Zithromax

February 16, 1999

Dear ,

Look in the " Useful links " section of www.rheumatic.org and you'll see a

link to azithromycin, which is Zithromax, with lots of info on the drug.

Chris.

Sala <joeysala@...> on 20/06/99 14:53:06

" rheumatic " <rheumaticonelist>

cc: (bcc: Adlard/AUST/CSC)

Subject: rheumatic zithromax

Evening group..........where can I get information on Zithromax, and what

has been the success rate using this drug?

Thanx.......

May 6, 1999

Thanks to you Mark, between all of us maybe we will come up with the answers

that will do the trick. Skippy

rheumatic Zithromax

>From: MHOLMES@... (HOLMES, MARK T.)

>

>I've appreciated all the answers I 've received from everyone. I had an

>interesting conversation this evening with an ER doctor who was hiking the

>Appalachian Trail and for whom I gave a shuttle to a nearby town. We were

>discussing RA and he was surprised to hear about minocycline treatment for

>RA. He seemed quite familiar with mycoplasmas, having grown up near

>Norwalk, Ohio where apparently they did a lot of research on mycoplasmas.

>He was a bit puzzled as to why the tetracyclines would be used. He thought

>that drugs of the macrolide family such as Zithromax and Biaxin would be

>used and suggested that I look into them. He was quite interested in the

>minocycline approach. We also discussed IV clindamyacin and also the

>problems of C-diff with this approach (one of the reasons that the NIH was

>doing a study on IV doxycycline, which didn't have the bacterial overgrowth

>problems that IV clindamyacin apparently does). If you want a lot of info

>on Zithromax, check out

http://www.pfizer.com/hml/pi%27s/zithromaxmacpi.html

>

>Again thanks everyone - I'm reading all of your replies with great

interest.

>I'll keep you posted.

>

>Mark

>

>http://members.tripod.com/~Mark_Holmes

>RA 4/98 AP 7/98

>Minocycline (Lederle generic) 100mg 2x/day; Lodine 400mg 3x/day

>RA Chat - http://members.tripod.com/~Mark_Holmes/RA/ra.html

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>Give back to your community through " Grow to Give. "

>

>See homepage for details.

>

May 10, 1999

My GP said the same thing last November...

In a message dated 5/5/99 11:09:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

MHOLMES@... writes:

<< He was a bit puzzled as to why the tetracyclines would be used. He thought

that drugs of the macrolide family such as Zithromax and Biaxin would be

used and suggested that I look into them >>

May 11, 1999

Hi Skippy,

It is so good to hear of your progress! I added the Zithromax back in

September and Dr. Franco revised my schedule just a little......I now

take the Zithromax on Tuesdays and Saturdays to try and equalize the

number of days between doses in a seven day period. (on Mondays,

Wednesdays, and Fridays I take Minocin)

Cheers to your improving health.

Connie

Denny wrote:

