Abx and Diflucan

Hi all

My LLMD wants to me to stop taking my antibiotics (Clarithromycin) as well as Mepron for a week to clear up the yeast she saw in my mouth/throat, so I can take Diflucan. I've gathered that there is a bad reaction between clarithro/Biaxin and Diflucan. I also take the A-L complex but have not noticed any difference in symptoms yet.

It's only been a day and I am already feeling my muscle and joint pain increasing. I don't really want to deal with increased pain for a week while I take the Diflucan but is it my only option? Thanks.

 

Hi Sarah,

Difulcan and Biaxin can trigger Long QT Syndrome. As such, it is common practice for a patient to only take one at a time. Many doctors will also temporarily stop antibiotics to address yeast with Difulcan.

If you have started the Difulcan, you are likely experiencing yeast die off. Difulcan is used for systemic yeast. In the alternative, you could try the pure Nystatin powder (1,000,000 units). P says it is very effective for yeast.

It is also much more gentle and you can use it alongside antibiotics. If the pure powder does not work, you could always go back to Difulcan. Yeast will interfere with Lyme treatment. So, it is best to address it now. It sucks. Sorry.

Obviously I am no doctor, but I am dealing with candida as well and felt compelled to respond.

To me, in many ways, yeast can be just as detrimental to our bodies as lyme & co. Like lyme, it can become systemic and infect every organ in our bodies, and it's a real bugger to get rid of, it takes time.

"Candidiasis can co-exist with other diseases such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and various gastrointestinal ailments.Candidiasis can be life threatening to a person with diseases that severely compromise immune function, such as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS); but it more typically compromises the quality of life for its sufferers, who end up with symptoms of fatigue, irritability, brain fog, being run down, difficulty concentrating, bloating, gassiness, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and achy muscles and joints. The neurological symptoms resulting from candidiasis are likely due to the more than 300 known mycotoxins that are generated and circulate through the bloodstream during the life and, especially, the death of C. albicans."

http://www.gsmcweb.com/category/candidiasis-yeast-disorders/

Because candida can cause muscle and joint pain like lyme & co, you could be suffering from a candida herx vs. a lyme & co flare.

Some of my worst herxes with physical pain came from killing yeast. And some of my best days have come after knocking it down!

Diflucan made the biggest dent for me, but I have also had great luck with Houttuynia (yes, it kills yeast too!). There are other antifungals that focus on the biofilm form of yeast, coconut oil or monolaurin. Garlic, pau d arco, tea tree oil and be used as well although I don't notice as much of a die off reaction with those.

Others may mention Nystatin. I have the pill form and have never really noticed it's effects. I think there is another thread that mentions the powder and liquid forms are better absorbed.

Killing yeast is essential. By eliminating it, you are still getting closer to the goal of remission, so don't lose hope!!

Some say that Difulcan can kill Lyme, but it is hard to find solid evidence. I looked and could only find people talking about it. Difulcan is also an anti-parasitic. So, it could be causing other die off. It might not be a flare.

The pure Nystatin powder is infinitely stronger than the pills. But, if you're LLMD is willing to prescribe other antibiotics, there are other options. You could take Doxy, Mino and many others. Not Zith.

http://drugs.emedtv.com/medicine/qt-prolonging-medications.html

Talk to your doc about options.

hey sarah - yes, the qt interval risk can be increased, but again, usually only with those who have pre-existing heart conditions. Dr M had me on zithromax and diflucan at the same time, bc i had major candida issues too - even though I was on nystatin all of the time. Still have the candida, it just won't leave!! the only problem i had with diflucan was that i developed a tremor in my hands. it went away a few weeks after i stopped the diflucan. it is quite a potent drug, but it does address the yeast.

if dr M suggests that you take a break from the antibiotics, I would follow her advice. do you take coenzyme q? Dr M doesnt put it on her protocol list, but I took it on my own and it helped my muscles tremendously. I still take it now, especially when I exercise. also, do you take fish oil? thats great for the joints.

Yeah can't take CoQ10. She has me off Mepron for this week too but just in case. I guess I'll just stick this week out as she said I should do, but definitely will tell her that I feel worse off the abx.

I'm on board with Lymie mom X 2

Antibiotic use will be totally undermined if it is ravaging your stomach - the host of immune cells like T-cells, neurotransmitters like serotonin, and of your metabolic uptake of micronutrients from food.

In a way it is counterproductive to take antibiotics (although I am not saying it is wrong); they may kill some or most of an infection, but if they are also causing other infections like C. difficile or dysbiosis, then don't expect that your immune system will strengthen while on antibiotics. This makes it tricky to come OFF antibiotics. Unless you eradicate the entire infection - which let's face it, we are creature that live in bacteria, we have biofilm matrixes, different forms of bacteria, and antibiotic resistance to deal with - it will be difficult to come off of antibiotics and stay in remission.