Doc Appointment FINALLY!

Well, I went on Monday to my LLMD.  What a relief to finally talk to someone who doesn't look at me like I am nuts!  

He started me on 4000 mg of amoxicillin a day (WOW!).  I was also requested to take acidophilis 4 times a day, B-Complex, multi-vitamin and Diflucan every 3 days if needed.

Obviously, with that much amoxicillin, I am having some issues.  Mainly, my urine smells like the antibiotic and I feel raw/itchy there (yep, the vajayjay).  I can't say it feels like a yeast infection yet, however, I would like to stem that off as long as possible.  

With feeling raw, I am wondering if it is because the urine is so strong.  Has anyone had these issues?  If so, recommendations would be great.  

[Melroxygirl]

Also, he did the ELISA and the Western Blot...both came back with nothing.  Has anyone else had this and still had effective treatment with antibiotics?  He is having me do a 3 day urine as well to send in to IGENEX.  

[JackieCalifornia]

The tests are not very good, so I'm glad your doc is not blowing you off and is instead plowing ahead.  False negatives are sadly common on the tests.  The doc may re-run the tests after you've been on meds for a while, bec. that can cause your immune system to ramp up and make antibodies against the Lyme bacteria, and it's the antibodies that the ELISA and W blot tests measure.

So yes, you can have a huge case of Lyme and have the tests be negative.  It's a developing area of medicine, not like a pregnancy test with a + or - mark.  My doc didn't use a urine test, but IGeneX is cutting edge in Lyme stuff.

This is progress!  The first step is finding a doc who understands Lyme, and you did it!  Keep us posted.

[carrie235]

Hi Melrox...

My LLMD told me to take Florastor WITH my ABX.  I've been on ABX for 8-9 months and haven't had any issues (knocking on wood right now).  It doesn't have to be refrigerated.  I buy mine at Costco Pharmacy (you have to ask for it...they keep it behind the counter and will order it for you if they don't have it).  It's pricey at $35 a bottle but worth it.

[JackieCalifornia]

There are two kinds of probiotics:  

1 -- the regular ones like acidophilus, which are wiped out by antibiotics and so have to be taken at times (like 4 hours) separately from antibiotics, including herbs with antibiotic effects.  I take my herbs/vitamins at breakfast and dinner, and take the probiotic at lunch.

2 -- the special ones like Florastor, which is a brand name for generic Saccharomyces boulardii.  These are NOT affected by antibiotics and can be taken at any time without regard to when other meds/supplements are taken, as Carrie's doc advises.

I seem to have a genetic susceptibility to fungal infections, however, because I got a massive systemic fungal infection from Florastor.  My LLMD said he had never seen that happen to anyone, so it's rare, but then I'm just *SPECIAL* that way, ha.  This doesn't happen to most people, but it can happen.  There is medical literature on the topic.  

If you getting major gut bloating, red eyes, loose teeth, and worse brain fog than with 'just' Lyme, tell your doc, because it could be a reaction to Florastor/S. boulardii.  Very rare, but it happens.

[JackieCalifornia]

You say above:  "I was also requested to take acidophilis 4 times a day, B-Complex, multi-vitamin and Diflucan every 3 days if needed. ... I feel raw/itchy there (yep, the vajayjay).  I can't say it feels like a yeast infection yet, however, I would like to stem that off as long as possible."

Then I would take the Diflucan.  *Now.*  If you are having yeast infections symptoms, sounds like a yeast infection.  They don't send telegrams announcing their arrival.

But call your doc if you have any concerns that you would not be following his instructions by doing so, since I'm not medically trained.  

[Melroxygirl]

Thanks ladies for the info.

I ended up having a doctor's appointment with my gynecologist for my annual exam.  Of course, she talked to me about the antibiotics and they tested to see if it was yeast.  It wasn't yeast but a bacterial infection (this truly makes no sense to me as I am on mad antibiotics and have no clue how I could have any infection in my body after all this...lol)

Any ways, another RX later, it seems to have subsided considerably.  I am definately going to look in to the florastor though.  

I am very interested now to see what my urine test to Igenex produces but probably will not know for another month or so.  Does anyone know if they send the results to me as well?

[carrie235]

Meloxy,

I never get my tests unfortunately...they always go directly to the doctor.  I was just thinking about this the other day.  I think that our bloodtests should also be sent to us...I mean, it's our bodies, right??!!

I guess with the internet though, people might get their bloodwork and start trying to treat themselves so I don't know.

Anyway, glad you are feeling better.  Did you test positive for Lyme Disease?