LymeNet Flash: Herx after 6 months?

This is topic Herx after 6 months? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by krazykt1 (Member # 3739) on :

I'm so afraid that I'm actually getting worse. I was on mino/rifampin for 6 months and made noticable improvement. Switched mino to doxy 5 days ago and feel terrible! Can this possibly be a herx from the switch to doxy/rifampin.

They are both tetra family abx so I wouldn't think they'd cause a herx? I'd be grateful for any input/ideas. thanks

Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :

yes but doxy can make you feel bad on its own for a few days.

Posted by TheCrimeOfLyme (Member # 4019) on :

Whether or not they are tetra antibiotics doesnt matter.

I herxed to high heaven and back on doxy. Rifampin is not a tetra family abx, and I was also on that. I was never on doxy and rifampin at the same time- I would have done nothing but lay in bed.

Posted by greg (Member # 1250) on :

you can herx six months later...i herxed for a year on doxy..doxy was my best stand alone drug for getting the keetes out..herxes can happen when you think you are better than you really are..sit back and enjoy the ride...get better soon...greg

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Any "new" drug can cause a herx. Hopefully you're killing keets!

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oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by Ticktoxic (Member # 6876) on :

Kathy,

It could be that you are not getting the firepower from doxy that you were getting from mino. Not only because doxy has less penetration, but because rifampin reduces the effect of doxy. I posted this study on a different thread.

According to this study, doxy and rifampin are not a good combo.

"Possible implications of doxycycline-rifampin interaction for treatment of brucellosis
JD Colmenero, LC Fernandez-Gallardo, JA Agundez, J Sedeno, J Benitez and E Valverde
Internal Medicine Department, Malaga Regional Hospital, Spain.

We studied the possible interaction between rifampin and doxycycline in 20 patients with brucellosis treated randomly with either doxycycline and streptomycin or doxycycline and rifampin. The doxycycline levels in the plasma of patients in the group treated with rifampin were significantly lower than those in the plasma of patients treated with doxycycline and streptomycin. Furthermore, clearance in patients treated with rifampin was significantly higher than that in patients treated with doxycycline and streptomycin, and consequently, the elimination half-life and the area under the concentration-time curve were significantly lower. There was no therapeutic failure or relapse in the group treated with doxycycline and streptomycin, whereas 2 of 10 patients in the group treated with doxycycline and rifampin had a therapeutic failure or relapse. The plasma doxycycline levels had an inverse correlation with plasma rifampin levels. In the group treated with rifampin, those who were rapid acetylators had lower levels of doxycycline. In conclusion, combined treatment with rifampin reduces the levels of doxycycline in plasma. These data suggest that therapeutic failures or relapses may result from this interaction."

Posted by krazykt1 (Member # 3739) on :

Thanks very much for the replies. Really appreciated. I find that doxy seems to target something that even mino doesn't.? Whether on it's own or in a combo. That's just been my experience.

But there's no doubt in my mind that mino really is effective for the brain stuff. The first 3 months on mino I herxed indescribably. Thought I would die.

Posted by krazykt1 (Member # 3739) on :

double

[This message has been edited by krazykt1 (edited 09 May 2005).]