RZR
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20953
posted
The only symptoms I have experienced since the first week of October (HERX) is stomach burning and pain. I am beginning to think this is from long-term abx use. If I stop the abx and lyme is not gone, will it be worse if it comes back? I have not had any HERX reactions since October.
How do you ever get the nerve to stop the abx?
I have not been tested for co-infections. Could it be that I don't have any since I started lyme treatment 6 weeks after bite?
-------------------- Tick bite May 2009 Diagnosed June 2009 Posts: 2329 | From SouthEast | Registered: Jun 2009
| IP: Logged |
sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Its not that big of a deal to take a break from antibiotics, especially if your only symptom now is a burning stomach. Antibiotics could very likely cause that symptom.
If your lyme symptoms come back, then you just start back on meds. Maybe a week break from antibiotics will give your tummy time to heal.
It will also give you a chance to see if lyme symptoms start to emerge again. Of course this decision should be made with your LLMD.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
RZR
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20953
posted
[QUOTE]Originally posted by sutherngrl: Its not that big of a deal to take a break from antibiotics, especially if your only symptom now is a burning stomach. Antibiotics could very likely cause that symptom.
If your lyme symptoms come back, then you just start back on meds. Maybe a week break from antibiotics will give your tummy time to heal.
It will also give you a chance to see if lyme symptoms start to emerge again. Of course this decision should be made with your LLMD. [/QUOTE
I did take a one-week break from abx but stomach did not get better. Would it be a big deal to take another break of say 2 weeks or so? I will call my LLMD & ask as well. It seems I have gotten better advice here though. LOL!
-------------------- Tick bite May 2009 Diagnosed June 2009 Posts: 2329 | From SouthEast | Registered: Jun 2009
| IP: Logged |
nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
Try taking herbs during your break. You can buy cat's claw and resveratrol at your health food store. I would be reluctant to quit abx without a back up, just in case. You may want to take the herbs for 6 months or so even if you are symptom free. They will not hurt your stomach.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
| IP: Logged |
sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Well if the antibiotics are the culprit to the stomach issues, you need to heal the stomach in order to continue antibiotics. So its almost a must to take a break until the stomach is better.
I would still run it all by your LLMD.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
RZR
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20953
posted
quote:Originally posted by sutherngrl: Well if the antibiotics are the culprit to the stomach issues, you need to heal the stomach in order to continue antibiotics. So its almost a must to take a break until the stomach is better.
I would still run it all by your LLMD.
Yes, I will talk to my LLMD.
-------------------- Tick bite May 2009 Diagnosed June 2009 Posts: 2329 | From SouthEast | Registered: Jun 2009
| IP: Logged |
sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
jennie, I hope your tummy feels better soon!
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Lyme, treated or untreated can cause gastritis of the stomach. You may need an acid blocker like nexium to help with that. I also found that if you increase your probiotics, it should help with stomach issues in the lower GI, and help normalize flora in your gut.
I used to take only 1 probiotic, but on 3 abx now, so i take 4-6 probiotics daily.
Hope this helps!
Posts: 123 | From Minneapolis, MN | Registered: Jul 2009
| IP: Logged |
sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Good suggestion on the probiotics. You could increase those. Also I take prilosec for my stomach. It has helped a lot. You have to take it far away from your antibiotics though.
A few weeks break from antibiotics is still not a bad idea.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Tummy issues from antibiotic use can take weeks and even months in some cases to resolve post treatment. So 1 week may just not have been long enough.
Posts: 283 | From where the ticks are! | Registered: Oct 2009
| 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