As Samento which Paula is taking is a natural antibiotic that quinolones like Cipro is based on, I thought I would paste from Wikipedia what the interactions are for Cipro:-
Quercetin, a flavonoid occasionally used as a dietary supplement may interact with fluoroquinolones, as quercetin competitively binds to bacterial DNA gyrase. Some foods such as garlic and apples contain high levels of quercetin. Whether this inhibits or enhances the effect of fluoroquinolones is not entirely clear.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cipro
As Quercetin is used by many people on this protocol including Paula, I thought it was worth pointing the above out especially if anyone is using a quinolone antibiotic.
A bit of info about Samento:-
The results of research on Samento (TOA-freeChemotype of Peruvian Cat’s Claw) demonstrate its powerful immunei system modulating and stimulating properties, along with pronounced anti-inflammatory, antioxidanti, and anti-infectious effects. The diverse spectrum of the biological activities of Samento is due to its biologically active compounds. The penta-cyclic oxindole alkaloids (POAs) contained in this Chemotype are generally accepted as the principal immunomodulating and immunostimulating agents. POAs are actively involved in the repair of many elements and functional mechanisms of both the innate and acquired immunity damaged by the Borrelia andother co-infectionsi, assisting in restoration of structural and functional integrity of the immune system, enhancing its ability to eliminate the pathogens naturally. In addition, this Chemotype contains quinovic acid glycosides – compounds with strong natural antibiotic properties (the latest generations of conventional synthetic antibioticsi “Quinolones” are based on quinovic acidglycosides), which further enhance the medicinal effect of Samento in fighting the infection.
http://www.samento.com.ec/sciencelib/4sam/Sambook_healthfor.htm
I think I may get Paula to take the Samento away from Quercetin just to be sure.
Mark
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UK Carer of bedridden Severe ME/CFS Feb06. CPNi dx. Apr07. Samento 15 drops per day July07. 2400mg NAC 200mg Doxyii Jan08. 300mg Roxyii Apr08.
Mark, thanks for posting the
Mark, thanks for posting the info on Quercetin, Samento/cat's claw, and the quinolones.
The connections between these seem confusing to me and I have trouble weighing differing reports of pros and cons on each of them in deciding whether to try them.
One Lyme buddy of mine had terrible tendon problems for over a year from taking Levaquin for only 3 days. Others in my Lyme group have had success with it and no problems with side effects.
I've heard equally varying results with cat's claw. Some folks in my Lyme group have found it helpful, while one person with an initial ALS diagnosis got very sick after taking high doses of cat's claw and developed persistent tremors.
I myself have had showstopping psych symtoms all three times I tried to get on Quercetin, which I've never heard of happening to others. Different threads on cpnhelp here describe pros and cons of Quercetin and I haven't yet decided whether to try it again.
Reading your post I recalled something I'd read in herbalist Stephen Harrod Buhner's book "Healing Lyme" about the difference between Cat's Claw and quinolone antibioticsi. I'll type what I read here in my 2005 paperback edition on page 102:
"The quinovic acid controversy: A rumor has spread that the quinovic acids in cat's claw are, at root, the same as quinolone antibiotics. The rumors say that this is why cat's claw is effective against Lyme spirochetes. Concern has been generated by this untrue assertion because quinolone antibiotics, in some instances, can cause severe inflammationi in tendons. So, the word is that cat's claw can cause tendonitis, resulting in tissue destruction over time. This is all completely untrue. The quonovic acids in cat's claw are structurally different than quinolone antibiotics. Molecularly, they are not the same at all and they do not do the same things."
Just more information for thought. I'm hoping some day soon this will all seem clearer.
Cheers,
Marysia
NACi 2400mg/dy, Doryx 200mg/dy, ramping up on CAPi for both Cpn and Lyme. CDC+ Lyme FMSi 02/06; Cpn, HHV6, and EBVi+ 03/08. 2 yrs slow improvement on variations of long-term antibiotics for Lyme. Now slowly resuming treatment after severe porphyriai attack on Diflucan 09/07.
Thanks Marysia for your
Thanks Marysia for your reply on quinovic acid. I hope to speak to our doc soon and will bring this question up with him. I will post the answer on the site.
Mark
UK Carer of bedridden Severe ME/CFS Feb06. CPNi dx. Apr07. Samento 15 drops per day July07. 2400mg NAC 200mg Doxyi Jan08. 300mg Roxyi Apr08.
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UK Carer of bedridden Severe ME/CFS Feb06. CPNi dx. Apr07. Samento 15 drops per day July07. 2400mg NAC 200mg Doxyi Jan08. 300mg Roxyi Apr08.