Mycoplasma questions

[Guest guest]

> I'm beginning to suspect it's time for me to investigate a

> mycoplasma infection. But before I go pester my GP about this, I'd

> like to have my ducks in a row. My GP doesn't know a lot about

> treating ME. While he's happy to work with me, he's even happier

> when he knows there's some medical rhyme or reason to my madness.

> So I've gotten into the habit of not discussing new initiatives

> with him until I can explain what I'm up to, and why.

>

> A few questions for the group:

>

> 1) To date, I've not explored this because conventional wisdom said

> that ME was a T-2 upregulation issue; and mycoplasmas are addressed

> on the T-1 side. However, the fact that so many of us seem to have

> mycoplasma infections suggests that this ain't necessarily so.

>

> I've seen some studies that connect mycoplasma with ME/CFS. Are

> there one or more definitive ones I should have in hand when I walk

> in the door? I'll have a lot easier time convincing him to pursue

> this with me if there's some data suggesting that this is a

> medically supportable line of inquiry.

>

> 2) What are the standard symptoms that would make a doctor (or

> patient) suspect mycoplasma infection?

>

> 3) What standard tests are used to get a positive Dx of mycoplasma?

> What results are we looking for on these tests?

>

> 4) What are the treatment protocols? I'm well aware of Marshall,

> thanks -- but moving down to the basement and living like a vampire

> for the next two years is not something I'm just thrilled to be

> rushing into. On the other hand, I'm extremely intolerant of all

> forms of both erythromycin and tetracycline, which are the two

> primary drug families used to treat this. So what are the options

> here?

>

> Thanks for your help with this....

>

> Sara

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