LymeNet Flash: Confused about my LLMD's treatment of me so far

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Confused about my LLMD's treatment of me so far

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Topic: Confused about my LLMD's treatment of me so far

yankees237
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 25791

posted

Quick background on my situation:

-Bullseye rash

-Started Doxy within 2 days (200mg per day for 4

weeks) - prescribed by PCP

-Started seeing LLMD within 2 weeks of bite.

After my Doxy i was told to start using Bactrim -

nothing else , just Bactrim which from what I

hear usually is combined with something else. Had

an allergic reaction to Bactrim after 7 days or

so.

Now I am supposed to take Rifampin starting next

week. Just rifampin, nothing else. From research

I am seeing that Rifampin alone isn't

recommended.

[Frown]

I just feel like this is a crucial time frame (EM

rash was about 5 weeks ago now) and i want to

make sure he isnt dropping the ball here. Ive

heard good things about him but it seems like

everyone on here is taking bactrim with _____ or

rifampin with ______. Is it because Im so early

in the process that it's just 1 medication at a

time? He also has me taking Artemisisinin, which

is for babesia from what i gather?

[ 06-13-2010, 10:25 AM: Message edited by: yankees237 ]

Posts: 132 | From jersey | Registered: May 2010 | IP: Logged |

erikjh1972
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 20964

posted

well, first are you symptomatic still? usaualy doxy if given early enough and long enough will do the job.

--------------------
3 months Doxy
8 months of Tetra
7 months of Biaxin/Plaq.
4 months Doxy/Biaxin/Plaq.
5 months Biaxin/Plaq.
Back on Doxy/Biax/Plaq
On the road to recovery.
Trying to make people Lyme Aware.......

Posts: 289 | From R.I. | Registered: Jun 2009 | IP: Logged |

Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091

posted

But doxy is usually given at 2-300 mg twice a day, not just 200 mg per day.

I would want doxy at a higher dosage and with something to cover the other co-infections.

But, yes, are you symptomatic? You might need a second opinion, although that gets expensive, but then, so is not being treated correctly!

Posts: 3771 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008 | IP: Logged |

yankees237
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 25791

posted

thanks for the responses...

well overall i feel pretty good. nothing close to

some of the symptoms i see posted here. sometimes

i get a overal unwell feeling but it usually goes

away in a couple hours. sometimes some funny

feelings in my feet - neuropathy stuff- but that

goes away. i've actually not been on any

medication the last 3 days because of the

allergic reaction/now waiting for my pharmacy to

fill the prescription, and ive felt ok.

its just weird cause i read on here about what

works and then when my LLMD is doing something

different it gets me nervous. But then again he's

supposely cured chronic patients.

Posts: 132 | From jersey | Registered: May 2010 | IP: Logged |

j_liz
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 20496

posted

Dr. B says 400mg of doxy for 4-6 wks. Seeing it has a 4 wk. cycle, I think 6 wks.

My LLMD seems to treat with just 1 abx, too and that is with chronic Lyme. It may not be the case with her other patients. Dr. B says with a combo, but that's for cld.

liz

Posts: 471 | From NJ | Registered: May 2009 | IP: Logged |

WildCondor
Unregistered

posted

That makes no sense to me either. Good for you for questioning your treatment. Rifampin alone? WHY!

Doxy should be 400-600 mg per day, not 200 mg so I would do the correct doses of that at the very least.

IP: Logged |

yankees237
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 25791

posted

i feel weird questioning him though. I mean he is a

LLMD and Ive heard nothing but good about him.

I mean he's cured chronic lyme patients, and here

I am, only 5 weeks in - who am i. I'm assuming

he is going to have me start

Rifampin then add another ABX, instead of

starting 2 ABX at the same time? That makes sense

to me.

Posts: 132 | From jersey | Registered: May 2010 | IP: Logged |

tick battler
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21113

posted

Don't feel strange questioning him. We had to go to 5 LLMD's before we found one who was aggressive enough in our eyes. It is your health and the rest of your life that is on the line here...he is working for you. There is nothing wrong with questioning your LLMD, no matter who it is. They should be able to back up their recommendations with data or give you a sufficient reason in your eyes.

I think others have made good points and our pediatric LLMD (very experienced) told me that Rifampin should never be given alone or it will become worthless in a few days. I guess this was learned about Rifampin with TB cases I think. I don't know if he's right, but until someone shows be data to the contrary, I would not take any chances on this. Rifampin is a great bart drug.

I would go in with DR. B's guidelines in hand and ask if you can have dosages at those levels and for those time frames. If he doesn't agree, then I would find someone more aggressive.

Best of luck to you.

tickbattler

Posts: 1763 | From Malvern, PA | Registered: Jul 2009 | IP: Logged |

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