Marz
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3446
posted
I've changed subject line of my post because my real dilemma now is whether doxy, zith and metronidizole will be effective against bartonella?
I hadn't seen LLMD in over a year. She diagnosed bartonella because of a new rash on my leg and back and other symptoms.
I also have red crescent in back of mouth, but someone pointed out that just is indicative of chronic fatigue so I might have misunderstood her when she commented on it.
I also hve enlarged lymph nodes.
After reading other posts I'm wondering if I'm getting effective antibiotics for this.
[ 01-30-2010, 11:55 AM: Message edited by: Marz ]
Posts: 1302 | From USA | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
Lucky me, I didn't have bart.. but from reading here, I would say most take quinolones like Levaquin or Rifampin for bart. (Rifampin is not a quinolone)
Hopefully, someone with more knowledge will show up soon!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Marz
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3446
posted
Anybody have success with the combo I've been prescribed?
Posts: 1302 | From USA | Registered: Dec 2002
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I'm getting nice rashes (and short fevers/herx!) with Bart herbs. I couldn't tolerate Cipro or Rifampin especially in combo with Lyme drugs. After Cipro felt like it was just frying my brain, I tried Rifampin until I was in the E.R. early one morning with hypothermia (93 degrees) and confused thoughts. Why hypothermia? I don't know, but my body corrected itself a few hours later.
After reading LymeMD's blog, I will ask my doctor about Bactrim and Zithromax combo. For now, I am happy and content that I am herxing on just an herb (HH from Dr. Z).
I was going to try Levaquin, but insurance wouldn't cover it because of the price. I found a way to get it for cheap (not legally), but I am not sure if I want to try quinolones again. I disagree with those that see quinolones as good drugs. I really think the Cipro effected me cognitively, emotionally, and neurologically for a month or two after stopping it. Now that my brain feels quite repaired compared to where I was at, I really think it could have been a side effect of the medication. They are dangerous and toxic drugs, especially if you take them for months at a time.
Bactrim/Zith really looks safer to me, and I may try it if needed. Please challenge me if I am wrong.
lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
Biaxin was my miracle Bart killer. Specifically for B.henselae. BLO's may need other abx such as the quinolones.
It took many months, 9-10 to be exact, it is slow but it worked for me..twice. The first time I got sick and then I was re-infected and it worked again.
posted
I always thought that a red crescent in the throat was associated with chronic fatigue.... but your doctor said bartonella?
Posts: 758 | From now TX | Registered: Mar 2001
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Marz
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3446
posted
She was considering biaxin instead of zith. She asked if I had a problem with zith before and I said no I didn't and I said I was ok with "whatever you think is best". So she gave me zith.
I've googled the red crescent and found nothing. I'm wondering if you had one and your doctor told you that it was chronic fatigue mj??? But yes, she said it was from Bartonella.
The roof of my mouth is irritated too. There are spots that hurt when I eat certain foods occasionally.
I'm in a panicky state anyway and now not trusting my LLMD is really making me panic!
Posts: 1302 | From USA | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
I'm glad you changed the topic title.. but you need more information here from those who have been treated for bart!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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sutherngrl
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Member # 16270
posted
I am pretty sure that Doxy can work against Bart. It might not be the first choice for Bart specifically but I have heard that what works against Lyme can also work against Bart.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
My LLMD told me that doxy doesn't kill bart but "keeps it at bay."
I had terrible reaction on cipro as well and I'm starting Rifampin today in addition to Biaxin for bart treatment. I hope that I'll be able to tolerate it as my bart is misbehaving.
Posts: 19 | From Rockville, MD | Registered: Nov 2009
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quote:Originally posted by Jessica: [QB] My LLMD told me that doxy doesn't kill bart but "keeps it at bay."
That's what I would think.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Marz
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3446
posted
It seems people have bad reactions to rifampin, so hope you post later Jessica and tell us how it goes for you.
Thanks for all the input.
Since I've got the prescriptions already, I guess I'm stuck taking it. If it keeps it at bay I guess that's worth something.
Still hoping someone will come along and say this combo worked for them....
I'm not sure my LLMD would react well to my questioning her although she did ask if I wanted biaxin instead of zith which I'd had before and wish I would have said yes!!!
Posts: 1302 | From USA | Registered: Dec 2002
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Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
I currently am on the same thing that you are. I'm having a difficult time with the Flagyl and IV Doxy. The good thing is that you are on Flagyl which is important in treatment. I needed the Doxy for RMSF.
I am in the same situation as you. I am positive for Bartonella and 2 LLMDs tell me that it needs to be treated. That it is probably causing my inability to think (my worst symptom).
The problem is that the best choices are Levaquin which can rupture tendons (even after you have been off of it for a while) and the other choice is Rifampin which I tried for 2 weeks and went completely down hill. I have my Levaquin here but I'm afraid to start it.
Please let me know what you decide to do.
Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
My LD just changed my meds because he feels the
babs is under control. Started me on flagyl/mino
combo for bart. Unfortunately could not stay on
due to bad reaction. Not typical herx. If you
can stay with the flagyl. Great cyst buster.
Posts: 146 | From Vancouver, BC | Registered: Dec 2009
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tick battler
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21113
posted
JOLA,
That's an interesting combo for bart...have not heard of that one. Can you tell me which drug your LLMD believes is going after bartonella? Does Flagyl hit bart? I always heard from my LLMD that it only hits Lyme, particularly the cyst form.
Thanks,
tickbattler
Posts: 1763 | From Malvern, PA | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
I decided to do a major detox before refampin. So, I'm starting it today.
Marz, I'll definitely post my progress and reactions.
My bart symptoms are very obvious, so if this combo is working, I should recognize results easily.
Posts: 19 | From Rockville, MD | Registered: Nov 2009
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Lymetoo, if you didn't have Bart, why was your LLMD Rxing Bart drugs? Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
My report on Biaxin + Rifampin combo for Bart treatment:
My Bart symptoms definitely got better. I herxed twice: first time when started 1 rifampin/day, and the second time when increased Rifampin to two per day.
My heart was racing most of the time I was on it. Could not exercise because of the chest pain that followed my gym sessions. I still thought it was worth the problems it caused. One month after I started Rifampin my liver enzymes jumped up (they were perfect before). My LLMD told me to re-check them a week later. They doubled. So, she stopped both abxs and now I am going to check my blood again in a week. Meanwhile, she checked my CD57, which went down from 56 to 30 in the last 3 month. I am happy to be off abx (I just felt poisoned lately), AND I am terribly scared to be off abx, since the only time I had to stop them in the last 4 month, all of my symptoms returned in 3 days.
Posts: 19 | From Rockville, MD | Registered: Nov 2009
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RZR
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20953
posted
quote:Originally posted by Jessica: I decided to do a major detox before refampin. So, I'm starting it today.
Marz, I'll definitely post my progress and reactions.
My bart symptoms are very obvious, so if this combo is working, I should recognize results easily.
Please share your detox protocol.
Thanks!
-------------------- Tick bite May 2009 Diagnosed June 2009 Posts: 2329 | From SouthEast | Registered: Jun 2009
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