posted
I have taken four, not sure if I ever did five. But you may find, like I did, that Rifampin will hit bugs that haven't been hit before. This drug targets Bartonella, which I believe is an under-recognized coinfection.
-------------------- Sick since at least age 6, now 67. Decades of misdiagnosis. Numerous arthritic, neuro, psych, vision, cardiac symptoms. Been treating for 7 years, incl 8 mos on IV. Bart was missed so now treating that. Posts: 765 | From nw ct | Registered: Sep 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
I was thinking it was a lot. Not sure what to do.
Maybe I'll call him tomorrow and make sure he wants me to do this. I'm on 4 now and doing OK with them, so maybe he just thinks I can handle Rifampin on top.
He also did a vaccine neutralization on me which I think helped a good bit!
Posts: 748 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2015
| IP: Logged |
GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Yes.
And sometimes more (7 etc) depending on the coinfection.
Are you on any herbal formulas as well? I found when I used abx and herbals together I made the most progress. (This was when I was getting better).
Rif always always needs to be taken with other abx, as otherwise bacteria become resistant to rif right quick.
But if you are uncomfortable with this, express your opinion to your doc.
Maybe a middle ground can be found that works for both of you. Pulsing regimen (never with rif though, once you start it you need to be on it until your doc and you feel the bart is gone), or even herbs that target your coinfections instead.
Lots of options for us.
Personally, I feel if a person is in any way uncomfortable with a treatment protocol, then the protocol will not work, regardless of what it is.
Hugs to you. It is hard to talk to docs sometimes, but try to keep in mind LL's are super open to patient feedback, and your LL cares about you and wants you to make progress, so your opinion and your concerns will be valued.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Whatever the number / the load, essential to have on board, preferably before beginning Rx treatment when possible:
LIVER & KIDNEY SUPPORT & and several HERXHEIMER support links, too. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Abxnomore
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18936
posted
Five meds are not at all uncommon. If you are tolerating four, he probably feels it's okay to add a fifth. If you are uncomfortable, then certainly put a call into him but rest assured it's not uncommon.
Posts: 5191 | From Lyme Zone | Registered: Jan 2009
| IP: Logged |
droid1226
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 34930
posted
If you're handling ok.....liver tests good? Should be good.
Abxnomore
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18936
posted
Indeed, one is assuming your doctor is monitoring liver function and other vitals. Not unusual at all.
Posts: 5191 | From Lyme Zone | Registered: Jan 2009
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- Tim Posts: 1111 | From Glastonbury, CT | Registered: Apr 2010
| IP: Logged |
lymeboy
Unregistered
posted
5 is normal for GOOD aggressive Lyme tx. I was up to 8 at one time. This is after being treated too lightly by other LLMDS, which creates resistance and makes everything worse.
The heavy protocol put me around a major corner. I could have gone longer but I ran out of money. Now I use home remedies and exercise and a very strict diet. I can work overtime and ride my motorcycle again. I attribute this to the very heavy abx push I did with a competent LLMD. If I had more $, I'd opt for a Rifampin IV along with a few complimentary abx to treat BArt. I believe Bart and Proto are keeping me from remission.
It might not seem right, maybe too risky. We're not treating a cold or flu here. Lyme & coinfections are as robust as they come. The heavy protocols are what helps Lyme patients.
You also need good probiotics and supplements. The ABX are killing, you need to replenish your body with the good stuff. A good LLMD will tell you exactly what supps you need.
One final note. Rifampin sucks and it doesn't mix well with other drugs. Don't mix it with malarone, you'll weaken the malarone and create resistance. There are other drugs to treat Bart, but they are all risky. Speak to LLMD about this. RIfampin was a tough drug for me. BAd reactions that didn't seem like herxes, but I added it to an already aggressive protocol.
My doc has me doubling the malarone, I'm guessing because rifampin lowers its effectiveness so you need more.
Diet is great, taking 200 billion good probiotics a day along with florastor, doc says to prevent c. Diff. Also taking milk thistle and dandelion for the liver.
My last liver test was good, but I had an abdominal ultrasound that showed something and they recommend further testing. Not sure what they saw, don't see the doc until next Monday about that.
My liver hurts, so it concerns me. I showed my doc where I was hurting and he said its my liver. Just concerned about that.
Also, had bad diarrhea yesterday, but it was a few hours after I took my first nystatin. Hoping it was just a yeast die-off, but I'm worried about that liver. Hoping my liver wasn't the cause of the diarrhea.
Posts: 748 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2015
| IP: Logged |
posted
I think it's great your doctor is supporting you in this way and treating so aggressively, as long as the doc is willing to back down if it gets too hard to take.
Posts: 13 | From CT | Registered: Apr 2015
| 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