To make a long story short, I tested CDC+ on my WB in May after having unexplained symptoms for many years (I did have a bullseye rash and was treated in 2001 for a month, so this very may very well be chronic).
After testing + this Spring, I had a month of Doxy, but symptoms were still there. I have found a local doctor that is supposedly lyme literate. He tested me at MDL through PCR and my tests showed exposure, but not enough bands to be considered CDC+.
Because I was still having symptoms he has put me on a low dose of Zithromax for the next 30 days. I have only been on the meds for about 5 days and I'm having terrible IBS symptoms. (I have had bouts of gastrointestinal pain, especially in the past couple of years).
I'm wondering, could this pain be a herx or is it possibly just a side effect from the abx? In the past, when I've taken abx and had an increase in symtoms, it often has sent me into panic mode and then I wonder if it's something else that the doctors are missing. I've been to so many doctors over the past ten years for various problems, I hate to jump the gun again.
I don't want to burden my family with my worry, but I know this is going to be a long road and I just need some reassurance that I'm doing the right thing.
If any of you have been here and can relate and reassure me that this is normal (for lyme anyway), then I would greatly appreciate it.
I'm sorry this became such a long post.
Kim
Posts: 69 | From PA | Registered: Aug 2005
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Starfall1969
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17353
posted
Are you taking a probiotic along with any antibiotics? That is very important, so your digestive tract doesn't get out of sorts from the meds killing off good bacteria.
I had IBS symptoms for years before being diagnosed with Lyme and cos; I don't know if I was infected for years or if it was something else.
Two years ago, before my main batch of symptoms appeared, I had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy done because my IBS acted up really bad.
Also, my dad died of colon cancer, so I am now considered higer risk.
Anyway, I note a HUGE difference in my IBS symptoms since starting a probiotic; I typically only had 2-3 BM's a week. Now it is every day, and I don't get the pain I had gotten.
Still deal with some nausea, but it's not overbearing.
Posts: 1682 | From Dillsburg, PA | Registered: Sep 2008
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
probably.
read Bells Palsy of the Gut-search it on here for author
ps-the probiotic info is impt too...don't forget sbc
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
Could all be attributed to yeast overgrowth? What is sbc? Thanks so much for your help...
Posts: 69 | From PA | Registered: Aug 2005
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disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
IBS can be lyme symptoms as well as gluten intolerance symptoms and yeast overgrowth symptoms, etc.
BUT -- Zith ITSELF was hard on my stomach and caused IBS symptoms for me, as well as sharp cramps and pain. I had to get off it because my stomach just could not tolerate it. So your IBS symptoms might just be due to the Zith. Also, when I was taking Zith I was taking a good amount of probiotics and that did not help, even when I took extra to try to stop the IBS symptoms. So, for me, it was the Zith. And I've heard from a few other people that the Zith did this to them as well. Some people just cannot tolerate Zith.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
i think sbc is florastor
if you search either on here you will get more info
it does something a little different than probiotics and prevents c-diff
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
posted
Good evening Kim,
Really good advice thus far. Be SURE to eat with all meds to cushion the tum. You are in this for the long haul and must protect your GI tract at all times. And yes... IBS is most certainly a common symptom of TBDs. The meds can contribute enormously to this issue.
And yes again, some meds just don't work well with some patients. Zith in particular has a very long half life, so even if you cut back in dose for a day or two, you will be covered.
You may also be experiencing the new med thing. When beginning any new med and it reaches optimal levels in your bloodstream (approx. 36-72 hours, depending on the med), you will sometimes feel a mini-herx as it begins working. This usually will subside after a couple of days.
Remember, if at anytime you feel really uncomfortable, it is always best to put a call into your treating physician.
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