> Hi all, this is Skippy here. I want to let you all know that along

> with ALL the supplements and a restricted diet after food allergy

> testing in March, minocin 100mg. AM and PM MWF started in August of

> last year, my Dr. added Zithromax to my program, this was done 3 weeks

> ago. Today is the beginning of my fourth week on the Zithro. Doc

> said 500 mg. Tues. & Thurs. , however I had read Joe Graff's post on

> the herx he was having so with Ethel's input and Joe's report I went

> with 250mg. on Tues. & Thurs.Last Friday night after completing my 3rd

> week on the Zithro, I went to the bowling alley to watch my two oldest

> sons bowl off for 1st place and for about 2 hrs during the evening I

> could not figure out what was happening to me, my whole body just

> seemed different, but when I asked to pickup a 6 month old baby that

> was there, it dawned on me that my pain was greatly diminished and

> that earlier that same evening I could not have even thought about

> picking up and playing with that baby.Saturday morning we had to make

> a 200 mile trip in the truck, so I was a little stiff but the pain was

> still minimal. Just really tired.Sunday we went down and went

> horseback riding for awhile and then hubby took me out to dinner of

> which I only cheated a little and had 2 pcs. of garlic toast that I

> should not have had (wheat allergy) but it was mother's day so I did

> any way. Went over to our oldest son's and then home and I jumped on

> the riding mower and mowed lawn for about an hour. Slept pretty good

> that night.Monday, I was still tired, we took the granddaughter down

> to ride, I did not ride as I had some serious grocery shopping to do

> and did not want to push my luck with the pain. My knee was hurting a

> little and both wrists were sore if much pressure was applied.Went

> shopping and by the time I got home and got the groceries unloaded and

> put away I was whipped and both knees and feet and my wrists were good

> and sore. I figured I would pay for overdoing it big time. The last

> shopping trip like that I wore braces on both knees and on my wrists

> and hands.This morning I got up and was surprised that I did not need

> any help in and out of the shower, even managed to fasten my bra

> myself, and some days that had been impossible. I am not using the

> riser on the toilet, to help with getting up and down. I just feel so

> much better. Not 100%, but a whole lot closer than I have been for

> years. Today I think I will just do some laundry and play games with

> my granddaughter and not push my luck any further.I want you all to

> know how much we appreciate this group, sure miss some of the regulars

> that don't post anymore as they were the ones who gave us the courage

> to go this route a year ago. Lisbeth, my buddy, has been a Godsend to

> us. Thanks to one and all and I will continue to let you know what is

> happening. Carroll is going the same route as I am and with

> about the same results as she is just one week ahead of me on the

> zithro and on the improvement. I keep up with her and Dr. Franco's

> suggestions and then know which way to advise my Dr.A BIG THANKS to

> and Ethel for all their advise and for the list of Drs. that led

> me to where I am now.My only complaint at this point is a twinge of

> pain in my right knee and my wrists still hurt if I apply much

> pressure. Other than that I am just tired, tired, tired, and we are

> attributing that to all the months of pain that kept me from resting

> or feeling the tiredness. Right or wrong on that I will get to

> feeling better yet as far as being tired. I have to many things to

> do, to not get there.If I forgot anything or can answer any questions

> just send me an e-mail and ask. Love and best wishes to you all.Skip

> and Denny Skip RA 10 years AP Aug of 98, Zithro starting 4

> weeks.Denny OA 2 years AP 6 mos. Someone posted awhile back that if

> you go to a store and they don't have what you want, you just go to

> another one. Same thing goes with Drs. just keep on trying. You will

> get there.

August 9, 1999

Hi Mark,

I take Zitho 500mg at one time on Tues and Sat. It has really worked

wonders with me but was very hard on my digestive tract when I first

started it and it was very hard on my joints too ! Made me feel like I had

the flu for about 24 hours. Now I don't feel any extra pain after taking

it. Be sure to eat some yogurt and acidophilus several hours before your

dose! My blood tests also went way bad after I started it but I feel much

better.

At 10:20 PM 8/8/99 -0400, you wrote:

>From: MHOLMES@... (HOLMES, MARK T.)

>

>If there is anyone out there taking Zithromax, I would appreciate it if you

>would contact me. I would like to ask you some questions about dosages.

>

>Thanks,

>Mark

>http://members.tripod.com/~Mark_Holmes

>RA 4/98 AP 7/98

>Minocycline (Lederle generic) 100mg 2x/day MWF;Zithromax 250mg T,Sa;

>Celebrex 200mg 2x/day;Zone Diet;Olive Leaf;Slippery Elm;Fish Oil(9

>caps/day);Milk Thistle;bromelain;circumin;glucosamine;Exercise - 2-3 mile

>walks-5 days/week

>RA Chat - http://members.tripod.com/~Mark_Holmes/RA/ra.html

>ICQ 18123139

>

>---------------------------

August 10, 1999

Hi Mark - I'm taking Zithromax (along with umteen other drugs and

supplements.) I'll be glad to answer any questions.

Lea

HOLMES, MARK T. wrote:

> From: MHOLMES@... (HOLMES, MARK T.)

>

> If there is anyone out there taking Zithromax, I would appreciate it if you

> would contact me. I would like to ask you some questions about dosages.

