posted
I know this sounds silly but I'm afraid to start my anti-biotic. I traveled over 1,000 miles to get to this doctor that is lyme literate a month ago but I can't make myself start. I have so many "What ifs...."
Before I found out I had Lyme I had C-diff 4 times in a year! I was on a lot of anti-biotics due to sinus infections.
I'm so afraid of getting c-diff again or that the anti-biotics won't help me but at the same time I need help. I can't keep living like this anymore. I need to just start - but I can't and I don't understand why I just can't make myself do it.
I also have Ulserative Colitis so my stomach is very sensitive to a lot of foods and I have a lot of pain. I don't feel like I can handle getting c-diff too.
Has anyone else gone through this? Or have I just lost it? Sandy
Posts: 56 | From Washington State | Registered: Feb 2006
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tdtid
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10276
posted
Sandy,
I can DEFINITELY relate. I started my antibiotics two weeks ago today. My anxiety of doing this was through the roof.
During my five years of undiagnosed, they were throwing all sorts of prescriptions at me to see if anything would help and sadly, I was having allergies or complications from more than half.
Some even had me in the hospital from allergies, so I got to the point I was afraid of any medicine.
It was all these what if's. I think the worst part is being afraid of the "unknown".
I asked my LLMD what kind of herx I would have, when would it start, how long would it last and yet he couldn't answer any of these questions because no two people are alike.
But to me, I just wanted to KNOW what to expect. Anxiety runs rampant with this illness and anything new and unknown can really take a grip on you.
Best I can tell you is to do what I did. Take the antibiotic, get on these boards and start asking questions.
It would help reassure me if I was saying something was going on and is this normal. Just to hear that others have been through it gave a sense of peace.
Then anytime you have any questions that are the type that you don't want to bother the LLMD but yet you wish someone would explain something, come back here and ask.
It honestly does help with the anxiety when you have so many warm people holding your hand through the process.
Please let us know how you do and how things work out. What abx will you be taking? Sending you calmness and good treatment.
Cathy
-------------------- "To Dream The Impossible Dream" Man of La Mancha Posts: 2638 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
I have been on ABX a year and am just now able to tolerate the " recommended dose " for lyme. I have had strong herx reactions at a third of the dose I was supposed to be on.
I personally think most of us have to start out slow , or we can not tolerate the die off of toxins and its multi effects. What is the point of making yourself crazy with pain or despair ? Slow and steady progress is better than jumping off a bridge.
If you look under general support , you can find success stories .
You might also want to read Stephen Buhner's book about chronic lyme and herbs. There are folks here who did not progress well on ABX , yet were able to make great strides with herbs like andrographis and artimisinin.
I would not push the ABX dose too high with the holidays coming up.
Good luck. Remember, lots of folks eventually feel much bettter . Some totally get well.
You might consider anxiety meds if the tension is too stressing .
trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
Sandy, I understand your fears and concerns and they are completely normal. This is a hard thing to do and you know you've had problems in the past. Even more reason to be fearful and careful.
You, for sure, have not lost it.
I have no medical background. I'm just throwing this out as a thought... Could you test the waters first with a tiny dose of the antibiotic and see how it goes?
Good luck, I hope you do fine on them. BTW, what antibiotic is it? Just curious.
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
There are others on this board who've had or have C.Diff. so they will be the ones who can give you some excellent advice.
I will say that one of my Lyme pals in my city had C. Diff. prior to Lyme, and has been able to be on antibiotics successfully.
She was the one who told me about saccharomyces boulardii, a beneficial yeast supplement that helps prevent C. Diff. There are no guarantees of course, but there are even some mainstream articles indicating it can be helpful.
The brand I use is Florastor. I believe Jarrow also makes it.
I, like you, have a history of allergic reactions to medications and things of all kinds. I have to start out at a fraction of the dose of any antibiotic of supplement and ramp up slowly.
My Lyme doctor knows this about me and that's just the way it has to be. It's baby steps with me.
