I started on an ABX combo over a couple of months ago. Took it for 2 weeks then broke out in a severe case of Hives-which took me 3 1/2 weeks to get over. And stopped the ABX immediately. Since then, I have been too scared to start the ABX up again. BUT, now I think I'm ready again. Thinking of starting back on Monday. But, I wonder if maybe my dosage might be too high? They are:
Amoxil- 2 capsules 2x/day (total of 4 at 500mg each-so, 2000mg/day total)
My friend is on ABX for a bad Horsefly bite/sting and she is only taking 150mg/day of Amoxil. I know Lyme needs a stronger dose, but 2000mg seems scarey to me. Am I worried over nothing? Thanks!!
Posts: 28 | From NC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
Hives can be a sign of an allergic reaction. They can sometimes be a herx. It is really important to discuss this with your Lyme doctor before risking going back on the same medications.
If you look on the package insert for many antibiotics, it often says that hives can be a sign of an allergic reaction and to stop or call your doctor immediately. You did the right thing to stop, but what is your LLMD saying about this?
I've been in your same shoes regarding getting hives from a medication and not knowing what it means.
I can't comment about the doses you are on because I have not been on either of those antibiotics. However as you say, Lyme doses are often higher and longer than when antibiotics are used for other infections. So it's really apples and oranges.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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I went to my PCP for the hives. He told me to stop the ABX and follow up w/my LLNP. My PCP thought it was an allergic reaction or possibly a herx-he wasnt sure, no real way to tell, I guess.
My LLNP told me to start back on the ABX as soon as the hives were gone, but to start the Amoxil only for one week then add the other after that. I've just been scared to start back. 3 1/2 weeks of hives was absolutely miserable!!! YUCK!!
I wonder if my immune system has weakened since it took so long to get over the hives AND it took me over a week to get over a 24 hour stomach flu. My coworker got the stomach flu on the same day I did and she was over hers in 24 hours. Like I said, mine took over a week. BUT, I did lose 7 lbs thanks to that horrid week!
Guess I just gotta brace myself and be ready for another set of hives, just in case!!
OH, BTW, This is probably a really stupid question, but I'm new to understanding Lyme and it's treatments, so I'll use that as my excuse (haha), BUT, WHAT ARE PROBIOTICS??? I see this mentioned all over the boards. Just curious...
Thanks again!! -Tiffany
Posts: 28 | From NC | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
Probiotics? I do hope you are taking tons of them....that would be acidophilus. Got any of that??
One of my favorite places to order them are at www.vitacost.com They have all the really good brands like PB8, Primal Defense, and Jarrow.
If you can afford it, get some Theralac at www.theralac.com It's great and you don't have to take as many of them...so really it's more cost effective than the others.
I hope your dr told you to stop the abx the minute anything like hives shows up again....!?
You also need to follow a low carb, sugar-free, yeast free diet. You DON'T WANT a bad case of yeast on top of everything else!
"Successful control and elminiation of a Candida Albicans overgrowth requires a multifaceted program as described below. Failure to follow ALL the steps simultaneously will result in slow progress and will lengthen healing time significantly. The program should be tailored to the individual and must balance the need to eliminate the Candida and deprive it of its food source while insuring proper nutrition for the individual."
Five Steps to Candida Elimination:
1. You must starve it into submission by eliminating its food source.
2. You must kill it with anti-fungal herbs and supplements. [e.g....garlic, onion, caprylic acid, Pau D'Arco capsules or tea, clove, grapefruit seed extract, olive leaf extract, oil of oregano, tea tree oil, Echinacea, Goldenseal, black walnut, MSM, barberry root, uva ursi, neem leaf, biotin]
3. You must reestablish the proper balance and quantity of probiotic bacteria in the digestive tract. [...multi-strain lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus capsules with FOS should be taken between meals to maximize repopulation of the digestive tract by beneficial bacteria.]
