This was the first time that I was to have 2 weeks without antibiotics!!
For the first 3-4 days I still had die-off symptoms (sweats, hyperactivity, mood swings, and a lot of fatigue), from the IV treatments and the 2 preceding days of Flagyl. Slowly I started to feel more "normal," though I still had some trouble falling asleep and eczema remaining on my face.
My shoulder pain, which had been significantly worse on Levaquin- particularly at night, gradually improved. By Thursday I began to enjoy very good energy, less shoulder pain. For the first time since becoming ill, I had NO noise intolerance, NO sweats, and a good appetite. I no longer suffered hand or foot pain, my skin was better, and I had stable moods.
By Friday on the 1st week off antibiotics I began feeling great and was able to enjoy full days and felt more and more like my old self, (everyone was noticing this).
On the days off antibioitcs I infused one liter of Lactated Ringers solution. To this, I added magnesium sulphate, methyl B12, B complex, and vitamin C (all on alternate days). In addition I did glutathione intravenous "pushes", 2-3 times/week (1500 mg at a time).
Week 10 was my second week off antibiotics. I continued to feel well but by the end of this week, (by around day 12-14), I experienced more fatigue with more emotional ups and downs. This was better than my first time off antibiotics, when symptoms developed by day 6. Dr J explained that feeling better and then worse,off antibiotics, was not a relapse, but rather it was a herxheimer reaction to the body's immune system kicking in and attacking organisms- similar to what antibiotics do. For this reason, one can expect to feel worse as the immune system becomes more active and more "targeted."
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Week 8: Dr J Protocol
This week was a repeat of last (IV Levaquin/Zith with Mepron/Art on M,W, and F) in addition, Flagyl was added on last 2 days (Th, F).
I upped the Lamictal in anticipation of more die-off (25 mg am and 100 mg bed time with Lyrica still 125 mg at night). Despite this, the regimen made me feel revved up and I was unable to sleep at night (up till 2 am). In addition fatigue worsened, as did dizziness and nausea. The intravenous Azithromycin made me feel as if could sleep all day. I lacked ambition, had no patience with people, and felt uninspired and progressively down and depressed (like I used to all last year i.e. I felt like a failure, jealous of others, felt ugly with no ambition, or direction. In fact I wanted to quit the IV protocol.
Mid week (Wednesday) I still a lot of nausea, dizziness, moodiness.
Thursday I added Flagyl, which caused sweats (worse in the night) and more nausea. Joint pain also seemed worse. Mood became more depressed (felt ugly, hated the protocol, felt discouraged).
I also had significant weight gain (8 pounds in 3 wks!) on the Lyrica. On the weekend I changed the 125 mg Lyrica to 200 mg Neurontin and started to use Motrin for my shoulder and hand pain. I write this now on week 14- so please understand that it gets better- but the protocol is tough.
I upped the Lamictal in anticipation of more die-off (25 mg am and 100 mg bed time with Lyrica still 125 mg at night). Despite this, the regimen made me feel revved up and I was unable to sleep at night (up till 2 am). In addition fatigue worsened, as did dizziness and nausea. The intravenous Azithromycin made me feel as if could sleep all day. I lacked ambition, had no patience with people, and felt uninspired and progressively down and depressed (like I used to all last year i.e. I felt like a failure, jealous of others, felt ugly with no ambition, or direction. In fact I wanted to quit the IV protocol.
Mid week (Wednesday) I still a lot of nausea, dizziness, moodiness.
Thursday I added Flagyl, which caused sweats (worse in the night) and more nausea. Joint pain also seemed worse. Mood became more depressed (felt ugly, hated the protocol, felt discouraged).
I also had significant weight gain (8 pounds in 3 wks!) on the Lyrica. On the weekend I changed the 125 mg Lyrica to 200 mg Neurontin and started to use Motrin for my shoulder and hand pain. I write this now on week 14- so please understand that it gets better- but the protocol is tough.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Week 7: Dr J Protocol
This was the first time I had ever been on Levaquin (see below).
Almost immediately when the Levaquin (IV) was started, I developed hand, arm, and foot pain and some nausea. I also felt briefly emotional.
I had some hallucinatory experiences within hours ie.stairways were moving and I felt as if I was walking on marshmallows. I was at times paranoid of strangers and had the feeling of watching myself (dissociation). That night, I had strange, unpleasant dreams (eating animals while they were alive/jelly-fish-frogs that slipped between my fingers…). When I woke up the next morning I was hyper, with OCD/ADD but I got a lot of things done! I cleaned bedroom drawers, kitchen drawers, my daughter’s bookshelves, washed toothbrushes, kitchen appliances, sorted a lot of mail, sorted a lot of bills. I literally could not stop myself from doing/cleaning. I later heard that other people have felt this way with Bartonella die-off.
My shoulder pain seemed better the first few days, in fact, everything seemed better and enjoyed myself. I seemed to have boundless (somewhat manic) energy. I felt like dancing and was energized but hard to stay focused. I can so understand why manic bipolars do not want to medicate themselves. I enjoyed this altogether too much. It was hard to sleep. So I didn’t.
As this week progressed I developed increasing shoulder pain. It felt as though someone had "shot" me in my arm. Aside from this, I felt good but by Saturday evening I started to crash and felt tired, nauseated and moody.
Sunday it was hard to wake up- felt very out of it. I was fussy and my arm pain was horrible. I was depressed and unable to fall asleep easily. I had to increase Neurontin (up to 400 mg) and increased my Lamictal (150 mg)- which helped.
Almost immediately when the Levaquin (IV) was started, I developed hand, arm, and foot pain and some nausea. I also felt briefly emotional.
I had some hallucinatory experiences within hours ie.stairways were moving and I felt as if I was walking on marshmallows. I was at times paranoid of strangers and had the feeling of watching myself (dissociation). That night, I had strange, unpleasant dreams (eating animals while they were alive/jelly-fish-frogs that slipped between my fingers…). When I woke up the next morning I was hyper, with OCD/ADD but I got a lot of things done! I cleaned bedroom drawers, kitchen drawers, my daughter’s bookshelves, washed toothbrushes, kitchen appliances, sorted a lot of mail, sorted a lot of bills. I literally could not stop myself from doing/cleaning. I later heard that other people have felt this way with Bartonella die-off.
My shoulder pain seemed better the first few days, in fact, everything seemed better and enjoyed myself. I seemed to have boundless (somewhat manic) energy. I felt like dancing and was energized but hard to stay focused. I can so understand why manic bipolars do not want to medicate themselves. I enjoyed this altogether too much. It was hard to sleep. So I didn’t.
As this week progressed I developed increasing shoulder pain. It felt as though someone had "shot" me in my arm. Aside from this, I felt good but by Saturday evening I started to crash and felt tired, nauseated and moody.
Sunday it was hard to wake up- felt very out of it. I was fussy and my arm pain was horrible. I was depressed and unable to fall asleep easily. I had to increase Neurontin (up to 400 mg) and increased my Lamictal (150 mg)- which helped.
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