abx and liver problems - Lyme Disease Message Board

laurie864bla · 02-04-2005, 11:46 AM

Hi everyone,
I posted about this a couple days ago as a reply to something else but I think it got lost in the mix. Mark is currently on 1000 mg once a day of Biaxin XL and 300mg twice a day of Omnicef for a total of 600mg. When I read what people here are on it makes me think that is SO much for an 8 yr old that weighs about 74 lbs. Don't get me wrong, he is doing really great!! Every single symptom has resolved and he is so happy and energetic. But--what are the signs of having liver problems from taking abx? Dr. Jones is going to run the tests for us in a couple of weeks. I worry SO much about all these abx and what they are doing to his body. But what choice do I have--Lyme is so much worse. I guess it's just a mother worrying thing, but does anyone know what signs to look for if one is experiencing liver or kidney related problems due to abx? His color is good, his urine output is good, but he does have a lot of tummy aches. Does not point to his side or anything--just his tummy and it passes fairly quickly. Thanks for any input. --Laurie

ticker · 02-04-2005, 12:34 PM

Hi laurie. It is perfectly understandable for you to be concerned. It is important that his blood be monitored so the doctor can keep an eye on everything--such as liver enzymes.

I know that many people, including myself, have had elevated liver enzymes during treatment. It may be from Lyme or it may be from the treatment. When this occurs, many doctors will retest in a couple of weeks and/or temporarily discontinue treatment until the enzymes return to normal. When my enzymes were elevated I felt no symptoms that I could attribute to the elevation. Try not to worry, just have Mark's blood tested regularly.

I am thrilled to hear he is doing so well!!

sleeperwoken · 02-04-2005, 01:03 PM

Hi Laurie, I'm so glad Mark is doing well. I worry also about the effects of antibiotics on my body and I talk to my naturopath MD about it a lot. She told me to take milk thistle to help my liver. So far, no problems.

Sounds like things are going well. I'm so glad!

laurie864bla · 02-04-2005, 01:43 PM

I was thinking about starting him on milk thistle as well. Do you all think I should wait until we see Dr. Jones or start now? I mean, if it effects his liver ina good way and it doesn't show anything elevated it's not like it's going to "mask" anything, right? Just good tests are good tests kind of thing? What do you all think?

Betterdaysforme · 02-04-2005, 01:52 PM

Hi laurie,
So glad to hear that Mark is improving. Makes me want to start taking what he is taking. I'm sure you have seen my thread about the liver enzyme elevation. I was on the Rocephin IV and it is supposed to be real good at screwing up your enzymes. Mine went from 40 to 787 in a week. I had a respite of 3 weeks and am now on a measly 100mg Doxy 2 times a day. I'm sure this isn't enough but the doc wants to be sure it was just the Rocephin not my liver, even though the last lab test put me back to normal. Right now I'm taking milk thistle thanks to a thread from Komondor and hopefully that will help. Better safe than sorry! I'm hoping to up my doses after the next lab work and may have to do it on my own from some extra Doxy I had. Don't want to do this but everybody that is getting well seems to be doing so because of higher doses. Maybe what I'm taking will kick in soon after all the Rocephin (9weeks) I had. Tell Mark I'm jealous but thrilled for his recovery. I'll keep him and you in my prayers. It's bad enough for an adult to face this but must be horrible for a child and his mother. Keep the faith. We need to all pray for each other. What a prayer chain that would be!
betterdaysforme