High-dose antibiotic effects?

I have MS, which I've had for a few years now. But all of my other symptoms (not MS-like symptoms) led us to question what else could be causing it. Turns out (after a very in-depth blood test) that I have Lyme disease, and I probably have had it for years.

Next week (when I get back home), I'm going to visit the specialist, and they're going to insert a shunt in my chest into which I'll be self-administering high-dose IV antibiotics for an indeterminate time period (potentially years).

My question is what are the long-term effects of high-dose antibiotic therapy? I can already infer that it will "kill every living bacteria in my body, good or bad," but beyond that, what will it do, or what could it do, to me?

I usually assume this goes without saying, but I guess that's what I get for assuming. Of course, when I get the medication next week, I'm going to ask the doctor about side effects. I'm also going to ask the pharmacist when I fill the prescription.

However, I'm sure there are other things that you all know beyond what they're going to tell me. Thanks.

First, let me ask you if they are absolutely certain that you have MS? MS is one of the diseases that Lyme disease is known to most often imitate. It's not called the great imitator for nothing.

Before I go into the risks of long-term antibiotic treatment, I want to say that the dangers of continuing with Lyme disease far outweigh any danger that will be posed by a treatment. Untreated Lyme disease will damage multiple body systems including the nervous system and the heart and can progress to death. With antibiotic treatment, you are monitored for potential dangers and your doctor will discontinue treatment at the first sign of danger.

I imagine that you're likely going to be treated with either ceftriaxone (Rocephin) or imipenem/cilastatin (Primaxin), because at this point they are the most effective intravenous treatments for Lyme. Both have a great deal of side effects including nausea and stomach upset. But long-term use of any antibiotic (or most any medication) can lead to liver or kidney disease, which is why your doctor will draw blood usually on a biweekly basis to check your liver and kidneys to make sure you are not being affected in a dangerous way. Rocephin is mainly excreted by the gallbladder so there is some danger of gallstones forming and possibly losing your gallbladder.

The antibiotics will kill all of the flora (beneficial bacteria) in your intestinal tract, so the best way to combat that is daily doses of a natural supplement called lactobacillus acidophilus, which you can find at any pharmacy counter. It will replenish this bacteria and lessen the negative effects of the antibiotics on your GI tract.

I've been in your position, so please don't think that I am reciting these risks and urging you to take them, having never done so myself. Because I have. I suffered for over three years and through over 20 doctors and nearly died before I was diagnosed with what my physician referred to as one of the most severe cases of neurological Lyme disease that she'd ever seen. My problems began at 17 and my lifelong dream had been to become a doctor and with the severe meningitis and resultant cognitive problems, seizures, paralysis, and multitude of other problems that I had at the time, it was quite doubtful that it would ever happen for me. But after getting diagnosed and treated with 9 months of 2 grams of Rocephin daily, I made a full recovery, with my only major problems being migraines left over from the meningitis and some arthritis. I lost my gallbladder, but that was a small price to pay to be healthy as far as I'm concerned. At 25, I'm about about to finish year 4 of 5 of college and will be applying to medical school next year.

My best advice to you is to see the doctor, find out what he says, and do your own research. I've given you a lot of good information, but the main decision obviously has to come from you. I am a huge proponent of patients being their own advocate and taking an active role in their healthcare. Don't be afraid to directly ask the doctor blunt and to the point questions. As many as you need to. You need to feel comfortable with the process.

I wish you the best and if there's anything I can help you with, please feel free to contact me through my profile. Good luck!

see a doctor plan and simple your to smart and are jumping to conclusions

high dose antibiotic is very bad for your health,because it kills good bacteria in your body.you may change the sort of antibiotics.and i think it helps you.

I don't know about high dose, but I know some side effects I had on antibiotics were dehydration and loose stool. My partner has taken them and had developed yeast infections as a type of side effect.

So my guess is you'll be more susceptible to things that your body uses good bacteria for, like digestion issues, or to keep yeast at bay.

So ask your doctor about those. Find out if you should eat more yogurt for instance to try to get more good bacteria into your body, or other digestive enzymes if your system will be killing them off.

Also, just look up the drug you are going to be on online, there's lots of resources that'll tell you what it's particular side effects are. And talk to your doctor and pharmacist(if you're using one) to get the full facts about what to expect.

Best of luck.