On the other hand, I have spent more time worrying about medication reactions and herxes that never happened. I use to insist on getting muscle-tested by a naturopath before I'd start anything new. Many people do that, but I had to stop seeing that practitioner. But I've done OK even without muscle-testing.
As others have said, there are non-antibiotic options out there if you ever feel the need to take a break from antibiotics: herbs, hyperbaric oxygen, Rife or KMT machines, Vitamin C/Oral Salt, some are considered very alternative but I know others who have done well on some of these protocols.
Have you ever tried a gluten-free diet? I don't know if it helps with Ulcerative Colitis, but I went gluten-free prior to contracting Lyme, and I'm glad I did. Many people with Lyme do develop a sensitivity to gluten.
And, yes, anti-anxiety or other medications or herbs are common to help us get through the stress of all this!
Good luck, 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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posted
The Ani-biotic that I'm supposed to start is Zithromax. I feel better knowing that others have also strugled with this. I forgot about anxity going along with Lyme.
I feel better about starting slow with my anti-biotic and working my way up gradually. I'm still afraid but I think I can do it.
Thank you for all your support!!!!! I don't know what I would do without this message board!!!!!!!!!j Sandy
Posts: 56 | From Washington State | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
I'm going to look into buying the book and getting the stuff they may help prevent c-diff.j Thanks again Sandy
Posts: 56 | From Washington State | Registered: Feb 2006
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trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
Ok, still not a doctor or anything medical but Zithromax has a very long half life, like 3 days.
You know how on those Z-packs they say 5 days(6 pills) of meds last 10 days in your system?
So if your were to start off slow and also take your time raising it...
You'd want to talk to the doctor about it. But for now, try a little bit and see how it goes.
This above is only my opinion based on my weirder than most, reactions to... um... everything.
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Zithromax was the easiest antibiotic I have taken. I wouldn't worry. I am supposed to start tindamax and I'm having the same problem-scared spitless.
This is my plan. I am going to have liquid bendryl and tablet benadryl ready. I am going to have the epipen ready too. And the telephone to call in case of emergency. I am going to take a quarter of a tablet and see what happens in 24 hours. If it goes OK then I am going to increase it up to half a tablet the next day. I did this with mepron and bicillin and it went OK.
Posts: 293 | From healdsburg, ca , sonoma | Registered: Feb 2005
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
Sandy, I know the feeling -- I was afraid to start taking abx too. But the gain in my health and well-being from abx, after years of bad lyme symptoms, has been so worth it. I hope you follow your doctor's advice and start.
Make sure the read alot about probiotics and use large quantities daily.
You have gotten good advice here; start slowly and see how you feel while working with your llmd.
I just started zith recently and have not had any adverse effects.
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
Oh, yeah, I also usually take Zith with food. It seems easier for me that way. (Your mileage may vary. )
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
I would be scared too. C.difficile is really nasty. I don't mean to scare you but it must be taken seriously. If you had 4 relapses in one year, and recently, then antibiotics may not be a good idea right now. Florastor can help you yes, but you need probiotics too, and a large load of them. VSL # 3 is a good choice, plus theralac and others. What did you take to knock out the c.diff before? Email me if you want to talk about it. [email protected]
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posted
I'm taking Theralac 1 pill once a day is that enough?
I was also wondering what Florastor, VSL#3 and S. boulardi are and where I could get some?
My mind is so foggy so if I've asked this before please have pationts with me.
I think I took either Flagel or Vancomyison to get over C-diff.
Sandy
Posts: 56 | From Washington State | Registered: Feb 2006
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi Sandy
Dont be scaired of ABX -No reason--
The side effects of ABX are nothing compaired to being sick--
Read instructions Carefully about not eating Citrus-Milk-Vitimans ect with diffrent ABX-
Make sure to take pro biotics - Eat low carb diet- Eat Good food- Drink Lots of Water or Tea - not fruit juice or soda-
Hope this helps--Jay--
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
Make sure you know for sure that your c.diff is totally gone before you start any antibiotic. One dose of antibiotics can bring it back full force again! Theralac is good but take more than that! You can get Florastor at Florastor.com and VSL here VSL #3
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