Hi, All! After writing on the forum a few weeks ago, I'm really starting to become convinced that my sister is battling Babesia almost more than Lyme. Some of you also suggested that her symptoms sounded very much like Babesia (extreme muscle weakness, muscle pain especially in the buttocks, thighs, and calfs), air hunger, debilitating fatigue, cough, hoarseness, dizzyness, etc.) No night sweats at all, which confused me until I read quite a few posts of people being successfully treated for Babs. and they never had night sweats either! She has been treated by a LLMD for 4 1/2 years and has done a variety of RX's, to include 10 months of IV Roccephin) Currently she's taking a combo of Ceftin and Plaquenil. She also does lymphatic therapy and accupuncture. Sadly, just today, both her accupuncturiest and her PT said she has severe inflammation in her spine and organs - in fact, the accupuncturist said her entire system is shutting down! That explains why she's worse now than ever! Many of the less bothersome symptoms have been resolved, but over the past year the remaining "big 3" as we call them have pretty much made her an invalid. The fatigue, muscle weakness/stiffness in the legs, and dizzyness are 100 times worse now than before her lyme diagnosis in 2004 (her Igenex test came back positive and lyme treatment was started with the IV Rocephin). about 3 -4 years ago she was treated for a very short period (less than 2 months) for Babs - had to stop because she could not tolerate the treatment (Mepron/Zithromax/Artemisinin). She is currently seeing another doctor who is not a lyme specialist- my sister can no longer handle the 2 1/2 hour ride to see the LLMD, not to mention the cost of the appointments. Like many lyme families, they are almost financially ruined because of the cost of treatment. Anyway, I'm not sure her current Dr. will prescribe Mepron/Marlarone without a definitive result from a Babesia test - nor am I convinced the Dr. will even order a Babs test! I read in Dr. Singleton's book that the FISH test is the most sensitive for Babs. But even that test can be "iffy". Because she's just getting sicker with every day that passes, I was thinking about having her start back on Artemisinin capsules (she's already taking Plaquenil for cyst-form lyme), until we can find a LLMD closer to home.
I have two different sets of questions:
1. If her current Dr. will start treating the Babs, should she request Mepron or Malarone? I would like to pick which ever one is "gentler" to tolerate. Will she need to stop taking C0Q10 with either of these drugs she chooses? I thought I read the C0Q10 makes these antibiotics less effective. I know she'll need to incorporate Zithromax, but was wondering if anyone was ever prescribed Mepron or Malarone, plus Plaquenil? My sister loves the Plaquenil and has no problems taking it (she sees an eye specialist every 6 months to make sure no problems crop up).
2. If the Dr. won't prescribe the above RX's or test, should we start her on the herbal treatment of Artemisinin until we can find a new LLMD? If so, I've read in Stephn Buhner's book that a slightly modified form of artemisinin, called artesunate, has been found to be very effective in erradicating Babs. In fact, with this form, low concentrations were highly effective. Has anyone heard of or used this form? Any success stories using this treatment? If so, what dosing would be appropriate for Babs? Buhner suggests the dosage used for malaria, approximately 500 mgs. a day, is best for Babs. I've also read that this treatment should start out very slowly - increasing as the system adjusts. What exact dosage is "slow", and for how long before you increase?
I'm so sorry for this "book" - but we are desperate! Especially since she was told today that her entire "system is failing". I would deeply appreciate any information or guidance offered. I have to do something to help her because it's not an option to let her slip away! Thank you and God bless all!