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Just started Mepron & having bad GI issues. Needing some help/answers. Please advise?

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Posted 4/20/2017 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

I am recently diagnosed with chronic Lyme and have the Babs co-infection. I completed 4 months of Doxy treatment with 3-4 herxes, and tolerated that med pretty well otherwise. Re-tested at 4 month mark and Lyme is still there as my doctor expected.

My doctor has now moved onto treat the co-infection with Mepron and Biaxin. The Biaxin I am tolerating OK, since I have taken it in the past for sinus issues...But the MEPRON...holy ****, literally. I started both these meds this last Sunday and at first I had loose stools and frequent bathroom trips, but now it is full blown diarrhea.

Does anyone think the diarrhea will possibly subside in a week or so?
Is this just a side effect or the Mepron, or would diarrhea be considered a "herx" symptom?

My doctor advised to take the Mepron with some fatty sort of food for absorption. I thought what I was eating was covering that, but maybe it's not adequate? I have been taking the Mepron with my meals (breakfast and dinner) and incorporating fat in those meals. BUT should I be taking the Mepron dose with a tablespoon of butter, olive oil etc. only? So basically the only thing I would be ingesting at that time would be the Mepron and some sort of fat?

Any input is appreciated as to what might help, or what I can eat to alleviate the diarrhea. **I am currently following a gluten, dairy, and sugar free diet.

Thank you!
Posted 4/20/2017 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi shotgun72 - welcome to our community!

What test was done to show "Lyme is still there?"

No test is accurate to show that.

Sorry that the Mepron is affecting your GI like that. I don't have that issue so far with it.

Diarrhea is a side effect of the Mepron. Maybe give it a few more days and hopefully it will subside.

Yes, add something specifically high in fat to your Mepron dose. I take one TBSP of peanut butter, followed by one TBSP of coconut oil...and then have my breakfast (or dinner).

Does the diarrhea only happen after the Mepron doses? or do you end up having diarrhea all day long?
Posted 4/20/2017 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
Forgot to let you know - we encourage all new members to read through the thread at the top of the page title: "New to Lyme?..Start Here!" It's packed full of useful information.
- symptom lists, detoxing info, and much more.
Posted 4/20/2017 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Girlie,

Thank you for responding. I did check out the "New to Lyme" thread, but I will continue to do so throughout this process.

As for the follow up test I had done, it was thru Igenix, both IgM and IgG bands were tested. All of the same bands were still positive, but a few intensity levels were reduced from +++ to ++. I also had one previus "I" (inconclusive) band result come back as negative this time. My doctor said the Lyme was still there and I assumed so as well because it still shows as active. Is that not correct? If so, why?

I am going to try the coconut oil with my evening dose tonight. My stomach overall has been kind of queasy, but the bowel upset comes on maybe 30 minutes after I take the Mepron in the morning and then seems to continue as I eat throughout the day. My evening dose seems to be fine. Ie: I am not waking up to need to use the restroom.

One other question, pepto bismol should NOT be taken to alleviate the GI issues right? I thought I read somewhere it interferes with the meds?
Posted 4/20/2017 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
The Igenex WB is a test based on antibodies. Unfortunately even when we've healed...our bodies can still produce the antibodies....and we really can't use the WB to gauge treatment...when it's working...or when we're finished.

You may very well still have active lyme... time will tell....you won't know until the co-infections are also treated and you have become symptom free.

We need to base our healing on being symptom free.
Posted 4/20/2017 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
That's really interesting! I didn't know the body would continue to produce "active" antibodies after a person has healed.

Thanks so much for the quick responses and the welcome. I've looked around and this forum seems to be a godsend for Lymies smile
Posted 4/24/2017 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
UPDATE: For anyone who stumbles upon this down the road, I thought it was worth mentioning -

Taking a full tablespoon+ of peanut butter right after the MEPRON dose, worked magic for me!
No more running to the restroom smile
Posted 4/24/2017 8:16 PM (GMT 0)

shotgun72 said...
UPDATE: For anyone who stumbles upon this down the road, I thought it was worth mentioning -

Taking a full tablespoon+ of peanut butter right after the MEPRON dose, worked magic for me!
No more running to the restroom smile

Good to hear.

I too had diarrhea right after starting Mepron, but it went away after a day or two.
Posted 4/24/2017 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
I'm having a little difficulty in that department as well.

I first thought it was Enula, and then said it was Xylitol.

But, today had that 'issue' and haven't had any xylitol...so maybe it was mepron.
Posted 4/24/2017 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
Just jumping into welcome you Shotgun!

We are so glad you found us. Ask alot of questions, there is alot to learn!

And thanks for the peanut butter tip!
Posted 4/24/2017 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the kind welcome! There is definitely A LOT to learn. Getting to read other's experiences, makes this journey more sane to navigate through smile
Posted 4/25/2017 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
My own experience did fine on Mepron but Malarone gave me painful GI and constant diarrhea after the second dose so had to stop it. for me its not the atovaquone since both have it so must be the proguanil. goes to show you everyone is different.
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