A few questions about amoxocilin and IVS.

Hi Romohr,
I'm so sorry to hear that you are feeling so bad! Are you speaking of Dr. C in Mt. Kisco? I haven't seen him nor heard anything about him, but I was getting ready to give his name and contact info to someone else. Would you recommend that I not do this? Or have you only just started seeing this Doc? That is if he is the same one as you are speaking of.

I understand what you mean about not being able to tell if you are herxing because you already feel so bad! I spent quite a few years in that spot! I'm so sorry!! Are you detoxing? How does your body respond after a detox bath?

Dr. Joseph Burrascano in his paper "Advanced Topics in Lyme Disease" (which can be found in our "New to Lyme?" thread) states that often 6 grams (6,000 mgs) of Amox, are often needed. Do you know if your doc is trying to have you build up to that amount? Dr. Burrascano also said that Probenecid may be prescribed with it. According to Medscape :"Probenecid can be used to raise serum levels of amoxicillin..."

Does this doc have you on any kind of supportive therapy? In other words, is he treating your symptoms? This can make a major difference in how well our bodies use the abx. If our body is already fighting hard just to keep normal operations going, then it can't heal very well.

There are several Lyme "Clinics" around the country. You will want to check into them carefully to be sure that they are run by docs that follow ILADS recommendations. There are a few Lyme Clinics that are run by ID Docs. As ill as you are, I would recommend staying clear of them. No need to take a chance that they won't treat you properly and thoroughly.

The clinic that I've heard of in Az is named Envita. I just looked them up online and I wasn't allowed to even look into their site - that always sends up red flags for me, co be careful. Research it well and be sure to really question them on their treatments for Lyme Disease specifically, being sure that they follow ILADS guidelines.

I'm really sorry to hear how things went for you with that doc in Hermitage! We go to LLMD's to get away from that type of treatment! It's good that you found a doc that is willing to take you seriously.

Are you detoxing? This will go a long way towards helping to calm down a lot of your symptoms, although it may take a few baths to do this as it depends on your toxin load. It it's high, then you just need to be patient and keep at the detoxing and you will see improvements. Don't forget though - detoxing includes not only the detox baths, but drinking 8 - 8 oz. glasses of lemon water (to help your body get back to more of an alkaline state, and daily dry skin brushing. These three things combined will help you to lower that toxin load that is most likely causing your symptoms to be so strong. You can find all the info on how to detox in our "New to Lyme?" thread.

Your LLMD should be willing to treat you for the symptoms that you are having relating to Lyme and co-infections. Not all LLMD's really get this, but you can't expect a non-Lyme Literate Doc to understand and be able to successfully treat symptoms he doesn't have a clue about! I experience pseudo-blockages in my intestines (thanks to Lyme & company) along with some serious cramping - there's not a doc out there that I saw (which were many), not a one of them was able to help me with any of that. I had to go to a Chinese Medicine Doc in order to get the help I needed. Sometimes Western Medicine just doesn't have an answer or a solution to our problems. Mainly because they are uneducated, IMO.

If you are having pain that is not relieved by Ibuprophen (Advil), or by Naproxen (Aleve), and you are detoxing, then it's time to talk to your LLMD about your pain. Although, if you know you have - let's say - a heart condition, then your Heart Doc should be taking care of this.

It seems that Hurricane Irene has most of our active members busy and/or away from home, so keep checking back. I'm sure that as soon as most of the active members are back here, you will have your questions about Amox. answered.

I think every combination or RX works different for everyone. It is so important to keep a daily diary of symptoms so you can report back to the dr. new or continuing symptoms and what is working and not working. Fora while I wasn't even aware of symptoms disappearing until I looked back. It is just so hard to tell what is helping and what is a herx. I will say that despite being frustrated it took me a long time to see results. My dr. told me she had more confidence in the slow and steady orals rather than the IV. Be sure to detox as it really helps as does rest and going easy on yourself.

Hi romohr,

I am sorry you are in such pain and that you aren't seeing the results you would like.

Not sure this will be much help, but I have had a lot of head and neck pain with this bout of Lyme and the head and neck pain have been the most persistent symptom. Now nearing the end of treatment, it is the last symptom that remains.

It sounds as if you have had Lyme for a very long time and that it has gotten well entrenched into your Central Nervous System. It will take time to get out of there! Of course, being ill that long means that your personal reserves are low, I'm sure.

Are you getting any help in the way of pain meds? Your Lyme Doc may not want to prescribe them as that can get them attention that they don't want from the medical boards, but your Primary Care Physician should be able to help you out with that. Perhaps the two doctors could chat? Anyway, relief from pain helps so much in keeping your spirits up.

It is also a good idea to keep a brief journal of your daily symptoms and what you are able to do. Nothing long -- just a sentence or two. It is much easier to see the incremental improvements that way. There will come a time when your worst day is better than your best day now! Really!

Let us know how your doctor's visit goes.