I started Biaxin two days ago. I took 1/2 the dose. The first day I felt okay. Yesterday, OMG!
I woke up feeling lousy, by 4pm I was on the couch and haven't moved since (except to use the bathroom)
I have aching knees, the kind that makes walking difficult, aching hips and shoulders, nausea, increased pounding in my jaw, a migrating headache that goes from my temples to the top of my head, to the back of my head, and then back to my temples.
My face is so sore that I feel like I've been puched in the face. I have this electrical "BZZT" feeling that goes from my head all the way down to my feet. Oww!
I've taken Biaxin in the past, years ago, and I don't recall any reaction that was anywhere near this kind of pain.
Is it possible to herx so soon after beginning biaxin? I thought it was supposed to take a few days, at least, to herx.
Could it be that my LD load has increased, or can Biaxin start killing bugs so quickly after I began taking it?
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Who knows if it's a herx but it's clear the biaxin is working. I had experiences of reacting to an ABX by the next day and particularly with Biaxin. It goes deep, that why you get that metal taste....it gets into the salivary glands.
If you are feeling like you are, it's doing it's job and hitting and killing off something.
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
Hi sasha,
Ummm, I started biaxin last week: 1st day 500mg in morning and at night....everything was fine.
Next day, same thing...and all hell broke loose, similar to what you are describing.
I have taken biaxin several times during treatment for prolonged periods and have not had this kind of reaction.
I had been on IV Invanz for 6 months prior.
I think for me it was not an adverse drug reaction, but that it was hitting a boatload of bacteria??? who can ever know?
I have not attempted again because it was so awful, but believe that i will start at 1/2 dose again tomorrow and see what happens.
good luck with whatever you decide.
Posted by SashaC (Member # 18968) on :
I was trying to be tough and cut the pill to 1/4 instead of 1/2 today.I'm still feeling bad from yesterday, so who knows?
I had some really crazy dreams last night. Not sure if that is related to biaxin or not.
It is so hard to decide what is a herx and what is just intolerable. It's like Lyme throws up every roadblock it possibly can!
Posted by tic chick (Member # 9156) on :
Wow, I was going to post this exact same question. Have used Biax/Plaq combo before and dont remember feeling like I was run over by a truck but last week was horrible. Tried one dose of each and was in bed for the next several days.
Cannot figure out if that was a herx or another new medication I started for depression making me so nauseaus, fatigued and a sinus headache that stuck around for days...no relief really until today. :/
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Biaxin was a great drug for me. And yes, you can herx within hours or within a day.
Posted by fflutterby (Member # 28081) on :
Absolutely, I herxed quick too. After a week, it was all good. I feel better and better! Hold on, Biaxin is a winner!!
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
it is obvious Biaxin is the best Lyme drug hands down based on comments here. Hits to most neuro issues, but is not curative at all.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Not curative? So what IS?
Posted by SashaC (Member # 18968) on :
Well, that is good news. I was hoping that feeling crappy might mean that I am getting somewhere.
It is so hard to explain to non-lymies that my medicine is making me feel horrible and, therefore, may be working!
Combined with the tindamax (I decided to cave into arguing with my insurance and just pay out-of-pocket) that my old LLMD recommended, and malarone, I really feel like I have a chance of getting somewhere!
tic- thanks for adding in that you are feeling some relief today! Glad you are feeling better! Hope I'll get there soon :-)
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
I wish I knew. I really do.
quote:Originally posted by Lymetoo: Not curative? So what IS?
Posted by SashaC (Member # 18968) on :
I'm feeling very optimistic after reading your replies. The pain in my gums and mouth has increased. It has been by far the most painful symptom that I have had. Like a constant abscess in every tooth in my mouth.
This sounds odd, but it feels like the biaxin may be hitting it where no other antibiotic has. I'm totally willing to suffer if it can eventually make me feel decent again. I guess time will tell.
In the meantime, you all have inspired me with your great replies.
I wish you all success in your treatment!
Sasha Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
Can biaxin be taken alone??
Anyone know?
Thanks
Posted by desertwind (Member # 25256) on :
YES! When I was on Biaxin (took it solo for 7 months) I herxed within 24 hours and it was horrible.
By week 2 I felt so much better, then the herx's got less frequent and more gentle.
I am now pulsing Bixain with Doxy and when I take it for those 3 days I feel a herx from hell again.
I agree with seekhelp. I took Biaxin by itself for 7 months - felt great - back to old self while on the drug only for symptoms to slowly return about a month after stopping.
That is why I am on Doxy with the Biaxin pulse right now.
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
What infection were you treating desert, if I can ask?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I took Biaxin for about 18 months with great success. I credit it with making the biggest dent in the lyme. Also Bactrim was great and then the artemisinin and zith to finish off babs. (after many many rounds of clindy/Q)
I took flagyl or tindamax with several of the antibiotics. Can't remember exactly which ones. I have it all written down but that's in storage!! Posted by SashaC (Member # 18968) on :
Today my knees are giving out. Actually buckling as I walk. Weird feeling, but not one that I've had before. Still having pains from head to toe, and loving it(okay, loving is not the right word)I've heard that sometimes it takes a while to find the abx that is right for you, and I think I found mine.
