Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
Who has done Coartem and what is your opinion of it?
Did you do one course or more?
Did you have side effects and/or a herx from it? If you were on Mepron before you took it, did you restart the Mepron as soon as you were done with the Coartem?
I will be doing one three day course next week. The directions say take as directed. I do not have any directions! I will call my doctor, but how did you take it?
Thanks for any information you can provide. I have read through the previous posts on it.
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Sammi
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Member # 110
posted
Is that the same thing as Riamet? If so, I did two courses sequentially, had no SE's or herx, just stopped having babs sx. This was after having no response to many months on Biaxin and mepron.
Posts: 156 | From MA | Registered: Jul 2003
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Sammi
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kidsatlast, thank you for your reply. I believe Riamet is the same as Coartem. You took the two courses one right after the other? Did you go back on any meds for Babesiosis after the two courses of Riamet?
I am happy to hear that it eradicated your symptoms!
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sammy
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Member # 13952
posted
Riamet is known as Coartem here in the USA. My doctor gave me information to read over before starting the medication.
There are medications that interact with Coartem so you will want to check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure that you are not on any of those (such as other antimalarials, heart medications, macrolides such as zith and biaxin, quinolones such as levaquin and factive, reflux meds, antifungal meds, and certain antihistamines.)
You are also supposed to take Coartem (4tabs)at specific time intervals with food. To make sure you get the timing right my doc recommended taking it at 8am and 4pm on the first day. 8am and 8pm on the next two days.
While on the medication I did notice an increase in my Babesia symptoms (increase fatigue, muscle heaviness, weakness, cough, woosy feeling, etc).
My symptoms improved about 24-48hrs after the last dose. Unfortunately, I relapsed and began having symptoms after only a few days. Happened with both courses of Coartem.
After finishing the Coartem I went back to taking Malarone and Plaquenil as usual.
Hope this helps, feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.
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Sammi
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Hi sammy with a "y!" Thanks for your response.
Interesting about macrolides because they are what is typically prescribed with Mepron. I am currently taking one, so I am glad you mentioned it.
My doctor wants me to take the Coartem the same way you did and with a fatty meal.
I am sorry you got only temporary relief. This seems to be what most experience. I am prepared for either result but hoping it helps.
I will be calling my doctor regarding the Macrolide before I start it. I had wanted to start on Monday, but it looks like it will be Tuesday now.
Thanks for all replies!
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Pocono Lyme
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Member # 5939
posted
Hi Sammi,
I just finished a second course last Saturday. Sammy gave you the directions I received also.
I had an increase in large muscle pain, I had been having, with the first course, then relieved. It returned with the second course but mild. Again relieved and so far hasn't returned.
Strangely enough yet interesting, I had some strange vision stuff on the third day of the first course. My vision has been an ongoing issue. Currently it seems to be improving. Distance vision is much better and close up is slightly improved.
I am sleeping much better without the vivid dreams, feel more "connected to my environment", I am walking better, I can feel my feet, changes in temperature, my mood is better, early morning (3a.m. and up for the day) coughing has just about stopped, less dizziness although that increased with the first round.
Not so bad with the second round.
I did have spleen pain with the first round but not the second round.
I did read that the half-life is 88 hours in a non infected person and double that in an infected person.
I didn't start to feel better for a few days after stopping.
I am not well but I'll take any relief I can get and keep my fingers crossed that it lasts.
Hope this helps. The hardest thing for me was to take those first doses as there's so little data available on this drug.
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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Sammi
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Member # 110
posted
Pocono Lyme, thank you for your detailed reply.
How much time was there between your first and second rounds? Were you on any antibiotic when you took it or did you stop until you completed the med?
I am so glad you have had some improvement. I understand when you say you will take any improvement you can get. Me too!
I also have a lot of muscle pain. Thank you for letting me know that you felt better a few days after stopping.
Did you resume other Babesiosis treatment after stopping this?
You are right there is little information about this. The pharmacy sheet that comes with the med has nothing on it--very eerie!
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Pocono Lyme
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Hi Sammi,
You're very welcome.
I did them two weeks apart. I do plan on doing a third round but not sure if I'll do it at the two week mark or wait a little longer. It'll depend on how I feel.
A few days ago I decided I'd wait longer but if I'm feeling better, and today I am, I'm sure I'll go for it. I want this gone.
I didn't do other antibiotics with it as it says it may interact with other antibiotics and not very specific as to which ones. If you are on a short acting macrolide, you shouldn't have to wait long to do your first round after stopping it.
I do plan on restarting my previous Babs treatment after the third round. Not immediately following as it has a pretty long half-life. Like Kidsatlast, I had no results from Mepron/Zith, Malarone, and more.
The last couple of days I started noticing some twitching but only of my left thumb, 2nd and 3rd fingers. I haven't had that in years. hmmm
I took a pill out of the bottle, (not an antibiotic), went for my water when the twitching caused me to fling the pill. Well some symptoms are amusing. haha
I also noticed more intense shin pain. Now I'm not so sure that's a bart symptom or babs as it was worse than I've had in the past. Oh, and a red, non raised pinpoint type of rash has resolved.
My ability to concentrate seems to have improved but it'll take more time to be sure as I've had a few "better" days in that area in the past but not very many.
I hope you have improvement and that it lasts. For both of us and all others struggling.
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
Hi Sammi, To answer your questions, I took the two courses of Riamet back-to-back. This was about 4-5 years ago. Since then, I occasionally get mild babs sx but they go away after two days on artimisinin. I take a high dose of about 5 capsules, but this can make you herx very strongly if you are susceptible to it, so ramp up very slowly on artimisinin unless you know how it affects you.
I also take a Zithromax 250 mg (just one dose; it stays in the system for days) with the Artimisinin as it supposedly prevents the babs from becoming immune to the artimisinin.
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Sammi
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Member # 110
posted
Thanks again Pocono Lyme.
I am going to skip my antibiotic and Mepron doses tonight and start the Coartem in the morning.
So you did not take any meds for Babesiosis since you did the two rounds?
I am sorry your twitching has returned. Do you think it and the increased pain could be because you have not been on meds for any disease?
I hope your concentration continues to improve. Please keep me posted. I will post my experience when the treatment has been completed.
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Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
Thanks kidsatlast. I think we were posting at the same time.
So do you pulse the Artemisinin and Zithromax? Is it only when you feel symptomatic?
I take Artemisinin along with my Babesiosis meds.
I am very happy to hear it helped you so much!
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Pocono Lyme
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Member # 5939
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Hi Sammi,
To answer your question I didn't take any Babs meds in between the rounds.
I plan on starting them again about a week after I finish the third round.
Have you done your first round? BTW, Knock on wood, no return of the large muscle pain and no more twitching.
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
Hi Pocono Lyme. So you have been off your regular Babesiosis meds for about four weeks while doing two rounds of Coartem in-between?
Yes, I did the first round this week ending on Wednesday night. It has made my headaches more severe. Also instead of having the sweats, I was chilled.
I was told to wait one day after stopping the Coartem to restart the Babs meds, but I am waiting until tomorrow to restart them.
I am glad that your muscle pain continues to be better! Please keep me posted on how you do with round three.
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