4. You must reestablish proper levels of all B vitamins (yeast free) and utilize other immune enhancing supplements to boost immune system function. [e.g ... B complex vitamins (yeast free), biotin, beta 1-3 glucan, colostrum, maitake mushroom, vitamins A, C, E, zinc and selenium]
5. You must cleanse and heal the digestive tract to promote proper elimination of toxins and Candida and assimilation of nutrients. [e.g...chlorophyll, MSM, omega 3 fatty acids found in flax seed and salmon oils, GLA found in borage, evening primrose and black currant oils. Pantothenic acid, digestive enzymes between meals]
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547
posted
Tiffany the above post from Lymetoo is some if the MOST IMPORTANT info you will get in regards to treating lyme. Do not take diet/yeast lightly!!!
Be sure to take probiotics and lots of them. High quality ........ no junk ...... this is very important!! The anti-yeast , no sugar, low carb is also extremely important to follow.
Regarding your dose question. I have taken far higher doss of Amoxicillin for long periods of time.I took the same dose of Mino for close to a year. These were not the only 2 meds I was on at the time.
If you are getting hives from the meds you really have to consult with the prescribing doc. They would want you to call in a situation like this.
You may be allergic and that can get real serious real fast. Do you have an epi-pen on hand?
Call the doc. robi
-------------------- Now, since I put reality on the back burner, my days are jam-packed and fun-filled. ..........lily tomlin as 'trudy' Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted
Thanks, Lymetoo and Robi, for all of the info. I really appreciate that. I'm going to check out the links you provided in a few minutes. I always thought I had yeast overgrowth and have mentioned it several times to both my PCP and my LLNP, but, they had no comments about it. (Strange, huh?)
I do have Acidophilus (Thanks, now I know this is a Probiotic) but no one ever told me to take it while on the ABX, except my sister (who has Lyme) and now you. So, thanks for that info!!
I also do take garlic pills from time to time, since they help so much with bloating. Maybe I should start taking them again. Same goes for my B12 I have. Havent taken that in awhile either.
Got the ok from my LLNP to start back on the ABX. She just said to let her know if any problems again.
I feel better now knowing that my dosage amounts seem typical for Lyme treatment. So, thanks for the comments about that.
I will start the low-carb diet again-Atkins was the only diet I have ever been able to lose weight on, so I guess that should tell me something, huh?
Gonna check out the links now, thanks again!!!!
-Tiff
Posts: 28 | From NC | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
Garlic helps kill yeast, so that is GOOD!! Be sure to take your GOOD QUALITY acidophilus at least 2 hours away from the abx. I often take mine at bedtime.
a FEW LLMD's don't tell their patients about the no sugar diet....strange, but true!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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northstar
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7911
posted
Tiff posted: "I always thought I had yeast overgrowth and have mentioned it several times to both my PCP and my LLNP, but, they had no comments about it. (Strange, huh?)" --------- I had the same experience....and learned everything else from this site. ======================================= "I do have Acidophilus (Thanks, now I know this is a Probiotic) but no one ever told me to take it while on the ABX, except my sister (who has Lyme) and now you. So, thanks for that info!! I also do take garlic pills from time to time, since they help so much with bloating. "
I heard from an integrative llmd, later in my journeys, that the acidophilus is for stomach, and bifidus is for intestines,.....but may be it was large+small? Great memory, but anyway, you need both! (enteric coated, or use a bifidus enema).
Also, I ran across this comment about synergistic action of probiotics and foods:
Lactobacillus casei, Saccharomyces boulardii or other probiotics may increase the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus. In theory, Lactobacillus acidophilus may be more effective if taken with foods such as bananas, asparagus and garlic. These foods are believed to provide nutrients that increase the effectiveness of Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS, also called "prebiotics") are nondigestible sugar chains that are nutrients for lactobacilli. Some experts believe that FOS, taken by mouth at a dose of 2,000 to 3,000 milligrams, may help the growth of lactobacilli. Natural food sources of FOS include bananas, Jerusalem artichokes, onions, asparagus, and garlic.
------ Northstar
Posts: 1331 | From hither and yonder | Registered: Sep 2005
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BUT, I did lose 7 lbs thanks to that horrid week! ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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