>

> Thanks,

> Mark

> http://members.tripod.com/~Mark_Holmes

> RA 4/98 AP 7/98

> Minocycline (Lederle generic) 100mg 2x/day MWF;Zithromax 250mg T,Sa;

> Celebrex 200mg 2x/day;Zone Diet;Olive Leaf;Slippery Elm;Fish Oil(9

> caps/day);Milk Thistle;bromelain;circumin;glucosamine;Exercise - 2-3 mile

> walks-5 days/week

> RA Chat - http://members.tripod.com/~Mark_Holmes/RA/ra.html

> ICQ 18123139

>

> ---------------------------

November 5, 1999

In article <3822533E.49CA92BD@...>, Cooky <cooky1@...> writes

>I think I have either had an allergic reaction (I am allergic to

>E-mycin) OR this is part of a herx. I got this massive headache at the

>base of the skull on the left side. This is one of the first rheumatoid

>problems I had I think. I had these same headaches for about a year and

>finally got accupuncture (read about it in My Story). My BP went up to

>150/100 and my normal is 110/70 and we just discovered this today.

Has the BP remained up? How long ago was it measured before it was

noticed that it was up? What dose of Zithromax? How many doses of

Zithromax? Are you allergic to erythromycin?

-------

Regards, Dr Graham Chiu

November 6, 1999

Hi Doc,

I first took the Zithromax 250 mgms on Oc 26 (tuesday) I got a slight

headache. On Thursday 2 days later I took 500 mgms and no headache.

My next dose was November2nd I took 500 mgms and in 4 hours I got the

pain at the base of theskull. I assumed at this time it was a herx.

Wednesday night I took my pressure and it was 150/90. In the AM I had a

co worker take it and it was 160/90 and you know the rest. It is now

Saturday and my pressure this AM was 148/90. I still have the headaches.

Thanks so much for the response.

cooky

Dr Graham Chiu wrote:

>

> From: Dr Graham Chiu <anon_emouse@...>

>

> In article <3822533E.49CA92BD@...>, Cooky <cooky1@...> writes

> >I think I have either had an allergic reaction (I am allergic to

> >E-mycin) OR this is part of a herx. I got this massive headache at the

> >base of the skull on the left side. This is one of the first rheumatoid

> >problems I had I think. I had these same headaches for about a year and

> >finally got accupuncture (read about it in My Story). My BP went up to

> >150/100 and my normal is 110/70 and we just discovered this today.

>

> Has the BP remained up? How long ago was it measured before it was

> noticed that it was up? What dose of Zithromax? How many doses of

> Zithromax? Are you allergic to erythromycin?

>

> -------

> Regards, Dr Graham Chiu

>

November 6, 1999

Dr. Chiu

I forgot.....yes I get hives from E-mycin.

cooky

Dr Graham Chiu wrote:

>

> From: Dr Graham Chiu <anon_emouse@...>

>

> In article <3822533E.49CA92BD@...>, Cooky <cooky1@...> writes

> >I think I have either had an allergic reaction (I am allergic to

> >E-mycin) OR this is part of a herx. I got this massive headache at the

> >base of the skull on the left side. This is one of the first rheumatoid

> >problems I had I think. I had these same headaches for about a year and

> >finally got accupuncture (read about it in My Story). My BP went up to

> >150/100 and my normal is 110/70 and we just discovered this today.

>

> Has the BP remained up? How long ago was it measured before it was

> noticed that it was up? What dose of Zithromax? How many doses of

> Zithromax? Are you allergic to erythromycin?

>

> -------

> Regards, Dr Graham Chiu

>

November 21, 1999

Di, Just a thought, when first got treated for Lyme, I was put on oral

Zithromax and broke out in a rash and herxs too. At the time I didn't know

what a herx was and my doctor didn't tell me. So when I got all those

symptoms I thought I was allergic to Zithro, but he then told me about herxs

and wrote it off to that. However, since he thought it was a severe herx, he

took me off Zithro, and put me on Doxy and Amoxicillin, and then a few

months later I kept Amoxicillin and went back on Zithro. I am currently only

on Doxy, but still get a little itchy rash with every herx. In fact it is

usually my first sign of a herx. As each month on abx's passed, the rash

part slowly lessened. Now I only get it on my neck, and shoulders, sometimes

a little on my chest and face. Just a thought, about your Zithro. I think it

is a pretty strong abx, which is good for Lyme, but we all react

differently. Good Luck Vicki

November 30, 1999

Hi ,

Zithromax is usually started at 250mg Tuesday and Thursday while still taking

minocycline Mon Wed and Thurs. If all OK, then some people go up to 500mg

Zithromax. I think that's the way Dr. Franco prescribes it.

