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Why Can't I tolerate Antibiotics?

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Posted 6/10/2011 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
 

about to try herbs because of horrific

experience with one week of zithromax oral.

Lost ability to eat much at all, burping for 12 hours straight,

lost 20 lbs in a week with muscle loss,

thought I was dying, extreme hypoglycemia,

diarrhea, fainting, difficulty breathing and the development of asthma,

sudden development of new food intolerances, extreme weakness and palpitations...

 

I've read that chronic lymies who take a long time to get diagnosed

like me have compromised detoxification pathways and that makes

it harder to tolerate the drugs...

my thoughts are that as well it makes my candida proliferate and take over

like crazy and that is why they are so difficult to take...

I really thought my body was shutting down...

but I had had Lyme a decade before this...

and I realize they slammed my adrenals that were already

exhausted from fighting for years...

I think I can eradicate without antibiotics?

Any thoughts on the reason I can't tolerate

are well appreciated...

in health :)

Posted 6/10/2011 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hello LymeSince9,

Welcome to the forum. So glad that you got a diagnosis after all this time. Hope you have had a chance to read our "New to Lyme?..." sticky at the top of the forum. It has a great deal of information and resources.

That certainly was a violent reaction to the antibiotic! Hope you are feeling somewhat better now. As you have had the infection so long, it will be trickier to treat. I had had Lyme for 25 years and then had a new 6 month infection on top of that, so I know what that's like.

There are a lot of other antibiotics than Zithro that you may be able to tolerate better. Also, many Lyme doctors are starting their patients on lower doses and working up as the abx can be tolerated or "pulsing" the drugs (on for a period of time and then take a break).

I see from your other post that you have co-infections. They need to be addressed before you treat the lyme. Zithromax would not be the drug for that.

Many of our members here are on herbal regimens or a combination of antibiotics and herbs. Your treatment has to be tailored to you. You are seeing a lyme literate doctor, right?

Can't stress enough the importance of detoxing and taking probiotics in the course of your treatment.

Hope you get to feeling better soon.
Posted 6/10/2011 11:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi LymeSince9,

Welcome!  You are not alone when it comes to being allergic to antibiotics.. I know many people who are.  I'm not allergic but antibiotics didn't help me simply because I built up such a resistance to them over the years.

I became well using alternative medicine.  There are a few different protocols out there and the one I used over 5 years ago was written in a book "Healing at Home" (the instructions are in the book) by Dr. David Jernigan called "Beating Lyme Disease" (that was the 1st edition) which is no longer available but Dr. Jernigan came out with a new and updated book (2nd edition).

There is a member here (she has not posted in a while) that never took 1 antibiotic and she became well and is still well after having lyme for 30 years.  She also followed Dr. Jernigan's protocol and went to his clinic in Kansas called the Hansa Center. 

Anyway, below is an interesting article by Dr. Jernigan that I think everyone should read simply because knowledge is power:

http://www.drjerniganblog.com/articles/infections/622

You have nothing to lose by buying Dr. Jernigan's book even if you don't follow his protocol inside the book.  The only place I know where one can buy his book is here:

http://www.hansacenter.com/books.php

www.hansacenter.com

So yes, people do get better on alternative medicines without the antibiotics.  I am proof of that.  And please remember to detox, I truly believe that is a must in the road to healing.

*I am not affiliated with Dr. Jernigan or his protocol in any way or form.

Hope this helps!

Denise

Posted 6/10/2011 12:06 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, I tested CDC positive for Ehrlichiosis and Dr. Jernigan's protocol still cured me..

Dr. Jernigan's idea is to restore the body to the point before a person became ill and getting one's body back into balance using his botanicals, detoxing, clearing emotional problems, eliminating as much stress as one can, etc. so then one's immune system can and will kill the bacteria all by itself.   The body is not stupid and is very capable of healing itself with some help.

