posted
I finally got in to see a LLMD last week and am about to start a course of Zithromax (after having major blood draw for battery of tests today).
Have many of you have used Zithromax, and how did it work for you, side effects, probiotics, etc?
Dr recommended taking Theralac as a probiotic...have others had success with this?
Thanks LocalMan (Dan)
Posts: 212 | From Eastern CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
I have been on Rocephin for 2 months now, and my doctor just put me on Zithromax and mepron also.
I have only taken it 2 times so far, and all seems good. I have not herxed at all on it.
If i notice anything new, i will tell you. I am also going to monitor this question, for i need answers myself.
Good luck with the new meds. I would take lots of probiotics, but as with any abx, take tons of probiotics. I take 4-6 tablets a day that each contain 35 billion little guys in them.
Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
I took zithromax 600mg a day along with malarone for babesia treatment.
I was on it for about four months straight.
Developed ear ringing on it.
Now I take biaxin.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
Hi LocalMan
Zith worked really well for me . Lots of herxing. Have taken oral & IV Zith....On IV zith, other than the herxing the only side effect was slight hearing loss. This went away in time, after I stopped taking it.
I have also read some people experienced ringing in the ears on zith. Make sure to stay in close contact with your LLMD & let him/her know how you are doing.
If you take the pro-biotic theralac....make sure to space it at least 2 hours away for the zith. I do like the theralac alot & feel it is the best pro-biotic for me now.
Good luck with your treatment & hope you can get some relief soon Dana
Make sure to talk over everything first with your LLMD...none of the above is medical advise...just my 2 cents
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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CaliforniaLyme
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Member # 7136
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Zithromax is very powerful- yes there may be ear ringing and also it can make you have to suddenly go to the bathroom re GI- but it is a very powerful antibiotic!!!!!!!!!
Mepron can cause nausea with some people but I loved the taste- remember to take Mepron WITH high-fat because that is how it absorbs!!!! Best wishes, Living 6+ Years happily with only a left knee twinge, Sarah
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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tailz
Unregistered
posted
I was put on zithromax while I was infusing on Rocephin, and I could not tolerate it initially because I was THAT toxic. So I stopped it for several months.
Recently, however, I had restarted my oral Ceftin, and though my face cleared initially, it then broke out. I decided to try a few of my leftover zithromax.
Zithromax not only cleared my face up, but my GI symptoms improved - specifically, my bulky, greasy stools improved - though I did have anxiety and insomnia side effects and only lasted 4 days.
More recently yet, I was put on Larium (for babs). I did not do very well on Larium, and I've noticed my lymph nodes in my groin are enlarged again - the size of kidney beans.
But I decided to dig into my zithromax again, and it does kill something - that's for sure.
I realize I shouldn't be jumping around from antibiotic to antibiotic - not cool - but I keep telling my doc to try other types on antibiotics on me (like some of the cyclines), and I also mentioned zithromax at my last appointment to no avail.
When I was on Zithromax 1000 mg a day I finally saw improvement of my Lyme symptoms. I herxed badly for a few days but it was nothing too awful.
I had to discontinue using it because I developed an annoying rigng in my ear. Be careful to watch out for that, it has been known to cause permanent hearing damage.
Good Luck, LuLu
-------------------- "One day at a time"
Current: -1.2 IM bicillin three times a week -1.25 IV Vancomycin every day -IV glutathione and IM B12 -Byron White since Jan. 2011 -ALA, Yasko protocal, Adapten-All, thyrosol, Pekano, phosphalipid exchange, probiotics, oregano... Posts: 390 | From FLORIDA | Registered: Jun 2007
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Aniek
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posted
Zith is strong, and I believe crosses the blood brain-barrier and therefore helps with neuro symptoms. But it can cause a very intense herx.
Theralac is excellent. Pricey, but it seems to be worth it from people's experiences.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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lymednva
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posted
No experience with Zith, my insurance won't cover it. I'm on clarithromycin instead. However I do use Theralac, and it's great stuff!
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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kelmo
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Shoot..I have had that ringing in my ears! In fact, I can hear it now. Don't tell me it causes permanent damage, I'm a vocalist!
Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006
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CD57
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Great success with Zith, I'm 5 months in.
Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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Aniek
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Member # 5374
posted
quote:Originally posted by kelmo: Shoot..I have had that ringing in my ears! In fact, I can hear it now. Don't tell me it causes permanent damage, I'm a vocalist!
Lyme can cause ringing in the ears too. If it starting on zith and you are still on zith, I would talk to your doctor about it ASAP.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
My 10 year old son has been on zithro for 11 months. When started he had a huge improvement with his headache and stomache ache - symptoms which do haunt him.
We are now treating him for lyme/babs and ?bartonella.
I think he will be on zithro for some time but it doesn't seem to cause any side effects. In fact, I will be nervous about taking him off it when the time comes.
