I was jsut at my LLMD and got scripts for new protocol. I've been on doxy and flagyl before but never Rifampin. I don't know what to expect.
Doses are as follows:
Rifampin 300 mg 2 x a day Doxy 100 mg 2 x a day Flagyl - 250 mg 1 x a week for 1 week 500 mg 1 x a week for 1 week 750 mg 1 x a week from then on
Anyone ever do this?
He also said it was up to me if I wanted to do 1/2 dose on Rifampin at first. I aksed him - he didn't bring it up before I asked. Does this make any difference in severity of herx?
How will I tell if it's herx or reaction to drug?
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
Hi Pam,
I have not been on Rifampin, but when I used to see a naturopath who had chronic Lyme, she warned me that Rifampin can really mess up the hormones in women.
Since then, I've had one friend take it with no side effects whatsoever, and another one feel quite emotional on it - so there might be a hormonal disruption in some people. It's not to worry you, but just to be aware of.
I was also told that Rifampin turns the urine, saliva and tears orange. Have you heard this?
Please report on it when you've started the protocol because I'm very curious about it.
Good luck! Jill
Posted by hiker53 (Member # 6046) on :
Hope you have a strong stomach. I am on rifampin now and it does turn your urine orangish. Don't wear contacts when on rifampin, because it will discolor them.
Also, rifampin is known for major yeast infections, but you can't take diflucan with it (hard on the liver). I have only been on rifampin a week and I have yeast in the mouth.
Good luck! Hiker
Posted by twobusymom (Member # 3956) on :
Rifampin was one of very few antibiotics I actually made any progress with.
I did notice a slight orange color to my urine but none to sweat or tears. But it can happen so be careful if you do wear contacts.
Was on it a few months then liver enzymes elevated. This was also a time of new bullseye with flaring of symptoms. Unsure which caused elevation. LLMD switched me to doxy due to that an new bite.
Hope the combo works well for you.
Cheryl
Posted by Andie333 (Member # 7370) on :
I'm on Rifampin now. It was added to my ceftin when I was dx with Bartonella in December.
It has really gone after symptoms (neurological) that the Ceftin didn't touch....and it seems to be effective.
The herx I had was fairly minor. So far, I haven't had any problems with yeast, thank God, but I'm pretty careful with my diet and also take a strong probiotic.
Urine is dull orange but I haven't seen any change in my contacts so far.
As for blood levels, I'll get back test results at the end of the month, and we'll know more then.
I'd read a lot of awful stories about rifampin and was hesitant to try it. I'm so glad now that I did, and I hope this protocol works for you!