Ketek

[hilly]

I've been told that a lot of people are having success with Ketek.... has anyone here tried it or had experience. sounds a little dangerous for the liver, but I guess that only applies to a few people... Milly x

[Kritters]

Hi Milly,
"Telithromycin prevents bacteria from growing, by interfering with their protein synthesis."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telithromycin

Although it looks like something that could be effective, after reviewing through the net, I'd stay clear for a while. FDA has a lottasplainin to do for approving it because it has allegedly been the cause of some deaths. Although I'm SURE there could have been extenuating circumstances in those cases (all liver related) at least one person had liver problems to begin with. My rule of thumb....if the FDA is in hot water for approving something without testing first, I'm inclined to celebrate and stay away from it.

xoxo
Kritts

[MELISSAJ]

I HATED it. I was doing very well on an old Dr. H protocol and the CA docs that I was referred to by Dr. H's office didn't read my history and "forgot" that I was on meds and changed things. I had such an adverse reaction to the change that I had a relapse. Prior to that, I was doing well by our standards.


So, I spent thousands of dollars to fly my family across the country to be treated as a FAMILY and they never started charts on the boys and didn't read my history prior to the appointment. I'm still just a little annoyed!! At least we had a ball in San Francisco. I bought the GOCARD and had 14 hour days of sight seeing. Obviously, the Dr. H protocol followed by my therapist, brought me back to healthy enough!!


Melissa

[Kritters]

Just to play devil's advocate.........

Is it possible that what is happening negatively to some could be actual herxing? This stuff targets the protein structure of the bacteria and sends it out through the phagocytic action.

What I have experienced from just the initial (unbeknownst LARGE) dosage of the anti-fungal I took, it wreaked havoc on my poor body.

Here's where I think the polarization manifests itself between the pharm industry and natural medicine. Once that gap is closed, I think better results will ensue.

Just my musing.

xo
Kritts

[MELISSAJ]

Yes, I agree, BUT just like we hear every day in the press, including today, these meds are often more harmful than the herbs that can do the same thing. Also, I was already 6 months into it and had almost no symtoms. I had herxed to the point of blindness in February and the trip was in June.

We all want to be in a doctor's care, at least I always wanted to, when we are sick. We want to believe what our parents told us: Get a good job, get health insurance, and get a good doctor.

I've learned that many are truly over worked and under paid in the end and often manage symptoms. I have double insurance!! If one company doesn't pay it all, the other pays the balance. I would much rather go to the MD and get better and have my money working for me rather than for fighting Morgellons. In the end, it is working for me by fighting Morgellons, but I would rather have a magic pill than all of these concoctions.

I'm being honest I know that there is no easy answer here. At least these doctors are looking into morgellons!

Melissa

[Kritters]

Yes, I agree, BUT just like we hear every day in the press, including today, these meds are often more harmful than the herbs that can do the same thing. Also, I was already 6 months into it and had almost no symtoms. I had herxed to the point of blindness in February and the trip was in June.Okay, we're focusing on two different things. My point is that when the doctors learn more about natural medicine, things like your experience will be less likely to occur.

xo
Kritts

[Kritters]

Also,

working with herbs and natural medicine is every bit as complex as allopathic (or conventional) medicine. You do not hear in the press that these medicines are more harmful than the herbs that can do the same thing. That's a major generalization, IMO. You may hear that many drugs have been recalled because they cause harm since they were not properly tested. It's a complex world in both cases and when there is a concerted effort without focus on monetary gain, it will be a good thing.

Kritts

[MELISSAJ]

You're right. I wanted it to be easy. The herbs get complicated for me. I always trusted the MDs and took what I was told and when.

This illness is complicated for me. I was pointing out that many meds are released with no true history. Years later we find out the problems.

They are putting 2 and 3 y/o's on behavior modification meds. Teenagers are committing suicide on the meds prescribed for mood disorders. The jury is not out.

The docs told me it was okay to breast feed and take Zoloft. The first question that the pediatric neurologist asked me about my 1 y/o was did I take zoloft during breast feeding or pregnancy.

I'm going back to basics to the best of my ability.

I also want to state that I do not believe that I could have gotten to this point without the antibiotics. I was just too sick. I was unable to keep it together and my body was shutting down.

So, the journey continues.

M

[hilly]

Melissa and Kritts.. thanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts... quite a lot there to digest.... what a b....y complecated thing this is... Oh, for an end to it...Milly x

[Jason]

Milly,

This is the advice from one of the leading lyme docs in the world:

"Telithromycin (Ketek) is stable in the intracellular acid environment, which may be why this is currently by far the most effective drug of its class, and may replace the others in the majority of patients with LB (Lyme). Likewise, there is no need to co-administer amantadine or hydroxychloroquine. This antibiotic has other advantages- it has been engineered to prevent drug resistance, has almost no negative impact on E.coli in the intestinal tract (hopefully minimizing the risk for diarrhea), and it can be taken with or without food."

The warnings he also gives is elevated liver enzymes so blood testing to keep a check is a must and also other side effects that may occur no differently to any other medication. Another point is this drug does have the tendency to react with other drugs and obviously needs the guidance from a lyme doc to ensure nothing you are taking concurrently interacts.

My personal opinion is if you were being guided by a competent doctor and being monitored closely i don't see any harm in this medication. It has seen to be very effective against lyme disease.