posted
My health has improved with ABX, but I am not throwing a parade yet. ( around 80 %)
I am getting tired of taking abx even though I have only been on for 10 months. I feel that the abx is still working as I get herx reaction every couple of weeks.
Does it make any sense to stop abx to see how you make out or is there a risk that you will have to start over
Tony
-------------------- Dx 3/2008 Pos. WB and Bart- igenex Levequin 500 mg March 2008 Amox 6000 mg - May 2008 Doxy 400 mg - June - oct Biaxin and Flagly 1000 each, oct-dec Zitro, Malarone and Flagly Jan - feb Remission for 6 months Relapse Sept 2009 zithro/flagyl Posts: 130 | From canada | Registered: Mar 2008
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
You need to get antibiotics out of your system to really know how you feel because meds can make you feel yucky! You could go off of them for a month to see.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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jamescase20
Unregistered
posted
I bought myself a phase contrast microscope so I can check my blood daily, hourly, as often as I want for almost free.
I wouldnt be without it ever again.
U can watch for signs of lyme coming back...but thats a gamble.
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Congrats on getting to 80%
What does your LLMD say about stopping?
I think the general rule is to treat for 2 months after all symptoms are gone.
Of course it is a personal decision but if it were me, I'd follow through a finish the treatment if there is no real problem with taking the abx.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
The problem with waiting until symptoms are all gone, is that some of the symptoms that remain are just due to the meds that have taken a toll on your body. You have to get them out of your system and see how you feel. If you feel worse after a couple of months, then you can always go back on them. Also, even after the buggers are dead and gone, it takes up to a year to actually get back to normal. Your body has to recuperate from the entire ordeal.
My LLMD uses the example of this....If you were in a body cast for 6 months, even though you would be completely healed, it would take 6 months to a year to get back to your full capacity after coming out of the cast. Same goes for LD. Even after killing all the buggers, you body still has a lot of recovering to go through to return to normal. Does this make sense?
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
It makes perfect sense. Your body will be dehabilitated / de-conditioned simply from less moving (if you're really ill). That happens to a healthy person.
Expecting to feel like the "old you" at any time after being sick for year(s) is not logical. However, I imagine when you know you feel like you aren't on death's door anymore. I'm not there yet.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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I am interested to see how you are going with the Flagyl.
You and I were both at around the same stage if you remember. I am at 80% too, but am yet to do the flagyl. Going to see a Lyme Literate Naturopathic doctor who is visiting sydney Australia (yey) on Tuesday, so will let you know what she says about me and continuing abx.
From the look of it you have only been on the flagyl for 1 month approximately. Do you think that's long enough?
I know a lot of people relapse because they don't successfully rid themselves of those lyme hiding in the body, then once you stop abx the little buggers flourish again and come out to play.
Considering you've got this far do you reckon it might be wise to continue with cyst killing for a bit longer?
I'd really considering discussing this in detail with your LLMD. After 10 months of sacrifice and doing the right thing you don't want to stop too soon and waste all of your effort. You might only need another couple of months anyway and then some maintenance.
It might also be worth discussing with your LLMD the correct process for coming off meds.
I don't know if its wise to go cold turkey, or if you should continue with some maintenance herbs to keep them at bay. What ever the right thing is you want to do it correctly.
Hang in there!! I am like you and want it all to be over, but not to the detriment of all of my months of sacrifice.
Kelly
-------------------- Sx Start Jan 08 (test neg, but herxing)Susp Lyme, Bart + Babs??
ABX Doxy 400mg + Amox 1g Jun - Sep 08 Rifampin 600mg + Biaxin 1000mg Tinidazole 1000mg/day - Sep 08 to June 08
Currently taking Salt/C 15g (himalayan salt)
85-90% better Posts: 231 | From Australia | Registered: May 2008
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posted
My reason for stopping abx is to see if the reason that I am feeling bad is abx related and or lyme related.
However, everyone brings up a good point. If I have gone this far, certainly I can go for a few more months.
Kelly, glad to hear that you are doing better. The flagly is working as I have been herxing a couple of times in the last 4 weeks. I guess that in itself is a sign that I am not completely killed all of the bugs.
