IV Antibiotics vs. Oral for Lyme and Bartonella

I heard an interview with Dr J (Washington DC) and it was something like only 20% of the patients he recommends IV for.

I’m trying to remember the criteria - I think one reason is if their GI system can’t tolerate orals.
He also mentioned ALS symptoms.
Sorry, I didn’t retain all the info.

Question- Have you treated Babesia?

IV has to be combined with orals. u simply cannot do 3 antibiotics on IV and call it a day.

one reason to try IV is get vancomycin, which by itself is superior to any other single lyme abx. it is a reserve abx and usually can only get it in hospitals. we have a few members here taking vanco, with good results. vanco saves people from dying for eg when metronidazole resistant cdiff strains are found, so it's harder to convince doctors you need it for lyme.

but the rest of IVs .... no impressive results. including ceftriaxone which is really no better than mino...

I did IV for 16 months. My thoughts are it should be used for the most serious neurological cases or patients that can't tolerate oral ABX. I was neither, but it did help, and I probably did it for too long.

Here's the oral combos I took while on IV. I had started treatment in March 2010 and switch LLMD's a year later. Six months into treatment with my second LLMD she recommended IV and it took me a few months to get to health care enrollment time to change my health plan to more favorable IV coverage with lower deductible since IV was covered under medical instead of prescription coverage.

4/1/13 to 5/22/13: Oral Minocycline, Bactrim DS, Tindamax
3/8/13 to 3/30/13: IV Doxycycline, Bactrim DS, Tindamax
2/5/13 to 3/7/13: Zithromax, IV Doxycycline, Mepron x2, Bactrim DS, Tindamax
1/21/13 to 2/5/13: Zithromax, IV Doxycycline, Actigall, Mepron x2, Bactrim DS, Tindamax
10/29/12 to 1/20/13: Zithromax, IV Rocephin (2x/4 days/wk), Actigall, Mepron x2, Bactrim DS, Tindamax
9/12/12 to 10/29/12: Zithromax, IV Rocephin (2x/4 days/wk), Actigall, Mepron x2, Bactrim DS
8/25/12 to 9/11/12: Zithromax, IV Rocephin (2x/4 days/wk), Actigall, Mepron x2
6/30/12 to 8/24/12: Zithromax, IV Rocephin (2x/4 days/wk), Actigall, Mepron x2, Diflucan
6/22/12 to 6/29/12: Zithromax, IV Rocephin (2x/4 days/wk), Actigall, Mepron x2
4/19/12 to 6/21/12: Zithromax, IV Rocephin (2x/4 days/wk), Actigall, Mepron, Bactrim DS
2/27/12 to 4/19/12: Zithromax, IV Rocephin (2x/4 days/wk), Actigall, Mepron
2/21/12 to 2/26/12: Zithromax, IV Rocephin (2x/4 days/wk, 3 days off pulse), Actigall, Rifampin
1/17/12 to 2/20/12: Zithromax, IV Rocephin (1x/day), Actigall, Rifampin
12/19/11 to 1/16/12: Zithromax, IV Rocephin (1x/day), Actigall
10/11/11 to 12/9/11: Zithromax, Doxycycline, Rifampin (STOPPED all due to elevated ALT/AST)

Also, since my past Lyme test via MDL was “Equivical,” maybe I should pay Igenex to Test. Any suggestions on which exact tests I can look into, please let me know.

I’m not sure what the difference is between WesternBlot and Immunoblot testing? I was thinking of having the test that looks for lyme and co-infections but that is around $1,300.

I’m thinking if shows positive for lyme, my doc would then allow IV Antibiotics. How many weeks before Igenex tests should I stop Abx and would I need to stop the Buhner Bartonella Protocol until after test?

The IV is 3 times more expensive than orals, but around 10% better. I myself maybe have an ulcer, cause 2 weeks in oral, i started having some burning in my gut. But i can add omeprazole to it and i'd still save a lot of money.

LymeDocSearch said...
Girlie, being blood labs and DNA Connections urine PCR didn’t show Babesia, my LLMD will not treat me for Babesia. I went to an Infectious Disease doctor in Delaware County who acted as if he was God commented that he thinks I may have Babesia but he refused to treat me because his labs didn’t show any Lyme (Western Blot CDC), Babesia or Bartonella.

My current LLMD’s PCR Test shows Bartonella but the Infectious Disease Doctor told me he “doesn’t pay attention to those results, everyone is positive on those.”

I’m very sick and frustrated and not sure where to turn next? I’m currently on disability through work and because of this, I had to apply for SSD.

I receive my Ozone generator soon to start my daily Rectal and hoping this, my continued Rifing, Sauna and Buhner Bartonella Protocol does something!

If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to communicate.

I would find another LLMD and get a second opinion. You can email me if you need some options.

That's what I'm having to do now...I plateaued on lyme/bart treatment.
So, now I'm going to travel a good distance to a very experienced LLMD.

I was on oral for several months and it just added to my nausea and vomiting. I was switched to IV and I herxed like crazy. Currently taking a break from all but IVIG.