posted
Hi.... I was diagnosed with Lyme about 10 years ago. Had positive ELISA and Western blots without even going to any special lab, had the rash too. Took doxy for a month, then left it alone.
I did ok for several years after that, once in a while having a bout of severe fatigue that would pass. Doc ran titers again and came back negative, so she didn't think the Lyme was "active."
Then, out of no where this past year, I got a urinary tract infection. I was prescribed Cipro for it and all the trouble began. My head was all spacey, all I could do was sleep, I felt numb and fuzzy all over and dizzy. I recovered from the UTI, but went into a deep fatigue for weeks and weeks.
To me it seems like the Cipro caused a herx. Everyone I talked to says, "Cipro doesn't treat Lyme." I'm kinda intrigued, actually - I wonder exactly what the cipro did? Doc ran Lyme titer again and all the sudden, I was positive again on Elisa and came back as having IGg antibodies for Lyme... Doc thought I had a brand new case of Lyme and wanted to treat me with doxy all over again.
I was like, "What? You think I got a new case of Lyme in January???" I don't have any pets and wasn't in the woods or any grass and there was no way that I can fathom getting bit by a tick in my house in January. I knew it was NOT a new case of Lyme, no matter what anyone says. I told her I didn't want a new round of doxy, unless we would do Doxy + a new run on the Cipro....obviously the Cipro did SOMETHING?
Has anyone else had any experience using Cipro with Lyme? Other things I've tried is artemisin (didn't do anything), flagyl (got really bad diahrea, couldn't tolerate it) and amoxicillin (did nothing.)
I'm now so tired I can barely function. Soooooo tired Help...give me some ideas here.... don't worry, I don't want "medical advice." Just um....conversation on this topic. Yeah.
Posts: 3 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Oct 2008
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Last July 2007, I had bacterial vaginosis. I was given Flagyl. This activated my Lyme or a co-infection.
Until that point I had done fairly well for years.
After taking the flagyl I became seriously neuro and it has not stopped.
Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
Sounds like you have had lyme all along. Taking one month of doxy 10 years ago when you were diagnosed probably did not cure it.
Lyme can stay latent, unsymptomatic or very mild, for years before suddenly becoming quite bad. That happened to me and many others I have met or spoken with.
My best advice is to get to a lyme literate medical doctor as soon as possible. Profound fatigue is a major lyme symptom. Have you ever seen an llmd?
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Your story is not unusual. Lyme can remain dormant for years, even a decade. Various abx can activate it.
Did you have a live christmas tree? One member here feels that she got lyme from a christmas tree. A person in my State found a tick on their christmas tree last year, it was tested and found to have borrelia. You may not get a rash or even see the tick.
You need to be evaluated by an LLMD (lyme literate medical doctor). You need to be tested and treated for co-infections along with getting appropriate lyme treatment. Most doctors don't treat long enough or give appropriate doses. Co-infections often need to be diagnosed clinically because tests aren't great.
posted
Nope, no christmas tree.... Not even a houseplant (I love plants, but I'm staying with my mom right now who doesn't want to have any because she is disabled and doesn't want to care for any plants.)
But that would have been a possible vector, I agree, if I had had one..or been around one.
There is no question that I had Lyme from 10 years ago. I guess the question is - if Cipro woke this thing up, and lets say I just "happened" to get a prescription for another round of Cipro, what sorts of things would be worth trying in tandem with Cipro to really herx this thing into oblivion? Posts: 3 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Oct 2008
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lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
Cipro sometimes is used to treat bartonella, one of many co-infections you might get from a tick, along with Lyme.
I actually had a similar experience with Cipro. My health had been declining for a few years, due to long undiagnosed Lyme, but I still managed to cope and teach school.
Then one year, after a horrendous summer, I left teaching two weeks into the school year, thinking I would be back in a few days. Didn't happen.
In the meantime I developed a fast spreading infection in one of my toes and was given IV Cipro in the ER, followed by oral Cipro.
After one day on it I began getting dizzy, and could not walk without holding onto the walls.
I had people asking me if I was OK after standing in lines at the DMV and Post Office. I told them I was fine when I got in my car (I really was) and would be able to make it home, which I did.
I called to ask to be switched to a different abx. My doctor was not on call that weekend. The one covering would not believe that Cipro was doing this, and was hesitant to change the med, but I was persistent and he finally agreed.
After a day or so on the new abx, of which I do not recall the name, the dizziness was gone and I didn't think any more of it.
I agree with the others who have suggested that you need to see LLMD for appropriate treatment. You are correct that just another round of doxy won't cut it.
But you need a doctor who is trained in dealing with Chronic Lyme, which is what you would have after all these years. I do too, as do many who post here.
Go to the Seeking a Doctor Forum and post the nearest large city and state where you live. People will send you names of LLMD's.
Welcome to Lymenet. You are in the right place.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
thank you for the good health history on yourself.
i am the member that feels it was my folk's live xmas tree that provided the tick that bite me giving me LYME 38.5 yrs.; 34 yrs. misdiagnosed by 40-50 drs.
Welcome; i'm so glad you found us!! You've come to the right place for education and support!
Fyi: we have over 1000 viewers daily; 200 - 400 posting/replying; so specific titles get our time/replies. non-specific ones, i sob, scroll on by!
Also, please be very specific in the subject line what you will be discussing so more people will be able to assist you.
Dr. Burrascano's most recent "Diagnostic Hints and Treatment Guidelines for Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses" @ http://www.ilads.org/burrascano_0905.html suggests that you discuss with your doctor continuing treatment until you are symptom free for 2 months.
please see BettyG's newbie package info on the link below; click on link at bottom of my package. Check it out as time permits for you! @ http://tinyurl.com/58eyou
posted
the cipro could have caused a serious yeast issue too. cipro is a really strong abx and can really mess up your GI tract's flora balance.
Posts: 52 | From Atlanta, Ga | Registered: Jun 2007
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charlie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25
posted
...If you look it up you'll find that one of the common side effects of cipro is that it acts as a sedative.
I'd be comatose if I took much of it...a friend calls it 'sleepro'.
one of the least damaging sides for sure but not good if driving ect.
Charlie
Posts: 2804 | From Texas | Registered: Oct 2000
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Darn. Cipro keeps me up at night.
Why me???!!!!
I take cipro for bartonella.
One of the side effects listed on my prescription is dizzyness.
What fun.....mine is tolerable though.
Sounds like a herx. Maybe Lyme and co-infections.
Please post in Seeking a Doctor section with your state and city.
Best way to find a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor closest to you.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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Help...give me some ideas here.... don't worry, I don't want "medical advice." Just um....conversation on this topic. Yeah.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
(I love plants, but I'm staying with my mom right now who doesn't want to have any because she is disabled and doesn't want to care for any plants.)![[hi]](graemlins/hi.gif)
You are in the right place.
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