LLMD says go off Cat's Claw, it interacts with Rocephin

Has anyone else experienced this? My husband is about 2/3 of the way thru IV Rocephin 90 day treatment and is seeing some improvement. Mild herxing only now and is able to walk with assistance. Not able to walk for almost 2 months due to severe swelling and inflamation in ankles, feet and knee. Speech however has become more slurred and LLMD says take him off Cat's Claw because of interaction. Any advise? He starts PT this week and we are hoping he can get the use of his hands back (a lot of atrophy). Bev

Listen to the doctor!

He hasn't led you astray this long, so continue on this course...

Good luck with PT. It can work wonders.

Thanks for your reply. I guess we knew that but just needed a confirmation from someone who has been through this terrible disease and knows what it can do to you. He is off cat's claw for now and we will see if there are any changes. We are encouraged with PT and are looking forward to getting some of our previous life back. This has been a long road and we are ready to see some improvement. Retirement was suppose to be a time to enjoy ourselves instead we have spent our savings on doctors, drugs and tests and we aren't even there yet. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel now. This all started in July 07 and it hit him hard and fast. It seems like an eternity.

mansonsmon - i have heard about that too !!!
best luck to your husband !!

masonsmom

I also read about that interaction so listen to your doctor. It really made me think twice about taking supplements without letting your doctor know. I have been sold a boat load of supplements and many sit in my cabinet because I have concerns about interactions. Right now I stick to only a few basics.

I have been on multiple IV's since early Nov 2007. I just stopped 3 weeks ago but am keeping my picc line open until I see the doctor in January and we decide what to do next. I am so much better. Maybe it will never be perfect but I do have hope that I can lead a more normal life. My husband says to tell the doctor to do whatever it takes to continue along this path. It has been very difficult but I know your situation has been particularly so.

I am wishing you both the best.
bcaring

I think there is a specific chemical impurity in cat's claw that interacts, if you get high quality supplement you can read the label, it will say something like "less than 1% [insert chemical name which I don't recall]". My first doctors said as long as the cat's claw label says that really low number of that particular chemical it is ok to take. My second doctor said not to take it due to the interaction. I only take it very rarely now.

Cmacaran: Do you know what kind of results the interaction would cause? We were wandering if it contributed to the progression of his slurred speech? Or was that just another stage of Lyme? All other symptoms have been subsiding. Thanks for your input. Bev