posted
I had to call the doctors office to find out the results to tests I asked to run...
I haven't got the actual results in front of me but I was told that her yeast levels were very high indicating she needed to be on Diflucan for 1-2 months.
I know Diflucan can be harsh on the liver and she is taking three strong medications already for three years straight. (Tindamax-on weekends only, Azith, Minocyline).
Additionally when I went on Diflucan as an adult I was told to get off the Azithromycin because it is "known to prolong the QT and consequently sudden heart death. This combination should be avoided.
Her doctor has her patients taking Azith and Diflucan at the same time so I am very confused?
Can anyone shed some light on this and also please tell me (with her medications and length of treatment) if her liver will be ok? I am at such a loss...
Lastly, is there a strong enough natural product to do what Diflucan can do?
Thanks so much, I need to start her on something sooner rather than later since I have a feeling it's been bad for a while (no anti-yeast in three years)
Posts: 73 | From USA | Registered: Jan 2012
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Summer3
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35286
posted
I have had liver enzyme issues that are unexplained and occur both on and off meds. My doctor does not want me on diflucan. He prefers I use Nystatin instead. Is that an option for her?
How often does she have liver function tests done? When I've been on meds known to be tough on my liver, I've had to get tests every week.
I personally would worry about taking diflucan with zithromax because I have a history of heart disease in my family. I know I tend to get a lot more heart palpitations while I'm on zith. I would hesitate to take a combo that could increase that.
This vendor seems reputable....apparently there are others who sell it cheaper, but it is contaminated with heavy metals.
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
The side effect of QT prolongation is relatively rare with diflucan, and under the right conditions, it is safe to take it with other medications that may prolong QT.
Those that are at increased risk for problems with this side effect are those with heart problems, kidney problems, and anyone who is very low on potassium or magnesium, or becomes severely dehydrated from excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea.
If there is concern about elongated QT, an EKG is often done before starting therapy with a new drug.
Liver function tests should be performed regularly, as I suspect is already being done if she is on several antibiotics.
I understand your need to make sure the treatment being recommended is safe. I think you should talk to her doctor about your concerns. Hopefully that will either lay your fears to rest, or you can come up with an alternate plan.
Posts: 962 | From Charleston | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
Summer, they have never had her on Nystatin surprisingly. However, my doc has me on it. They only do tests every three months
Juggling thanks for the advise, now that I mention it I think I've heard about the CA before. Is it ok to take with abx? How often and how much do your daughters take?
Lyme too, by short periods of time do you mean 1-2 months?
I'm going to go look at that link, thanks Carol!!!
Maryland Mom they only do tests every three months. I talked to the office today. After many decades of treating patients with Azith & Diflucan combo, her doctor says do NOT take it since I sent literature and the fact that the pharmacist confirmed QT effects...this makes me wonder now and I'm a bit nervous about what else may be contra-indicated.
So now, she is only being treated with Mino and Tindamax (on weekends only). Won't that send the Lyme into a cystic form since there is nothing to kill the buggers when they are busted open?
Posts: 73 | From USA | Registered: Jan 2012
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posted
This is a great example of why everyone should consult with their pharmacist about meds prescribed to them, and this gets increasingly important if one is on multiple meds.
Just to clarify, is she now taking only Mino and Tindamax because the diflucan has been started?
Nystatin is often effective in nipping yeast infections at the early stages, but because its action is mostly local, it can only treat the GI tract as it passes through. Diflucan on the other hand is a systemic antifungal, capable of killing yeast throughout the body, and also capable of crossing the BBB. If your daughter's yeast is in fact severe, your doctor may have chosen diflucan over nystatin with this in mind.
Posts: 962 | From Charleston | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
Yes MM, she is only taking these two (and it's b/c we started the Diflucan). I was the one who flagged it (via MY doctor and pharmacist). Her doctor wanted her to take it with the Azith regardless and said she would be fine. It makes me question things a bit...
Should she be on an alternative med (similar to Azith now) I would think?
Posts: 73 | From USA | Registered: Jan 2012
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
quote:Originally posted by tickedoff2wice: So now, she is only being treated with Mino and Tindamax (on weekends only). Won't that send the Lyme into a cystic form since there is nothing to kill the buggers when they are busted open?
. When the white cells in your blood find Lyme bacteria, they will phage (eat) them.
The Lyme bacteria go into cyst mode as a protective device, when they sense an inhospitable environment. This is why pulsing antibiotics works...the cysts open when the antibiotic is gone, and then the white blood cells phage them.
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
One problem with replacing the zith with another antibiotic while she is on the diflucan is that many of the antibiotics structurally similar to zith carry the same risk of QT elongation.
Maybe once the yeast is under control and she is ready to stop diflucan, she could pulse Flagyl for a few days along with starting back up on the zith?
This way both the yeast and cysts are dealt with, but one at a time, in order to ensure no unnecessary risk of arrhythmias from QT elongation.
Posts: 962 | From Charleston | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
Thanks Carol. So what I ubderstand you to mean is that just because she isn't on the Azith the white cells will eat in it's place?
MM I didn't know that, thank you. I think the Tindimax does that but not really sure..it's really all quite confusing tonight, especially since my dx is herxing and it's pretty bad.
I tried greens with lemon water but she is still miserable.
Would you guys just stay on Mino and Tindimax only? Or ask to get off all abx's for the time she's on Diflucan? She has been on them for three years and it does make me a bit nervous...
Posts: 73 | From USA | Registered: Jan 2012
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