posted
Hi. I started a second round of antibiotics earlier this week. How long do abx commonly take to work on Lyme? I am feeling better today and my finger joints are much improved. Could it be the abx? Placebo effect? (Whatever it is, I'll take it....) Carol
Posts: 56 | From southeastern PA | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
You have asked the question that we all wish we knew the answer to. I am the sickest in my family and have been on ABX for a year and a half. My lyme tests have always been the weakest. I think only one was ever positive. Most recent one was totally negative. Not sure how that happens.
My husbands lyme test had lots and lots of positives. He began treatment in Sept. 05 and will probably be taken off ABX next month. He is responding very well to ABX.
We just took our son off ABX after being on them for not quite a year and a half. He is also doing well but I'm watiching carefully for returning symptoms. BEfore treatment he seemed to be a normal boy with only minor issues that were getting worse but were so easily explained away by his pediatrician. His lyme test was positive but not with as many positives as his fathers.
I've read that Dr. Bu..... has stated the sickest people are sometimes negative. With my own personal experience I have found his words to be true.
I know an entire family of 5 that have been on ABX for almost 3 years and they are all still sick. I often wonder if they keep getting reinfected.
If you belong to the school of thought that says lyme is sexually transmitted and your spouse/partner is not being treated then you may be reinfecting yourself on a regular basis.
The answer to your question is frustrating because I haven't found anyone yet who actually has that answer. Well at least anyone that is truly lyme literate. Some of the ignorant docs out there will treat you and tell you your cured after only two weeks of ABX. Don't believe it. Thank god I didn't or my son would be a very very sick child by now.
Posts: 547 | From Maryland | Registered: Mar 2005
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
I had so many symptoms when I first started taking abx just over a year ago. In my case, some things got markedly worse before they began to improve. That was on ceftin.
After a few months, though, several of the symptoms did begin to dissipate. As time went on, some disappeared entirely.
About 6 months into my ceftin regimen, I was put on a second antibiotic, rifampin, to deal with bartonella. Within about 6 weeks, I began to notice that I no longer had the symptoms that prompted my taking that drug.
I'm still on both abx and have gotten much better but still have a way to go.
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Each time I switch antibiotics I start to feel better within a few days. Then BAM, around the 30 day mark I get much worse for a week.
My LLMD says it is not uncommon to see no improvement until the 90 day mark. He advises patience! hatsnscarfs
Posts: 956 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2004
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
Hi Carol,
Congratulations. I started noticing an improvement within the first 7 to 10 days (can't quite remember) so I don't think you're having a placebo effect. And I was deathly ill and deteriorating rapidly at the time.
That being said, it's been a total rollercoaster ride of improvements, backsliding and plateaus in my two years of treatment and I have a long ways to go.
But take those improvements! They are so motivating! Just don't panic if there are some ups and downs, I think many of us go through them, especially those of us with coinfections.
Take care, 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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