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Posted 8/1/2015 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
I just finished 6 weeks of doxycycline 100mg 2x day and flagyl. Got bit, got bullseye rash 2 days later and was treated within 72 hours of bite.

I've been off both meds for 6 days.
I felt crummy for the first 4 weeks of antibiotics - shoulder/neck aches, a few headaches, very tired, lightheadedness, etc. The 5th week I felt a little better and last week still tired and some neck ache, but definitely better than the beginning.
Since being off antibiotics I've felt ok.

I saw my LLMD Tuesday, she wants me to take more antibiotics because of symptoms during treatment and I was supposed to start Thursday. However, I wasn't comfortable with what she prescribed (cipro/flagyl) and I'm having some yeast issues, so she then told me yesterday to take diflucan for a week to address the yeast and then start doxycycline and rifampin (for possible bartonella co-infection).

Here are my questions:
1. How do you know if 'symptoms' while on antibiotics are side effects of meds, die-off, or actual lyme's/co-infection symptoms?

2. How would I know if the first 6 weeks of treatment was enough to take care of the acute lymes?

3. I'm scared that if it's not gone it's just multiplying right now...would you start taking the antibiotics right now rather than waiting a week?

4. What herbs or anti-fungal can I take with antibiotics to get rid of and keep yeast in check?
Posted 8/1/2015 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
"1. How do you know if 'symptoms' while on antibiotics are side effects of meds, die-off, or actual lyme's/co-infection symptoms?"

I would say they're either die-off or lyme/co's symptoms. I doubt if all those symptoms could be attributed to medication side effects.

"2. How would I know if the first 6 weeks of treatment was enough to take care of the acute lymes?"

According to the Lyme Disease Treatment Guidelines (Burrascano) - you need to treat until symptom free PLUS 4-8 weeks.

"3. I'm scared that if it's not gone it's just multiplying right now...would you start taking the antibiotics right now rather than waiting a week?"

I wouldn't take Cipro because of the black box warning. But, it's too bad she won't continue with the doxy - without a break. I don't think a break is necessary at this point...

"4. What herbs or anti-fungal can I take with antibiotics to get rid of and keep yeast in check?"

Nystatin is good for the yeast. If you can get it in the pure powder form (from a compounding Pharmacy) - that's the best.
Posted 8/1/2015 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks - she did prescribe more doxy as well as rifampin. I can pick it up today. I'm thinking I might just start it now, rather than waiting.

I'm assuming I would need a prescription for the nystatin pure powder, correct?
Posted 8/1/2015 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Don't start the Rifampin at full dose...is it 600 mg per day? (300 mg twice daily)

Yes, you would need a prescription for the nystatin pure powder. In the meanwhile take the Diflucan.

There are a few good threads on that subject - Pirouette (our own forum member) - is very knowledgeable with the Nystatin and yeast/fungal issues. She has described what to do/when to do it...etc. in more than one thread.
So, try a search and see what you get.
Posted 8/1/2015 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks.
I'm not sure what the dosage is...going to pick it up right now. Will post once I know.
I will check out Pirouette's stuff. Thanks again!!
Posted 8/1/2015 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Here's a link to a thread on the Nystatin powder: (How much to take, etc)

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=3439369
Posted 8/1/2015 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you!
Ok....I just picked up my prescriptions...I was mistaken...she prescribed doxycycline and cefuroxime axetil or I guess ceftin 500 mg 2x day.

I haven't read much about ceftin....guess that's what I'll be doing this evening! :)
Posted 8/1/2015 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
Ceftin is a good antibiotic - if I remember correctly it doesn't taste good,
I think that one was difficult for me to swallow.

I took it with biaxin.
Posted 8/1/2015 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, good. Are you still being treated? I'm curious how a person knows when they are healed or in remission from all this? So much conflicting info out there.
My initial PCP told me to take doxy for 2 weeks and I'd be cured...
I know that's not true, but was hopeful that 6 weeks would do it since it was caught so early. But, seems that's not the case either! So, just curious...
Posted 8/1/2015 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
You need to treat until symptoms are gone and then a couple more months after.

There isn't a test that will tell you if it's in remission unfortunately.
Posted 8/1/2015 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Yes I am still treating. I just recently started antibiotics again after a
2 1/2 month break.
Posted 8/1/2015 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
That really stinks that there's no way to tell...
Thanks for all the info. Very much appreciated!
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