Elevated Liver Enzymes and when to start back up antibiotics?

Hi pinkroses -

So it sounds like you're making progress!

You might explore a possible high viral load as a source for the achey flu-like feeling so that's something to ask your LLMD about. It's also common w/ lyme & co too so of course, you could just be herxing a bit and need more time with the protocol. IF it's a viral issue, I'd start w/ herbal remedies to reduce viral loads. There are very effective antiviral Rx but these will undoubtedly raise your enzymes again. I been there, done that.

You have a great start to JK - I'd start working up to the same 5 drops twice a day. And if you have no adverse reaction, start slowly increasing one drop/day every couple of days. If you feel like you're herxing from it, hold at that dose for awhile until you feel better and then titrate up again. Do this methodically and slowly until you can work up to 20 drops twice/day. If you don't get to that amount, don't fret - you're still getting a benefit from the JK.

You might also incorporate more detoxing - do you sweat (exercise or sauna)? Do you dry brush? Do you soak? Sorry if this info was already discussed.

Also - babesia can also make you tired and add to symptoms as well as a load on your immune system.

I know 10 months sounds like an eternity but I'd say most people around here are averaging a year in treatment. So, you could be on the cusp of getting to that final stage or you could be in the middle of it - it is impossible to know. We're all so different.

One thing you might consider is that you might be ready to switch things up. You were on a pretty intense abx protocol, went off it due to your enzyme levels. Now you're back on it... maybe the next stage is to incorporate more herbal antimicrobials? Many of us are doing both abx and herbs. That's what I'm doing and my main goal is to transition off abx and onto herbs for the final stage (which could be another 12 months - depending on how my body reacts).

Also, another great way to make progress is to figure out the most beneficial detoxing protocol for you and also make that a goal. The better we detox, the better we can handle the treatment and generally, the more progress we make.

-p

Good morning,
I am checking in again to update those who were helping me so much with my progress, for the fact that it just may help someone else...that is my main objective always, along with tapping into some of the wisdom out there that has been so helpful to me on beating my Lyme. I am looking for some opinions on what I should do next.

Since about Aug 6- Sept 23 I had been feeling terrific, basically symptom free (if I even rememer what it feels like to be completely normal). I was ready to tell my LLMD i am symptom free and to start the 3 month starting clock to getting off the two meds, Mepron and Azith. I must be experiencing the "ups and downs", the setbacks too.
Just this past week, I realized I had a UTI. The family Dr. originally called in Augmentin 875 before the culture actually came back since it was the wknd, and I had back discomfort too, they were worried it was going to progress to kidneys so got me on something strong right away. Once the culture came back they switched me to Nitrofurantoin Monohyd Macro....or "Macro". As soon as these meds caught up with me, the UTI got better, but some of my Lyme symptoms starting creeping back ever so slightly. I believe I must have been Herxing from one of these meds......but which one? The Augmentin was for only 3 days and the Macro has been now for 3 days. Hard to tell. I know I cannot be "done" if I am herxing from an antibiotic, right? What do I do, continue on with my Mepron and Azithromycin or do I need to be on something stronger like the Augmentin 875? I am doing Japanese Knotweed, Milk Thistle, salt baths, exercise, lemon water, Serra Peptase too.

Also, I am concerned with the reason I even caught a UTI to begin with while on these Anbx? How do I know if the Mepron and Azith have become ineffective? Worried about becoming immune to them??
Thank you so much for your help, it's worth a million!

Did you continue the Mepron and zithro while you treated the UTI?

You are taking a lot of probiotics, right?

Well when we're on long-term abx, it is a fact...no way around it...we are killing off too much good bacteria.
We just need to be diligent about adding back the bacteria by taking oodles of probiotics.

When is your next appt. with the LLMD?

I would reverse it - take your probiotic AFTER the antibiotic. Otherwise the antibiotic will just kill off the bacteria in your gut that you got from the probiotic.

I take my abx in the morning. Then with lunch I often have some Kefir and probiotics in capsule form...

I take my evening antibiotics at dinner time. Then a couple hours later I take my Activated charcoal. Then I load up on probiotics a couple hours after the charcoal. Then they are in my gut all night while I sleep.

