(No Subject)

I have been on antibiotics for four months, and progressed well for two months. Since then, it's been a roller coaster of symptoms and I seem to have taken major steps backward. My LLMD at first thought the Lyme was building resistance, and switched up my regimen. This helped for a week, but now my symptoms are back. I am wondering whether it is normal to experience symptoms so much like the ones I had before having a diagnosis in August at this point in my treatment? They wax and wane, but there are more bad days than good. The swelling and burning/pressure type pain around the back of my head and through my neck has been bad and the brain fog never lets up. I also seem to have some swollen lymph nodes or something on the back of my head near the base of my skull?

I'm worried that the Lyme is progressing - is this normal even while on antibiotic treatment? How do I know that the antibiotics are working - if they were, wouldn't I be feeling better?

Thank you.

You might want to put a title to your thread - it may get more 'looks'.

For me improvements have been slow...I'm treating for about14-15 months now.

Those antibiotics aren't ones that are usually used to treat Bartonella.

I see azithro and amox and Probenecid for Lyme. Hydroxycoroquinine, Artemisia are for Babs, correct?

So, which ones are for bartonella?

Artemisia is for babesia.

Houttuynia is a very effective herb for Bart and Rifampin along with Biaxin can be an effective abx combo for it.

Have you ever considered supplementing with L-arginine? It's an amino acid that increases nitric oxide levels in the blood vessels (Babs/Bart decrease NO levels).

In his latest books that address the coinfections, Buhner says studies have shown the supplementing with L-arginine alone can clear symptoms of Babesia and Bartonella. He recommends 500-1000mg twice daily.

Here's some info from his now outdated website:

buhnerhealinglyme.com/the-protocols/

One caveat: Supplementing with l-arginine has the potential to reactivate viruses. Starting low and slow is a good idea.

Burning + swollen lymph nodes sound like Bartonella. It is really difficult to get rid of it, sometimes more difficult than Borrelia. Bartonella loves inflammation, so the less inflammation you have the better.

Good Abx are: rifampin+levofloxacin
Good herbs: Houttuynia + red root + jap knotweed+ sida acuta +green tea extract (EGCG)

Moderate exercise is good (if you are up to it) to keep the lymph moving.

It is important to supplement the amino acids, as are depleted by Bartonella. Not only L-Arginine but the whole spectrum, it is good to take some protein supplement that has plenty of L- aminoacids