Lyme Disease Support Group

I've been doing herbal treatment for the past 4 months (my doctor is mainly a nueropath towards lyme) and since their wasn't any improvement he put me on 2 antibiotics about two weeks ago..I'm still keeping my head up and hoping the oral abx will do it's job but at the same time IV antibiotics have been in the back of my mind..anybody who has tried them what are the pros and cons of IV's abx?

Thank you so much for your help!

Pro: I have made more improvement on IV than any other medicine ever!

Con: Your picc line stays in you all of the time (although, after a while, you do not notice it too much).

Pro: I am getting my brain back bc of the IV treatment. I can actually think now!

Con: You have to explain to people sometimes why you are wearing a sleeve on your arm. Sometimes, I have to explain that I have an IV under my utterly fashionable sleeve, and that I have to get IV medicine everyday.

Pro: IV medicine passes the blood brain barrier, and it goes straight to the bloodstream. You don't have to worry about your body absorbing medicine through your stomach which can sometimes be an issue (you don't absorb 100% when you take an oral medicine).

Con: Showering with a picc line. But if you get a drypro cover, this will become a non issue. They are wonderful.

Pro: LIFE!!!!! I am starting to get my life back, and it is magical.

Pro: IV antibiotics has enabled me to get out of bed everyday. I am so much more functional.

Con: The Picc line dressing can itch sometimes.

Pro: Major lyme symptom reduction!

For me, the Pro's totally outweigh the Cons for IV medicine. Getting IV medicine is the best thing I have ever done! Sure, you do have to deal with a picc line, that sometimes can be itchy, but in the end it is so worth it!

I hope your oral abx start to kick in, and you start to feel better. I hope this helps!

It actually got so bad this past week I was hospitalized twice, had an abdominal CT, and am going in for a gastroscope/biopsy on Monday and have had to go completely off of my meds.

I personally don't seem to be able to tolerate the orals very well and am hoping my LLMD will switch me to IV when I go see him again at the end of April.

My LLMD does IVs into the superior vena cava of the heart so your line is hidden beneath your bra strap and out of the way.

I have a friend with one and you would never know it was there and it is really easy and convenient.

I think there is no one answer for anyone, and every person needs a different treatment plan depending on a multitude of factors.

I think its good to try working with orals first, but if it isn't doing the trick it is better to take the possible side effects of IV antibiotics than live with this horrible disease for the rest of your life.