How long does lyme meds take to start working?

I was diagnosed with lyme last Monday. I have been on meds for two weeks. I was just wondering how long most people are on meds?

thanks, JKV44

[JackieCalifornia]

It's different for everyone, esp. if you also have co-infections with Lyme.  Theoretically, the sooner you get diagnosed and treated, the shorter the course of treatment, but it doesn't always work that way.  LLMDs (Lyme Literate MDs) treat until symptoms resolve and tests clear, and that varies for everyone.  Can be up to 18 months or so, but can also be shorter time.

Were you diagnosed with any coinfections, and how long does your MD propose to treat?  Non-LLMDs tend to treat for a fixed period of time.

[jkv44]

I'm not sure how long my LLMD is proposing to treat me. I started on a four day coctail of flagyl, biaxin, and omnicef.

That was fun.

now on omnicef which seems to be somewhat helping except the days with the herx which are terribel but a means to an end.

I'm not sure about any co-infections. The doctor assistant mentioned doing some parasite testing via stool sampling.

[patsy10]

How long have you had lyme?  It took me 4 months to see any improvement.  I had it about 15 months before I received treatment.  Like Jackie said, everyone responds differently.

[wonko]

Yes, I agree that it varies so much person to person, and med to med.  I've had some fairly immediate reactions, other times I don't notice much at all, or it can be a delay.  (I've been on maybe 6 or so different abx as part of treatment, in different combinations).

I have an Rx for omnicef but I haven't tried it yet, I've had some set backs and medication breaks and am just resuming this past week.

I've been in treatment for almost 8 months, with just a couple of short (week or two) breaks.  I'm better in some ways, but not really back to normal.  My day-to-day issues are different, but not resolved, if that makes any sense.

I was notably sick for 1.5 years before treatment, and suspect that I had it in a more dormant/quiet form for longer.  I'm co-infected with Bart.

[JackieCalifornia]

Co infections are diseases sometimes carried by the same ticks that bring Lyme.

Bartonella, ehrlichiosis, babesia, and some others.  They can be as misery-producing as Lyme.  Some MDs don't seem to know much about coinfections, or they don't take them seriously, and so don't test for them.

Blood tests are used, not stool tests.  It's something I would ask my MD about.  Many of us here have been diagnosed with Lyme plus another infection, and the co-infections aren't treated for the most part by the same drugs as Lyme.

[wonko]

I've read, but have not experienced, that Lyme patients are more susceptible to intestinal parasites, perhaps that's the reason for the stool sample?

The theory I've read is that with our weakened immune systems, parasites we all come into contact with have an easier time setting up shop and causing harm.  

I've neither been tested for parasites, nor do my symptoms point in that direction, but I've stumbled across testimonials of others who felt treating for parasites was important to their health.

Let us know how the tests go.

[jkv44]

Morning Jackie,


The co-infections I've heard of. My LLMD mentioned that as well. At this point, hasn't mentioned that we need to do those tests.

Although I have an appt with him on Weds and will ask him about it.

I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[jkv44]

Wow, you had it for 1/5 years? That must have made you nuts not knowing what you had.

I had it about three months and was going crazy when all my tests came back normal.

I then read on line about lyme and thought well maybe.

So I found a doctor in my area and went to see him not really suspecting lyme. He did tons of test and the last one which was a four day urine collection, came back positive.

I was really blown away but relieved that what I had could be treated.

Did you take any short term disability?? I tried for it as my school district provides it if approved. I'm not sure if I'll get it but it's worth a try.

I have four weeks before I go back and maybe by that time, will be further along and feeling a lot better.

I like you have some good days. Then that awful herxing hits and wow, feel terrible for about a day and so tired that all I can do is sleep and lay low.

See you soon. JKV44

[matticusb]

i had it for 1 month. went to the ER cause of a huge rash on my leg and i felt like crap. i took doxycycline for 2 weeks, and i've felt fine ever since (7-8 months ago)