posted
So far from my blood tests, I have Lyme disease and Babesia Microti. It does look like I could also have Bartonella because of the stretch mark rash I have.
Here is a list of the meds my LLMD just started me on:
Doxycyline: 200mg twice daily Flagyl: 500mg three times daily Biaxin: 500mg twice daily Diflucan 150mg once daily
I've been on this for a few days now. I get really sick to my stomach and feel like I need to puke all day. It's also giving me some acid reflux. I already have GI track problems. What med or meds does it look like is causing this?
Any suggestions on what meds I could change so I don't get sick to my stomach? My LLMD is out of state, and I do plan on calling the nurse to see if I can get something changed, but I figured it would help if I had some med suggestions. I need something that won't give me GI problems.
Oh, and I take Theralac too.
Thanks
Posts: 310 | From TN | Registered: Jan 2007
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Wow Jason,
No wonder you feel sick. Did you start all of these together?
I know that doxy can make you feel really sick. I always take mine with food and a lot of water.
If you don't drink a lot of water with it, it feels like it sits in your esophagus and burns like crazy.
I've learned the hard way to start one med, ramp up slowly to make sure I don't have a reaction to one, then slowly add meds.
Make sure you are adding probiotics to your regimen.
How are you spacing out those meds?
I am sure there are more members who can advise you as to which meds you can possibly pulse.
I am still in awe of that antibiotic regimen.
I am sure I would be sick as a dog too, either from the meds or from herxing or both.
Hang in there.
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
My LLMD has me taking Prolisec OTC for the acid reflux. I'm takin Nystatin, not Diflucan. I'm also not taking Flagyl, but I'm taking a lot of other stuff (Mepron, Artemisia, Omnicef, Probenecid, Biaxin and Doxy). I'd check with my LLMD or pharmacist to be sure the Flagyl or Diflucan doesn't interact with the Prolisec, but it is helping me.
Do any of those treat the babesia?
I get nauseous if I don't eat enough with my meds. It's difficult because the babs causes a lack of appetite.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
Good suggestions you have gotten. Important to take doxy with food and enough fluids. And don't lie down for an hour afterwards. If you are feeling lousy in the first three days of the meds, this can be a herx. If it is going to happen, it can be at day 1, day 3, and 3 weeks. At least that has happened to me; there is some variation between patients.
Flagyl can be rough to take and some people ramp up on it. Start with a small amount and work up to the full dose over a period of time. I was not able to use this drug because it caused peripheral neuropathy, but not everyone has the problem. I am using tinidazole instead. Just keep an eye out for it. Might not happen to you.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
When I was prescribed Flagyl, it upset my stomach horribly and caused acid reflux. The LLMD put me on Prevacid and that cleared it right up.
Flagyl also caused a very bad herx for me and I think it does for a lot of people. Keep an eye out for that.
Posts: 48 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
You are on a heavy load of abx. I couldn't do it.
Doxy can make you very nausious.... what has worked for my sons was to take it an hour after a meal. DON'T take it on a empty stomach.
Acid reflux can come from too much yeast in the gut.... (I have found this out years ago, when I got rid of the yeast acid reflux disappeared) Make sure you are taking alot of acidophilus 2 hours after every abx, and maybe add in Nystatin. And you really have to watch your diet being on that much abx.
posted
Thanks. I'm probably gonna have to just change meds instead of trying to band aid it. I do think some things I was experiencing were herx's, but not the upset stomach. This is because almost a year ago, I took some anti-inflammatory meds, and it upset my stomach. I already have a bad stomach anyways, plus I have chronic diarrhea IBS.
The other things I was experiencing was pain behind the eye balls, and a funny feeling in my head. Almost like a headache. Some stuff in my neck too. I guess I could call it being dizzy, but I'm not sure.
I originally wanted to get on Tinidazole, but the doc went with Flagyl because it was cheap. Though, I will call back to see if I can get on Tinidazole, as you only have to take it once a day. How many mg's do you take of this a day?
I was taking all these meds at the same time. I'd do one set of meds in the morning, then I'd take the 2nd dose of Flagyl mid-day, then I'd take the last set of meds before bed. I only took the Diflucan once a day.
So, including the Tinidazole, which meds do you think would be easy on the stomach and would be good for Lyme, Babesia, and Bartonella? Or do you think I should treat one thing at a time?
If I could get on IV anti-biotics, which ones? I figure this would be best. I'm guessing I would have a PICC line in my shoulder? Info? I'll have to check to see if my insurance will cover it. I do have a pretty good prescription plan.
Also, the nurse called me today and told me that I had a normal hypercoagulation test, and a normal CD57 test.