Guess, I will continue for a few more months and talk to my LLMD
-------------------- Dx 3/2008 Pos. WB and Bart- igenex Levequin 500 mg March 2008 Amox 6000 mg - May 2008 Doxy 400 mg - June - oct Biaxin and Flagly 1000 each, oct-dec Zitro, Malarone and Flagly Jan - feb Remission for 6 months Relapse Sept 2009 zithro/flagyl Posts: 130 | From canada | Registered: Mar 2008
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DebAz
Unregistered
posted
I too am thinking of stopping ABX.. I have not ever gotten past the HERX feeling when on them but do feel better when i stop for a week at a time. I told my doc. He put me on 3 days a week.. M W F instead of every day in hopes it will not catch up with me to get me down but still do its job. I am hoping.. But i haave been on differfent ABX for 2 years in a row a few years ago and again this whole year. So here I am.. Trying.. to continue. But wondering if it is worth it or not or ? what?
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posted
I stopped mine due to trying to get an accurate Western Blot-I was off for about 5 weeks.
Well I that was a big mistake-now I can tell they are flourishing.
I am having symptoms I didn't have before-severe joint pain and nerve pain.
I am back on them and herxing BAD-so I am not stopping again. I would not advise it to anybody!
Posts: 303 | From Jekyll Island, GA | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
i was thinking that i would stop as well and try homeopathy.
but i am scared of a massive blitzkrieg by the bugs.
i have only been on abx for a total of 7.5 months...but the last month saw me feeling worse.
i live in the most endemic part of the planet and there are 2 homeopaths here who have successfully cured lyme and co's with homeopathy in many people. i would rather give that a shot because i think my system is really starting to hate the abx. i feel toxic and my gut is bothering me here and there.
-------------------- do your best to educate the rest because 9 out of 10 doctors don't know jack about tick borne illnesses Posts: 437 | From shawangunk mountains, ny | Registered: May 2008
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tickled1
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14257
posted
nyjohn,
I tried to PM you w/the message below but your mailbox is full. Would you mind replying to this in a PM? Thank you! **************************
Would you mind giving me the names of the homeopaths in the area that have cured Lyme? I'd really appreciate it! If nothing else, I'd at least like to go this route when I'm done treating w/abx to maintain. Thanks a bunch!
Laura
Posts: 2541 | From Northeast | Registered: Jan 2008
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
You are not likely to feel symptom free while on antibiotics. It takes about 10 days to get them out of your system, then you can begin to see how you body truly feels.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I just spoke with an LLMD about this and I would not stop.
I know it must be hard after 10 months nonstop, but if you are improving, with herxs being lighter, you are winning your fight. Don't give the Lyme an inch. Keep beating it until you are symtom free.
Antibiotics will not cause you to feel an Lyme-like symptoms. If you feel like you are still infected, you are and if you feel like your treatment is working, it is.
I know a girl who is Lyme free after 4 years of oral antibiotic hell but she hasn't taken a pill for anything in years.
Your Spirochete load is diminshing, so keep killing.
Posts: 410 | From Victoria BC, Canada | Registered: Jul 2008
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Possibly when you go off antibiotics for say just a month or 2, the buggers come back out to play and then you can blast them again.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
It all depends on how long you were infected with lyme before starting treatment and if there are coinfections any protozoan ifections will not be effected by abx's there inside the blood. But they do cause your body in combo with lyme to build biofilms and to penitrate that takes longer. Same as cyst problem longer treatment is advised.
But if you were bitten and have know coinfections that time frame of yours is probably okay.
-------------------- 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.
treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
second boo boo
-------------------- 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.
treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
triple booboo
-------------------- 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.
groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Personally I would not stop till you have been symptom Free for 2 months or so-
Starting and stopping is Not a good idea- bugs come back resistant to ABX if there is still some of the there--Jay--
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Keebler
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I believe Pam W said in her book that the way she overcame Lyme was by taking breaks from antibiotics and then starting them again.
I don't believe there is any harm in taking a 1 month break from them, especially if you have taken them a long time.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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