Posted 6/10/2011 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
My doc had me pulsing Doxy because of violent nausea and gut issues, and I couldn't tolerate 100mg BID (twice a day). We restarted (after an ER visit) with 50 mg BID for 4 days, with 3 days off, for 2 weeks. Up to 100mg for 4 on/3off. Next week I'll climb to 5 days on/2 off. So sometimes it's the right drug, but LLMDs/NDs are learning that you don't have to start at the "ideal dose" to begin with.
Posted 6/10/2011 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
I'm one who couldn't tolerate the abx required to treat my long-standing chronic TBI's. I had to build up my body before I could tolerate any kind of abx- even the herbal ones!! I tried to use milk thistle and had a horrid reaction!!! My doc and I still don't think it's a smart move for me to try to use milk thistle yet, as last time I had a very horrible herx.

We built up my body by using supplements and homeopathic remedies for my adrenal glands and my thyroid, and herbal mixtures for my intestines. I use an herbal tincture for anxiety and it doesn't leave me feeling weird in any way, but works well for me.

I really do believe that many with long-standing, chronic tick-borne infections need a whole lot of care and must ease into most any kind of treatment. Our bodies are slowly losing the battle. We are incredibly ill. My doc still warns me that I am not a healthy person, only much improved.

Anyone who believes that maybe their body can't handle abx treatments that are required to knock out a TBI, should check into the herbal/homeopathic remedies that are out there. With a good practitioner on your side, you will find something that will work for you.

Anyone wanting to know what herbal formula I am using- just ask!! It's no secret, I just realize that the majority of people are looking to abx for their treatment. Also remember that what works for one person may not work for another. It all depends on everything that your body is trying to deal with at that time, like low functioning thyroid, or which infections are present.

I hope this helps some!!! smilewinkgrin
Posted 6/11/2011 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
I, too, was undiagnosed for years even though I had presented with a rash and all of the symptoms. I stared antibiotics about two months ago and I too had a huge reaction. The doctor took me off of the other two antibiotics and put me on Doxycycline 100mg, 2 times a day. The dosage might seem small to many, but it is producing herxing. It is much easier to tolerate since it is digested in the colon rather than the small intestine. I would talk to your doctor about it. Granted my doc is not and LLMD yet, though he is working on it. He does, however, have a great deal of experience with other similar diseases and with antibiotics since he has used them often with these others. He is not a man with a huge ego, so he still wants me to see a fully trained LLMD to make sure my treatments are done properly while he is learning, but he's a pretty smart cookie.

There are things to avoid with taking these drugs, including certain minerals, dairy, etc. They can block absorption of the antibiotic, so make sure to talk to your doctor about your diet, too.
Posted 6/13/2011 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
I have been chronically ill for several years with a range of unexplained symptoms, & it's only recently that I've started to get more info on Lyme. It's uncanny how many of the bizarre symptoms I have, especially cognitive disfunction, systemic inflammation, depression, and chronic throat infections.

I also cannot take antibiotics~ in fact for me personally, I think their overuse during my childhood & teenage years are part of what wrecked my digestion. I was on broad spectrum antibiotics for several years so I've also built up a huge resistance to them. I also had tonsilitis about 7 years ago, and took 3 different prescribed antibiotics b/c I was afraid I wouldn't get better (it was the first time since age 19 that I allowed myself to take antibiotics.) None of them did anything. I eventually spoke to an herbalist and took a tincture of red root several times a day. Within 2 days I was feeling 99% better. Truly Amazing.

This is not to say that antibiotics don't work for many people~ they just don't work for me personally... so I'm also very interested to hear what alternative protocols are working for people. I get pretty bummed out about my symptoms, and sometimes it's hard to have faith that I'll ever get better. This is truly a ludicrous illness. I feel like it has stolen my life. I've been sick for many years with no real answers about what might be going on. Was told "hypothyroid," and "low cortisol" about a year ago, but the steroids I was put on knocked me out so much that I basically couldn't get out of bed for two weeks. I have since read that Lymies should under no circumstance be put on steroid medication~ so my huge reaction now makes some sense. Just venting a bit... thanks for listening.

