Plaquenil alone for swelling from Lyme/babs?

1. Plaquenil is prescribed by some LLMD's. I believe THE Dr. H. uses it for lyme.

2. Im not familiar with it to know is it could cause herxing.


3. I don't know it's effects on immune system...but since Dr. H. prescribes it..i would think it wouldn't be too immunpsuppressing.


Hopefully, someone who is/has taken it will post.

Hi, not sure about the Plaquenil, but always be sure to use detox methods.

Adding in binders(activated charcoal or zeobind) can be helpful when herxing to help rid the body of toxins from the die off of bacteria.

RE: ABX herxing,Have you considered or researched herbals for treatment? In tincture form one can go very slow with a herbal drop by drop to see if you can tolerate.

You may still herx from a herbal but you can control the dose better.

Stephen Buhner has good books on herbals and also Dr Rawls.

Always check for side effects and contradictions, especially since you are sensitive.

I have taken Plaquenil many times since starting lyme treatment, but always in combination with various ABX protocols. Plaquenil is suppose to improve the pH of cells to allow ABX to penetrate better.

Some also say that Plaquenil also acts as a mild cyst buster.

Its primary use is for acute malaria, and also used for Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. You may get some benefit from using it standalone for Lyme and it may also help with treating Bart and Babs in combination with an herbal treatment plan.

julala said...

goshawk said...
Hi, not sure about the Plaquenil, but always be sure to use detox methods.

Adding in binders(activated charcoal or zeobind) can be helpful when herxing to help rid the body of toxins from the die off of bacteria.

RE: ABX herxing,Have you considered or researched herbals for treatment? In tincture form one can go very slow with a herbal drop by drop to see if you can tolerate.

You may still herx from a herbal but you can control the dose better.

Stephen Buhner has good books on herbals and also Dr Rawls.

Always check for side effects and contradictions, especially since you are sensitive.

Good reminder about detoxing. Thanks. Yes, I've read the old and new edition of Buhner's Lyme books, and I've also read Rawls' book. Love Buhner. I am working with an herbalist now who has me doing low-dose herbs. Just started teasel. Fingers crossed. Let me ask you -- regarding low-dose herbs, is the idea to start low but then gradually increase to high doses? I know Buhner likes high doses, but Matthew Wood says you only need 9 drops of teasel. But if I add Japanese Knotweed, could I keep doing low doses, or would I need a ton of it, per Buhner? Just wondering about your thoughts on this. Thanks!!!!!!

julala - I know you asked goshawk...but I hope you don't mind me posting as well.

YES - you should start low and gradually increase to higher doses. You could start out with low doses of JK, and after awhile, if you're handling it well...you could increase.

Also, if you find you're taking low doses for awhile and don't have any reaction - either improvement...or a herx...then you can raise at that point.

Girlie said...

julala said...

goshawk said...
Hi, not sure about the Plaquenil, but always be sure to use detox methods.

Adding in binders(activated charcoal or zeobind) can be helpful when herxing to help rid the body of toxins from the die off of bacteria.

RE: ABX herxing,Have you considered or researched herbals for treatment? In tincture form one can go very slow with a herbal drop by drop to see if you can tolerate.

You may still herx from a herbal but you can control the dose better.

Stephen Buhner has good books on herbals and also Dr Rawls.

Always check for side effects and contradictions, especially since you are sensitive.

Good reminder about detoxing. Thanks. Yes, I've read the old and new edition of Buhner's Lyme books, and I've also read Rawls' book. Love Buhner. I am working with an herbalist now who has me doing low-dose herbs. Just started teasel. Fingers crossed. Let me ask you -- regarding low-dose herbs, is the idea to start low but then gradually increase to high doses? I know Buhner likes high doses, but Matthew Wood says you only need 9 drops of teasel. But if I add Japanese Knotweed, could I keep doing low doses, or would I need a ton of it, per Buhner? Just wondering about your thoughts on this. Thanks!!!!!!

julala - I know you asked goshawk...but I hope you don't mind me posting as well.

YES - you should start low and gradually increase to higher doses. You could start out with low doses of JK, and after awhile, if you're handling it well...you could increase.

Also, if you find you're taking low doses for awhile and don't have any reaction - either improvement...or a herx...then you can raise at that point.

I don't mind. Thanks, Girlie. That makes sense.

Loutucky said...
julala, I have never taken plaquenil but I know several people who take it while treating babesia. The one thing I learned from them is that Plaquenil can be very toxic to the eyes.

Some LLMD's require a baseline eye exam before starting it or at least monitoring the eyes if you are on it long term. I would ask your doctor what you should watch for.

Thanks for that reminder, Loutucky!


I haven't taken Plaquenil and forgot about the risk to the eyes....

Another thing is it has a very long half-life.

Loutucky said...
Girlie, we all stick together. I have no idea how everyone can remember so much about so many diseases. I didn't realize plaquenil had a long half-life!

I know - it's crazy - the information we try to grasp...and hold onto!!!

half-life is something like 30-50 DAYS ...so after taking it for several months...it will take a long time to get our of your system.