posted
I've been treating Babs since early July. Started with Clindamycin and Quinine (I didn't want to go on Zithromax initially because I had a bad reaction a few years back). I had horrible side effects so I did end up switching to Mepron and Zithromax. Felt improvement fairly quickly and had pretty good month. On the second month the doctor increase my Zithromax dose and had a horrible Herx. So bad I had to stop medicine for a week (I'm very tough when it comes to this and have been working my job through everything, but this was insane). So doctor switched me to Bactrim and Malarone. I have been on that for almost 2 months. I have seen significant improvement but my liver enzymes are a little elevated and I'm still having some symptoms, mainly leg pain and a few other annoying symptoms. I herx every 3 weeks and they have gotten less each time. Now my doctor wants me to take a week off my meds... for a little liver rest and then start back with the Mepron and Zithromax combo.
His opinion is it's good to switch it up and throw it a curve ball and since I had a huge herx on the Mepron/Zith combo it was working. Now I should be able to tolerate it better because we have lessened the load. Also I didn't have elevated liver enzymes with it.
My opinion is that I should continue with the Bactrim and Malarone, I have seen the biggest improvement on this and my herx's have gotten less and less, so it's working. I'm functioning at this level, working and living an almost "normal" life. I've been at this for over 4 months, so hopefully one would think I'm toward the end of it?
Is bactrim successful in killing the lyme bacteria? My lyme tests keeps coming back negative, even from Ignex. My doctor still thinks I only have babs and no lyme. But... If I do have lyme (which I understand is still a possibility) wouldn't it be better to stay on the bactrim to help with that?
Ultimately, my doctor said it was my decision on what course to take so any opinions would be greatly appreciated to help make my decision.
Thanks.
Posts: 45 | From MA | Registered: Sep 2007
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
You can also try Biaxin with Mepron. I took it for about 9 months. Both Biaxin and Zith will go after one form of the Lyme if you have Lyme.
I was on Biaxin/Mepron/Artemisia for 9 months and am now on Malarone/Artemisia/Lariam for the past month. Finally, I almost have no babs symptoms.
I had minor air hunger my last herx, only once. I haven't had a night sweat for almost two months.
The Lariam makes me very loopy for a day after I take it (once every five days). I don't know if it's a side effect of the med or a herx.
I'd add Artemisia no matter what route you choose. My LLMD has seen that Art and Mepron/Malarone work better together than either one alone.
If the herxing was as bad as you say on the zith, I have to agree with your LLMD that it was probably doing more. Mepron is stronger than Malarone according to my LLMD.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
BACTRIM is great for Lyme!!!! If there was ONE drug I could have taken that I couldn't (am allergic to sulfa drugs which Bactrim is) it would be BACTRIM because it has sent a local Lymie longterm chornic into full remission!!! GREAT STUFF!(_!(_!(_!(!
-------------------- 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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Bugg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8095
posted
Hello--
I see a fantastic LLMD and he has me on Mepron, zith, and artemisinin for babs for 3 months. He said we would switch to Bactrim and something else after the 3rd month if we didn't see the results he wants....He STRONGLY recommends taking Artemisinin (twice a day) for 5 days with the Mepron and zith and then resting off the art on day 6 and 7. I have herxed like hell on this combo but I believe it's helping. I'm on day 50 and I'm just now starting to feel some relief from the pain and bone-crushing fatigue. When I told my LLMD how horrible I felt he suggested I take the following supplements (which have helped!!!): Blueberry Extract, NtFactor, Emergen C, Borage Oil, and Fish Oil, and a baby aspirin a day. Hope this helps. Sounds like you're on the right track!! Hang in there!!!
Posts: 1155 | From Southeast | Registered: Oct 2005
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Beverly
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 1271
posted
Hi jmo,
I'm glad you have found something that is making you herx and working for you.
The combo of Zithromax, Plaquenil, Malarone and Bactrim has done wonders for me, it gave me my life. I think the Bactrim possibly does hit the lyme too, but ask your LLMD to be sure ok? I herx terrible off Bactrim.
I hope the liver enzymes come down and you start feeling better soon. Sounds like you have a really wonderful doctor.
As far as the tests, folks can have negative lyme tests, even negative Babesia tests and still be sick with those infections because the tests are not 100%. They cannnot test for all the strains at this time.
It can be hard to decide what meds you want to stay on...my 2 cents worth is stay with what makes you feel better.
Hang in there...
Posts: 6641 | From Michigan | Registered: Jun 2001
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lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
I am on clarithromycin (generic Biaxin), Mepron, and artemisinin for Babs now.
I had a rough time for the first three months, with really hard herxes.
In between herxes I just didn't feel able to do much more than the basic ADL's, but now I am feeling much better overall.
People are noticing how much better I am looking, acting, functioning.
I feel I can increase my activities for the first time since February, when I started treatment for Bart.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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It is my understanding that you need Mepron, Malarone, or Quinine to combat babs along with ABX... and Bactrim alone won't do the tick.
Posts: 45 | From MA | Registered: Sep 2007
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posted
I am on bactrim ds along w/ zithromax. I was on malarone for the past six months but my llmd took me off. Since getting off the malarone i
have symptoms returning. Not as bad as the first time I had babs relapse. For me the
bactrim/ zithromax is not as effective as the malarone along with it.
I am kind of like you when I started malarone I had bad herxes, but when I got past that I was doing much better. Able to live a normal life
but had a few symptoms that would not go away. Now, after getting off the malarone I have a few more symptoms that won't go away!
Posts: 323 | From Michigan | Registered: Sep 2006
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