I just got officially scolded by my Nurse Practitioner friend who is not an LLMD, but very concerned about me being on antibiotics for a year....,(3 mos break in there for the liver enzymes). She's concerned about me getting a mega-infection or super-bug and then I'm really in trouble. Right or wrong she has inspired me to maybe move off of them and onto all Herbals?? My Dr sells the Cowden approach. Anyone have any nuts and bolts on this approach.....also, where do you get your burdock root and what is that used best for? Thank you so much, you are all more helpful than some of my Drs, trust me! Thank you again.😃

Hi Pinkroses,
Yes, you have plateaued on those drugs - it's not usually recommended to stay on the same things for long periods of time because the infections can become resistant to them.

I don't know enough about abx to help you decide which ones might be appropriate for you to move on to next. We have some really knowledgeable members though that should be along shortly for help with that.

And, no one can say that pharma abx have a quicker effect - I healed in just one year's time from a 40 year old Lyme infection using herbals only - but we need to find what our body works best with. We usually suggest an herbal protocol either with or to come off of pharma abx and use for a bit because the herbal protocols work on balancing the body, rather than just 'killing' like the pharma abx do. Most people will do better in the long run if they have used an herbal protocol at some point in their healing.

You should know that you will always have to be very proactive with your health, as we can never truly get rid of Lyme, we can only bring in under control, then we have to be sure that we stay healthy and with low stress so that our immune system can keep the infections under control.

For arthritic issues, teasel has been very helpful for a lot of people. It may be something you want to consider. Also, do you take any kind of anti-inflammatory? That would be very helpful as well, whether pharma or herbal.

Oh, I agree!! You'll have to find your "beach spot" somewhere in your mind and make a place to go to destress! Bring on the sand! LOL!

Yes, you will go through quite a bit of tinctures. You can buy larger bottles or take capsules though.

Burbur and Pinella are for detoxing - in case you didn't realize that. They are very effective for some, but as with all things with these infections, what works really well for one doesn't necessarily work well for another.

No, I was not that strict with my diet. I do avoid dairy, but that has a lot more to do with being lactose intolerant than for a Lyme diet. I did eat a lot of goat milk dairy when I had goats though!

I do eat grains. I feel a lot better when I include grains, although I am pretty picky about what grains. I love quinoa and even couscous, but the couscous and other wheat products have to be organic or they give me digestive issues. I concentrate on quality protein and vegetables mostly and add in some grains throughout the week.

Unfortunately, you're right - no one seems to understand until they've been through this as well!! At least we have this space to come together and support each other!!

I saw my Lyme Dr yesterday, and he suggested I stay on the Mepron, got rid of the Azith and I'm back on the Cefuroxime. He is also wanting me to be tested for Mold, blood test and the kit for the house......mold disease can cause some of these lingering symptoms (although I do not have any sinus or lung issues???). He also wants me to be tested for Marcons, since we have a dog....I think he is a bit surprised that the Lyme hasn't resolved yet with all that I have done right. I quoted some of you patients on here who have believed to "plateau" on Mepron, or who say the last 10% is the hardest....but he is wondering if I have something else on top of the Lyme? Hmm. My head was spinning. I have the lab slips to go get tested for these specific diseases, need to go to LabCorp, I am wondering if this is going to lead me down some other long path? I figure no hard in getting the mold tested? I actually wonder if I should be posting this Q under a new topic, Mold Disease and Lyme. Apparently there is cutting edge research out there by Dr.Shoemaker that having mold in your system is keeping the Lyme alive. All I know is that I am just not done with this and want to be. Any thoughts or suggestions I am very thankful for.
Pink Roses

Yes, but he believes the Babeesia is the strongest needing attention. So one thing I have not mentioned and might require a whole other topic discussion is that my Dr uses a "Transdermal machine" to detect different imbalances in the body.....it is suprisingly helpful in guiding him toward an effective way to treat patients. That's a whole other discussion! But the machine showed that my Babeesia was stronger than the Bart.
I feel better today after some JK and salt baths but I'm afraid this Lyme is not going away completely yet. What does anyone think about the possibility of mold?

Ok, I will definitely consider, but then what specifically are you suggesting for treating the Bart? Isn't Cefuroxime taking care of that too?