My friend was bitten by a tick 2 weeks ago but just got the bulls-eye rash and feels like she has flu-like symptoms and was run over by a truck. She felt she went downhill very quickly since the onset of symptoms yesterday morning.
She went to her primary care physician yesterday and was prescribed oral Amoxycillin twice a day.
Is amoxycillin a potent med for early lyme or would she be better off taking Doxycycline?
Thanks, Paul.
Posts: 80 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Feb 2008
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Melanie Reber
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My vote would be to take the Doxy because it covers a wider range of possible co-infections as well. And get her to a real LLMD.
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Marnie
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The following holds great promise IF given fast enough.
It is "a new formulation of doxycycline hyclate that is programmed to release the drug over a 20 day period is 100% effective." It is an injection! Slow release over many days.
posted
Thank you all for the info. I'll contact my friend tomorrow and let her know.
Posts: 80 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Feb 2008
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- doxy is bacteriostatic and may not have the penetrating effect that other tetracyclines have; perhaps that's why some docs double up on the doxy dosing
- some antibiotics are said to actually "drive" Bb into other forms, making them deeper and harder to eliminate. I've read about this in several places but cannot say this is a "fact." Also, take a close look at biofilm research findings, as it's looking like that many types of bacteria (not just gram-negative) have a biofilm capability. Maybe biofilm will turn out to yet ANOTHER form!
-------------------- My biofilm film: www.whyamistillsick.com 2004 Mycoplasma Pneumonia 2006 Positive after 2 years of hell 2006-08 Marshall Protocol. Killed many bug species 2009 - Beating candida, doing better Lahey Clinic in Mass: what a racquet! Posts: 830 | From Mass. | Registered: Aug 2006
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AliG
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FWIW - I've been fighting tooth & nail to recover for 3 years after an initial 2 weeks of oral Amoxi.
Then again, I also had quite a few initially ignored co-infections so perhaps your friend might fare better if they truly ONLY have Lyme.
If I had it to do over again, knowing what I now know, I wouldn't accept that treatment from my PCP. I'd rather treat more agressively up front than end up with MS symptoms down the road.
Please make certain that your friend gets properly tested for co-infections. Doxy will address SOME co-infections, Amoxicillin will not.
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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Ali, very good point -- thx for saying this for the rest of us! DO NOT forget about possible coinfections which are NOT effected by doxy!
-------------------- My biofilm film: www.whyamistillsick.com 2004 Mycoplasma Pneumonia 2006 Positive after 2 years of hell 2006-08 Marshall Protocol. Killed many bug species 2009 - Beating candida, doing better Lahey Clinic in Mass: what a racquet! Posts: 830 | From Mass. | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
I spoke with my friend a little while ago and she said she is feeling better today but still has a long way to go.
She couldn't believe how fast the illness came on and how crushing the fatigue was. She said it felt like an elephant was standing on her shoulders when she tried to walk around.
AliG - thanks - while I was talking to her I asked her if her PCP had tested for co-infections and she said no. I told her how important it was to get tested. I'm shocked (not really) that her PCP wouldn't know to test for co's.
Thanks for all the great replies. Paul.
Posts: 80 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Feb 2008
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Some people think that coinfections can be handled by the immune system if lyme is treated early and adequately. I don't know if this is true for everyone, though.
The sunburn with doxy is really important to remember if she changes meds. Suncreen won't work. Got to cover up and stay out of the sun entirely.
It is really important that she not stop treatment after two weeks. I personally would not be happy with less than six weeks for an early case, and being totally paranoid, would probably want more. Most docs will not do this.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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Marnie
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We DO have to impact Ca immediately (bind it). IMO...increasing extracellular Mg is the "ideal"...from not only a Ca aspect, but from many other aspects (acetylcholine release included).
Ca does indeed activate an enzyme of Bb's that helps "him" to metabolize arginine -> citrulline + AMMONIA (NH3)
Proof:
Bb has a gene to metabolize arginine and proline i.e., break them down:
Gene Name: BB0841
EC Number: 3.5.3.6
Organism: Borrelia burgdorferi B31
***Putative***Identity: arginine deiminase
Arginine deiminase is a calcium dependent enzyme.
This enzyme participates in arginine and proline metabolism.
Metabolism = breakdown.
an arginine deiminase is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction:
Is Bb "making" - via enzymes - and then using - a LOT of ammonia, NH3? That (ammonia) can be very very toxic to us.
Posts: 9426 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Melanie Reber: [QB] My vote would be to take the Doxy because it covers a wider range of possible co-infections as well. And get her to a real LLMD.
Untreated ehrlichiosis can be deadly ( fast ) and doxy would treat that. Amoxy would not.
and as lou said ... I would want at least 6 wks of doxy .. 8 if possible.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
This is how my lyme doc treats a recent bite with bull's eye:
Doxy 300 mg per day plus Bactrim DS twice per day.
Rationale: The doxy will kill lyme and ehrlichiosis and bartonella. The Bactrim will kill babesiosis.
So, it takes these 2 meds to cover lyme and all the coinfections.
Take for 30 days. If still having symptoms, continue taking and notify the lyme doc.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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METALLlC BLUE
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Member # 6628
posted
I want to expand on what Marnie said. The drug she's talking about also comes in tablet form and is called Dorxy. It comes in 150mg tablets. It is extended release and works very well based on the reports of Dr. H in NY.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
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