posted
Hello: I am new to this site. In brief, I pulled the engorged deer tick off me (32 yr old adult male - otherwise healthy) about Sept 1, 2006 and have had symptoms since, mostly joint pain (some headaches/fatigue/chills). Got positive blood test for Lyme. 2.5 months of doxy (100mg 2x/day) has not done the trick. My script runs out next week, and I don't know what I shoud look to do next. I am working on finding an LLMD, but in the meantime, I want to push the current Dr. in teh right direciton. My hope is to act agressive enough and early enough to avoid a long term problem.
Looking for thoughts...
Posts: 3 | From Northborough, MA | Registered: Nov 2006
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Annie C
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14
posted
Hello Scott, Magnesium for muscle ache and pain also Pycnogenol for Muscle and JOINTS... Plz do not take anything without thorough exhausted research. Because to start Pycnogenol you really need to do what is called a saturation Dose then cut back. Again do not take if you do not know what and why you are taking it. In the mean time, call your Dr. tell them you are having fevers and chills and headaches. Hence I was taking 5,000 mg of Amox plus another one. Again be very careful with ABX and the Herx Reaction. If it becomes unbearable cut back immediately for a day or two. Call Dr. to inform him of your lack of wellbeing. NONE Amox is good one to start with. Stay close here and report your journey.
-------------------- May God Bless you every day. And Never say never and do not give up no matter what. We need you to help others. Posts: 1288 | From Tetons Wyoming | Registered: Oct 2000
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JimBoB
Unregistered
posted
Get Stephen Buhner's Book, Healing Lyme. IT works. Jim
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Headaches and chills suggest Babesia, it is a parasite that is often carried by ticks. The treatment is pretty intensive, so you would probably want an LLMD directing the treatment.
But you can get tested for Babesia through Igenex labs. There are also tests through other labs that might be more easily covered by your insurance, but they are less reliable.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Azithromycin (every other day) combined with Ceftin (1000 mg) is what I'm taking for my current relapse. My symptoms were all arthritic in nature and this worked prior to starting IV Rocephin.
The IV treatment worked well for me but I believe it was stopped too soon. At the least, I've had Lyme about 14 months but never saw a tick, rash or positive blood test. I had all the clinical symptoms though.
FWIW, they did not use doxy for me because I have a severe allergy to that form of antibiotics.
One thing you need to learn is that you have to do your own research and be your advocate. DO NOT RELY ON ANY DOCTOR without checking everything out!!! This disease is not like any other and needs to be treated aggressively. Keep copies of all lab work or other tests because you may need them or may notice something they miss.
HTH, Karen
Posts: 154 | From Medford, NJ | Registered: Jun 2006
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shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
Most LLMDs would find that 100 mg of doxycycline is not a high enough dose. They tend to treat until six weeks have gone by symptom-free, not a mandatory 4 weeks.
There are many doctors out there who are not trained ILADS docs who will treat for more than two months. I would suggest this logic: emphasize with the doctor that you were in great health before the bite, you know the tick was engorged, and that your health fell apart after the bite with symptoms consistent with Lyme disease.
Describe for the doctor that you were starting to feel better on the antibiotic, but once off you quickly slump back into the same symptoms. Did you have a rash when bitten? That helps -- doctors want something they can see. Are any of your achy joints swollen (knuckles, knee, etc.)? Also a big hit with most doctors.
And yes, headaches and chills are oftem found with babesia, which is often treated with a combination of an antibiotic and antimalarial, such as Zithromax/Mepron. That combo kicked my illness (which sounds similar to yours) into remission.
Hope you will be feeling better soon.
Regards, Shaz
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
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quote:Originally posted by shazdancer: Most LLMDs would find that 100 mg of doxycycline is not a high enough dose. They tend to treat until six weeks have gone by symptom-free, not a mandatory 4 weeks.
I've read that you may need 400-600 mg of doxy a day, but is that taken 4-6 times a day or do you take a higher dose? I'm confused because I learned in pharmcology that doxy is a time dependent and not dose dependent antibiotic, meaning it is better to take it more frequently than to take a higher dose. Do you know of published resources about doxy dose? Thanks.
Posts: 4 | From Colorado | Registered: Nov 2006
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi Scott
200 mg of Doxi will kill Most germs-Not Lyme-
400 to 600mg spread threw the Day is best --
Lyme and Babs are Super bugs--Ouch--
Important-- Make sure NOT to eat Dairy or Vitimans with the Doxi-- Lowers good effects close to Zero --
Make Sure to figure out if you have co-infections --Most folks Do --Ouch--
Time is Not on your side--
Do what you have to do to get the medicine you need--Seriously--
I am going to PM you--Jay--
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Amox is good one to start with. Stay close here and report your journey. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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