I'm interested to read Dr. Jernigan's book... and am currently reading Stephen Buhner's book, Healing Lyme Disease. I'm very open to herbs but can't always digest/tolerate them in whole capsule form. I also started taking the Nutramedix herb Cumanda in tincture form... no herx as of yet. However, I'm allergic to alcohol so I boil my water before putting the herb in, to let the alcohol burn off. I called Nutramedix & they insisted I put the herb in "warm water" not hot, as it seems the chemical structure is changed when an herb is placed in boiling water. Unfortunately that's not really an option for me... so I'm trying to decide what to do. I've always put my herbal tinctures (echinacea, goldenseal, etc.) in boiling water with no problems, and I get the desired effect. Anyone have any thoughts about this? For now I'm staying on Cumanda, & possibly introducing burbur and samento... but am very open to other suggestions. I've also found the detox baths to be quite helpful.

Traveler, I'm interested to hear what alternative protocols have worked for you, if you feel comfortable posting them here. You can also email me if thats easier.

thanks to everyone for listening, sending healing energy to all of you...

violetablue
Posted 6/13/2011 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Violetablue,

I don't mind sharing here on the forum a bit! I am seeing an Acupuncture Practitioner, and the first thing we did was to build up those systems that were just not functioning very well with acupuncture (and massage for the lymphatic system).

I was already on Synthroid when I went to see her and she determined that my adrenals were is crisis. I started on a Homeopathic remedy for adrenals and thyroid (NatraBio's Thyroid and Adrenal Support).

I had serious issues with intestinal psuedo-blockages and intestinal cramping along with IBS w/ serious chronic constipation. She has me taking a combo of Licorice, Peppermint, and White Peony - which works like a dream for me!!!

Because of serious nausea issues, I am taking 5 grams of ground ginger root each day. I take a multi, Vit. E and a few other supplements. The only 'script I am on now is for Trazodone - an old anti-depressant that helps me get to sleep and stay asleep. We will be working on getting me off of that soon, but for now I still need it.

For my Anti-spirochete formula we are using a formulation that can be found here:
www.mistymeadows.org/wendy.htm

When the page opens, you will see several 'tiles'. Look for the one on the left that is titled "Lyme Disease: A Practitioners' Experience and Discovery". This has a lot of interesting info, but the formulas start on page 74. I have been using the "Chronic Tonic" for 10 weeks now, and I can't believe my progress!!

Before starting this, I couldn't tolerate temps above 78 or below 68 - now? I'm out in the 96 degree heat with anywhere from 40 - 58 % humidity!!!! shocked Talk about sweatin' to the Oldies!!! wink

I didn't need to sleep all day, but it sure didn't take much for me to wear out - about 1 1/2 hours out from the house and I was pooped! shakehead Now, I do need to sit and rest for an hour in the afternoon, but otherwise as long as I sleep good at night, I can get up and garden, take care of my goats, pick up around the house, and still have energy to fix dinner!!! smhair

My eyes have been affected, I had very little stamina, and felt quite weak, muscularly. My nerves were still pretty much on fire and always had some area with the crawling skin, or the mysterious cold or warm feelings that would come and go. All of these things have not disappeared (yet) but they are only mildly bothersome now. I'm sure there are things that I am not remembering right now (LOL- I'm getting tired).

OH! Can't leave out the lovely brain fog!!! nono Who could forget that?!?! At one point it was so bad that I couldn't tell anyone the name of my dog, follow simple written or verbal instructions and sure couldn't copy any patterns! Now, I deal with the brain fog when I am tired, but do really well otherwise! Comprehension is much better, and I am regaining my short-term memory!!!

Obviously this was a really good fit for me!! It's worked very well in the 10 short weeks that I have been on it!! I told my Acu doc that I would take this for the rest of my lie if I needed to!!! LOL!! smilewinkgrin

Although, I would suggest that anyone wanting to try this for themselves, they should find themselves a good herbolist, Homeopathic, Acupuncture or Holistic Practitioner to help evaluate how well it would work for them!

Anyone with any questions, I will be happy to answer all that I can, but of course seeing your own practitioner will get you better, more accurate answers as they are trained and I can only answer from my own experiences with me! smilewinkgrin

Hope this encourages those who are not getting the healing they need to look into other treatments.