Thanks
[ 09. March 2007, 10:34 PM: Message edited by: jasonsmith ]
Posts: 310 | From TN | Registered: Jan 2007
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posted
When I first went to a LLMD I left with a handful of prescriptions. Luckily for me someone else had been before & warned me NOT to take all these meds together, but to start off slowly.
It was not until after I had bad times trying these meds that the LLMD drew up a chart for me, slowly introducing the meds over time. Why do they not do this at first - why do they send you home with too much for your system to handle and wait to see what happens to you? I do not think this is right or fair or professional.
Furthermore, how do you know which one you may have an allergy to or be reacting to negatively when you introduce them all at once?
First change: get rid of Flagyl and try Tindamax: what a big difference that made for my stomach! And they put me on Nexium (expensive!) but that worked better than others they had me try first.
Treating your illness will take time, so take time introducing the meds. For example, just introduce one at a time. And when you are taking multiple pills per day, start with one a day. I take 2 doxy twice a day: I would have started with 1 doxy twice a day for a few days, then 2 in AM and 1 only in PM, then 2 in AM and PM.
There were combinations I could not take and others I could take: this took time & many visits to LLMD to figure out.
I had a terrible reaction to Diflucan while on multiple meds; I did great on it once my meds load was reduced and then Diflucan made me feel really good after I took it.
I cannot tolerate the time-release meds either although I have no problem with the regular meds. Time release Biaxin caused severe & frightening heart reactions.
Sometimes it is the combo that isn't working. But it is too much of a shock to the body to take all those meds at once, in my opinion & based on my sometimes frightening experiences with being told to take these combos all at once.
I need to add that I am indeed very grateful for the help I did get, for being able to get to a LLMD, and for eventually feeling 'better' than I had been feeling. But I also know they threw too many meds at me at once and I suffered for it.
ESG
Posts: 424 | From Connecticut, USA | Registered: Nov 2003
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
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posted
I'm taking mepron, artemisia, and biaxin for the babesia (plus other stuff for the Lyme). It has to be treated first because the borrelia can hide out in the babs.
I was started out on a lot of stuff, too. I have a friend who sees the same LLMD, and he started her on less than he started me on. I think it varies from person to person whether they can handle it.
I don't know if this would work for you, but my IBS and chronic diarrhea cleared up when I cut gluten out of my diet.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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It sounds like you may have Celiac disease if eliminating gluten from your diet cleared up the diarrhea. I tested negative for it. And I haven't been able to tie the diarrhea to any foods I eat.
Is artemisia a prescription, or herb? Is it easy on the stomach?
And how is mepron and biaxin on your stomach?
Posts: 310 | From TN | Registered: Jan 2007
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
No, I was tested for celiac disease and showed no signs of it ... I don't even have the genes. However, the GI issues cleared up when I eliminated gluten anyway.
I take Mepron, Doxy, Biaxin, Omnicef, Probenecid and Nystatin all at the same time. I take the Artemisia, which is a non-prescription herb that my LLMD told me to take (I buy it online), at a separate time.
The only reason my LLMD has me taking Prolisec is because my endoscopy (to test for celiac) showed acid reflux and he didn't want the meds to make it worse.
The meds only have bothered my stomach if I lay down after the doxy (reflux) or if I don't eat enough with them (nausea). I've heard Flagyl can be really tough.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
I was taking Doxy, Biaxin, Flagyl and had a bad upset stomach all day. It wasn't for a few hours, but all day like I had the flu and was needing to throw up but wasn't able to. I did have some reflux. There was also a knot in my stomach.
I'm thinking it was the Doxy. I was off of them for a day, and I took a Flagyl earlier, and haven't had any problems. I really hate the taste of Biaxin.
I'm wondering if name brand is easier to take than generic?
Posts: 310 | From TN | Registered: Jan 2007
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posted
My goodness, I agree that is too much to start at once.
I take Doxy with NO problems, but Biaxin (which my hubby takes with no problems) put me in the hospital with heart attack symptoms. They decided it was acid reflux from the Biaxin.
Everybody's different! You're getting some good advice though as far as starting slow and ramping up. However, you will not know which one is causing your problems unless you back up and start them one at a time.
Good luck! You all are always in my prayers!
Posts: 108 | From Florida | Registered: Sep 2005
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sixgoofykids
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Jason, I think it probably would be a good idea to start them one at a time. There's no way to tell which one is causing the upset. Even though you took Flagyl before, you can react differently each time.
I hate the taste of the Biaxin, too! It used to wake me up at night it was so bad, but now, I hate to admit, I'm used to it. I don't even notice it anymore.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
I talked with the Pharmacist today. He said he would put blame on my symptoms on the Flagyl and Biaxin before the Doxycycline.
