Prior to that, I had been on other abx for almost 3 yrs, and had switched to Ketek for about 3 weeks before I had to go off for yeast management, as per my LLMD.

My question is this: I am not feeling any better with the 2 weeks of Ketek now, is that long enough to have had any effect? As we all do, I knew to put myself back on Ketek without seeing my LLMD again. He's 2 and a half hrs. away, and it would have necessitated several days at a hotel to see him, due to the fatigue from driving alone, and lots of stress.

Should I just stay on the Ketek longer and wait it out? Should I make an appt. to see my LLMD now? I haven't called him because I just know he will say come on in.

Another Ketek question: My LLMD had told me you can't take Ketek and Diflucan. He said the Diflucan potentiates the Ketek, makes it stronger. I haven't been able to find any side effect info. to support this, and the pharmacy doesn't have it either. The yeast is coming back...is anyone taking both meds?

He had said if I was to take Diflucan, I should go down to 400 mg. Ketek. Anyone aware of this from their LLMD?

Has anyone had right sided pain while on Ketek, like gallbladder pain? I've had this before, don't know if it's the meds or not.

Ketek also appears to cause less yeast problems for many, but not all, of us.

For the first two weeks I was on it, there was a herx that expressed itself as a bad cold. Then the herx died down, and most of the remaining symptoms, which had previously been mixed up in an indefined soup, suddenly fit neatly into co-infection categories.

However, I also could not go off a cephalosporin(?) while taking ketek. I tried to drop omnicef and relapsed immediately.

I think you and Aniek are right about Ketek & Diflucan drug interactions.

Check the Flockhart 450 Chart at:

http://medicine.iupui.edu/flockhart/table.htm

For Ketek: Click on telithromycin - 1st page

Page 2 Chart: click on fluconazole

Anyway, they both are metabolized in the liver through enzyme CYP3A4.

And, yes you could spend all day at that unbelievable chart & referred articles.

I used drugdigest.org and no interaction was found.

You could try calling the pharmacist.

My mom's nurse made it a special point to tell her not to ask the Doctor about any medication side effects or interactions. Can you believe that?

(I'm guessing questions would slow him down and can't see as many patients??)

Mom was told to ask the pharmacist because he would know best. Doctors use to be the first person you'd ask. Things, they are a-changing.

Just my amateur search here.

Hope you get to feeling better soon.

Best Wishes,
Jan

I have not heard anything about the interaction with Diflucan.

From my experience, 2 weeks on Ketek is certainly not enough time to tell if it is beneficial. My treatment was somewhat stagnated. I started Ketek 800mg (taken as 2 400mg pills a day) in January. I am also, using Samento. This combination has helped me, but it has taken 1-2 months to say "Yes, overall it is working". Its difficult to tell, especially because herxes are significant, but after everything calms down, I feel I've gotten a definite impovement.

- Mike

BTW, I've had fasiculations too, and the Ketek has definitely helped, but it took from January until now. You really have to be patient. Nothing happens fast here.

I have given the generic (FLuconazole) to her several times since she has been on Ketek and didn't notice any problems.

We only take the diflucan 3 days a month tho - haven't taken it for longer periods of time w/ Ketek.

This time around he added Plaquenil to her protocol. We are going to start it this weekend. Hope to see some MORE progress!!

Sherry

My LLMD said that Ketek makes the liver metabolize everything more quickly. If diflucan is metabolized by the liver, it will hit your system much more harshly.

I was told to cut the dosage in half for all of the other drugs I needed to take that were metabolized by the liver. My Ketek dosage always stayed the same.

It would definitely be a good idea to at least inform your doc of what you are doing though.

Good Luck,

My LLMD had said to cut the Ketek dose in half while I am on Diflucan, if I should need to take it. He's also approved the Ketek for me now.

I am hardpressed to decrease the Ketek since I think it could help me, but on the other hand, at this point I probably need the Diflucan too due to the beginning of yeast symptoms.

Corgilla, how much Diflucan are you on with your full dose of Ketek?

I know that it's systemic yeast, have a very sore throat, exhaustion, sinuses hurt, nose stuffy, generalized pain worse. I am so wiped out that I am afraid to drive.

I am now wondering if it could be a herx on top of yeast, since I have been on Ketek for 3 weeks. At any rate, I am upset and disgusted.

My main concern still is the discrepant info. about Diflucan and Ketek, since some LLMDs warn against the combo and others don't.

I never took diflucan. I was taking clonazipam for sleep and when I took my usual 1/2 pill, I felt like I was hit by a truck.

LLMD told me about Ketek making the liver metabolize more quickly and told me to take 1/4 pill.

I point out that if diflucan is metabolized by the liver, then probably the same halving of usual dose is in order.

Best to you,

When taking higher doses of antibiotics, you have to take an adequate amt of top quality acidophilus!

The abx kills the good bacteria along with the bad bacteria in your system.
If the good bacteria is not replenished, then most people develop a systemic yeast infection which can affect most parts of the body.

If you don't have a copy of Dr B's
"Diagnostic Hints & Treatment Guidelines...",
I recommend you print one.
It's about 32 pages of excellent info. www.ilads.org/burrascano_1102.html

Page 24 - "Basic Daily Regimen",
Dr B recommends taking 2 capsules with each meal. Must be high quality & strong enough dose in each capsule.

Page 29 - Read "Managing Yeast Overgrowth"
Avoid sugar & starches as much as possible.
They contribute to the problem!

Drink plenty of water!!
I was told: add a squeeze of lemon juice to each glass. Helps the acid balance in the body.

If you're taking abx with meals, plan snacks to take two acidophilus, a total of 6/day.

You should always have 2 hours between the antibiotic & acidophilus - before & after.
If not, the abx will kill the acidophilus before it has a chance to help you.

I've had good results with planning mine so that I have acidophilus last in the evening.
I feel like it gives the good bacteria all night to help before hitting it with more abx in the morning.

Not recommending a specific product, but just giving info of what has worked well for me:

I've always used Kyo-Dophilus capsules from the health food store.
It has millions of live acidophilus & other good bacteria.
It doesn't have to be measured or refrigerated.

I get a month supply (180 caps) for $30.
It has worked great for me.

Important: He confirmed that the full dose of 800 mg./day Ketek cannot be taken with Diflucan.

The Ketek is made stronger by the Diflucan since both are metabolized in the liver. So, if we are on Diflucan, we need to be careful about any abx that is metabolized in the liver or we will be getting too much of an abx dose.

He recommended 400 mg. Ketek until I no longer need Diflucan, then the Ketek can be increased back up.

I hope this is helpful news.

Maybe I should call my doc........

robi