Topic: Rifampin, Mino or both making me an emotional/anxious mess?
robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547
posted
Wow ........... I just want to cry all the time since starting these. Is this a usual side effect?
I am also bouncing off the walls with ANXIETY!!!!!!!
I have done both of these rx's before but it was long ago and don't remember ...........
-------------------- Now, since I put reality on the back burner, my days are jam-packed and fun-filled. ..........lily tomlin as 'trudy' Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004
| IP: Logged |
I would think the combo could really do you in. Both are really rough drugs, as they work on the brain.
Rifampin may be giving you a bart herx. What's the dosage of each?
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96227 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Both are known to do that. If it becomes intolerable, lowering the dose slightly on the Minocycline should alleviate symptoms. Consult your physician before making any changes though.
I'm on Minocycline and Rifampin, I just started. I expect hell to break loose. I'm on a lot of things, but this is the core antibiotic portion. It's going to be brutal.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
posted
years ago when treated with rifampin - my daughter and i had raging herxheimers (funny, actually, in retrospect, to see a mom and toddler yelling randomly throughout the day..good thing we live in the boonies) but we had much improvement after that initial period passed.
son, on different treatment time/course, only got better with it - mainly in areas of personality and lucidity.
i think emotional lability is common on this drug and tbd's, tho. see it mentioned here allot.
hang in there, it will pass. try and set yourself up with some outlets for relief.
mo
Posts: 8337 | From the other shore | Registered: Jul 2002
| IP: Logged |
minoucat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5175
posted
When I started on rif and mino, I became incredibly anxious and emotional, and very very cranky.
3 months into rifampin and mino, my anxiety and emotionalality are much reduced, though still present at a low-moderate (varies daily) level. I'm still quite snappish, although that's not as bad either.
So my take is, it's 70% die off and 30% med side effects.
Rifampin in particular affects hormones (the literature on it particularly discusses its depression of adrenal and sex hormones) and can cause insomnia (my insomnia has been horrendous since I started it).
Hang in there. Take what you need to take to sleep -- I don't think that any "sleep hygiene" practices can overcome the insomnia effects of rifampin, so I've resigned myself to sleep meds for the time being.
Tincture of passionflower or passionflower tea may help with the anxiety. Definitely go for more intense relief, like Xanax, if you need it.
"Anxiety" is such a mild term for describing the feeling that you're hanging by your peanutbutter-coated toes over a rift between Universes, and rats with sharp teeth are a-coming...
posted
I did Rifampin 600mg with Minocycline 400mg. It tore me apart in every way. My moodswings were out of control, as was my libido. One second I'd be raging with unprompted anger, the next my libido would kick in, then I'd feel depressed. It felt like a longterm acid trip. But my brain was sick and I was desperate for help. In the end I think it definitely killed off some bartonella and lyme.
I did have a bad sinus infection and case of conjunctivitis flare up for nearly 6 weeks, which I wrongly accepted as a herx. The doc put me on Augmentin and that cleared things up.
He was sure the Minocycline caused my eye probs, so be careful.
Posts: 98 | From WI | Registered: Feb 2008
| IP: Logged |
Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
My rate for phone call consultations has gone down due to the bad economy.
Now, instead of being 2 cents an hour... I am running a 1/2 price special for anyone living within a 40 mile radius of you.
For everyone outside the 40 mile radius.... it is free.
I'm here huckleberry... so use me up and spit me out.
posted
I believe I had an emotional herx when on the strong stuff. I learned what true depression is. Example: I was also having the chills, and it was wintertime, so my partner heated up a blanket in the dryer then wrapped me in it on the floor...for some reason I imagined myself wrapped up like a corpse and felt very morbid! Then the emotional herxed passed after a couple of weeks and I've been fine since then.
So I think this could be a good thing for you. So unless you're suicidal or just can't take the hurt, hang in there! And obviously, take good care of yourself!
Posts: 449 | From Vermont | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged |
aklnwlf
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5960
posted
Hang in there Robi!
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. This comment is based on opinion and personal experience only.
Alaska Lone Wolf Posts: 6226 | From Columbus, GA | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged |
Rianna
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11038
posted
Its so tough Robi but hang in there, make sure you use a band aid like clarissa says 'valium or xanax' just to get you through - I had to use valium but ended up backing down no probs - I still use it through bad herx's.
I sure know how this feels but you will get through and then life is oh so sweet - Hang in there but again get something to take the edge off and then one day you will forget to take it or just know you can lower your benzo dosage.
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[lol]](graemlins/lol.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic