LymeNet Flash: do i need IV?

LymeNet on Facebook

LymeNet on Twitter

Follow @LymeDiseaseNet

The Lyme Disease Network receives a commission from Amazon.com for each purchase originating from this site.

When purchasing from Amazon.com, please
click here first.

Thank you.

Dedicated to the Bachmann Family

LymeNet needs your help:
LymeNet 2020 fund drive

The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations.

»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » do i need IV?

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: do i need IV?

doshey
Member
Member # 46853

posted

Hi everyone I'm new with Lyme. I have been diagnosed with Lyme and Mycoplasma. I am taking azythromicen and omnicef. My dr said that I possibly can use IV treatment if I want. But she can't do it and I will need to find another Dr.

Do I need IV to get rid of Lyme? What are the advantages of it or just staying on oral antibiotics? Any info is appreciated.

Posts: 71 | From NYC | Registered: Oct 2015 | IP: Logged |

poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355

posted

How long have you had it?

Some people do OK on pills. Others need IV. You can take pills until you figure out which group you are in.

Pills easier to do, can mess up your GI tract and you need to fight yeast....low carb diet, probiotics, etc.

IV requires a line, which has some risks and can restrict some of your activities. There are different kinds of lines and associated pros and cons. Might need home health nurse help. Insurance probably won't pay for as much as you might need.

A third alternative is shots. Rocephin and bicillin can be done this way. But repeated shots can have a downside and probably will need help from someone.

Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged |

doshey
Member
Member # 46853

posted

I finally got diagnosed early September. Unfortunately I didn't realize that the doctor was prescribing a very low dose of Amoxicillin that really wont fight Lyme.

I switched around 6 weeks ago to a good doctor that put me on 2 antibiotics and I think knows more. But she said she thinks IV might help me but she can't do it. Should I keep looking till I find one that can give me IV?

Posts: 71 | From NYC | Registered: Oct 2015 | IP: Logged |

poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355

posted

Yes, but that does not tell us how long you had it before the diagnosis. Long untreated means long treatment now.

If it were me, I would see what the pills could do before going to IV. Going to cost a lot more, for one thing, in addition to the other down sides mentioned above.

Also, we don't know how bad off you are. There is something to be said for pills first to knock down the load before going to IV, which might produce an intolerable herxheimer reaction otherwise.

Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged |

doshey
Member
Member # 46853

posted

I definitely got symptoms this past February from the Lyme. I believe I got the tick bite the summer before (August 2014). I do wonder if I had it from even before that but I am not sure.

Posts: 71 | From NYC | Registered: Oct 2015 | IP: Logged |

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

I would try the pills first also. I got well with oral abx.

You might need to keep searching for a real LLMD .. one who can actually prescribe IV!

--------------------
--Lymetutu--
Opinions, not medical advice!

Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

doshey
Member
Member # 46853

posted

I do have an apt with Dr. R in NYC (formally from CT) but it is in February. Maybe ill just hold out til then

Posts: 71 | From NYC | Registered: Oct 2015 | IP: Logged |

Printer-friendly view of this topic

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, NJ 08534 USA
http://www.lymenet.org/