet -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- There is a huge difference between no money and even a little money.
I do think it's important for us to take seriously the "no money" stipulation when people say that's the case, respecting their situation, and try to work with that as best possible.
Still, if there may be a little money, this thread may be of help:
posted
How can doxycycline cause chronic lyme?
Posts: 227 | From Northern CA (bitten in Illinois) | Registered: Jan 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- With just doxy, spirochetes tend to go into protective cyst form to evade, doxy does not affect them then and they are able to break open in the future, causing even more trouble.
That's why combination treatment & rotation is best, so as to also address other forms of the spirochete. Doxy only addresses the spirochete form.
Sometimes, though, there are those who just get lucky with a short course of doxy. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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posted
- If there is no money for Rx or doctor, hopefully, there is money in the budget for high quality garden herbs and spices. They are a vital part of health: ----------
[Depending upon the geographic area] Potted plants of Mint and Basil are easy to grow, even on an apt. deck or secured on a window ledge.
Much cheaper than buying sprigs at the grocer. Thyme and Oregano grow easily, too.
For the life of me, I cannot get these plants to grow indoors, even in a sunny window. They seem to really need to be out on the deck. Some go all year long. Get gardening advice for the best species and care. Go for ORGANIC choices with soil, plants and plant food.
I've never needed any bug spray on garden herbs but, if you do, be very careful that it's food-safe and organic. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I know you say he has zero money so I resisted posting this before. Still, I'm drawn back to being sure you know about GSE.
IF there may be money that could come from the food budget for GSE, that might serve to help against the cyst issue.
If he buys regular toothpaste, he could save money from that and use the GSE DROPS as a toothpaste, instead. It's worked for me for years as the only "toothpaste" I use - along with a tiny bit of baking soda, dissolved on my brush with this.
Many have trouble tolerating Flagyl / Tindamax. GSE is used by several LLMDs and LL NDs.
Just be sure you buy a good brand, from a good source. Not all are the same.
sixgoofykids just posted on a related thread about GSE, saying: �I took Nutribiotic drops and could never take the full dose. My LLMD used it for cyst busting because I was so reactive to Tindamax.� (end quote)
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