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concerned about babesia treatment

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Posted 11/5/2008 10:55 AM (GMT -8)
it seems as though plaquenil doesn't treat babesia.. from what i understand.. right now, im on plaquenil and doxy for the lyme.. i also was given arteminisin... im seeing a new dr in 3 weeks, but will this do anything for the babesia in the meantime? im not sure why my dr didnt give me the standard protocol for babesia, but its upsetting that i am not getting the right treatment... she mentioned mepron but than said something about the cost of it and didnt prescribe it  unfort..
Posted 11/5/2008 11:39 AM (GMT -8)

Plaquenil(hydroxychloroquine) was actually first designed as an antimalarial to replace quinine. It will have an effect on babesia. There have been many individuals that have done biaxin/plaquenil. Most of them are on that combo to kill lyme or bart in a manner. I think the real reason that some of them do well is because it is killing babesia. The cellular ph lowering effect of plaquenil to make biaxin penetrate is still highly theoretical(Dr. Sam donta's idea). The fact that plaquenil is antimalarial is not theoretical.

Don't get too excited about mepron. It expensive and often results in relapse. It works for some but i've seen many that found nothing amazing. A lot of that most likely depends on what type of babesia you have. Sometimes clindamycin quinine works better.

Posted 11/5/2008 11:41 AM (GMT -8)
And believe it or not. Doxycycline is somewhat antimalarial. Some people are given doxycycline before/during and after exposure to a malaria infested zone. It is considered a safer alternative to larium.

Posted 11/5/2008 11:43 AM (GMT -8)
that is interesting because my dr actually said the doxy at high doses would be somewhat effective in treating the babesia at first
Posted 11/5/2008 11:49 AM (GMT -8)
I think you are off to a great start, always good to ease your way into this. If you jump right into biaxin/mepron on day one. It usually results in severe fatigue, sweats and emotional hell.

Posted 11/5/2008 6:31 PM (GMT -8)
phsinvent,

I have been reading a couple of your posts about treatments for Babesia, Bartonella, etc. I am one of those who was on Biaxin, IV Rocephin, Plaquinil, and Mepron for at least 4 months and continued to test positive for Babesia. The Biaxin was discontinued, IV Zithro was added, the Rocephin was pulsed, and the Plaquinil, and Mepron continued. After 4 more months I still had Babesia. IV Clindimycin was added to the mix. I have begun to feel normal after 3 months of this. I think the IV Clindi helped me turn the corner.

I tested positive for Bartonella in 2003 but now I test negative. Do you think it is possible that I have a "Bartonella like organism" that does not show up on the standard testing? I agree that Mepron is a tough drug to take.

Thanks for any input...just in case your wondering, my insurance company cooperated fully and paid for all prescriptions and treatments. At least there is some comfort in that because this has been a long tough road.
Posted 11/6/2008 7:23 AM (GMT -8)

What symptoms do you have left? I think the clindamycin might have taken care of your babesia infection. Do you remember what type you test positive for?

BLO is a long controversial story. Your remaining symptoms could just be lyme and it might be time you tried a cyst buster such as flagyl, Grapefruit seed extract or tindimax.  

I've seen numerous cases of babesia that aren't eradicated with mepron/zithromax alone. It usually requires the addition of bactrim to mepron/zith or mepron/biaxin.

Clindamycin is also the stronger option. If you can add artmenisin and quinine, even better. Clindamycin/quinine is just more controversial because of some of the side effects. The main reason everyone is preaching mepron/zith is because typical malaria has become somewhat resistant to clindamycin/quinine throughout the world. So mepron has been used for clindamycin resistant malaria. But there is no reason they should apply that to babesia treatment.

Posted 11/6/2008 9:34 AM (GMT -8)
phsinvent-I have a question for you also..I just received my co-infection results. I tested positive for Babesia Microti but have been taking Malarone for 9 months anyway. The doctor felt I had this even though my original test was negative. I am also on Mino/Zithro but having horrible side effects.

What do you think is the best treatment for Babs. Obviously I guess the Malarone is not working.

Also I tested positive for Bart which I was positive last year also. I have been on Rifampin and Levaquin for a total of 10 months (not the same time). Shouldn't that have been enough to get rid of this by now? Do you think these co infection tests are accurate.

Maybe this is why I still don't feel well. I had been on Rocephin for 6 months during which time I can honestly say I felt really good. Any suggestions?? I see my doctor next week. Thanks

Kim

Posted 11/7/2008 7:37 AM (GMT -8)

Hi Kpt812

 Sorry I haven't been online for long time.

My Mri for my back came back with multiple degenerative dics in my neck and lower back One bulging in my neck  I went to the nuerologist and he said my Cat Scan didn't show any sign of MS and that visit lasted all of 1 minute . He then sent me on to a rheumotologist for the pain I think I go next month .

Still all the numbness and tingling in my face but it comes and goes.

The support Group in Laconia meets the last saturday of the month at 2pm  at the Taylor community center

I am on cipro and minocycline oral combo right now It helps with the brain fog but doesn't touch the fatigue or bart rashes and headaches and still having trouble with the night sweats . last month I broke out with the bart rash on my upper and lower back along with my stomach area . I haven't started on the rafamphin yet because I have been too depressed lately . 

 I still have a really hard time with word recall and any stimuli gets me all flustered and makes my head spin . I used to love crowds now I avoid them like the plague . 

I wish I could afford the cipro again but that's not an option right now. I did do so much better on it .

I go to NYC next month . I had to postpone the appointment because I felt so horrible and then my car had trouble with the transmission so that took care of that

I hope you are having a better week and hope you can make it to the meeting it is on the weekend after thanksgiving

I have wanted to make it to the Manchester one but like yourself am exausted after 6pm and am having trouble driving at night with the lights and not so familiar places

It has been over 3 years for me like yourself a very long endless time

Take care

Ryebeach529

Posted 11/7/2008 3:22 PM (GMT -8)

ryebeach-

I have been thinking about you and wondering how you have been. I have some degeneration in my spine but my MRI didn't show anything else. The doctor told me it was age related. I have been to a couple neurologists and they were totally useless..

I am still having horrible fatigue problems. Some days worse than others but it is a continuing struggle. I still have the problems with my calf too with the pain/twitching/shock/etc.. and it now it seems to be in my right calf as well.

I am on a zithro/mino/plaquenil combo which is doing nothing at all. I am seeing Dr. H next Friday and they are going to decide about going to IV again. I want to and my doctor here agrees but I have to see if they will. It has been the one and only thing to help me.

I really know how you feel. I wonder how can I ever keep on like this and then I have a half good day and that helps. It is so hard not knowing what each day will be like. I went to work today and felt so horrible and tired and just sick. I have no idea how I get through and then I come home and cry because I wonder when will I feel better.

I work most Saturdays so I am not sure I can make the meeting. Plus I can't drive far because of the fatigue so my husband would have to go with me or a friend.

I was on Rifampin for a long time and don't think it helped with anything. Even though I had a positive Bart titer I don't know what symptoms were related to it. Now I just had a positive Babs titer so I don't know. I have been on Malarone for like 10 months.

I will keep you posted on what happens with my appt. on the 14th. You are in my thoughts and maybe sometime we can both make one of the meetings. Take care..

Kim

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