What is the best antibiotic to pair with Rifampin for Bartonella?

What is the best antibiotic to pair with Rifampin for Bartonella? My doctor will not put me on Bactrim (slight MTHFR gene mutation) and I have been on Rifampin 300mg for about 6 weeks (was on 150mg for 6 weeks before that).
I am looking for personal experience here, not what some famous doctor "claims" is the best antibiotic protocol.

First round: Rifampin / Cipro
Had to stop Cipro due to tendon issues so switched to Doxy then Biaxin. This is what made some progress for my major bart symptoms after going nowhere almost a year on other abx.

Second Round: Bactrim, Biaxin, Tinidazole, Plaquenil (4 days Bactrim/Biaxin, 3 days Tinidazole, Plaquenil daily)
Made even more progress

Now on Rifabutin / Minocycline / Plaquenil
Only been on it a few weeks symptoms are worse but not sure if that's cause I'm hitting the infections deeper or less effective.

Have LLMD appt soon I might ask to pulse above and add Bactrim back in. I did well on Bactrim.

In a nutshell Rifampin and Bactrim have been the game changers for me.

tickbite666,
It seems like you went through 5 different rounds JUST to treat bartonella and still haven't beaten it. How long have you been treating?

Rikky1,
Since I can't do Bactrim, what would you rate as the second best antibiotic to pair with Rifampin given your experience?

Mustard Seed,
My doctor said these Lyme bacteria and co-infections are not like other bacteria that would develop resistance easily. This is what he has chosen for me to do and it has been hard enough on me as it is just doing Rifampin (I have been antibiotics for over 3 years). My doc has gotten rid of my Lyme, Mycoplasma and Babesia so I'm going to trust that he didn't just screw over my chances of recovery from Bartonella by making it resistant to rifampin.

Afiya,

I've been treating since March 2010. I weaned off ABX in March 2016, but relapsed by May. I'm almost back to where I was when I stopped ABX. I've pretty much decided to keep on some ABX protocol forever, along with herbals. I can live OK at 90%

the macrolides (zithromax, biaxin) did very little for my bartonella. for me the best combination is a rifamycin class drug (rifampin or rifabutin) along with a broad spectrum bactericidal (kills not just weakens) class drug that penetrates fairly well even into the blood brain barrier. for me that's minocycline but this is just theory as i just started it a few weeks ago. doxycycline also did some good.

my LLMD has had lots of success with late generation cephalosporins like ceftin and cefdinir as a 2nd antibiotic for co-infections.

Doxy, tinidazole and rifampin is my combo. have been on it 2 months and I am at 90%

caramba i was on that as well and it did well.

i've realized recently that the wonder drug for me for my bart is bactrim. something about this drug arrests many of my symptoms in a matter of 24-36 hours. hope it lasts!

yes girlie bactrim ds. i think since bactrim hits lyme, babeisa and bartonella its good for those who have the 3 B's. when i took it at first a few months ago i paired it with a single dose of biaxin daily, then i went to a 4 days on, 3 days tinidazole only. i did ok on this regimen but not good enough. now i'm on rifabutin/minocycle 2x daily along with bactrim DS 2x daily. this may be the combo that propels me forward. oh also on plaquenil daily for about 6 months.

too early to tell but i started the bactrim up yesterday and i feel a whole lot better than i have been the last few weeks only on rifabutin/mino.

one other tidbit i learned rifabutin is VERY expensive. my contribution under my insurance is $430 every 15 days. right now its all free since i met my annual deductibles but starting in jan that resets.

let us know how you do on the bactrim!

Rikky, cipro is a flouroquinolone just like levaquin. Be careful.

Patty

Rikky1 said...
the macrolides (zithromax, biaxin) did very little for my bartonella. for me the best combination is a rifamycin class drug (rifampin or rifabutin) along with a broad spectrum bactericidal (kills not just weakens) class drug that penetrates fairly well even into the blood brain barrier. for me that's minocycline but this is just theory as i just started it a few weeks ago. doxycycline also did some good.

my LLMD has had lots of success with late generation cephalosporins like ceftin and cefdinir as a 2nd antibiotic for co-infections.

i wonder if rocephin has action on it ? But although mino /doxy have great bbb penetration arent they just bacterostatic?

On minocycline solo i have red strie and red skin on arm, my twitching increase.
Early i take rifampicin + doxy, about week, and my twitching increase too.
My last protocol was rifampicin and bactrim - for me its a best, my twich be rarely, and i have many red dots on leg.