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Posted 4/21/2011 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all: I'm having problems getting past a certain point in my treatment on antibiotics and herbal supplements. I was fine on biaxin and placquenil, but when I added doxy, I had problems within 2 weeks. My gut gets painfully blocked up, and eventually I start vomiting, which landed me a visit to the ER. I know doxy is supposed to have the opposite effect, so I and my MD are a bit stuck, pardon the pun. Has this ever happened to anyone before, and what did you do about it?
Posted 4/21/2011 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Yup - Doxy shuts down my gut, too. I think it's a herx....

Suggest a different antibiotic would be a better option than trying to force the Doxy.

Also, you may need to do a lot of detoxing if you ever do go back on Doxy.

And vomiting is a known side-effect of doxy, too...especially if not taken with enough food...has to be a fairly substantial meal from what I understand...I was on IV Doxy so don't know as much about that aspect of the medication...

I finally had to go get some colonics to get "un-stuck" from the Doxy...might be something to look into...they helped me a whole lot.
Posted 4/22/2011 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
I have had this with various antibiotics. Being on this level of antibiotics calls for constant gut management, I have found (I've been on abx for three years except for a three month break.

I use Magnesium supplements to keep things moving. Probiotics in copious amounts (My doc suggested four Primadophilus a day, but I have found four twice a day to be the best amount. In addition I eat yogurt and drink Kefir. Also I use Senokot, a natural laxative and stool softener.

When I feel gassy or bloated I take either a homeopathic cure or the gas relief medicine that is regularly available. At that point I stop eating and just go with lots of liquids.

Hope you find what works for you.
Posted 4/22/2011 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies and well-wishes. I was on probiotics,and my diet was 98% wheat free and 95% sugar free, though yesterday (before reading your posts!) I had a bowl of cereal and felt awful all day. That's the only real smoking gun I can find, though I don't remember much about my diet on Sunday when I was vomiting. Even today I still feel terrible, and all I've had is an egg and some green tea. I'm holding off on abx until I can settle down. Fortunately I see my ND next Tuesday, and yeah, I'm leaning towards asking for a non-doxy plan of attack. I was on biaxin and placquenil but didn't seem to improve much, hence the change. (The flip side is that I'm pretty sick, and impatient as well, which is a dangerous combination I know!)
Posted 4/22/2011 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
I had this EXACT same problem. And it wasn't a herx because it wouldn't go away. I was constantly vomiting all the time to the point I almost wanted to just stop treatment all together. I talked to my llmd about it though and he said its normal. I also have babesia which a major side affect of it is nausea.

My doctor prescribed me to some nausea medicine three times a day and it makes such a difference
Posted 4/25/2011 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
I didn't vomit; I couldn't get a prescription for a allophonic anti-biotic. I used every laxitive in the book and until I settled with Cascara Sargrata offering some relief, DO NOT use any laxative longer than two weeks unless your doctor knows and concurers. Bowel movements were four and five days apart; and yes I did wish to vomit. What I'm saying is I believed that this problem is in part a symptom of Lyme disease, maybe sub-symptom. The Veterans Administration did finally introduce me to Polyethylene Glycol 3350 NF. made by Breckenridge Pharmaceutical. Pharmacies stock it, but I can't remember the name starts with Mil... This lack of memory isn't related to Lyme; but old age. I began getting relief four days later. More is not better use the measuring device provided once a day. I believe that herbs and TCM has provided me the relief, and that I am now trying to regain my strength. Having lost weight 238 to 202 lbs. I am now at 214 and trying to hold there or lose just a little more. Would like to know if anyone feels like Lyme is making a rebound after one begins to feel "normal" once more.

Best wishes and good health to you.

Bob R
Posted 4/25/2011 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
I have lived with constipation and psuedo-blockages all of my life -literally as far back as I can remember. I would go once every week or two usually, but if things got really stressful in my life, I have gone as far as 22 days without passing a thing. Not goo and painfull! Vomiting of course accompanied this several times.

