posted
Hi- just wondering how long does it take these antibiotics to work? I am now on Zinacef IV 3g 2x day for about a month now plus 200 mg oral Doxy and am still feeling bad. I had about a week and maybe a few days since Feb 9 ( when I got real sick) where I have felt somewhat normal and then it comes back -fatigue, constant dizziness, foggy pressure -head -weird- vision stuff. This week again has been worse. And now a new symptom- has anyone experienced loss of feeling/ tingling in fingers-almost like when your hands get real cold and start to defrost? I just don't feel like this is ever going to end -I am out on disability and need to get back to work-HOW LONG does it take to get back to normal? I can't even believe I have been sick for 2 months now--sorry- don't mean to whine, but this is really starting to get to me and make me wonder if I will ever feel better, or if this is how I will have to function forever. I just thought that once on the IV antibiotics it would get better. It's almost worse when you have that little bit of time of feeling "ok" and then it gets worse again. Is this normal- should it be taking this long? Thanks for all your help- this site has been so helpful for me. Natalie
Posts: 37 | From NJ | Registered: Feb 2006
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timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
It took 4 1/2 months of IV antibiotics for me to feel like I was in the land of the living again. I was also on 800 mg ketek.
I knew the antibiotics were doing something, for I had a herx at day 12 (my usual herx time) and I also felt awful at day 27 (which can happen after starting IV).
BUT, I had to hang in there a LONG TIME before I felt significant improvement.
Timaca
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
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mlkeen
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1260
posted
Perhaps you are having a herx-the reaction from toxins in dead bacteria. This can make you feel worse than before treatment. This is pretty normal.
Also, if you have co-infections they need to be addressed. For example, babs is a parasite and not killed by any kind of abx. Often co-infections require different abx than what's in the IV.
I had pins and needles and numbness in my fingers and toes, but mostly before abx. I don't remember it during IV, but did have it again on orals.
Posts: 1572 | From Pa | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
I hear you loud and clear! And then I read the posts on here where people have been on abx for years, and just starting to do things like walk again.
I drove home from the infusion center today having another pity party for myself. 3+ months of IV Rocephin + 1500 mg Flagyl daily, and I am feeling worse. I thought the same as you..I'd get better quicker.
I also have the tingling. I also have numbness in the face that seems to emerge everytime I ingest anything at all. My newest sx is the foot pain that's getting worse each day. I could go on and on.
My husband and I are opening a new restaurant, so we are self-employed. We have had no income for 4 months....I cannot go on disability...I can't work either. I feel ya, girl.
Ironically, I had scheduled to interview a manager today, and she called to cancel because of an emergency....she is a 2x cancer survivor and gave me a really good pep talk. It felt so good to talk to someone who understands.
Yes, this board is a blessing. I am thankful to all on here, it is my salvation, as I have no one else to talk to about these feelings and this disease.
I don't think there is an answer to your question. Everyone is different. I am trying to take it one day at a time. Baby steps, and keep being hopeful that one day this will all go away.
So hang in there, come back often for reassurance. I do.
Take Care, Jill
Posts: 203 | From Jacksonville, FLorida | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
THANKS EVERYONE for your support..I know I don't have it as bad as some, but it just sucks being sick for so long. There are some bumper stickers in my doctor's office that says LYME SUCKS...now I know why!
Posts: 37 | From NJ | Registered: Feb 2006
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
Hang in there..it takes a long time to get well. The longer you were untreated the longer it takes to get better in general.
Have you been tested for co-infecions?
It took me a solid year to feel any semblance of "better" so dont expect this to go away quickly. Read more about Lyme, and arm yourself with information!
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