Cipro and flagyl for lyme and possible co-infections? I'm scared and confused...

Hello,

I just had a follow up with my LLMD today. I was bitten by a tick in June and quickly developed a bullseye rash, so was infected with lyme and started treatment within 72 hours of bite. So, I just finished 6 weeks of doxy and flagyl.

The LLMD thought I needed more antibiotics because I've had fatigue/malaise, sore/tight neck and lightheadedness for most of the 6 weeks (as well as some other random symtomps on and off). I'm feeling quite a bit better the last week or so, but still a little tired.

So today she prescribed cipro and flagyl for 6 weeks. Cipro is to treat possible bartonella.
Previous to tick bite I was diagnosed with small intestine bacterial overgrowth and have done some research on cipro to treat that. It scares me. So, I discussed my concerns with the doctor and she understood, and said basically certain people with a genetic mutation can have an issue with it affecting tendons, but most people are ok with it. I'm still not sure....I found out today that I did take cipro in 2008 for a short time for a UTI and don't recall having any issue with it.

My question is this: Is there another antibiotic I might suggest to her that I could take with the flagyl that would also kill the bartonella? Would love some suggestions and insight.

Thank you!!!

Would rifampin and tetracycline or macrolide also treat the lyme?

hi singssongs - are you remaining on the doxy?

bc i treated lyme and bartonella with doxy + zithromax (which is a macrolide - so this answers your question - yes!), and then dropped the doxy and finished with zithromax + bactrim

My LLMDs choice was to put me on doxy + ceftin, but I am allergic to ceftin.

I didn't take any cyst busters bc there are so many issues with them, and I have recovered.

more than happy to help - i will respond in the am!!

I took 2 doses of Levaquin, a fluoroquinolone, for bronchitis back in 2008 and had horrific cns and pns symptoms.  Symptoms were very similar to Lyme and its co-infections.  I really do believe that dealing with those symptoms for a LONG time that it brought out my dormant Lyme's disease due to a decreased immune system.  You can take a round of fluoroquinolones and have no effects but if you take it another time or a third time, etc., it can have devastating effects.  Research forums about what these horrible drugs can do to you.  My LLMD refuses to use them.  Please think twice about taking Cipro.

Patty

I took a medication in the fluoroquinolone family (prior to Lyme diagnosis) and had no problems other than headaches. Everyone is different.

I am taking minocycline for bartonella and I think up next is going to be another medication in the same group - clarithromycin. (I have been on Minocycline for 4 months. I've had bart symptoms for 10+ years).

From what I understand the fluoroquinolone drugs are sort of a last resort because of the tendon issue. I was diagnosed super late (over ten years after symptoms started) so I don't know what they use in the early phase.

I would probably want to throw every single thing at this awful infection but that's probably not wise!

Did your doctor say anything about babesia?

I am curious because I know they treat for Lyme right away but not sure if they treat for babesia right away.

Personally I wouldn't worry too much about the possible tendon rupture. That's just me though. It's a perfectly valid concern though.

Remember it is your body so you control what goes in it. If you don't want it and want something else you can get it. You are in charge in a way. I think sometimes we forget that we are in charge of our health. The doctor is part of it but the doctor works for you.

The only thing I would be super cautious about is the Flagyl. I was on 2,000 mgs of tinidazole and it made me INCREDIBLY depressed. It can be dangerous. Just something to keep in mind. I had to knock my tinidazole to 250 mgs because of the depression.

Sorry if that was a bit of a ramble...I'm kind of tired right now.

Post Edited (kayaklove) : 7/29/2015 12:41:47 PM (GMT-6)

HI - ok, so I took doxy alone for 2 months, slowly titrated up from 200mg a day to 400mg a day. then I was on doxy plus zithro for 2 months, then I was on Bactrim and zithro for 3 months.

my Dr didn't see good results with minocycline when she prescribed it to her patients, however some people on here did better with the mino than the doxy. since you are already were on doxy, and tolerated it well, I would stick with doxy and add another antibiotic. that's just my opinion. I treated with antibiotics and herbs for 7.5 months. Month 5 is when I started to really feel better. The herbs I took included teasel root, serrazymes, and al complex, and I took plenty of vitamins and detoxing meds (like activated charcoal and alkaseltzer gold).

Yes, Denikeef - intestinal problems and vision problems can be symptoms of lyme, too.

Both Lyme Disease and Bartonella (co-infection) can cause Optic Neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve). I just recently had an eye exam because my near vision had all of a sudden gotten worse and I felt pressure behind my eyes.
The Optometrist I saw said it was good that I mad the appointment - and she wants me to have another test done that will look more closely at the optic nerve to see if there is any inflammation.

Intestinal problems are sometimes from lyme itself...or they can be from yeast/fungal issues that sometimes we have in addition to LD and co's.
Often the LLMD's will prescribe a yeast treatment/preventative to take during your treatment. Even if you don't initially have these issues, they will often occur when taking long-term antibiotics.

There are many symptoms associated with Lyme Disease and Co-infections. Check out the symptom lists in the "New to Lyme?...Start Here!" thread.