posted
Have any of you been on Zithromax in combination with Bicillin or a similar penicillin? If so, how was your head while on it?
I have some very intense technical work to get done over the next few weeks, it is critical that I get it done and it works well.
I need to find something that will let me do it while not letting the keets regain any ground either.
Right now I am on just 500mg Zithromax. I think it is a good rotation and is doing some good, but it is messing with my head a little too much.
I was thinking of dropping the Zith back to 250 and adding a modest amount of Bicillin for awhile... until this work is done anyway. When I was on straight Bicillin it was very stabilizing and the head symptoms just kind of settled down. It had few side effects.
They would seem complementary to each other... Zithromax concentrates intracellular, while PCN deals with free swimming forms.
I am looking for ideas to run by our LLMD friday... She probably has some to run by me as well.
Anyone have any experience with that combo?
[This message has been edited by James H (edited 14 February 2005).]
Posts: 714 | From San Antonio TX | Registered: Oct 2004
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minoucat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5175
posted
I took penicillin and zith/mepron at the same time; the combo was fine as far as physical tolerance for the meds, but I had a hard time for the first 5 months on the babs (zith/mepron) tx because, I presume, of dieoff. After I got over that, no worries on that combo.
When I finished that I was on bicillin, omnicef -- had a herx after the first 10 days, then was fine (very fatigued, but that's not new). Then added ketek (new generation macrolide). Again, herxed after 10 days, not horribly, but with some pain in the arms and a stiff neck. Then was OK again.
Brainfog wasn't awful, but I'm glad I didn't have to do anything brainy. Mostly was very tired, somewhat irritable, and couldn't concentrate for long periods. Again, nothing new....
The good news is that I'm getting better day by day now -- more active, more focused. Still a looooong way from what I'd like, but an even longer way from where I was. The fatigue is still my biggest problem. Detox is helping with that.
troutscout
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3121
posted
I will be taking bicillin with mepron and zithro starting Friday...ending IV Primaxin/flagyl right now.
Starting Mepron and Zithromax in the AM. Bicillin on Friday. (Adding flagyl later)
Dr C in MO said...as long as I can handle the die off...go for it.
Trout
PS I understand the concern...my home based business is exploding...and I just started taking massage therapy classes.
------------------ Now is the time in your life to find the "tiger" within. Let the claws be bared, and Lyme BEWARE!!! Iowa Lyme Disease Assoc. www.ildf.info
Posts: 5262 | From North East Iowa | Registered: Sep 2002
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beachcomber
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5320
posted
James:
I do highly technical work and am on the Bicillin/Mepron/Zith combo. I also had a deadline when I added the Zith in. I don't handle orals well - more of a gastro problem for me.
I mentioned to my MD that I was having a hard time with the Zith and my concentration at first. He said to feel free to cut back or even take a short holiday if needed. So, I did. I cut back to 125 BID and then worked back up to 500/day.
The worst part of it was intestinal problems and fatigue at the lower dose.
David95928
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3521
posted
My first antibiotic for Lyme was Zithromax and the herx was terrible. However, I surely had a really high bacterial load. It seemed like the herx settled down after a couple of weeks. So we added Bicillin and it all started again. My guesss is that if you have been on antibiotics a while and tolerated Bicillin well, adding low-dose Zithromax might not cause to much of an exacerbation of symptoms. David
Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
James, Ask her for the Piracetem and Hydergine- it may take a few days to kick in but you won't feel so light-headed in the long run. Good Luck!
Posts: 247 | From san antonio,tx | Registered: Oct 2004
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Piracetam and Hydergine are at the top of my list. In fact I've already sourced the Piracetam and ordered some (non prescription) so I won't have to wait. The Hydergine should be available at a pharmacy.
She also brought up the low body temp thing as a source of symptoms, and correcting with thyroid if that is the problem. I started recording temps for a couple of days, then came down with the flu with a fever of 100 - 102. So the flu messed that up, but I think the average temp is 97.5. We'll see if she does anything with that. Its a little low, but not real low.
David,
It is the other way around now. I am on straight Zith, and considering cutting it back to 250 and adding back a modest amount of Bicillin in its place. I never had really bad herxes from Bicillin. After awhile it seemed to have kind of a stabilizing effect, with symptoms gradually diminishing.
The 500mg Zith is really not messing with me too bad, but I REALLY, REALLY need to be firing on all 8 cylinders for a month or so. 6 or 7 cylinders won't do.
What I was really fishing for were comments indicating if there were any unexpected problems using the two together.
From your comments it would seem they are fine together.
Thanks!
Posts: 714 | From San Antonio TX | Registered: Oct 2004
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