Chris.

" Briarwood " <briarwood@...> on 28/11/99 16:51:30

rheumaticonelist

cc: (bcc: Adlard/AUST/CSC)

Subject: rheumatic Zithromax

Does anyone have information about Zithromax taken as a second antibiotic with

Minocin I can take to my gp. He doesn't want to dispense another antibiotic

for my RA.

Thanks very much

Bev

November 30, 1999

Yes it is<smile>

hugs,

lisbeth

Zithromax is usually started at 250mg Tuesday and Thursday while still

taking minocycline Mon Wed and Thurs. If all OK, then some people go up to 500mg

Zithromax. I think that's the way Dr. Franco prescribes it.

Chris.

November 30, 1999

Hi Chirs,

I go to Dr. Franco and on my first visit with him he prescribed 500 mg of

zithro on Tues and Sat ( two 250 taken together)

>

>Hi ,

>

>Zithromax is usually started at 250mg Tuesday and Thursday while still taking

>minocycline Mon Wed and Thurs. If all OK, then some people go up to 500mg

>Zithromax. I think that's the way Dr. Franco prescribes it.

>

>Chris.

>

> " Briarwood " <briarwood@...> on 28/11/99 16:51:30

>

> rheumaticonelist

>cc: (bcc: Adlard/AUST/CSC)

>Subject: rheumatic Zithromax

>

>Does anyone have information about Zithromax taken as a second antibiotic

with

>Minocin I can take to my gp. He doesn't want to dispense another antibiotic

>for my RA.

>

>Thanks very much

>

>Bev

>

>Attachment Converted: " C:\Program Files\Internet Toolkit\download\att121.htm "

>

February 3, 2000

a and all,

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll ask my dr about Zithromax--but is everyone

getting as good of results? I am fairly bad RA wise and Minocin has been

helping --so I'm a little afraid to rock the boat...any experiences welcome.

<<

, would your insurance cover Zithromax since it has no generic and is

still under patent? You might want to ask your doctor about this and see if

Z. works as well for you. Works for me.

a Carnes >>

February 4, 2000

, you made a good point. I don't have RA but CFS and fibromyalgia. I

think that even for me though the minocin would have been my first choice.

Having said that, Zithromax is effective against mycoplasma, as are cipro

and sparfloxacin. This is just a thought but you could try Zithromax for as

much as 8 weeks and see what happens. It would not be like you were not

taking anything and would totally relapse. I think the difference between

your disease and mine is that in 8 weeks I would totally relapse if the

antibiotic were not effective whereas your changes might be slower and not

as obvious. I'm just trying to think " out loud " and help you decide what to

do. I THINK Dr. Chiu uses zithromax for his patients sometimes, and I know

it is on Dr. Nicolson's list.

a Carnes

> From: Sjlane99@...

>

> a and all,

> Thanks for the suggestion, I'll ask my dr about Zithromax--but is everyone

> getting as good of results? I am fairly bad RA wise and Minocin has been

> helping --so I'm a little afraid to rock the boat...any experiences

welcome.

>

> <<

> , would your insurance cover Zithromax since it has no generic and

is

> still under patent? You might want to ask your doctor about this and see

if

> Z. works as well for you. Works for me.

> a Carnes >>

>

> ---------------------------

February 6, 2000

a,

Thanks for your input. I was on Cipro and slid back fairly far and fast in my

quest to find an antibiotic to stop my regression. Are Cipro and Zithromax in

the same family?

Having been thru one remission, I know I cannot go off the antibiotics for

any long length of time--I did that and that may have been part of what

started my relapse--only the Amoxicillin/Biaxin combo no longer worked when I

went back on it. So I tried Dioxy, Cipro, Augmentin, etc. But the 2 months

each took and then I found out it wasn't a herx, just getting worse--well it

set me way way back. So I just have to be careful now...

<< , you made a good point. I don't have RA but CFS and fibromyalgia. I