The first thing that I tried was dicyclomine - 80 mgs a day- the therapeutic level. I was on that for ten years and still struggled daily trying to get things to work. I always made sure I was eating a very high fiber diet and drank plenty of water. I also added fiber powder to my daily routine, which helped some. Unfortunately the only fiber supplements that my body will work with are Methylcellulose ("Citrucel") or Dextrin (Benefiber). ***I receive absolutely NO compensation in any form from either of these companies!!***
Of course, I also buy the generics of these products!!!!

Doing all of these things on a daily basis still was not helping my bowels much. I was frustrated beyond believe! Then I started seeing my current Acu doc, who is also well-trained in Traditional and Modern Chinese Medicine as well as being a Master Western Herbalist. She started me on a combo of Licorice, spearmint, and white peony. I take approx. 1/2 tsp three times a day and Lordy!! What a difference that made for me! I still have to -of course- make sure I drink enough water and stick to my very high fiber diet, but my innerds are working better than they have ever worked! I have a bm every day now!! I no longer need the 'script for dicyclomine!!

I have also started using Kelp powder to help supplement my thyroid. This is a "mucilage" as well, meaning it will act as another type of fiber supplement as well, and it is helping me.

I came across a site that has the title of "Misconceptions about Dietary fibers"(www.springboard4health.com/notebook/nutrients_fiber.html) that seems to explain things pretty well.

So, a few suggestions to help those that are dealing with constipation/blockage issues.

Other than that, Cycle, I would suggest that you could have an allergy to Doxy or, as Razzle suggested, it's some sort of horrible herx.
I hope you are able to find the answers that work for you!!
Posted 4/25/2011 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
I thought over this and wish to add: I got greater relief when the Teasel Tincture, I ordered arrived. It requires only 3 DROPS three time a day. You should look into Two bitter herbs, Hops (Humulus lupulus) and Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/diwsi.htm, came to my digestive tracts aid. http://www.ladybarbara.net/) is where I started to learn about Lyme and the herb "Teasel". Mathew Wood's book, and in Chapter Six, "The Book of Herbal Wisdom", and Storl, Wolf D. "Healing Lyme Disease Naturally"' are my main sources of information. I have digressed.

I used Teasel, 3 drops, 3x a day, and notice a change almost Immediately, in my bowels. No movement, but maybe a relaxation, as if muscles are relaxing. with a very short time, say a week I had begun normal BM's.
I learned that Hops tincture, I was taking anything to get some sleep, taken at the rate of ten drops three to five times relaxed the intestinal tract. That's when I got added relief.
Now, remember that more is NOT better. Hops taken at 30 drops is used to cause sleep. Please don't take Hops, or any nervine, and drive etc. It will make you drowsy.
Both Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) and Hops (Humulus lupulus} are "Yellows"/Bitters and work on the liver/kidney/spleen causing bile to be secreted and your bowels to loosen.
www.Lady Barbra.net, I have no commercial interest; only appreciation for her help, is one place to purchase Teasel Another is www.mistymeadows.org. I don't think you'll find it in the local health food stores, but Hops will certainly be in the "Tincture" section. Remember my cautions about taking Hops and driving, and following the amounts, until someone else tells you different. Will double check and make any corrections. Remember this is what I have done. I am not prescribing nor treating anyone.

Bob R
Ark,
Posted 4/25/2011 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Traveler and I use the same TCM practioner. I wish to add that I also have looked into western herbs. I also will add a link below that I belief gave me a lot of relief in Lyme treatment. www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZjWZ3vK1bc

Mathew Woods book, mentioned in the uTube segment will explain Dysecus Satvistes (Teasel). It is when I began three (3) drops, three times a day the my digestive tract began to improve. Now, you can reduce dosages down to 2 drops/2x daily, but it is not necessary nor will it do any good to increase past three drops, at least in my experience.

Teasel and Hops

Post Edited By Moderator (Traveler) : 4/25/2011 10:38:52 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/25/2011 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
What a great link, Bob!! Not only an inspirational video, but a story from a Lyme survivor!!
I hope you don't mind, Bob - I went into your post and made that a hyper-link.
Posted 4/25/2011 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
not a bit, Traveler, but how does one make a hyper-link. I'll check it out later today.
You'll find two classes about Lyme Disease on the Hyper-Linked site. Both are information. I have on commercial etc.