Trav
Posted 6/15/2011 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, Thank You very much AchievingGrace and Traveler.
I have a LLMD...took forever to aquire
and receive a diagnosis.

Am about to embark on an herbal protocol with a Naturopath
under his supervision.
I will be treated for Bartonella and Babesia and have Mycoplasma as well.
It took taking zithromax, the first needed antibiotic in a decade
to become acutely ill and for all of us to realize this was more than CFS.
With only one person's support, physically and financially
I have come to a reckoning time in my life where
what has been holding me back will finally be addressed.
I am about to embark on the fight for my life (not that everyday hasn't been)
and so I join all of you in the fight.

I am aware of all the detoxification remedies and have begun
doing some of them for the last few months.
I always get a short burst of energy from epsom salt footbaths
and have a long list of others to try.

I realize I still may be put on antibiotics in the long run
but I feel there's a chance here at strengthening my system with this first.

I am very ill and have become so heat intolerant and
intolerant to such a long list of foods without having severe GI problems
along with significant hypoglycemia all day and Adrenal problems
that I am stuck in the house.

I fear the herxes greatly and have already been through a few
with a week of propolis with a holistic MD,
one HBOT put me into herx for a few weeks until I began doing detoxes
and Acupuncture and Asian Massage seem to just hold me together
and put me into a state of remission and make detox easier....
having had the infections so long I fear
the process...especially without a primary care doctor, hospital who truly understands.

Had a convulsion after being put on a steroid for my adrenals (one dose)
and I think that is when my Dr. finally became convinced I have Lyme.

Just finally getting the diagnosis has been almost as difficult as the illness itself...
I'm sure we all share that though it's hard to imagine at times.

Have some Lyme friends and for that I am truly grateful.

*Any suggestions on preparing for the violent herxes up ahead
and preventing seizures/convulsions?

Anyone experienced with Cholestyramine? My Dr. wants me to try it.
I think my Gallbladder is too weak for it as I've been unable to eat
fatty foods for over a year now since taking Zithromax.

Thanks very much and sending you all the light of healing and prayers for
full regeneration and good health.

I intend to devote much time when I recover
to helping people with this disease.

Let us all remember the body has a wisdom of it's own
and knows how to heal. Trust in that. I am hanging onto it :)
XOXO
LymeSince9
Posted 6/15/2011 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
Even though I had a tick bite, Bulls-eye rash, and text book perfect Lyme Disease symptoms I was only given 7-10 days of abx. That was back in 2003.

It wasn't until 1 1/2 years later (when I continued spiraling downward) that I saw my first LLMD (Dr. C/MO). I was on abx for 1 1/2 years. Very sick a lot of the time with herxs. Symptom free for 1 year, then relapsed.

Once again I was treated by a LLMD (Dr. W/TX, we lived closer to him) that time for 1 year with abx. Very sick a lot of the time with herxs. I did become symptom free (while at the same time I could tell the abx's were beginning to bother my stomach). Again, symptom free for 1 year, then relapsed.

I decided not to go the abx route this last time. I saw Dr. J/KS at the Hansa Center. Deejavu/Denise mentioned him above. I have been on his protocol and still am. It's been a year now. Most of the time I have felt good, I believe that is due to the detoxing that is part of the protocol.

The last three weeks I have been symptom free! That's BIG! turn

I am now following the protocol in his book, "Beating Lyme Disease" Second Edition (subtitled, "Living the Good Life In Spite of Lyme). When I say I am following the protocol, I don't mean I take one of his products...I mean I follow the complete protocol.

God give you wisdom as you decide the healing path that is right for you.

Post Edited (daisyrlb) : 6/15/2011 2:17:25 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/15/2011 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
LymeSince9,

I took cholestyramine while on abx. It was to help rid the body of toxins. I had no problem with it, but I do not have a gallbladder.

I used abx for seven months, got a little better and decided to stop. I then went on Jernigan's protocol and got much better. Did that for six months, started feeling tired again recently and have gone back on a few Jernigan products. Once again, I started feeling better.

I also notice I feel best when I don't eat any sugar/white flour. Hard to maintain, though.

