I've had 8 Bicillin shots now during the last 2 months-1 a week. I don't know if I'm living a constant herx- very tired and cranky ALL the time- not my usual herx of being laid up in bed for 3 days but just rotten the whole time. My NP told me that it was a herx and recommended Lexapro for the depression and Elavil so I don't wake up at night. I found that the Elavil just made things worse- so I stopped it. I'm mad,depressed and just totally unhappy- is this normal for Bicillin?
Posted by Christine202 (Member # 6158) on :
I went rhough a pretty severe deprseeion years ago when I forst started Bicillan shots...I knew it was Bicillan b.c 24 hours after each shot my moods got dark and overwhelming depression...
I had never felt like that.
Good news is that I was able to ride it out and it did help me.
I backed off a bit when it got to the point I couldnt deal....that helped me get through it.
Posted by Recipegirl05 (Member # 6729) on :
Hi Jean,
So sorry to hear you're having an endless herx. I hear ya.
I just took my first Bicillin shot last week. Really struggling today is putting it mildly.
I take an L-glutathione capsule & open it & empty contents under the tongue. Hold there for as long as possible. Tastes horrible. Wash down with water. (Somach acids destroy glutathione so you have to take it sub-lingually)
This is one of the best tips I've learned on Lymenet. It is fast-acting. Hope you respond as well to it as I have.
My favorite is by Twinlabs called "L-Mega Glutathione" ($18) because it is a fine powder & absorbs the best IMO.
Others use: NOW brand called Reduced Glutathione
I have used Source Natural "Reduced Glutathione" but it doesn't absorb as well to me. Nutricology makes one - haven't tried it.
I wrote a post about "reduced glutathione" last year if you care to do a search.
Also, sometime on an empty stomach, you might try the amino acid NAC (not NAG)and you may feel a bit stonger the next day & able to tolerate meds better. NAC is the precursor to glutathione; super detoxifier; works differently than Milk Thistle.
On the weekend when you have time, maybe do a foot soak with Epsom Salts from Wal-Mart. I soak my feet for like an hour & this helps considerably to get that magnesium in. A hassle, but worth the payoff. I also use liquid Magnesium Citrate form Wal-Mart for quick relief, as well as Magnesium Citrate capsules in the long-term.
Hope this helps.
Take Care, Jan
Posted by jo3 (Member # 6317) on :
How you doing, Jan? When you have time, fill me in via email. Hope all is better... Jean
Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
It can be a herx, especially if this is the begionning of your treatment. Your LLMD may increase your dose to 2-3 shots per week, instead of 1. Stay strong!
Posted by Nal (Member # 6801) on :
I start bicillin shots today-i see the nurse this evening. Im not looking forward to it. I hope you get to feeling better. I already have terrible mood swings and problems with depression-hate to see what this will do but I know I have to do SOMETHING to get better!!
Nancy
Posted by DolphinLady (Member # 6275) on :
jo3,
My experience with bicillin matches yours.
I've had the hardest time emotionally on bicillin, but physically I haven't felt better in years!
Emotionally I've been suicidal, raging, weepy, unmotivated. I've craved sweets, nicotine (which I hate) and alcohol and other weird stuff I can't recall at the moment.
My llmd told me it was a herx too. After four months of struggling I'm on a low dose of wellbutrin (36mg) and am 100% better. Wish I had done it sooner but I just don't like taking meds if I can deal with it otherwise.
I tried natural stuff, but nothing helped enough.
Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :
Yeah, Bicillin can play head games. I had dreams, depression, malaise, and an all over achy feeling for quite a while.
I am now a Bicillin veteran and am feeling much better. But, I still get a crummy reaction about 30 hours after each injection. It gives me a headache,total body aches, exhaustion & makes me very crabby.
My CST siad 1000 mg of fish oil can help with this stuff, especially the depression.
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