Oral Antibiotics for Lyme Disease
If you have decided to treat your Lyme disease with antibiotics, you should be aware that no matter what form of treatment, you will most likely go through a series of Jarisch Herxheimer reactions, an increase in the symptoms of a spirochetal disease (as syphilis, Lyme disease, or relapsing fever) also called a “herx”.
This will occur in all forms of treatment but will noticeably occur when introducing a new antibiotic to your body, be it by IV or oral. When on antibiotics, it is strongly advised to make sure you take probiotics to try and maintain healthy gut flora and digestive bacteria. Not taking probiotics can lead to infection. Diet is also very important.
The most common antibiotic to be introduced is doxycycline. Other antibiotics may be used in combination due the diagnose of a co-infection or specific set of symptoms. EX: (Mepron is an antimalarial and used for babesia). Your doctor should start you off as they feel comfortable and as YOU feel comfortable. One antibiotic can clear and attack head on for a period of time, but the addition of another antibiotic could assist in relieving another set of symptoms.
Remember, you may not have a good reaction to one antibiotic, and you should always tell the doctor or ask what common side effects are. These are pharmaceuticals and many companies manufacture similar antibiotics, so you have a choice! Your doctor can recommend switching you to a similar companion antibiotic which has proven to be tolerated not only by you but many other people.
Doctors can recommend a combination of 2 to many oral antibiotics at a time to combat Lyme & other infections. More success has been seen with "pulsing" antibiotics which means taking them at intermittent cycles such as twice a day every other day or only on certain weeks.
You can incorporate some supplements, but always ask your doctor or a pharmacist if there are contraindications when using certain vitamins while taking specific antibiotics.
Take supplements 2 hours away from any antibiotics.
Pros:
This is one of the more common forms of treatment and most readily available through a Lyme Literate doctor.
Insurance might cover the cost of the antibiotics.
Cons:
Antibiotics are not effective for everyone.
Antibiotics can have many side effects short & long term and some are considered dangerous such as Ciprofloxacin.
Most family care physicians are unfamiliar with Lyme Disease, therefore, a LLMD may be the best option. However, most LLMD’s do not take insurance and the out-of-pocket cost can be expensive.
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.