Was on Flagyl and Biaxin for 2 months with immediate improvement cognitively but little with pain/arthralgia and the usual can o' ticks.

Doc suggested the next step would be IM or IV, which is a challenging option for various reasons and I'd prefer to try whatever/ANYTHING in the oral realm first.

About 15 years ago, when I think I was exposed, among several other symptoms I had this weird scalp acne during my 30s. Not real zits... sort of infected small sore things (sorry, to gross ya out). And sometimes persistent acne around my chin and nose. So, my doc suggested tetracycline. It did the trick. Would take it as I felt I needed it and it worked well.

Anyhoo, I was about to leave Canada to move to the US and didn't know when I would have medical lined up so begged for a large quantity of tetracycline. She gave me 500 of 250 mg. I've kept them in a dark bottle in the fridge for sometime now but have checked and they're still ok.

Ran it by my doc if I can add it as a 3rd and he said worth a try and stay out of the sun. I have enough for 1500 mg total a day (500 TID). After the 3rd day, BINGO! Energy to burn. No napping. Less pain (I count my pain pills out so I remember and now have some left over at the end of the day). Getting caught up on email and feeling creative (sewing those belly dance costumes again). Going to a dance/music/camping festival later this month and *so* looking forward to it.

I was going to go anyways as my attempt to be "normal" as possible but have my cosy camper van to rest in frequently. I think you'll see me dancing around the fire till the wee hours.

Here I sit, my fingers working well, typing early in the morning. I was able to walk up the stairs, still slow with pain, but hands in pockets of bathrobe, not clinging to the railing, resting part way up.

And the libido is back and there's gonna be trouble... hey ya, hey ya, libido back! (Ok, tempered, somewhat, after reading the sexually transmitted archived threads).

I feel so thankful for these 3 days. Am dropping weight, too, which is bringing me into a body that feels so much more comfortable. I'm cautious and activity isn't ramped up too much yet but perhaps my metabolism is working better. On the other hand, I have the Lyme anorexia but make myself eat at least one good, well rounded healthy meal a day. Have gone off being a vegetarian but still 90% primarily so.

Happy news is always great to share, I think. May this boost someone else' day.

Something I want to pass along because I've been working on paying attention to it for years: your intuition. Trust it. If anyone is familiar with Susun Weed (heabalist/author) she says if you're ill, go out your back door and observe, the medicine you need is often right there - for some "reason/purpose". In my case, it was right in the refrigerator. At least, I think it's the tetracycline addition. The change is marked so a likely indicator.

Thanks for reading thus far.
Keep the faith. Don't give up. I was pretty close to throwing in the towel so many times before treatment and I realize I'm fortunate to have improvment after the relatively short time I've begun it. Freshly painted toes and fingers crossed ;-)