Lyme Handbook

Whenever taking antibiotics, take plenty of Acidophilus daily.  Also, to protect your gall bladder,  drink plenty of water and some apple cider vinegar every day.

Concerns:

Excessive  use can cause:

• Liver damage
• gallbladder damage
• constipation / diarrhea
• peripheral neuropathy

Oral Antibiotics

Several varieties of tablet antibiotics are often given to treat Lyme.  They  range from Doxycycline and Ceftin to the more potent varieties like Flagyl and Mepron.  The differing antibiotics target the differing flavors of the disease (i.e., Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Bartonella).  Therefore, it is important to follow your physician’s directions so as not to counteract the drugs potency.

Intravenous Antibiotics

Rocephin and/or Zithromax are generally the drug of choice though Flagyl or Tindamax  is often used in conjunction with the other two to drive the spirochetes out of hibernation (by breaking the cysts).

Your physician may also suggest weekly Bicillian shots to supplement the treatment.

Administered daily using narrow gauge (i.e., painless) butterfly needles.

Concerns:

• Should the needle puncture the other side of the vein (i.e., infiltrated), the drug will enter your muscle causing discomfort/pain/bruising.  If this should happen, inform the nurse immediately.
• Using the same vein too often can cause scarring of the vein.
• PICC Line: PICC line is usually inserted near the inside elbow crease or several inches above this area. The insertion does not take very long. You can ask for a numbing cream called EMLA to put on the site to make it less painful (I did not think it was too bad). You need to cover the area with a PICC cover or saran wrap when taking a shower because it cannot get wet.                                                                                                                                                       -A port cath is inserted under the skin slightly below the collarbone. A needle stays in the site for people who need to infuse daily. Every week this needle needs to be changed by a nurse. You can put EMLA on the site one hour before the nurse comes. There is discomfort when the needle is changed. If the nurse is qualified, it is not too extreme but if the nurse is not qualified, it can be very painful. This area needs to be covered with a special plastic bandage when showering so the site does not get wet.                                                                                                                                                                             -Keep the site clean and dry. An infection can be deadly. A nurse will usually show you how to infuse for a few days until you are comfortable doing it on your own.

Antiobitic Overuse and your Immune System:

http://immunedisorders.homestead.com/antibiotics.html