I took a Flagyl today with no problems, so it is probably the Biaxin. Plus, I really hate the taste of it. What is a good replacement for the Biaxin?
It does look like I'm not getting treatment for Babesiosis. So, would it be a good idea to replace it with something like Mepron?
Posts: 310 | From TN | Registered: Jan 2007
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
Jason,
some quick responses, often repeating what others have said:
wow, that is alot of flagyl. I could not tolerate that much, or even part of that, I have found.
take doxy with a full meal. For me that tamed the nausea aspect of 200 mg doxy.
Do a search for the yeast-free diet; lymetoo often posts the tips to fighting candida. If you follow that it will help.
Artemisin is an extract of the herb. There is lots of information on lymenet about it; do a search and read up, and speak with your llmd first before starting it.
good luck and be well!
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
I believe that biaxin and zithromax are in the same family of drugs.
I did see a study where Biaxin had a higher incidence of nausea and stomach upset than zithromax.
You need to call your LLMD and see what can be substituted.
That said, I had horrible stomach aches on zithromax that lasted for only about 15 min about 30 min after taking it.
I started taking it away from food and the stomach aches disappeared.
I am sure you can combine some of these meds....but I try not to combine any of mine with the exception of diflucan and an any of my antibiotics (which I only take two times a week).
I space out antibiotics every two hours. Some I take every four hours (ie malarone 4 x a day).
I started mino and malarone same day. Had horrible itching and vertigo.
In order to seperate things out, I stopped one and kept with the other.
Pharmacist said it was most likely the malarone.
Turns out it was the minocycline.
I've learned the hard way that slow and steady wins the race and allows you to monitor any possible drug reactions.
I take flagyl at 250 mg a week (one time). It hit me hard the first couple of weeks.
I still feel it for 3 days following but nothing like the first time or two.
My neighbor (who also has lyme) started at 250 a week with our LLMD suggesting that she "try" to get up to 750 mg once a week.
So, she started at 250 first week, 500 the second and we'll see how 750 goes this week.
She herxed about 3 days after the first. Twenty-four hours after the second.
Good luck.....I still am in awe of your meds!!!! (and your stomach!)
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
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posted
Zithromax will replace the Biaxin, it's the same drug family. Mepron in addition to the Zith/Biaxin works on the babs. So does Artemisia (has to be Artemisia Annua).
I'm sure your LLMD has a reason for the drugs he has given you, I'd ask about it.
Glad you found out so quickly which med it was giving you the stomach upset.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
Ok, I believe it was all the Biaxin. I really didn't like taking that anyways. It tasted horrible, and I shivered when I swallowed it. Last night, I took 4 100mg Doxycycline tabs at once. I didn't have any problems. So, I put all the blame on the Biaxin.
I'm gonna try to get the Flagyl switched to Tinidazole. As I believe it is easier on you. I'm hoping either once a day, or twice a day. What would be a good daily mg of Tinidazole? Do you guys think this is better than Flagyl?
When I was saw the LLMD, I did mention Zithromax, but the LLMD said that wasn't real effective. So, that is why he didn't give it to me.
I see there is not only Mepron, but also Malarone. It looks like the Malarone is just like the Mepron, but with something extra. Which one, and what mg? This is for the Babesia.
I also read something about Bactrim, Septra (Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) for Babesia treatment to be taken with Mepron and Zythromax.
posted
The Biaxin was just the regular generic white pill.
I am taking Diflucan for yeast.
I'm also taking Theralac.
I see Mepron comes as a liquid and is expensive. Malarone is cheaper and comes as a tablet, but has less stuff in it. I don't know how this would work with my insurance as it may need to be pre-approved since it costs so much. Are these really good that I should try to get on one, or would something else work just fine?
I'm really needing a good med regimen for the Babesia. I'll try to get on Zythromax and Bactrim/Septra. Anything else?
Though, according to the info in that link posted:
"Flagyl should not be used with Tetracyclines (according to Dr Burrasccano)."
My LLMD is going by the protocal of Dr. Burrasccano. I don't know if that is just isolated with the Flagyl, and you can take Tinidazole with Tetracyclines?
I think part of the reason why my LLMD chose my meds was based on cost. As I was wanting to get the Tinidazole, but he told me the Flagyl is dirt cheap. Though, I have a really good prescription plan with my insurance, and the most I pay is $25 per prescription. Though, sometimes I don't pay anything. All the meds I filled listed in my first post were free.
Will any of these meds treat Bartonella?
[ 12. March 2007, 04:20 AM: Message edited by: jasonsmith ]
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