posted
Jusy got diagnosed a couple of days ago, and my LLMD wants to start me on Amoxy. I have to get the perscription before I know the dosage, but what do people think of Amoxy as a starting therapy?
Posts: 357 | From California | Registered: Jun 2010
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I started off on dox, just dox, that was in the spring. In the summer I'm now on amox. This will eventually be changed/added to depending on how I do, symptom-wise. My LLMD thinks its ok to start with, but prepared me to change/add to it.
Also, I always ask my doc what drug and dosage they are prescribing so I can make sure I get the right drug/dosage from the pharmacy.
Posts: 252 | From New York | Registered: Apr 2010
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
It might be good for children since they are more limited as to what they can take; but my LLMD says Amoxy is not very good for any of the bacteria that we have now.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I started initially on Amoxy and did great with it....
Posts: 172 | From ohio | Registered: Feb 2010
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
I think that Amoxy is good and well-tolerated generally unless you develop in allergic reaction.
I feel it's as good as IM Bicillin providing the dose of Amoxy is high and consistent enough.
See Dr. B's guidelines for Amoxy dosing options.
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I got rid of lyme on amoxicillin (1500 mg 3 times per day) plus probinecid. The probinecid keeps the amoxi in your blood longer, so it is important to have. Take it with each dose of amoxi.
From p. 14 of Burrascano:
"With cell wall agents such as the penicillins, kill kinetics indicate that sustained bactericidal levels are needed for 72 hours to be effective. Thus the goal is to try to achieve sustained blood and tissue levels. However, since blood levels are extremely variable among patients, peak and trough levels should be measured (for details, refer to the antibiotic dosage table).
Because of its short half-life and need for high levels, amoxicillin is usually administered along with probenecid. An extended release formulation of amoxicillin+clavulanate (``Augmentin XR'') may also be considered..."
Then, after some time on that, we added flagyl to get rid of the cysts.
That's what did the trick for me.
It's now over 5 years since I completed my lyme treatment and I am still symptom-free, enjoying my life. I have the same life I had before lyme disease.
I had lyme undiagnosed for 10 years. I also had babesiosis and bartonella.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Thanks folks-I would like to ask my LLMD about thrice daily dosing and probenicid. He seemed pretty open to my inquiries about things I heard here, and I thnk he could take some questioning. He seemed to recognize Burrascano and had a favorable response. Any advice from anyone on approaching LLMD's on their treatment protocol?
T.F thanks in particular, you have an awesome story
Posts: 357 | From California | Registered: Jun 2010
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'Kete-tracker
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posted
Usually not the 1st choice for adults- unless allergic to the "tetracyclines", of which doxycycline is one- but often used when repeated direct sun exposure is likely, as "doxy" causes sun sensitivity. (Summertime is a tough time to be on a tetracycline for some people.)
If a fairly early stage Lyme infection, doxy is also preferred as it kills other potentially dangerous tick-borne pathogens ("co-infections") such as Ehlrichia.
But at adequate doses, typ. 2 or 3 grams a day, taken in 3 doses over the day, amoxicillun can work pretty well for Lyme. Even higher doses are often used in late-stage Lyme, with Probenecid added to keep the blood serum level up, as amoxicillun is filtered out by the body relatively quickly.
Your dr dx'ed you a "couple days ago", but you have to "wait" for the prescription? What does his prescription order (slip) show?
BTW, how long have you been ill?
Posts: 1233 | From Dover, NH | Registered: Sep 2008
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The two most common oral treatments for early stage Lyme seem to be Doxycycline 100 mg x 2 daily and Amoxicillin 500 mg x 3 daily. The main difference seems to be that Doxycycline is bacteriostatic (interfers with bacterial protein production and DNA replication) while Amoxicillin is a bacteriocide (actually kills bacteria). Doxy and the tetracyclines also seem to be the preferred treatment for neurological symptoms because they somehow travel to the nerves more effectively; however, they also have an anti-inflamatory quality that can mask other neurological conditions. In my experience, amoxicillin has fewer side effects.
I initially sought treatment for chest pain and tingling in my face and neck thinking that I was about to have a stroke at age 35. Lucked out and got a smart GP who ordered a Lyme test and put me on Minocycline, which is very similar to Doxy. I had an allergic reaction after 19 days. Ringing in the ears and couldn't feel my arms! Now I am on Amoxicillin. Feel much better.
posted
Kete-tracker- Thanks for your questions. My doctor prescribed a dose of a 1,000 milligrams twice a day of amoxycillin. Apparently he tried to put in for azithromycin, but since my insurance did not covet it he changed it to amoxycillin. As to how long I have had symptoms. Ten years ago I had some pretty sudden onset of mostly paresthesia type symptoms. To some degree they lessened, but since then I have had intermintent pain in the feet, some occasional sharp pain from random locations, anxiety, tinnitus, and some of the dull achy stuff. For the most part I feel my symptoms are kind of mild, but I also wonder if I have just gotten use to feeling poorly.
Posts: 357 | From California | Registered: Jun 2010
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'Kete-tracker
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I'm very surprised to understand that your doc tried to give you azithromycin (Zithromax) by Itself (?), to treat Lyme. Not a good one unless combined with something like Ceftin.
10 years is a bummer of a long time to be ill. Does your "LLMD" believe it to have likely been Lyme all these years? If it has been Lyme, you'll probably be on abx for a couple years as the infection's deep-seated.
But, hopefully, you will respond quicker. In any event, I'm glad to hear your symptoms are "kind of mild".
I also urge you to talk with 'the Lyme doc'- if you haven't already- about being tested for co-infections in the light of that "foot pain" & "sharp pain from random locations". (Better safe than sorry!) "Co's" can impede recovery from Lyme, hence are often treated first.
If you improve on that amoxy, don't be surprised if he ups the dose, &/or adds Probenecid. LLMDs try to start off slow... adding and adjusting along the way. This is a way that reactions to the drugs themselves can be discerned from Herxheimer reactions, for example.
Keep a diary of day-to-day AND week-to-week symptoms & overall health. It will really help guide your doctor in your treatment. Good luck!
Posts: 1233 | From Dover, NH | Registered: Sep 2008
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Does your "LLMD" believe it to have likely been Lyme all these years?![[Wink]](wink.gif)
In any event, I'm glad to hear your symptoms are "kind of mild".
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