testing for coinfections/ideal antibiotics

I have had lyme for 2-3 years and am just now being treated with antibiotics.
9 days into taking doxycycline at 100 mg/twice a day.
Starting to get intense esophagal feelings and still dealing with physical pain, esp my hands, feet and heels. My neurological issues are not as bad a they were 2 weeks ago but not making significant progress. Planning to see my doc this week.

Any suggestions for a different antibiotic?
Also wondering about testing for coinfections. What tests should I request?
Looking for an LLMD but hoping to work with my PCP as much as possible.

Welcome noralove! I agree with cd3764 on all counts-great all around advice. I agree that the testing for co-infections is not very reliable at all. There are too many strains. Labs only test for a few. I just spent $300 on Babesia testing through Igenex, which came back negative. Yet, my LLMD and I feel that I have Babesia. I have responded to Babs meds. That is why it is a clinical diagnoses.

If you check out the new to Lyme thread, there is invaluable info, including symptoms lists for co-infections and info on detoxing. It will help you get an idea of what you might have. It is a good idea to see an LLMD who can diagnose you based on symptoms so you know what to address in your treatment.

Most doctors will not prescribe enough antibiotics to adequately kill the bacteria. 400 mg of Doxy is the standard dosage. Maybe your PCP can help you until you figure out if you can see an LLMD. I second cd3764's recommendation to read Dr. B's Treatment Guidelines. I periodically check them out to refresh my memory because they contain so much information on the infections and various aspects of treatment.

Everyone responds to medications and infections differently. There are many antibiotics and herbs that fight Lyme and Co. With antibiotics, it is best to be on a combination of antibiotics (as opposed to a single antibiotic). A good LLMD will know what might work best for you based on your symptoms and medical history. I take a combination of antibiotics and herbs.

This is a great place for support and learning. I have learned so much about Lyme and Co here. We have to be our own advocates when it comes to fighting Lyme and Co. Knowledge is power. Feel free to ask lots of questions.

noralove said...
Thank you for all the great info! I am doing dry body brushing daily and a daily soak with epsom salts and hydrogen peroxide and ginger. I walk and or ride my bike about an hour a day and just started doing yoga and meditating again. I'm hoping to join a gym with a sauna or get a portable sauna? Anyone have experience with that?

I just ordered the Buhner core protocol pills from Green Dragon Botanicals (2-3 weeks till delivery) and seeing an herbalist tomorrow.
I am so thankful I found this forum! So helpful!
Im looking for an LLMD but have not found one yet. I was just sent some suggestions through

Happy to hear you're being proactive with your care! I don't have the space for a portable sauna but most everyone who uses one reports great results.

Please, please, please start off VERY slowly with the herbals. They can really pack a punch. In fact, I had my worst-ever herx on 3 drops each of Samento and Banderol (Cowden Protocol)....it was worse than any herx I had on abx.

I'm transitioning to Buhner and actually bought tinctures to start. This way, I slowly increase the dose until I get up to similar content to what is in the capsules. Then I'll start one capsule....and slowly increase the dose with the tincture until I'm ready to add another capsule.

Most of us taking herbals recommend starting with just one herb (not a mix). This way, we can gauge response. We slowly increase the doses of each herb until we get to maximum doses of all of them. It takes a LOT of time to do it this way but, herxing is minimized.

Still, I've had to back down on my doses a couple of times because herxing isn't good for us.

Best of luck to you moving forward!