question on IV abx

[Leigh1234]

Hi and thank you in advance!!

I saw a LLMD today who prescribed IV Claforan or Primaxin. He wants to add Zithromax and Tindamax in 2 weeks.

I'm going on IV because of atrophic gastritis, steroid use, and chronic neuro symptoms. The doctor was very nice but in a huge hurry, and I didn't get to ask a lot of my questions. We didn't even discuss a large portion of my history and other medical problems.

Can't find much info on Claforan or Primaxin. What should I expect with either one of these, and what is the normal dose? He is prescribing 1 gram every 8 hours but this is much lower than what's indicated on the ILADS site.

Are Zithromax and Tindamax IV or PO?

I have Lyme, Bartnella, HME, and possibly mycoplasma. Will this combo work for all of these?

Thanks very much!
Leigh

[wonko]

I never did IV's.  I know Tindamax is an oral med, not sure about the rest?

That sounds like mighty hefty treatment!  Did you doc talk to you about Herx reactions?  I'd just worry that if you hit it too hard too fast, it may be difficult to endure the die off.

If you have unanswered q's for your LLMD, I agree with the above that you should call/fax or show up and be the squeaky wheel.  It doesn't feel good to go into treatment blind.

I don't think anyone can tell you for sure if your combo will work.  While all oral forms, I've made a lot of progress with my treatment and do think that using a combination of meds played an important role, I think some meds have good synergy and different meds hit different bugs.  I've been on zith for 11 months and still Herx from it.  I just started tindamax, and that packed quite a punch for me.

Sorry to not be of more help, keep us posted if you get more info out of your LLMD.

[JackieCalifornia]

Hi

Sorry, most of your questions are beyond my knowledge, but generally what I've read is that starting with IV is good for established infections and it's possible that one or more of your infections responds better to IV than to oral meds.

You ask about what a normal dose is for some meds.  I understand that LLMDs will start low doses on some meds because the herx reaction can be huge if you kill too many bugs at once with a big dose of meds.  The dosage may be increased gradually over time -- others here have I believe followed that approach, but I didn't, so can't speak to it.

These are all excellent questions you have, and in your situation I would write down those questions and either mail/fax them to the MD or set up another appointment and hand him the list to follow along as he speaks with you.  I sometimes have a hard time remembering things said in appointments partly from brain fog, and a lot from simple anxiety.  You might call the dr's office and ask to speak with a nurse and tell him/her you have unanswered questions and what is the best way to get those answered before beginning treatment -- letter, fax, another appointment, a phone appointment?

I am like you -- if I don't understand, I push back and get answers before moving ahead.