posted
New to this site... Female, 33, was actually starting orals - 6 days in - when had an allergic reaction to Cefdenir.
When I requested a followup visit to replace this drug my doctor said she did not want to be involved in my treatment any further but would refer me to an ID person. She has not actually called back with a referal and is not returning my calls.
So I need a new doctor, and fairly quickly. I live on the North Carolina/South Carolina border on the western side of the states, so either one is fine by me.
Posts: 3 | From Rutherfordton, NC | Registered: May 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- First, I see this is your first post here. Welcome. But, oh, so sorry for your situation. I've no energy for the pleasantries and will jump to suggestions. Know that you are not alone. Getting treatment for lyme is very difficult.
You should be assessed for all other tick borne infections. That is best with a in-person consult first with a LLMD.
Second, if you happen to have a rash (not everyone does), take a series of PHOTOS. You will need these a proof later on.
Be sure to AVOID STEROIDS unless needed in a life-threatening emergency and then should be used under guidance of an experienced Lyme Literate doctor with antibiotics to prevent lyme from blossoming from steroid use.
Most ID doctors don't believe in lyme or the other tick-borne infections that go along with lyme. Most won't treat beyond a few days with one single medicine.
Are you sure you had an allergic reaction to cefdinir (Omnicef) ?
Now, I'm certainly not suggesting to tempt that as allergies can be very serious, indeed. However, often what many think is an allergy is actually a very predictable "Herxheimer Reaction" and it's just part of the deal but liver support supplements and self-care techniques help tremendously. More later about that.
In fact, it's vital to always address liver support when treating lyme.
As well, you should be on PROIOTICS to help prevent candida (systemic yeast infection).
You need an ILADS-educated LLMD or LL ND (naturopathic doctor). LL = Lyme Literate ILADS = best educated group of lyme experts. Link below.
Start with calling your area support groups and then working out in geographic fashion - or to where you have friends or family where you could stay overnight.
Most LLMDs do not take insurance but some do. Most MDs will not treat due to insurance not reimbursing them but also some states will NOT allow doctors to treat lyme.
Unfortunately, N.C. just ran out one of the worlds best LLMDs. Very sad, indeed. So, that is partly why your doctor dropped you like a hot potato - or she is ignorant.
============= You also need to be assessed for other tick-borne infections. Again, an ILADS-educated lyme literate doctor. Not all practice the same way, exactly, but if they are ILADS "educated" (read the research, attended some seminars, etc.) they will have had exposure to the science behind lyme and other TBD.
======================
* This explains WHY you need an ILADS LLMD or ILADS LL ND (naturopathic doctor) to guide your treatment protocol.
The Herxheimer reaction (also known as Jarisch-Herxheimer or Herx) occurs when large quantities of toxins are released into the body as bacteria (typically Spirochetal bacteria) die, due to antibiotic treatment or rapid detoxification.
Typically the death of these bacteria and the associated release of endotoxins occurs faster than the body can remove the toxins via the natural detoxification process performed by the kidneys and liver.
It is manifested by fever, chills, headache, myalgia (muscle pain), and exacerbation of skin lesions.
Duration in syphilis is normally only a few hours but can be much longer, up to months or years, for other diseases, especially Lyme Disease. The intensity of the reaction reflects the intensity of inflammation present.
The Herxheimer reaction has shown an increase in inflammatory cytokines during the period of exacerbation, including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8.[1][2]
The reaction is also seen in other diseases, such as borreliosis (Lyme disease[3][4] and tick-borne relapsing fever[5]), bartonellosis, brucellosis, typhoid fever, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and trichinellosis, Q fever, and cat scratch disease.[6][7] . . . .
. . . much more at link above. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- While you are waiting to find a LLMD, you might get a good quality OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT &/or ALLICIN (garlic). MILK THISTLE, too, for liver support.
------- I am not a health care professional. From my experience and reading, this is just what has helped me over the bumps. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- From a thread about garlic helping to prevent candida (systemic yeast infection that come from antibiotic use.
You should be on PROBIOTICS. For some they need more. Olive Leaf Extract (OLE) or allicin/garlic help, too, in many ways.
Yes, it is antifungal and it can be very good as part of an anti-candida plan.
Kill good bacteria too? - Yes. Probiotics should be taken hours away and maybe one day a week, stop garlic and really load up on probiotics. Maybe one week every few months, go off of it. It's good to do that with most supplements, anyway.
It's best to start with one capsule, at the end of a good breakfast or lunch. After a week or so, maybe add one to the other early meal of the day. By week three, probably ready to add one after the early evening meal. If that seems too stimulating, maybe just stick to earlier in the day.
Beyond that, refer to authors who have written about garlic for lyme patients for good dosing suggestions.
Garlic may not be for everyone (i.e. those with sulfur or methyl metabolism issues; those very easily over-stimulated). Garlic can also burn, so be careful to keep it in the capsule and take after a meal, especially at first, to see how your body handles it.
Also antifungal: Oregano Oil (always best in gel caps or DILUTED with other carrier oils and then put in a 1/2 cup of water). It can burn, too, so be careful. As another hot herb, it can also be stimulating in nature so best not to first try it too late in the day. Also best to start with one after a good meal.
Gaia or New Chapter are good brands of Oregano Oil.
Olive Leaf Extract (OLE) is also extremely valuable and is not stimulating in nature as garlic. It does not burn. It's a "cold" herb as opposed to the hot herbs of garlic or oregano.
OLE is less stimulating in nature.
For someone with insomnia, allicin in morning and afternoon, with OLE in evening might be a good plan. Probiotics are also necessary when taking OLE, timed hours away.
Before starting something new, it's important to read about it from several professional authors (doctors, researchers). When at all possible, it's good to work with a LL ND (naturopathic doctor) who has four years' study and a degree in herbal medicine & the human body. Balance is key and there is much to consider when designing a support protocol.
Cefdinir (marketed by Abbott Laboratories under the brand name Omnicef)
Since fake drugs can wind up anywhere at any time and you had some reactions, be sure to see the photo here to be sure your pills matches precisely. You can also find the manufacturer's website for the dosage you received if it varies from the capsule in the Wiki photo.
Study photos for color, texture, hue, sheen, markings - and be sure there are no deviations. Counterfeiters come pretty close but, often, there are slight variations.
==================
Now, I hope others will be along with a LIST for you. As you indicated you are in the middle of an urgent problem, my links are just some things you can do until you find a doctor.
Good luck. Others will be by here soon with specific names, I hope. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Siciliano
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15920
posted
Hi, decwrites and WELCOME to our lyme site. We're glad you came to us for help.
I have sent you a private message (pm), click on the flashing envelope.
Also, check out our great "Medical Questions" forum where you can ask all the questions you might have and our wonderful, knowledgeable members will answer them. Just read some of the threads and you'll see just how informative they are!
-------------------- I'm sorry but I am no longer accepting any private messages due to my own battle with lyme. Posts: 3897 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
Hello back and thank you for all the information. I'll start reading it.
Also please forgive any weirder faux paxs - tell me about them, but forgive them - I have Asperger's Syndrome/high functioning autism as well. Born with that tho and don't consider it a handicap.
Just feel it's a good idea to warn others...so if I forget a name or say something weird...some of it is AS tik and some of it is Lyme tick. (Probably not funny.)
Thanks again for the help. Really.
Posts: 3 | From Rutherfordton, NC | Registered: May 2010
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