Watch Connie Strasheim, author of "The Lyme Disease Survival Guide," on her new video blog!
|
|
2773 Members
24 Forums
4636 Topics
6017 Posts
Max Online: 251 @ 12/25/10 12:01 AM
|
|
|
#1764 - 06/07/07 02:27 AM
just got bit.. is 10 days doxy enough?
|
danielmurphy
New Researcher
Registered: 06/07/07
Posts: 1
|
Hi... my name is Daniel and this is my first post here..
I had Lyme in 98 and have studied the subject in great detail in the past. It took years to get back to full strength. I just recently got bit again... Probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't been familiar with the symptoms. Anyhow I started a 10 day couse of 100mg Doxy, 2x/day, within a week to 10 days of getting bit. I herxed for a couple of days and felt much better on day four. Today is day five and I feel pretty good.
I have a good friend who has chronic lyme for 6+ years and is on IV right now. He recommended 21-30 days doxy and I would probably agree with him not to take any chances after the serious challenges I had after getting lyme in '98. However I would like to act on science rather than emotion. Is 10 days enough? Is there a definitive answer. Do I need to worry about co-infections, should I switch from the doxy which is a protein synthesis inhibitor type to an anti malaria/protazoa type...
My doctor will probably prescribe whatever I ask for. Your KNOWLEGDABLE suggestions are most appreciated.
Thank you,
Daniel
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1765 - 06/07/07 04:17 AM
Re: just got bit.. is 10 days doxy enough?
[Re: danielmurphy]
|
Rich_skiweasel7
Forum Veteran
Registered: 12/29/06
Posts: 178
|
Hi Daniel,
I cut and pasted some highlights from Dr. Burrascano's Guidelines below. I would increase the doxy dose (200 mg- 2 times a day). Doxy does seem good for co-infections. I would also stay on it for at least 6 weeks.
Take care,
Rich (skiweasel7)
From Dr. Burrascano's Guidelines (MANAGING LYME DISEASE, 15th edition, September, 2005 ):
There are four types of antibiotics in general use for Bb treatment. The TETRACYCLINES, including doxycycline and minocycline, are bacteriostatic unless given in high doses. If high blood levels are not attained, treatment failures in early and late disease are common. However, these high doses can be difficult to tolerate. For example, doxycycline can be very effective but only if adequate blood levels are achieved either by high oral doses (300 to 600 mg daily) or by parenteral administration. Kill kinetics indicate that a large spike in blood and tissue levels is more effective than sustained levels, which is why with doxycycline, oral doses of 200 mg bid is more effective than 100 mg qid. Likewise, this is why IV doses of 400 mg once a day is more effective than any oral regimen.
ORAL THERAPY: Always check blood levels when using agents marked with an *, and adjust dose to achieve a peak level above ten and a trough greater than three. Because of this, the doses listed below may have to be raised. Consider Doxycycline first in early Lyme due to concern for Ehrlichia co-infections.
*Doxycycline- Adults: 200 mg bid with food; doses of up to 600 mg daily are often needed, as doxycycline is only effective at high blood levels. Not for children or in pregnancy.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1766 - 06/07/07 04:44 AM
Re: just got bit.. is 10 days doxy enough?
[Re: Rich_skiweasel7]
|
Rich_skiweasel7
Forum Veteran
Registered: 12/29/06
Posts: 178
|
I forgot to include this (why I say to be on for at least 6 weeks):
From Dr. Burrascano's Guidelines (MANAGING LYME DISEASE, 15th edition, September, 2005 ):
COURSE DURING THERAPY
As the spirochete has a very long generation time (12 to 24 hours in vitro and possibly much longer in living systems) and may have periods of dormancy, during which time antibiotics will not kill the organism, treatment has to be continued for a long period of time to eradicate all the active symptoms and prevent a relapse, especially in late infections. If treatment is discontinued before all symptoms of active infection have cleared, the patient will remain ill and possibly relapse further. In general, early LB is treated for four to six weeks, and late LB usually requires a minimum of four to six months of continuous treatment. All patients respond differently and therapy must be individualized. It is not uncommon for a patient who has been ill for many years to require open ended treatment regimens; indeed, some patients will require ongoing maintenance therapy for years to remain well.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: Willo
|
|
This doctor just released the first book about Lyme written by an M.D. Learn More.
|
|
0 registered
and 28 anonymous users online.
|
|
|
New
posts in this forum since you last visited
No
new posts