posted
Just had mt last Bicillin shot Thursday. Since I still have fatigue at times, I called LLMD to ask if I should go on new abx that I read about here, Ketek. I researched it, saw symptoms, but wanted to make sure I got rid of Lyme. Picked up a 5 day supply ($25.00) with my insurance, LLMD said to wait for two days after Bicillin shot so to see if I had a reaction.
I took first pill this am,& at about 2:30 P.M., started with sore throat, eye focusing prolems, as per information I had read. Went homr laid down, suddenly I could tell my blood pressure was up, usually 120/80, it was 188/98. I went to sleep, when I woke up it was going between 133-158.
I finally saw a drop after eating dinner, 120 to 145. Any one else have this problem? The local doc subbing for my Local doc said to go off til Monday and check w/ LLMD and my local doc.
At first I thought it was a herx, but now , with blood pressure problems, think it was a reaction. I noticed in Lyme net many said the 2nd day was a herx. I had a heart valve replaced in 2002, think the Lyme made it get worse faster than normal, but good thing was my heart had no damage to wall, since docs in Illinois saw it getting worse and would not let me out of hospital until I had valv replaced. Would appreciate your help, Jane
Posts: 17 | From out west & up north | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
I had both the immediate reaction to Ketek you described, and also started herxing on Day 2. For me, the reaction came from an overdose: I'm 4'11, and can never handle the regular doses of abx designed for the taller, brawnier set. Luckily, I was able to herx on just 200mg a day, and have gradually worked up to the full 800mg.
But there are a LOT of warnings on this prescription label. Let's see if I can pull something useful out...
"This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: cisapride, ergot drugs (i.e. dihydroergotamine, ergotamine), pimozide, rifampin, anti-seizure drugs, certain statin drugs for high cholesterol, St. John's wort. If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Ketek. Before using this medication, tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you use, especially of: digoxin, live vaccines, metoprolol, theophylline, water pills like furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, other drugs removed from your system by certain liver enzymes such as azole antifungals, cyclosporine, eplerenone, midazolam, sildenafil, sirolimus, tacrolimus, triazolam.
Other drugs besides Ketek which may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) include dofetilide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, and sparfloxacin, among others. Consult your doctor whether you need to stop any other QTc-prolonging drusgs you may be using in order to minimize the risk of irregular heartbeats. This medication may also decrease the effectiveness of certain birth control pills, except those containing ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel.
Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
Symptoms of overdose: irregular/unusually fast heartbeat or fainting.
Side effects: Nausea, vomiting, mild diarrhea, headache, dizziness, anxiety, or strange taste in mouth. If you develop stomach pain, cramping, or severe diarrhea, tell your doctor, as Ketek may rarely cause a condition called pseudomembranous colitis due to a resistant bacteria.
My overdose symptoms were chest pain, difficulty breathing, and fainting accompanied by violent nightmares, not to mention posting a million messages on Lymenet in a subsequent panic.
The herx has been a very bad cold, with stuffy sinuses, coughing, sneezing, globbering in public, and generally feeling yucky. It's finally calming down after a week.
If you do find that you are able to tolerate this abx, the herx is actually fun, because you really get to see the Ketek working on a daily basis. There's nothing like a little microbiological bloodsport to lift your spirits.
posted
Thanks so much all of you! I ended up in Er, as usual, nothing wrong, so as usual, it must be Lyme herx, or as you said, too mich abx too soon after last Bicillin shot.
The reason I think it is Lyme herx is I have that Lyme headache, like a steel rod has been rammed up my neck on left side and is pushing out the top of my skull. Also, eyes are burning. I mistakingly thought all Lyme was dead from Bicillin shots for 8 weeks. guess not.
I agree herx can be fun in a warped way, each time I had a bad herx on Bicillin, I would say to my husband, we just killed a lot of Lyme! I will talk to LLMd tomorrow and perhaps go back on at end of week??? Jane
Posts: 17 | From out west & up north | Registered: Mar 2004
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