Hi kml1997 -
I have been on IV abx for 3 yrs - almost done. I hope you see this post before your appt - I think it would be good to ask your MD some questions.
From your post, it seems you've tried doxy and Zith but quite honestly, the durations are short so that is probably one reason you are considering additional treatment. However, IV abx aren't "necessary" for most people. Given the cost and complexities they are usually reserved for those with Gi problems that prevent proper absorption of oral abx or herbal tx. I think there are probably simpler things you might want to try first.
Did you have issues with the doxy? 6 months of doxy is NOT long and could very likely just not be long enough or at the right dose. Min. dose is 400mg per day. Why did you stop?
Head and eye pressure could be from several issues: might be inflammation, toxin overload from Lyme, babs or another infection you have. The coinfection testing is NOT reliable so I would not rule out something other than Lyme, specifically the babesia, which commonly causes head and eye pressure.
Head and eye pressure could involve your gut, too. Remember the gut-brain connection (proved when science finally found blood vessels that link the two). So what is going on in your GI can affect the eye and neck pressure going on in your head and certainly panic attacks and other "neurological-psychological" symptoms. Most MDs don't understand this association well but if I were you, before I launched into IV tx for those sx I would explore other protocols. Tough to know what to recommend w/out knowing what you've tried but here are a few guiding questions:
- Have you tried any anti-inflammatories like japanese knotweed, turmeric? Some diet changes can also reduce inflammation.
- Do you have any GI issues? If so, what are your sx and when did they start? How is your diet?
- Do you know if you have any yeast/fungal issues? Are you aware of the association between sugars and antibiotics and GI microbiome imbalances and the symptoms (like panic attacks) that they can cause? Here is more info on yeast/fungal overgrowth in the "New to Lyme?" thread:
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=1606610&g=3644275#m3644275 - Caffeine can be difficult for some people to metabolize, which could also be linked to head and eye pressure.
.....one issue is that caffeine is a Vasoconstrictor, which means it constricts blood vessels to the muscles in the head and neck only, which is why it is so helpful for headaches for some people, for others it does the opposite. When you get a headache it's typically a rush of blood to brain blood vessels causing them to swell and that pressure against your skull is the “ache”, for some, caffeine can help control this by shrinking the vessels back down.
.....The strange paradox is that too much caffeine or stopping caffeine can actually cause “rebound” headaches so it's important to maintain dosage every day unless you cannot metabolize it well.
.....also, it stimulates your adrenal function, which can cause a series of other issues
- have you tried herbal protocols? Many of us here are on a hybrid of abx and herbal protocols - it's tough to know what works for whom so it's best to try options out. There are several herbal protocols for tick infections that are good. Let us know if you would like recommendations. There are several good alternatives to abx and mepron.
- I would also explore increasing lymphatic drain and circulation. I had a LOT of head pressure and swelling of nodes when I started bart tx but when I took red root and focused on better drainage and circulation, those sx reduced significantly.
Regarding IV tx, here is a LOT of info on benefits and what IV abx entails and what options are available, if you're interested. Please let me know if you have any questions:
To IV or not to IV:
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=3674546COST of IV:
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=3665291&g=3665498#m3665498-p