New from Lisbon

[mtf]

Hi!

I’m new in this forum and I have been reading your post with interest. I would like to introduce myself. I’m 45 years old women, live in Lisbon and I have MS since 1989. Since 2000, I think MS became progressive.
My brain it’s not been affected (until now) and my big problem is my legs, I need canes to walk and I get tired very soon. I’m always trying to find something new to fight this stupid MS.
So, after speaking with my GP (my work company doctor ) 3 months ago I started the antibiotics regimen with no improvements or negative side effects. Last Sunday I started a flagyl pulse and I’m now with stomach problems and tired but nothing else.
I think this is a very good and open forum and I’m very happy I can be part of it.

[SarahLonglands]

Hi mtf!

Greetings: we are nearly the same age and became progressive at about the same time. I developed the disease a bit before you, though, but it was so minor back then, I didn't really think about it.

Unless you disease was as active and aggressive as mine when I started the antibiotic regime, you wouldn't necessarily expect to see any big improvements in only three months, but it is good that you have had no negative side effects until starting the flagyl. It certainly does make you feel amazingly tired, doesn't it? As for the stomach problems, are you taking plenty of either live yoghurt or acidophilus capsules? They are essential.

You might care to write to my husband, Dr. David Wheldon, with any questions you might have. His address is at the bottom of this page:

http://www.davidwheldon.co.uk/ms-treatment.html

Your GP likewise would be welcome to contact him.

One more thing: don't feel that you have to take the flagyl for the full five days first time round. I must admit that I very rarely did. What a coward! I still got better, though.

Sarah

[mtf]

Thanks Sarah

No, my MS was not so active as yours when you started. Its good to know that even we dont follow 100% the regimen we can have improvements. My GP is the only doctor that listen to me and he is not afraid to try new things. He told me that in my place he would do the same.
So, a big kiss to you and thank for support.

Teresa

[LifeontheIce]

Hello, Teresa! I am very glad you joined us. Your mind is set right to fight the damn disease. I hope you soon see some improvements.

I allways take the antibiotics with full stomach. Two times I took them withot food, ended up throwing up and had to skip a day. Once I forgot to take Flagyl whole day and decided to take 2 grams at once. This is the way I prescribe it for some STDs. I regreted it, too.

[mtf]

Hello LifeontheIce, (its big name)

Today I decided to stop flagyl, so I had it only for 3 days.
Im feeling stupid, my brain is working in slow motion and I have stomach pain. Do you know if next will be esiaer?

Teresa

[LifeontheIce]

I don't know if it will be easier tolerated in future ( stomachwise). I know that the Herxheimer reaction tends to be milder with each pulse.

Did you eat enough before each tablet?

[SarahLonglands]

Try it again next time, but stop it as soon as you have had enough. If it is no better, some people take tinidazole instead, which is more easily tolerated, but I think a bit more expensive.

Gracious heavens, 'Ice, I'm not surprised you regretted 2gms in one go!

[LifeontheIce]

One does everything to squelch disease!

[SarahLonglands]

Hah, Very true!

[Katman]

Hello ti MTF! This is the best place in the whole world to find the answers to questions. Glad you are aboard and you are more fortunate than many to have auch a farseeing and agreeable doctor.

I am on jury duty this week. To my mind, it is an incredible privilege not extended to all citizens of this world. Anyway, it has been a fascinating experience. To demonstrate its pertinence, to get to the courtroom, you have to climb 25 very high steps and walk many more steps. I did this (up and down) six times these three days not counting sidling along the benchs, regular stuff that people do all the time without thinking. But I was so thrilled.

LifeontheIce, I was amazed to read that you take your antibiotics with meals!!! I have been told by so many to take these on an empty stomach that I spend much of my dqy VERY hungry. By the end of my four hour twice a mini-fast I will eat anything I can catch.

[LifeontheIce]

I avoid dairy products and eegs with tetracyclines (impaired absorption). And no wine on my pulse days!

[Katman]

You are obviously doing the same thing I am. I am postponing FOODTIME for a few minutes because this is more important- can't believe I said that!
I understand the pills with food very well. I, too, could not keep them down one day and discovered more water would help. If the problem persisted as it does many days, I eat some fruit and/or a cracker. My walking was almost at an end in any form so I feel compelled to adhere to my regid schedule. But I am not delivering 30 or 40 babies either so you have NO choice. Good decision. Food, food, food.....

[mtf]

Thanks you nice people!

I was sleeping all the afternoon and I ‘m feeling must better now. My miracle pills to stomach normally is water and sleeping. And yes, I take my pills during meals but next time I will take 2 at lunch and none in the morning. Anyway when I’m not well I sleep many hours which is a waste of time because I didn’t went to work today.

Teresa

[mtf]

Katman,

If you can do that (steps) you are not so bad at all.
How were you before the treatment?
I think Marie is right. It would be interesting to have data.

Teresa

[Katman]

Teresa, sometimes I miss things so I may be way behind here, but please read the sheets that come with your meds. They will guide your food choices so that the meds will do their job. It is terrible to find that you have been doing something wrong. .