IV antibiotics vs. oral antibiotics - Lyme Disease Message Board

TINUVIEL · 02-11-2005, 09:24 PM

Hello,

I just have another question about treatment. All the antibiotics and everything, do they actually work? Do you really get better eventually? Is there anyone here who has finished treatment and they're better again?

What about iv antibiotics vs. oral? I was reading that for long-standing Lyme infections you need the iv. What exactly is the treatment protocol for Lyme, or is it too complicated to explain here?

This is probably a ridiculous question to expect anyone to be able to answer, but how long do you have to wait before you can expect to see some improvement in your condition, especially if you've had it for a long time?

Thanks.

ticker · 02-12-2005, 07:00 AM

Hi TINUVIEL. Yes antibiotics do work and people do get better. The ones who are better are not usually posting on the boards because they are busy living their lives again.

Many different antibiotics can be used to treat Lyme. Every case is different and it can be a trial-and-error process to find which meds work best for each person. Sometimes doctor prescribe orals first to see how someone responds. Sometimes IV is prescribed first because of symptom severity, symptom type, and length of infection.

Unfortunately, there is no way to say when improvment will occur. If you have been sick for some time, it will take some time for improvement. It is normal to feel worse before feeling better. As you can see there are no easy answers about this disease!

The most important thing is to see a knowledgeable doctor so you can get the best treatment for your case. With proper treatment, you will get better. Stay focused on that goal