posted
So I did the antibiotics no-no of discontinuing use too soon. I have not been officially diagnosed with anything, but my main suspected culprits right now are Bartonella and Ehrlichiosis according to my Lyme doc.
I have been staying away from antibiotics and have been doing everything natural. The Lyme doc I have seen is a new doc for me and he likes a combo of natural and antibiotics.
So he wanted to stick me on Bactrim DS for 30 days. He could tell I was nervous about it but told me to go ahead with it.
I took Bactrim for 3.5 days and thought I was having some side effects and read about Stevens-Johnson and then decided it wasn't for me. I was also upset at myself in that I was feeling great for a couple of weeks beforehand and not sure why I strayed away from my natural remedies.
Today was kind of a cruddy day. I am roughly 2 days removed from taking Bactrim and my PAC's have kicked up. I don't feel as bad as I have in the past, but enough to feel down.
So how bad did I screw up? Was only 3.5 days enough time for any bacteria to get resistant? I'm pretty sure I'm not supposed to start taking Bactrim again if I choose to finish off the rest of my prescription, right?
If I went with antibiotics again, don't I just need to switch to a different kind now? Should I suspect that stopping cold turkey is a result of my PAC's kicking up?
Sorry for sounding like a nervous Nelly and a head case. I'm usually calm and collected about stuff.
Posts: 194 | From Colorado | Registered: Nov 2008
| IP: Logged |
Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
Gosh, I don't know how to answer your question, but I have read that abx are absolutely necessary to treat Lyme and cos. Of course, supplements and herbs help, but abx are a must.
I am new to this, so I definitely am not the last word on the subject, but am passing on what I have read.
I think I might be missing something here. Did I read that you have not been diagnosed yet, but your doctor prescribed Bactrim? I am wondering if he is an LLMD and if his assessment of Bartonella and Ehrlichia was a clinical diagnosis. Also, have you considered testing with Igenex?
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
I did get an Igenex test and it was inconclusive. I had some markers, but not enough for the CDC. I also had some low value on lymphocytes that the LLMD said was an indication of inflammation.
I believe clinical diagnosis is what he was going with.
Posts: 194 | From Colorado | Registered: Nov 2008
| IP: Logged |
Start the Bactrim DS again and take all of it as your Dr prescribed. No, you shouldn't change to another antibiotic right now or for at least the month of treatment is over, subject to your Dr's decision when you see him again.
Yes, personally I think the recurrence of your PACs are due to your discontinuing the Bactrim DS. This should be a sign that it's working. You are only screwing up if you don't go back on it and finish it as you were supposed to.
There's a good possibility that you will continue on Bactrim DS for even longer than a month. I've been on some antibiotics for over a month.
You're lucky that you can take Bactrim DS. It's very effective for certain infections. I can't take it because I'm allergic, but I wish I could.
A note about Bactrim DS, be sure you take it with a lot of water. It's very important.
Lyme isn't something that will be cured with a week or two of antibiotics, so you're in this for the long haul.
Posts: 975 | From California | Registered: Apr 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
So exactly when are people going to understand that the CDC' markers mean nothing! It is for surveillance only, not DX.
The clinical DX is enought to get treatment and if you fight with that, you will remain sick.
Posts: 219 | From Aubur,Al. USA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
Ott70,
Can you please post the results of each band, both IGG and IGM from your Igenex test? I had several positive bands, but not the "right" ones to be CDC or Igenex sero-positive.
Nevertheless, I definitely have Lyme, based on my LLMD's clinical diagnosis. It's been a slow-go with my abx treatment, but some things have actually improved.
I will begin taking Bactrim next month. I am looking forward to starting as I will do ANYTHING to get my health back. My LLMD is the one prescribing the Bactrim, but I spoke to my psychiatrist about it too and he said it is one of the oldest and most effective abx in use.
Also, what were the specific values you received from your co-infection testing? I know I am curious and interested as others probably are.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
I would love to share the results but I spaced out getting a copy during my last visit (how could I do that, right?). I will share them when I do get them though.
I understand about the CDC markers, how they are unreliable. Just wanted to throw out that I haven't been "officially diagnosed".
I also just received some results back form a 24 hour urine analysis and my dopamine was high. From what I have read, it appears another Lyme dysfunction in the body.
Thanks for the comments. I'll see what I can do about getting my Igenex results.
Posts: 194 | From Colorado | Registered: Nov 2008
| IP: Logged |
pamoisondelune
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11846
posted
Psano2,
Are you sure you are allergic to Bactrim?
I read in the newspaper a few years ago where a doctor said that people who have been allergic to Bactrim the first time should try it again, as they may not be allergic the second time.
This happened to me. I was a little allergic apparently the first time. Then after a few years, based on htat article, i tried again, and have been on Bactrim ever since.
---Polly Polygonum
Posts: 1226 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Well, PP, I haven't tried it again, but I know for sure that I'm allergic to sulfas in general, because the sulfites in some red wines have made me start wheezing in the past.
The wheezing would then go away after taking an antihistamine.
So I've never been keen on trying it again, but maybe I should.
Patti
Posts: 975 | From California | Registered: Apr 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Restarted my Bactrim today. Yesterday was some type of hormonal release in the morning, that surging feeling through the chest. Had my body out of whack all day long.
Slept okay last night but just woke up exhausted. Took me a couple of hours to get over it.
Tabers, thanks for the info. I like the get in, get out approach as I do want to keep things as natural as possible.
I am going after parasites right now with a hebral tincture and then I'm going to follow up with three days of Alinia.
I'm pretty sure I just panicked a little with the Bactrim and was feeling some herxing or side effects. I think reading about the Steven-Johnson Syndrome freaked me out a little.
Posts: 194 | From Colorado | Registered: Nov 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Stopped my Bactrim after a week. I thought it was helping me but I also started developing joint pain, a sore throat, and red spots in my mouth.
Went to urgent care, just in case, and they felt it was either a virus or side effects from Bactrim. They didn't think SJS but I'll have to keep an eye on it.
So if a sulfa drug is not going to work for me, what is another good Bart antibiotic? Maybe one with less side effects?
Posts: 194 | From Colorado | Registered: Nov 2008
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic