posted
Hi everyone, It's been a while since I posted on this site but I was curious about something and do not currently have an LLMD (I did have one, apparently one of the best in the world, but she dropped me Dec 2015 after I failed treatment).
Anyway, I recently tested positive for tuberculosis. I had the blood test not the test where they put the needle under your skin. When I asked if it was a false positive the nurse said no because it was the blood test, so they saw the infection in the blood. It is latent TB so I'm not actively ill or contagious. I am currently waiting on the chest xray but I'm not symptomatic so I'm sure it will come back clear.
So, my question is whether this could have affected my past treatment. I did 6 months IV abx (Doxy, Invanz, Flagyl, Zithro) and saw no improvement. Could TB be considered a coinfection? Can it affect treatment outcomes? Has anyone else in here had this happen as well? Am I taking a risk by not treating the TB? They offered me treatment but seeing as how I'm not doing well and antibiotics make me feel pretty sick I'm guessing it may do more harm than good.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
-------------------- I have severe light sensitivity so please be patient as I have difficulty using a computer. Posts: 28 | From Los Angeles | Registered: Dec 2015
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posted
The only thing I know about this is what recently happened to my cousin .. who also had Lyme.
She was told that she has latent TB. They treated her with a drug that nearly killed her liver. It scared the life out of her and she decided to NOT TREAT.
Personally, I would have decided the same thing myself without going through the proposed treatment. I'm the same as you .. I do not do well on antibiotics anymore.
I'm wondering if they have new tests now because it wasn't long ago that someone else came here asking the same question.
I don't see a lot of value in treating something that MIGHT (or might NOT) come back on you.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Brussels
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13480
posted
If you have no symptoms, I wouldnt treat it with drugs either. But maybe, natural treaments?
I developed joint TB during lyme, and mine was severe. I was very ill.
My joints opened, I had fever, I thought TB was going to kill me, as nothing I tried worked. Not even antibiotics.
In the end, it turned out that it was a strain developed from a vaccine I had in my childhood and the only thing that stopped its progression was a BCG vaccine nosode.
I carried that strain my whole life, it never caused me any problem, it was lyme that activated the strain.
I don´t think it is a lyme coinfection, it is just that a depressed immune system may allow opportunistic infections to take charge.
Posts: 6200 | From Brussels | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
Thank you so much for your responses. I know it's been a while but my illness keeps me off of the computer. I figured treatment was probably not a good idea given my poor response in the past. I just hope my immune system doesn't give out on me anytime soon.
-------------------- I have severe light sensitivity so please be patient as I have difficulty using a computer. Posts: 28 | From Los Angeles | Registered: Dec 2015
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posted
Try Colostrum or Transfer Factor .. Google it.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I suggest you do everything possible to strengthen your immune system. For example, the Burrascano weightlifting program.
It is one continuous hour of weightlifting every other day. You use light weights and do many repetitions. You do a full body workout each time--arms, chest, abs, back, butt, and legs.
Other things to strengthen it are eating raw garlic and getting proper nutrition (eat a good diet) and taking the supplements that Burrascano recommends (magnesium, vitamin D, etc.)
Also, don't do anything that weakens the immune system. For example: no smoking, no alcohol, no steroids or immune suppressing drugs, no skipping sleep, etc.
Do everything in your power to strengthen your immune system. You will be amazed at how well the weightlifting works to do this. Burrascano says it is essential and my lyme doc told me at my first appointment that it is essential.
Read about it and why it works starting on page 31 of the Burrascano Guidelines.
Work up to the full one hour if you cannot do one hour at the start. Don't give up. Persevere and you will have good results doing this kind of exercise.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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