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Need Advice for Elderly who has Lyme - no symptoms except Fatigue

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Posted 8/19/2017 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
classic story - 73 yo man got bit by a tick, given only 2 days of doxycycline mad

a month later he developed a horrendous rash, and was given another 4 weeks of doxy

its about 3 weeks since he has stopped taking it, and he gets extremely tired around 2pm everyday. This is it, no other symptoms.....he has been a family friend for ages, and is a retired pharmacist.

I am nervous, bc I want to make sure I give him the right advice.

I know that he is exhausted bc his immune system is working overtime to fight lyme. He probably has no symptoms bc either he has no coinfections, or his body is just keeping lyme in check right now bc it is a new infection. His wife had lyme a few years ago, but beat it with iv antibiotics, and is fine now. They live in the Hamptoms out on long island.

So what do you guys think is the best thing for him to do? Go back on doxy? and if yes, how long does he treat if he has no symptoms?? if he restarts doxy, the fatigue should subside yes? bc how can i be sure his body isn't just weak from taking the doxy and maybe he developed candida? (he wouldn't develop candida enough to cause fatigue in only 4 weeks right?)

i would suggest he takes vitamins (esp. Bcomplex) for fatigue, and probiotics, and what detox method would be best? i would think taking activated charcoal would be good, yes?

advice asap, please! i have to call him back this afternoon. thanks a bunch!

FYI - I have a TON of updates to post on here - and I will do that as soon as the kids return to school! I have been jammed up all summer working and keeping my kids busy!

TIA for anyone's advice on this!!!!
Posted 8/19/2017 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
I had to click on this to find out what age was thought of as elderly..... Gosh am I close and I surely don't feel it. Now my step dad is 93 and I call that elderly. Guess as we age the line for elderly changes.

Now about your loved friend... I would suggest that he nap. If he gets tired at 2 everyday, take a nap. Lots of healing takes place with sleep.

Now remember this is all my opinion.

I would get him off sugar or other immune lessening things. I would build up his immune system. You can google your fav doctor online and see what they say.

I love Dr. Axe. Here is his take on immune boosting. /draxe.com/how-to-boost-your-immune-system/

I am in favor of herbs and there are many that doc recommend for lyme. My reasoning for your friend doing herbs is that there is a significantly less change of side effects. I don't know how robust your friend is, but if he is frail, antibiotic side effects may do more harm than getting rid of the lyme.

My best advice is get your friend to a LLMD! They can examine the whole body and assess what is the best treatment. From a post on the internet, I would just be guessing and that is not fair to your friend.
Posted 8/19/2017 3:36 PM (GMT 0)

Chapelle said...
classic story - 73 yo man got bit by a tick, given only 2 days of doxycycline mad

a month later he developed a horrendous rash, and was given another 4 weeks of doxy

its about 3 weeks since he has stopped taking it, and he gets extremely tired around 2pm everyday. This is it, no other symptoms.....he has been a family friend for ages, and is a retired pharmacist.

I am nervous, bc I want to make sure I give him the right advice.

I know that he is exhausted bc his immune system is working overtime to fight lyme. He probably has no symptoms bc either he has no coinfections, or his body is just keeping lyme in check right now bc it is a new infection. His wife had lyme a few years ago, but beat it with iv antibiotics, and is fine now. They live in the Hamptoms out on long island.

So what do you guys think is the best thing for him to do? Go back on doxy? and if yes, how long does he treat if he has no symptoms?? if he restarts doxy, the fatigue should subside yes? bc how can i be sure his body isn't just weak from taking the doxy and maybe he developed candida? (he wouldn't develop candida enough to cause fatigue in only 4 weeks right?)

i would suggest he takes vitamins (esp. Bcomplex) for fatigue, and probiotics, and what detox method would be best? i would think taking activated charcoal would be good, yes?

advice asap, please! i have to call him back this afternoon. thanks a bunch!

FYI - I have a TON of updates to post on here - and I will do that as soon as the kids return to school! I have been jammed up all summer working and keeping my kids busy!

TIA for anyone's advice on this!!!!

The 4 weeks is for a tick bite....

For an EM it's to treat until sign/symptom free PLUS another 4 weeks

So, the 4 weeks - start counting once the symptoms are gone.

BTW being tired is a classic symptom of LD. Don't discount that as a symptom.
The EM is diagnostic for LD.
Posted 8/19/2017 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
THANK you both!

sorry about the elderly definition, he is in his late 70s! my dad is 80 - so anyone in his "generation" to me is elderly - you are not there yet!!!

wink

I understand about the herbs, but it is very hard to convince people who are unfamiliar with herbal protocols to go along with it, especially pharmacists! so i know he will not be open to this, he will just want to take the meds and be done with it so to speak.

thank you so much for the info on the time frame of treatment.

Post Edited (Chapelle) : 8/19/2017 10:28:41 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/19/2017 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
The generation PLUS the fact that he is a Pharmacist - of course he doesn't want to do herbs....lol.


Good luck...hope he responds to treatment sooner than later.
Posted 8/19/2017 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
ha, so true girlie! thanks!
Posted 8/20/2017 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Don't be sorry about the elderly thing. I remember so well thinking 30 was over the hill...... My lines of definition for age change yearly. 70 sounds dang young to me. LOL And my Mom is 85 and sharp as a tack. I am only 19 years younger than her. That was a huge difference when I was 6. The age difference is not so wide now. LOL!! She's like my sister.
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