LymeNet Flash: RATS! Heart Herx or something else?

This is topic RATS! Heart Herx or something else? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by johnnyb (Member # 7645) on :

After stopping awhile because I felt wacky (LLMD said it was probably a herx), I've been back on biaxin for 3 days. Also taking artemisinin in case of babs.
Today I have some tightness in the chest (upper breastbone).
Also, two times at night I felt lightheaded, like I wasn't getting enough oxygen, and my heart rate shot up briefly (to about 115).
This quickly passed, but I keep thinking something is wrong with my heart. After the episode passed, I suddenly felt like I was breathing better than I have in a long time, but soon went back to my usual "air hunger."
Afterwards, I had chills, and now my eyes are burning. I still have a slight tight feeling in my upper breastbone.
After all the cardio tests I had done, I just can't bring myself to run to the ER as long as the episodes go away quickly (they never find anything in the ER, anyway).
My SPO2 was between 98-100 during the episode (I actually bought a pulse oxymeter since I was nervous about my shortness of breath).
Anybody ever have symptoms like this? Is it a herx?

- JB

Posted by lymie tony z (Member # 5130) on :

I think we all have had similar problems and wondered what the heck it was,,,

I even actually had my heart stop a way back when I was doing ammox and doxy.

Its always a good thing to have it checked out for possible problems...especially where heart is concerned...but dont get too emotional over it cuz it will only exacerbate your symptoms...and ya dont need that.......

zman

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Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :

I had what I am sure was a heart herx in the third week of IV zithromax. Went to the ER. They found nothing. Told me lyme didn't affect the heart, except for heart block, and didn't ever seem to have heard of herxheimer reaction. When it happened again, I didn't go back. Went off the zith, this problem stopped. Later, when I went back on it, did not have a repeat. Assuming it was because the kete load now at a lower level.

I realize this is not exactly what you experienced and not with same drug, but I wanted you to know there is such a thing as a heart herx.

Posted by Kimmi_K_75 (Member # 7438) on :

I had terrible heart palps last week whick sent me to the ER.

The next day I was given a Holter moniter and I am still waiting for the results.

I am on IV rocephin now but had this problem prior to treatment.

The palps seemed to be much worse after I had a PICC line inserted, but that may be coincidental.

Yesterday seemed to be pretty good though, and today so far (knock on wood).
My chest is still tight though. I also get winded pretty easily.
Have you had a holter moniter? You Dr. may be able to set that up for you.
given the chance that it would catch something during the 24 hr period you could have at least a little piece of mind.
I hope you feel better!

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-Kimmi
Just keep swimming!

Posted by BostonLyme2005 on :

Hi Guys,
I hope you are all feeling better now.
Remember this!
Anxiety, can cause all the symptoms that you speak of, ALL OF THEM!
Maybe some people are suffering from Lyme longer than others, when they are diagnosed. They have diff. sympts. too. With all the worrying we can do about this disease, it is easy to see how we can actually make ourselves feel even worse. I am not saying that this is not something else, just keep an open mind that it may be your mind working against you.

Best of health!

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Rob

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Since I've been through this same thing...several times...I say it's NOT anxiety! Sure, anxiety over not being able to breathe, and having a high heart rate can happen, I don't believe it is the CAUSE.

Sounds exactly what happened to me while on clindamycin/quinine for BABESIA. I think you're having a babs herx. Chills, air hunger, rapid heart beat, lightheaded...all point to babs in my opinion.

Don't overdo the artemisinin....if things get really bad, back off the meds. I ended up in the ER twice in one week because I didn't back off the meds. BOY, did I learn!

Take care, and if things get worse, you may want to have your dr check you over. You don't want to overlook something that could be serious.

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Do not take anything I say as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :

Hey John

I've had similar episodes, and my PCP sent me to a cardiol. for the full gamut of tests. Even the holter turned up nothing.

But I was put on on a beta blocker, because my pulse was around 100 just sitting, and my bp seemed typically around 130-140/90.

The heart palps and fast pulse, lightheadedness and yes, chest pain right where you described typically accompanied my first couple herxes. Espsom salt and baking soda baths typically broke up the chest pain - but it would usually migrate to somewhere else.

I hope you're also monitoring your b.p. and letting LLMD know of these incidents.

One word of advice during these attacks - Remember to BREATHE. In for 5, out for 10. I truly believe that what causes the lightheadedness is that we panic and forget to breathe, limiting the oxygen that goes to the brain (thus putting yourself into a panic attack).

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Julie G.
___________
lymeinhell

Posted by johnlyme1 (Member # 7343) on :

Sounds like the abs to me - I had a lot of what many have spoke of - this all went away during the inital treatment for the babs 3 months ago - Was on zith/malarone/art - Well All the stuf started again a couple of weeks ago. The doc retested for babs when I was off my last run of abx and low & behold the babs is up higher. On the zith/malarone/art again. Its getting better but very slowly - it sucks. I will be on the abx for total of 60 days to get the babs killed. Good luck

Posted by johnnyb (Member # 7645) on :

Thanks, all!

Stress definitely aggravates things. My BP is usually 120-130/70-80, but under stress, I will shoot up to as high as 150/85. Of course, the chest tightness and air hunger feels worse during this time.

Still waiting to get that echocardiogram. Luckily, I only had that one episode, but I still feel some air hunger and breastbone tightness.

Holters haven't shown anything, but I never seem to have them on when an episode occurs. Guess I am just lucky .

I took a break from the meds yesterday, in case it was a herx, to ease up, but I am back on them today.

Also taking Mg regularly now (in fact, whenever my BP is up, I just take some extra to get it back down). I really want that intracellular test. Gotta bug the doc...

- JB

Posted by johnnyb (Member # 7645) on :

Just looking over this post again.....

Hi, Julie, I was actually put on Toprol XL awhile back when I had a weird seizure / heart racing type attack.

Unfortunately, the doc who did this didn't do enough follow-up with me, and it took almost a month to get a holter monitor, when he realized that the toprol was slowing my heart rate to under 40 beats per minute all day.

No wonder I kept feeling like I was going to die in my sleep as I drifted off!

I seem to be unable to get past 2-3 days of biaxin / artemisinin without backing off for a day.

I know what you mean about having to intentionally breathe....

- JB

Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :

Lyme can effect the heart in many ways including rapid heart beat adrenaline rushes slow heart beat thickend blood, blood loses its viscosty increases & decreases, It effects all or some of your glands which control alot of things also spirochetes use the mylene covering from nerves and conective tissues.

Its a system wide attack outcomes are decided by where you are geneticaly,physicaly,old injuries,lyme strain coinfections etc. Always tell LLMD of any changes making them aware of any problems is always a good idea.

Posted by cigi (Member # 6600) on :

I was put on toprol due to 2 episodes of v-tac in 2003, but during hormonal cycle, I have irregularities through the beta blocker.

Cigi