I'll keep everybody posted about whether or not positive changes follow this herx.
Tic chick and feelfit, could you please do the same for me? I will be interested to know how Biaxin works out for you!
Posted by desertwind (Member # 25256) on :
2roads; I was/am treating just lyme but still wonder if I have a co. has well.
LLMD says no but I'm not sure..
Started on my day one of my pusle and 2 hours later I have really bad deep deep body/bone pain. It hits something!
Posted by average joe (Member # 26091) on :
Sasha please don't take this wrong, I am not making light of your situation but I have to thank you for the BZZT. Gave me a chuckle. Never heard it described that way. Thanks Posted by SashaC (Member # 18968) on :
LOL...no offense taken. But that is exactly what it feels like. I feel like I'm plugged into a lamp that my guinea pig chewed the cord on. When I flip the switch, it goes "BZZZT" and sparks fly. That is how it feels from my head to the soles of my feet.
Posted by fflutterby (Member # 28081) on :
I am on Suprax/Biaxin combo and feel the best I have since I got sick in August. I believe this is going to do it for me!
Posted by SashaC (Member # 18968) on :
Okay one more question...I am exhausted. And sobbing at the drop of a hat.
I have had Lyme related insomnia for years. I rarely go to bed before 4am.
In the last several days I cannot stay awake. 2 hours after I wake up I am exhausted again. I cannot keep my eyes open. I've spent at least 15 of 24 hours sleeping in the last few days.
Can I blame this on biaxin?
Even worse I can't control my emotions. I have been crying almost non-stop and I'm not exaggerating at all. I always try to control my emotions in front of my little girl if I am feeling sad but I just can't do it.
I know this HAS to be related to the biaxin. I've never felt this way in my life.
I had to drag myself out to get my daughter things she needed from the store today and I couldn't compose myself well enough to stop crying in the store. And not just crying even, but sobbing loudly.
Are these symptoms also part of a herx or am I losing my mimd?
Posted by 365SunnyDays (Member # 29969) on :
I am having similar symptoms after 2 weeks on Doxycycline -- I am having waves of sadness and the urge to cry. I'm also very tired -- perhaps more so than before I was diagnosed -- though my insomnia has abated very little. Just as asked by SashaC, is this a herx?
Posted by SashaC (Member # 18968) on :
LOL... I just asked the same question on your new post! I'm sure between the two of us, other members that have experienced our symptoms will reply with advice for us Posted by fflutterby (Member # 28081) on :
How long have yo been treating SashaC and 365sunnydays? I had those same symptoms in the beginning of my treatment with Doxy and Azith.
Posted by lymegal23 (Member # 28573) on :
Of course you can herx after one day. i know I sure did.
I was passing out into DEEP DEEP sleeps and felt drunk off my a$$ 2 hours after taking my first biaxin dose. this continued everytime I took it up until about a week. After a week I was able to stay conscious two hours after taking the meds
HAHHA. its a good thing when you herx quick like that tho becuase then you kno early its killing it!!
[ 01-29-2011, 10:26 AM: Message edited by: Lymetoo ]
Posted by 365SunnyDays (Member # 29969) on :
I've been on Doxy for about 2 1/2 weeks (after being on Amoxicillin for about 6 weeks with total opposite reactions -- felt great energy-wise, but sort of wired and could not concentrate at all -- like an anti-herx). Doctor felt that the Amox was not actually working (perhaps suppressing), which is why I'm now on Doxy. I've been at the full dose for only about 1 1/2 weeks (after working up to let me stomach get used to it).
Posted by SashaC (Member # 18968) on :
I've been taking Biaxin for almost a week. A long, long week!
Lymegal, Thank you thank you! I was really starting to think that something was very wrong with me.
I've been stumbling around my house, bumping into things like I've drank a bottle of vodka. And the sleep thing is just crazy.
My daughter's sitter came over early this morning, so I stayed in bed. At 3pm I was still sleeping. I woke up at 3:30 and by 5, I was asleep again. It's like, all of a sudden, I can't keep my eyes open.
And when I'm sleeping, nothing can wake me up. Like I've been drugged.
Sunny, I think we're supposed to feel bad when the meds are working. It means the Lyme is being killed. Maybe that's why your doc switched you.
Again, my LLMD said that 200mg was not nearly enough to be effective in eradicating LD.
You might want to start a thread asking about the dose of doxy, as I'm pretty sure that 400mg is the lowest recommended dose.
I am so appreciative of all of your replies!!
Posted by XxDarkEuphoriaxX (Member # 21420) on :
huh. I am trying 750MG of biaxin twice a day for 1500 total a day with no herxes from it .... ?
Posted by SashaC (Member # 18968) on :
Xx,My dose is only supposed to be 1000mg a day. I'm still working up to that. I'm about 3/4 of the way there but the strong herxes have prevented me from taking the whole dose yet.
Posted by jadams (Member # 28016) on :
I just started Biaxen and feel awful. The drug makes me nauseas, I feel like I have to throw up. Last night I felt like my limbs and face went numb and I jumped out of bed in the middle of the night freaking out from the numbness. My whole body is shaky. I hope this is a herx but this drug is serious.
Im also on 2x the dose most of you are on. HMMM..Im taking for Babs.
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