LymeNet Flash: herxing on ketek after 5 months?

This is topic herxing on ketek after 5 months? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by suej (Member # 816) on :

been on ketek 5 months now. for the last two weeks I've been experiencing severe joint pain.

Joint pain has never been a real big part of my lyme symptons. I would get pain for a day or two and then it would go. The neuro stuff is what has been more persistent.

So this is a noticeble difference. So either I'm in the midst of a giant herx which means the ketek is kicking butt

or I'm in a relapse and the ketek isn't touching it.

does it make sense to be herxing so badly after 5 months?

Thanks for your input.
Sue

Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :

Well, I don't know the answer but as you got no replies so far and this had fallen off the front page, I'll just bring it back to the top and sympathize. It is so hard to figure out what is going on. Maddening disease!

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

I don't know anything about ketek. Is it a macrolide? Some abx can cause tendonitis. I would call the pharmacist, then the dr!

If it's not a side effect of the med, then my guess is that you are herxing. [I am not a dr! ]

------------------
oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by quic (Member # 5262) on :

This is just my opinion. I have nothing scientific to back it up.

I think the ketek is kicking butt and you are herxing. I am on ketek and samento right now. I am amazed at how its getting the lyme. I have mostly had neuro problems too, but with ketek, I get sore around my joints too. It sound like its not nearly as bad as you...I wouldn't call my pain severe. You have to make the judgement call and at some piont you may say, "this is enough"...and talk with you dr. and maybe back off a little. My feeling is that its killing bacteria there too and you are feeling the effects. I think ketek is potent.

I'm always wondering the same things as you since I've been on ketek since January. But, I just ride it out the herx and ALWAYS feel a little better overall once the herx is over. Then things are quite calm (tolerable) for awhile and around comes the herx again.

Its a hideous cycle, but unfortunately part of getting better, given the drugs we have today.

- Mike

Posted by suej (Member # 816) on :

Thanks for your input

Lymetoo,
if ketek is related to antibiotics like levaquin then I am concerned, but I wasn't aware that it was. I am going to look into that. I will be seeing my LLMD soon. Thanks

Mike,
I like your theory and hope the ketek is kicking butt for you too and hope the tolerable phases keep getting longer!!

Thanks Lou for upping the page!
Sue