See you.

Bob
Posted 4/25/2011 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, a little update. I sent my posts to one of the maker of the herbal tinctures. Note: that my posts were "What I did". It was pointed out that 3 drops 3x a day could be, for some people and severity of the Lyme disease, could cause them to herx out. I started with 3dropx 3x day. Study Hops, if your a clinically depressed DO NOT use Hops, ok. Again my posts were what I did. Hope that was understood.
Posted 4/26/2011 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
Not a problem, Bob. Thanks for making sure that it was clear that is what you did.

I'm going to create another thread to explain how to make a hyperlink, so that it's easier for people to find.
Posted 4/27/2011 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

Your gut plays a huge role in getting better because a healthy gut means a strong immune system.   I used to suffer from severe constipation (I think it was due to growing up in a dysfunctional family with so much stress and anxiety).  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_gastrointestinal_tract

Thanks to getting infected with lyme I had learned much (and I am still learning in order to help others and simply because I am a curious person) about the human body and found out I needed to make changes such as diet, detoxing, addressing the stressors in my life, etc.

Since I have been better, I usually have at least 2 BM's a day..  I remember how sick I used to get from being constipated and yes, I would feel sick to my stomach as well..  I remember years ago I took those pink pills (was it ex-lax?), duh, I don't remember because I was that constipated... 

One of the best investments I made was buying an enema kit in order to do coffee enema's.. Yeah, I know it sounds gross!   I like to drink my coffee, not put it in the other end!  shocked    But after researching coffee enema's I finally got the nerve to do it and ever since I did, it's easy and sounds much worse than the act itself.

If you are interested in buying an enema kit, this is the site where I bought mine (I'm not affiliated with this site in any form):

http://www.enemakit.com/

This site has lots of links with helpful information.  Your body will thank you for feeling less toxic, I promise you that!

Denise

 

Posted 4/27/2011 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
A word of caution though about doing the coffee enemas - it's my understanding that if you are experiencing issues with your gall bladder, or yours has been removed, it's not a good idea to use coffee enemas.

I no longer have a GB, but I have heard good things about them!
Posted 4/29/2011 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the advice, all. I ended up off the abx for a while, and some laxatives helped. I am going to have to try the coffee enemas, squeamish though I am.

Traveler, how does someone know if they are having problems with their gall bladder? I get regular blood work and test OK, so I'm not particularly worried, just curious.

Cheers,
Scott
Posted 4/29/2011 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
My lab tests were always normal when I had gallstones, so lab tests are not the best way to tell. There are two tests that can check for gallbladder issues: Hida Scan, and UltraSound. The ultrasond test looks for stones, the Hida Scan looks for how well your gallbladder functions.

Symptoms when I had gallstones: Nearly constant nausea, indigestion from fatty foods, pale stools, constipation. I only had 2 gallstone attacks - the first one started with pain under my right ribcage like someone stabbed me with a knife. I couldn't move - it hurt so bad. Lasted 2 hours, then it shifted around to between my shoulderblades and then the pain turned into a thumping sensation that went up my back (probably muscle spasms), and then it left as suddenly as it appeared 2 hrs. prior. The other attack was just overwhelming nausea and a strong urge to vomit immediately after taking a medication known to aggravate a gallbladder full of stones. Ultrasound test confirmed the gallstones, and after surgery, I have not had any further attacks and can eat fatty foods without getting sick.

The above is just my experience with gallbladder issues. Others will probably describe different experiences, as this organ seems capable of causing a wide variety of symptoms that may not all obviously point to gallbladder as a cause. In fact, I had to ask my doctor at the time (pre-Lyme diagnosis) for an ultrasound test because they kept insisting my symptoms were from something else. They finally caved and did the test, which showed that my gallbladder was full of large gallstones. After surgery, the surgeon told me my gallbladder was full of large stones and lots of inflammation. Good riddence! I don't miss the gallbladder one bit.
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