posted
It is time I switch ABX and I wanted to ask how some of you cope with this ABX?
The thing I have learned about this drug compared to all the others is that it stays in the system for 10-14 days. I am very sensitive to ABX, I herx from every single dose of ABX I have ever taken and everytime. I can only handle the smallest doses of ABX and have to pulse them as well. So I have no idea how to take it. It says in Byran Rosner's new book that once you take this drug there is no turning back! Herxes are intense, last a long time, and stay in the system.
I am starting at 250mg everyother day for now, will probly have to cut down even more! Then my LLMD wants to add Flagyl to that so I am attacking the spirochete and cyst form.
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
My daughter had to start out pulsing like that. It was HARD at first.
She was able to get up to 500mg/day and is still on that dose after a year.
We have added Rifampin for bart, and now switched to mepron for babesia.
Something that might help you is an oil to coat the stomach. I found it at Siberian Tiger Natural...here it is...www.siberiantigernaturals.com
For some wierd reason, it really helped with GI issues.
Good Luck
Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006
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ByronSBell 2007
Unregistered
posted
I really dont have a problem with ABX on my stomach. I think I could take any form of ABX at any dose and it not harm my stomach at all...
Maybe I just need to be permanantly hooked up to an IV drip all day to keep the toxins flowing out. They always seem to make me feel better!
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
I had a lot of diarrhea from zithromax which resolved when I doubled up on my probiotics. I take a ton of them 2X per day plus yogurt and kefir. I also require a ton of things for detox which I've mentioned to you in previous messages.
You will tolerate abx much better if you take care of your detox needs.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
Byron, Go slow with the Zithromax, just as you have planned. The half life is approximately 3 days, so, yes it does build up in your system.
The good thing to know is if it gets too intense you can always stop. In a couple of days it's reduced. I'm learning the hard way to go at this slow. I just started again last week. *takes a deep breath* so far so good. (I am taking a similar dose to yours.)
One other thing, get good and comfortable on the Zith before adding anything. That'd be my advice.
I have no medical background and am just telling you what it's like for me and my opinion.
My last run on Zith the doc wanted me to take 600 2x/day. I talked her down to one. Way, way too much, in a few weeks I had halved it then quartered it and took it every 3 days. She wasn't thrilled at that. In 2 months the herx was so bad she made me stop. If she didn't I would have. I have a new doc now.
Good luck! Heck, if I can do it...
Search my old posts and you'll see what my drug reactions are like, yikes!
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
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ByronSBell 2007
Unregistered
posted
He meant by "no turning back" as once you take it, the zithromax will stay in the body for 10-14 days,so herxes can be severe and longer lasting... As opposed to other ABX which stay in the system for about on average 2-3 days at the most.
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robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547
posted
I have the book ........... can you give a page reference. I thought he was referring to the cephlosporins and penecillins. Isn't Zith a macrolide?
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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ByronSBell 2007
Unregistered
posted
It is the page right before that chart with all the antibiotics listed on it, towards the front ofthe book...
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savebabe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9847
posted
My doc never prescribed zith for lyme, but he added this drug to my treatment when I was fighting babesia.
One important thing to remember while taking zith, watch your hearing. This drug can do permanent damage and cause hearing loss.
Good luck with treatment!
Posts: 1603 | From ny | Registered: Aug 2006
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Don't be too nervous about taking Zithromax. I started off just like you, taking 250 mg every other day, and now I take much more than that. I vividly recall how horrible it made me feel at first. But stick with it. It may take a while and it may be difficult for you to believe right now. But you are going to feel better one day. It has made me significantly better (Babesia is gone and Lyme is pretty much under control).
My LLMD made sure that I understood the need to take probiotics, drink plenty of water, and detox while taking abx. I hope that your LLMD has done the same for you.
Posts: 45 | From Medford, NJ | Registered: Mar 2007
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Keep this in mind the mind through fear can cause all kinds of problems. Take everything with a grain of salt.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
Boomerang
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7979
posted
Byron, hubby took the Zith for quite awhile....it was really a good ABX for him.
Good luck!
Posts: 1366 | From Southeast | Registered: Sep 2005
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Jellybelly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7142
posted
Really odd for me, but I had no problem with Zithro, EXCEPT for vertigo after about 3 doses. I was taking it to try and combat an eye infection and was taking it every other day for about 2 weeks....nothing in the way of a typical herx reaction for me.
I say this is odd for me because Doxy put me in the ER, micro doses of Mino cause me to herx significantly and Cipro did nothing either except to cause me vertigo.
Why I have nooo idea.
Posts: 1251 | From california | Registered: Apr 2005
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LisaS
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Member # 10581
posted
I think Zith is one of the few drugs that I didn't have a bad reaction too. I had the normal herx but none of the side effects I hear other people talk about.
beachcomber
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5320
posted
Byron:
I had a heck of a time getting up to full dose on Zith. I ended up taking the liquid version. It is meant for children and, unfortunately, it has a little sugar in it. But, it was much easier for me to handle.
Maybe you could try that?
Posts: 1452 | Registered: Feb 2004
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trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
Update for Byron... I got through my first week on Zith, this time, and have lived to tell the tale. Nice and slow... I'm doing it, I'm pretty proud of myself.
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
Hi true
You still taking the amoxy too in addition to zith?
Take lots of probiotics with that combo; it is a great combination, but did a number on my stomach flora and fauna! Vermont
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
Zithro. has a 1/2-life of about 68 hours, so yes, just short of three days, which means it takes that long just to decrease the original dosage by half! Worked up to 500mg/day and experiencing mucous/phlegm running from nose and in the throat. Don't know where it's coming from...but thinking about backing off, or pulsing.
beachcomber
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5320
posted
Yeah, eewww is right.
Well, just got put back on Zith and Mepron. Bleee! I tanked on Minocin so, had to stop.
Doc said to take no more than 250 mgs every other day to start. He said 250 will probably last in my system for 63 hours so back off as needed. I will pulse and eventually work up to 250 once or twice a day.
Lots of probiotics too.
Posts: 1452 | Registered: Feb 2004
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ByronSBell 2007
Unregistered
posted
The half life is much longer on zithro than what your doc are saying. My LLMD said atleast 10 days, Bryan Rosner says 2 weeks!
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beachcomber
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posted
Thanks much. I think he meant at full potency for 63 hours. He said I can be flexible to start. I intend to be!
Posts: 1452 | Registered: Feb 2004
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
Both IV and oral Zithromax worked really well for me. If you can get liquid, have it compounded so it tastes good. I did 1,000 and 500 mg IV, and 600 and then 1,200 mg orally of zithromax for a year. Worked great!
posted
The Physician's Desk Reference states the 1/2-life for Zithro. as being 68 hours. Yikes is right. I'm wondering if this is a drug that should be used at smaller dosages and pulsed in those with a high bacterial load.
posted
Since it's long half life my doc has told me to take 500mg AT THE MOST a day
I am taking 250mg once every 3 days right now. So in a sense I am constantly on it...
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ByronSBell 2007
Unregistered
posted
So far I dont have any side effects of the drug... but my pain is staying higher than usual. This whole week I have had has been hell, lets see what next week is like
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