Good luck.
Posted 6/16/2011 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I haven't responded yet b/c I forgot how to subscribe to a thread (uuhhmmm, brain fog anyone?) so I didn't realize anyone had posted after me. Can someone remind me how to do that?

I'm so glad people are sharing on this topic...
Travler, thank you for all your ideas and suggestions. I will check out the herbs and other remedies. I do get some bodywork and am hoping to start Lymphatic Drainage Massage. Someone recently posted on this forum that Lyme tends to hide in the lymph nodes, and this resonates very strongly for me. Makes so much sense... I've had chronic throat infections for years, and always feel better after I've pumped my lymph system by alternating saunas with cold showers (I now do something similar with hot detox baths followed by cold showers.)

I can also very much relate to the adrenal fatigue, and the extreme digestive sensitivity. I don't have the typical arthritic type pain but I have severe digestive/neuro symptoms. My list of food intolerances is so long~ it's almost funny. I have Celiac Disease and IBS-- but beyond that, my body seems to read almost every food as a toxin. This has been going on for years. I have about 7-8 foods I can eat without a reaction, and basically I don't eat anything outside my own house (just can't risk it b/c I'll be sick for days.) I truly hope I can get past this, so I can travel again, and live the expansive, vibrant life I was meant to live.

And yes, the fabulous brain fog... I feel it all the time except after a detox bath or sauna, so I'm grateful that I have those tools to help me. My short term memory is pretty much shot, & at times I'm so spacey people think I'm on something illegal, lol. I also tend to have decreased motor coordination and dexterity when I'm having a severe reaction to something. I also can relate to the eye pain & inflammation-- I tend to feel as though something is "sitting" in my eyes, toxins or parasites or spirochetes. I know that lyme can cause neurotoxins and ammonia, and that it is primarily a brain infection but affects the whole body.

LymeSince9, thank you for sharing your story, & your determination:

"I have come to a reckoning time in my life where
what has been holding me back will finally be addressed.
I am about to embark on the fight for my life (not that everyday hasn't been) and so I join all of you in the fight."

I can so relate to that right now! Trying to gather strength to insist on getting the care I need and fighting for what I know to be true in my own body. I very much agree that the body has a wisdom of its own, and that each of us needs to trust our intuition, even in the face of skepticism or disbelief from others.

Daisyrlb, I have appreciated all your suggestions and am planning to read "Beating Lyme" next. I'm hoping to get to KS at some point to see Dr. J. I just have a feeling he's the right Doc for me.

sending strength to all of you... this is an insane battle and I'm glad we have a place to share... it's balm for a broken spirit, & helps keep my spirit intact.

violetablue
Posted 6/20/2011 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
eyes
bump! :-)
Posted 6/20/2011 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Violetablue!
To subscribe to a thread while you are making a post, all you need to do is to click the "Post Reply" button and make your post there. Otherwise, if you use the "quick reply" box, once you have made your post, the page 're-sets'. At that time you can subscribe to a thread by clicking the 'subscribe to this thread' that shows up on the top of the first post in that thread - Here is what you will see:

"<<previous thread/ next thread>>| subscribe to this post | show newest post first

I hope this helps instead of making the water more cloudy!! smhair
Posted 6/23/2011 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
thanks Traveler!

hopefully this will subscribe me rolleyes :-)

I am getting my first Igenex done sometime next week, so I'll let everyone know the results. There is no LLMD in my area but I may eventually see Dr. J. if I can. For anyone interested, Dr. J's clinic has the option to order remedies (liquid) in a base of apple cider vinegar rather than alcohol. For those of us with severe allergies to alcohol (and other additives/preservatives that are typically in supplements), this is truly a godsend. I'm going to start on an anti-toxin formula designed specifically to combat neurotoxins & ammonia in the brain... to see if I can tolerate it. I'll let everyone know how that goes.

good healing to everyone......

violetablue
Posted 6/23/2011 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to be of help, Violeta!

Please do let us know how things go for you!! We have had several members who have had very good results using Dr. J's formulas!! Also, thank you for the update on his remedies! That is truly good news for those who can't tolerate the alcohol that typically is used!!
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