To pulse or not to pulse?

So I've been pulsing Rifabutin / Minocycline / Bactrim 4 days on, 3 days off (don't take anything except supplements and Plaquenil those 3 days). There's debate on whether you should pulse anything when going after BLO since the lifecycle is anywhere from 24-48 hours.

I like the idea of pulsing to give the body a rest, let your immune system kick in and the bugs don't go into hiding from the abx poison.

On the flip side if they are reproducing faster than your abx/immune system can kill them then you won't make good progress.

I'm somewhat torn on what to do here. I know my LLMD does pulsing primarily to give your body a break from the herxing but right now not sure if I should push daily or leave current schedule for a bit. Welcome any thoughts.

Rikky1 - I am not doing the anti-biotic route, but if your LLMD is advising pulsing, I'd flow with that. If you aren't eating a cruddy diet packed full of stuff that feeds the bacteria, my GUESS is, they aren't going to be out and about multiplying. From what I've read, they are adaptable, and if anything, when threatened and killed off, as with anti-biotics, these adaptable organisms are probably focused on adapting and going into hiding. Bactrim, the one short round I had, kicked my rump. I find herbs much gentler relatively speaking. I am not a Dr. - just adding my ruminations. I'd research on pubmed.

Girlie remind me, are you pulsing rifampin?

Yikes. That would explain it!

What dose?

Yes, Rikky - daily for 7-8 months...and now pulsing for 5 or is it 6 months?

300 mg twice daily.

M/W/F -Rifampin and biaxin (or mino - I switch every few months)
Th/F - was taking Ceftin and Tini
S/S - nothing

2 or 3 weeks on, and one week off.


I was doing the above for several months.

I actually took a break from pulsing the Rifampin. A new LLND was prepping me for LDI and I told her I hadn't been on Bactrim yet (have always wondered if I should try it) - and she prescribed Bactrim and Azithromycin.

So, I am taking those now...but not pulsing...
I will take them for a few more weeks...and then go back to the Rif and biaxin.

I may pulse the mino on Th/F.

Rikky1 said...
how's the bactrim working for you? i had to go back on it cause it was directly impacting my head issues.

It seems to be hitting 'something'

My back pain has been bad since I started it...I thought maybe it was a Diflucan herx...because I took that for several days for the first time as well.
But, I'm only on a once weekly Diflucan dose now...so I think it is the bactrim (back pain)

The person who stopped and started many times - how is she doing?

blue - Riffy wasn't hard on me...I was worried about my liver...cuz you know we need one of those ;)

But, my liver enzymes were good...even though they were high on prior lyme treatment...go figure.