posted
I've been recently infected, in the past 6 weeks, with what's suspected to be Bartonella (possibly lyme too).
I visited an LLMD and left with prescriptions for Doxy (400mg/day) and Ceftin (1000 mg/day)... He also ordered a battery of blood tests and a heavy metals urine test. I haven't started the antibiotics because I need to wait to take the heavy metals test.
I think Doxy+Ceftin is a pretty common combination, but I was curious about what side effects I should expect to see when starting out? I'm also a lightweight (115 lbs) and was concerned about these high doses. Have any of you had hearing problems from the Ceftin? I saw someone mention that Dr. B wants people to work out for an hour every other day while on treatment; is that still true?
I've also heard that lyme can survive in cyst form for quite some time, even with antibiotics treatment. What are the options for dealing with these cysts? Will these options also cross the BBB to treat Brain cysts?
How do Samento and Banderol fare for treating Bart/Lyme? Should I consider using them alongside my antibiotics?
There's a wealth of information on these forums, but the breadth and quantity make it difficult to know where to start...
I really want to make sure that I "nip this in the bud" to avoid significant long-term problems and would appreciate help in ridding myself of these infections.
Thanks in Advance.
Posts: 14 | From Dallas, TX | Registered: Jun 2010
| IP: Logged |
Remember to Smile
Unregistered
posted
Dear Veracity, I can suggest you take 200 mg doxy in the middle of a big breakfast and 200 mg doxy in the middle of a big dinner each day (your 400mg total Rx) to avoid stomach upset.
Also, drink plenty of fluids, like healing herbal teas with lemon oil. I make several batches of tea at once and keep it in the fridge. Peppermint or Eater's Digest with abx, and Red clover or other anti-fungal teas with lunch and in the evening.
posted
What exactly does the red clover do? I've seen that listed a couple of places for lyme.
Posts: 25 | From AL | Registered: Apr 2010
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
Red Clover: The Ideal Women's Herb? - By Don Chaddock
==================
You can search further for Red Clover through Google and PubMed. However, you may also want to look at Red ROOT. In addtion to the basic search sites, see Buhner's book and site for that.
Red Clover is also likely profiled in the articles search at www.vrp.com
There is no "crash course" as there are many very good authors who address support measures. It just takes time to become familiar with these to see what rings true for you. Your LLMD is best to suggest support measures.
You may also want to find an ILADS-educated LL ND (naturopathic doctor) or an L. Ac. (acupuncturist) who has years of formal education in herbs but who is also very Lyme Literate, beyond that.
Below - not a complete list at all, but a start to compare and contrast the work of authors regarding some of the most common complementary or integrative paths, please save this list to your computer for reference:
It's very important to have this book as a reference tool for self-care and support measures. It answers so many questions in detail that is impossible here on the forum.
A synergistic formula of 6 rainforest botanicals which are traditionally used in South America for syphilis (a type of spirochete bacteria) and other bacterial conditions.* This product was featured in an article by the Health Sciences Institute (see page 4).
ITM - Chinese Medicine research site -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Remember to Smile
Unregistered
posted
We need to be very cautious with common names for plants. I intentionally wrote Red Clover; I ingest the flowers.
Red Root is something altogether different, not even the same genus.
Here's some info on Red Clover. I love wild edibles and enjoy these blooms fresh on a walk (if they've not been treated with any pesticides or exposed to exhaust fumes!), fresh on a green salad, or the dried flower tea. It's in the legume family, and it has a pea-or-bean flavor fresh. (Actually does not taste like chicken!)
I enjoy a variety of herbal teas. Nice to drink something that's both good to the taste and good for you in terms of traditional, well-known healing properties.
IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Red Clover does have its advantages for the general population, especially for some women. Because it does not have specific action regarding lyme - and because Red ROOT is detailed in Buhner's book for lyme patients on seven pages for lymph, liver and spleen support - I just wanted to be sure.
Red Clover certainly looks like a good support for some, though, just different. Names can be easily confused with herbs but many of the pharmaceuticals out there have very similar names, too, with very different action. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
I is common to start treatment with Doxy. Like already mentioned you have to be careful the first hour after you take it. It is best to eat something when you take it and DON"T LIE DOWN, as you can cause serious acid reflux. I found using apple cider vinegar with the mother (from health food store) eliminated acid reflux which could be painful. I put it on my salad at dinner. While taking doxy, you can also quickly develop sun sensitivity so severe that a few minutes standing at a window can burn you.
I don't know anything about Ceftin, Some of the drugs used for bartonella are rifampin and bactrim Ds with biaxin or zithro. Levaquin and Cipro are also used but they are more dangerous.
Some supplements help break down the bio film. The amino acid cysteine and the supplements nattokinase and lactoferrin are supposed to be good.
Tindamax is good for fighting the cyst form of lyme and I have found that it also seems to help with bart. Flagyl is more commonly given for the cyst form of lyme but I found tindamax more easy to tolerate. It is much more expensive.
Grapefruit seed extract is supposed to also help kill the cyst form of lyme and it fights yeast infections. Diflucan is a drug used to control yeast and recently has been found to be effective against the cyst form.
Taking a probiotic is really important. You also need to replace vitamins and minerals depleted by lyme such as magnesium and B12. Some of the other supplements very helpful are acetyl l carnitine for brain fog and energy, and alpha lipoic acid (powerful antioxidant).
Buhner has a good book on herbs and supplements you can use. I have found the the books promoting the authors own brand of herbs are a waste and the herbs overpriced. I have found out the hard way that drugs are most effective against the infections. i don't think there is any herb that makes a dent in a bartonella infection.
You need to treat for at least two months after all of your symptoms have gone away to be sure you have gotten rid of everything. I quit twice because I felt better but I relapsed - I was ignoring the evidence of continuing infection.
Hope this helps
-------------------- 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 |
posted
Thank you all very much. I really appreciate your insight, especially the guide of expectations offered by nefferdun.
I forgot to mention it initially, but I will also be taking Diflucan once a week (200mg). I have read that Flagyl is only effective when given time to build up (48 hrs). Is this also true for Diflucan?
Your comments about supplements are very helpful. I will be ordering several today.
Thanks Again.
Posts: 14 | From Dallas, TX | Registered: Jun 2010
| 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