Bicillin shot versus other abx?

[jjl]

Just wondering what experiences anyone has had with Bicillin shots versus other abx? We are not sure whether our ds has Lyme or Pandas and the doctor may prescribe oral abx long term, but may try a Bicillin shot at the initial visit.

 

Has a Bicillin shot helped anyone with Lyme? Thanks, John L

[matis_mom]

I've heard of them being used for both PANDAS and Lyme. My son got one (he has both), and I know of a boy who was getting them like 3x a week.

I was given one because of strep and "suspected" Lyme. I can tell you to things: 1) it hurts like heck (and I'm no whimp!) and 2) Some claim it really clears your head (lifts the "fog"). I did not get that, but I can tell you by that evening I totally felt wiped out, like I was getting the flu (I suppose it was herxing?)

The good thing is you don't get your intestinal bacterial wiped out from it

[MMC]

I used to get them as a child because of a Sydenham's Chroea diagnosis, which in retrospect, was really more like PANDAS. I would get a monthly bicillin shot...ages 7 to 17. I then went to oral pen vk until I was 19, or maybe 20 and stopped. Bicillin is just time release penicillin. As Mati's mom said, it hurts like heck. Both of my kids have PANDAS, and I have not subjected them to the shot, and have not had a doctor suggest it. One good thing about the shot is the fact of 100% compliance...don't have to worry about a child missing an oral dose. Other than that, and the lack of intestinal issues, there is no advantage over oral abx that I know of.

 

I got this shot for 10 years, on the first day of every month and I dreaded the roll around to every month. It is a refrigerated cold, milky, thick liquid. It also makes the injection site sore for about 2 days, (usually your rump).

[jjl]

Thank you. You never said whether it helped you all those years. I would be interested to hear that since you took the shots long term. Thanks, John L

 

 

I used to get them as a child because of a Sydenham's Chroea diagnosis, which in retrospect, was really more like PANDAS. I would get a monthly bicillin shot...ages 7 to 17. I then went to oral pen vk until I was 19, or maybe 20 and stopped. Bicillin is just time release penicillin. As Mati's mom said, it hurts like heck. Both of my kids have PANDAS, and I have not subjected them to the shot, and have not had a doctor suggest it. One good thing about the shot is the fact of 100% compliance...don't have to worry about a child missing an oral dose. Other than that, and the lack of intestinal issues, there is no advantage over oral abx that I know of.

 

I got this shot for 10 years, on the first day of every month and I dreaded the roll around to every month. It is a refrigerated cold, milky, thick liquid. It also makes the injection site sore for about 2 days, (usually your rump).

[MMC]

John, the bicillin did what it was supposed to do...prevented me from getting strep again. It was never meant as a treatment. Same as my kids on Pen VK low dosage...it's just a prophylactic. I was never on anything stronger than this, but who knows, it may have helped in some way. I had motor tics / chorea for years...until I got in my teens and outgrew most symptoms. By the age of 18, I was 95% clear of symptoms and have been ever since...am 45 now.

[philamom]

I used to get them as a child because of a Sydenham's Chroea diagnosis, which in retrospect, was really more like PANDAS. I would get a monthly bicillin shot...ages 7 to 17. I then went to oral pen vk until I was 19, or maybe 20 and stopped. Bicillin is just time release penicillin. As Mati's mom said, it hurts like heck. Both of my kids have PANDAS, and I have not subjected them to the shot, and have not had a doctor suggest it. One good thing about the shot is the fact of 100% compliance...don't have to worry about a child missing an oral dose. Other than that, and the lack of intestinal issues, there is no advantage over oral abx that I know of.

 

I got this shot for 10 years, on the first day of every month and I dreaded the roll around to every month. It is a refrigerated cold, milky, thick liquid. It also makes the injection site sore for about 2 days, (usually your rump).

Yes, it does sound like a pain in the rump (sorry), but the lack of intestinal issues is a nice advantage.

[smartyjones]

i have heard that the bicillin shot is really, really painful. more painful than any other shot? or is it that shots are painful? if more than others, why?

 

 

 

[MMC]

Yes, the shot is very painful. It is the most painful shot I have ever had and I had about 120 of them over 10 years. It is like injecting cold, thick motor oil into your muscle. I was elated when I was 17 (almost 18) and went to oral Penicillin.

[matis_mom]

i have heard that the bicillin shot is really, really painful. more painful than any other shot? or is it that shots are painful? if more than others, why?

It hurts when the needle goes in (they need a bit thicker needle because the liquid is thick and cold), and it hurts MORE as they push it in because, again, it's thick and cold! It's like a painful burning sensation, and it's not over in a second like a "prick", it keeps hurting until it's all in, and it takes a few seconds.

Edited November 11, 2010 by mati's mom

[cobbiemommy]

My DS, 11, gets 2.4 million units (adult dose) of Bicillin LA once a week. It is working wonders to clear up his strep in his sinuses. We use a Lidocain patch for an hour before the shot to help minimize the discomfort. We then leave the Lidocaine patch on until bedtime or even the next morning. The patch does not work perfectly, but it helps. While he is good and numb, we try to massage the rump to get the medicine worked in. Also, we use a hot water bottle the next day to try to avoid discomfort. We also sit on a pillow for a day, and we get the shot on Friday, so that he does not have to go to school with a sore bottom and fatigue. It does seem to be helping with his symptoms, his teachers have noticed a big improvement. I know the half life of Bicillin LA is supposed to be 14 days, but after day 5 we start to see diminished improvement. DS is diagnosed with Lyme, Bartonella, and Pandas.

Cobbie

[sf_mom]

There is a great summary from the ILADS conference from the Better Health Guy...... Dr. Horowitz mentions Bicillin as one of the best antibiotics options in treatment of BB

 

'Bicillin is one of the best antibiotic options at 1.2 million units 2-4 times per week'

 

Thanks to Elizabeth again.... here is the link that summarizes many of the comments.

 

http://www.betterhealthguy.com/joomla/blog/216-ilads-2010-conference-takeaways

[philamom]

Great Find!! Chronic Lyme= Multiple Chronic Infectious Disease Syndrome

Thank you SF mom and Thank you Elizabeth!!!!

[philamom]

delete

Edited November 12, 2010 by philamom

[sf_mom]

Another great find by Elizabeth and case for 'Successive Infections' ..... as posted on the PANDAS forum previously.

[PacificMama]

There is a great summary from the ILADS conference from the Better Health Guy...... Dr. Horowitz mentions Bicillin as one of the best antibiotics options in treatment of BB

 

'Bicillin is one of the best antibiotic options at 1.2 million units 2-4 times per week'

 

Thanks to Elizabeth again.... here is the link that summarizes many of the comments.

 

http://www.betterhealthguy.com/joomla/blog/216-ilads-2010-conference-takeaways

 

Thank you for posting this link! I was waiting for him to post his update, and then just forgot about checking back.

Elizabeth or Wendy, maybe you want to post this as a separate topic heading so all can see? (or was that done and I missed it?).

thanks again.