posted
I was doing really well on the doxy (200mg) for the first month... a lot of my symptoms improved greatly.
But then a week or two ago, my symptoms returned with a vengeance.
So I went to my doctor... and asked if I could take a higher dose of doxycycline.
She said she'd rather me switch antibiotics than raise my dose. So she said we'd try Ceftin for a month at 1000mg and if I'm still not seeing any progress, then we'd talk about adding another or upping the dose at that time.
She told me that Ceftin was less likely to drive the bacteria into cystic form than doxy was.
She thinks I only felt better b/c it went into cystic form and that my return of symptoms was them coming OUT of cystic form - and possibly not responding to the doxy anymore. (hence the change in antibiotic rather than upping the dose).
I'm on the hunt for a LLMD, and am grateful that I'm being treated in the meantime.
So - I've never taken ceftin before. I'm afraid of herx or not feeling well, so I am not sure if I should just wait until after Thanksgiving to start or if I should start right away.
(I'm traveling alone with my son for Thanksgiving, I don't want to be driving that far in bad weather feeling worse than I already am).
Thanks for all the support!
xoxo
Posts: 173 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Oct 2013
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lax mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38743
posted
I've never taken Ceftin (allergic), but it sounds like you have a Dr who is willing to learn. I give her credit.
My first day of treatment was on Thanksgiving day. I was soooo sick I missed out on those memories with my family. I don't recommend starting on a holiday. Can you wait til after Thanksgiving? or do you need relief ASAP?
posted
Lax - thank you!! I DO love my doctor - she is who diagnosed me and I think she is treating me the best way that she can given the fact that she's part of a very conservative practice.
I agree and I think you're right - I am going to wait until after the holiday to switch. I feel crummy, but not as crummy as I did before treatment, so I will stay the course through the weekend and start Monday morning!
Posts: 173 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Oct 2013
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posted
I have an LLMD and he prescribed Ceftin 2nd after Doxy too. I saw great improvement with it and no side effects.
Posts: 96 | From Missouri | Registered: Oct 2010
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CherylSue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13077
posted
Ceftin or the generic cefuroxime axetel is a great drug, even better than doxy. I had fewer reactions to it than either doxy or zith or biaxin.
Your doctor sounds like she is on the right track! Stay with the ceftin and you will be feeling much better within 6 months.
You do have to treat bart and babs with other drugs, but Ceftin is a good Lyme drug.
Good luck.
Posts: 1954 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
Thanks so much everyone! That's all very encouraging!
Cheryl, I never tested positive for babs or bart - so if I move forward with the ceftin and treat the lyme only - are there chances I would eventually test positive for babs or bart as my immune system heals? (assuming I have either of them, I am guessing based on symptoms).
Also, do you guys recommend adding grapefruit seed extract or trying the ceftin alone? (I would try the ceftin alone for a while anyway b/c I can't order any more supplements for a while - mortgage coming due next week LOL). I need to re-order my probiotics first!
Posts: 173 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Oct 2013
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Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
Ceftin is an easy one. I don't notice anything from it except maybe feeling a bit sleepy sometimes. It was what my doc tried last year after doxy.
Now I'm on a combo of Ceftin and Doxy.
This is what got rid of my on-going dizzy, vertigo sensation that I even felt while laying down.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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Kudzuslipper
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31915
posted
I was on ceftin for the longest of any abx. I felt my best and my worst on it. And it mixes well with other abx.
I am loving hearing about your pcp. I truly feel they are going to be the ones to turn this epidemic around as first responders so to speak. I think you should still consult an llmd, but no doctor in the world will care for you and know you better than your pcp. And it sounds like you have a good one.
Posts: 1728 | From USA | Registered: May 2011
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Find a real LLMD who will use combination abxs.
Doxy & Ceftin go well together, along with flagyl pulsed.
Doxy & Ceftin both have effects on Bart as well as Lyme.
Many people here take 3, 4, and sometimes 5 abxs at a time. Depending on the severity of your symptoms/case.. you would need to explore a Doc willing to put you on multiple abxs.
Starting and stopping and low doses, etc can get you in trouble in the long run.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
Id stop for the hoiday and start when you get back home It will givecysts more time to comr out andyou wont deal with diarhea on the road
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
I herxed like crazy from doxy but never from ceftin. I find it mild and easy to take. I've
been on it for about 5 weeks along with rifampin for bart and I pulse flagyl about twice a week. I
never felt bad on ceftin but I must admit I feel like I plateaued. I am in stable condition on
these abx combos but I don't feel a great improvement. AS far as taking the ceftin I would
say go for it asap but if it were the reverse and you were switching ceftin for doxy I would hold off.
(advice given based on personal experience. I am defiantly not a doctor.)
Hope you have a good Thanksgiving
-------------------- T. Brown
CDC Lyme Positive Co infections? Who knows... Bands 18+ 30+39+41+45+58+66+ IGG 23+39+41+IGM Posts: 351 | From Boston MA | Registered: Oct 2013
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posted
Thanks so much for all the support. I guess all the one step forwards, two steps backs are still progress in the right direction eventually! :-)
I think I'm in a step forward spot after two steps back! :-)
Posts: 173 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Oct 2013
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