Good luck with it.
Posts: 67 | From UK | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
I have been taking 500mg of Zith for a month now, also Mepron and Plaquenil for Babs. I also take Tharlac and eat good pro-biotic foods. I herx a lot, but with varying degrees of severity. I do not have ringing in the ears, but have noticed I do not hear quite as well as I used to.
I am ALWAYS thirsty. I am also taking Diflucan 200mg per day, because of yeast. And YES, I am following the Candida Diet. I have a low immune system.
I'm hangin' in there, we'll see how this goes...you hang in too!
-------------------- When you reach your "wits-end" remember this: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 Posts: 397 | From Loudoun County Virginia | Registered: Mar 2007
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Has anyone out there just plain "gotten better" with zithromax and gotten on with with their lives? My symptoms are mostly neurological.
I know this is a long road, but the idea of this (anti-bios, pro-bios, herxing, GI issues, etc) for the rest of my life is just too much. I already have at least two herniated discs I have to deal with on top of, or because of this...but first things first.
I have been a competitive distance runner most of my life, very active outside, live in a great, area, I want to keep setting records, and share the backcountry with my children.....let alone be able to work at my demanding job...@#$%!
LocalMan Dan
Posts: 212 | From Eastern CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Dear Dan,
How long have you had Lyme disease?
I pulled a list of antibiotics frequently Rx'd for Lyme and co-infections
That was here on Lymenet a few months ago.
Zithromax is supposed to cross the blood/brain barrier although weakly according to that list.
Are you seeing a LLMD?
Most LLMD's treat with more than one antibiotic at a time.
Ex. Zith and diflucan.
Zith and flagyl.
Doxy and flagyl, etc.
Hope this helps. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Hang in there and know we are here during your bumpy ride to getting well.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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I just finished 3 weeks of Zithromax 500mg... and re-tested...
I did great on Zithromax.... aftering hearing all about herxing really bad and stuff while taking antibiotics I was a bit nervouse, but I was fine....
I got the slightest bit more tired, and couldn't be in the sun but that was really it....my
stomach was great...I was more gasy but nothing that more dramatic....it was no big deal....
Most of my symptoms nowe are neuro symptoms too and I had ONE day during the treatment that was like this flood of release of all that...
I felt so spacious, relaxed, open, and free as apposed to rigid, tight chested, anxiety driven PMS-y woman....
it was SUCH A BEAUTIFUL thing...a day of feeling like ME-- it's been YEARS sense I felt that...
Theralac I took as well.....one in the morning and one at night...plus 1/4-1/2 a teaspoon of
Bifidous (sp?) from the healthfood store's cold cooler (morning and night) ....and 2 pills of
another acidophilis (morning and night)---
I also tried Saccharomyces Boulardi (another probiotic)....around noon....
I'm waiting to see what my next plan is from my Lyme Doctor (he's in NOrthern Cali) ....
In the mean time, I keep up the vitamens, herbs, noni, and aloe.....my diet too ...
(The pH Miracle is great-a book)
one more thing.... I'm an outdoors person too....I was always hiking, camping, running,
surfing, yoga, playing soccer....so I know the frustration here....
Yoga has SAVED me, just a very mild strech or whatever my body can do...it's really
helped....It also helps my neuro symtoms....it calms me and puts in a quiet place...
and also a mini trampolean (sp?)(theres a name for them but I'm having a BRAIN FART!!) It's just
maybe 3 feet accross...and it's the best thing to do for the Lymphatic system !
It get my blood moving (like I was running) but it's not strenuous at all....I started out slow
just a few minutes and now I'm up to 15 minutes...and guess what!! I sweat!!
I always sweat from the Babesia but sweating from activity is a much different feeling...it
makes me so happy...I really feel like it's a sign of me getting BETTER~!!!!!!
SMILE... I hope this helps you!
Peace & Mahalos~
Fawne
-------------------- Energy flows where attention goes~ Posts: 302 | From Kauai | Registered: May 2007
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WildCondor
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posted
Will it be oral Zithromax by itself? What dose? What other antibiotics will you be taking along with it? I ask because Zithromax alone is rarely used, it is usually combined with other antibiotics to make it more effective and target all forms of Lyme. Theralac is excellent, yes.
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I saw an LLMD 10 days ago and am just now getting last of blood draws for myriad tests.
He said to go ahead and start zithromax now, then consult after tests results are in as to what to do next. He said the zithro could "leverage" as to which anti-bio might get piggy-backed on next. (THAT is the part that scares me the most right now...so many anti-bios...next to just plain going on zithro to start with).
LLMD suspects it may be babesia giving me the neuro sympt. I suppose I hope he is right. I am taking neurontin but it seems to be losing its effectiveness, and/or I am getting worse...tremors at night especially are getting scary.
Thanks for your support LocalMan Dan
Posts: 212 | From Eastern CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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