Hi all... Up until last week I was about 95% better health wise. I was on 1200 MG of rifampin a day and 500 mg of zithromax a day. Well I started having severe stomach issues, stool turning yellow or green... etc. I took myself off the antibiotics, especially because of possible high liver enzymes and a disaster of a stomach. (Awaiting liver results)
After 7 days of no ABX, I have EXTREME toxic urine... pretty normal in color but horrid in odor. Frequent sleep awakinings, somewhat freqeunt urination, mild dizzyness.
What do we think this is? I will call the doctor Monday morning to see what she says.
Could this be extreme withdrawel symptoms... or the lyme coming back full force after a 95% percent return to health? Is it really possible for it to attack me this fast again after I made such good steady progress for nine months? Also... for the past 45 days, NO symptoms improved, and as this site usually mentions, stopping abx after 2 months of great health is normal. The only remaining symptom i had were mild pain in my throat and stomach.
Thank you all very much... i am just very scared right now. Hoping it is just my body adjusting to lack of abx and fighting on its own.
~Frankie
Posted by Jadedemolush (Member # 9090) on :
also.. we all know that the tests are not reliable, but I wanted to post my results.
A couple positve WB bands from igenex, but nothing lyme specific.
Also... all coinfection testing was negative.
Past ABX were Levaquin, Rifampin, and Zith. As well as cats claw.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Hey Jade..
Sorry to hear about your crash. It must be very upsetting.
Sounds like it could be related to your liver and/or yeast..... but I am NOT a doctor.. just a ding dong trying to make a wild guess.
Were you taking milk thistle for your liver? Were you taking anything to control yeast?
Also .. have you taken anything with L-Glutamine in it? Or were you biten by a spider? Just checking.
Good you stopped the meds. My thought is you have not crashed from Lyme returning that quickly... but again I am not a doctor.
Some folks who go off meds and crash quickly have Bartonella. Might be something to consider since Bart also gives the tummy trouble.
They may want to test for C-diff.. but maybe not?
Wish I had answers. Hope you feel better soon and will keep us posted on your progress. We do care.
Posted by Jadedemolush (Member # 9090) on :
Thanks Tin
I was tested for C diff a few times. While on ABX I was taking 4 milk thistle pills a day.
I dont know about yeast, but that could also be a possibility. I'm going to keep a close eye on it until monday. I am also hoping it is not lyme coming back this quick.
Posted by NP40 (Member # 6711) on :
Between the levaquin and rifampin it looks like they were targeting bartonella. I'd be thinking liver here as well. The foul urine smell could be related.
Doubtful that the lyme would relapse that quickly, possibly the bart. If your liver isn't functioning properly I'd expect you to feel sick. Stopping the abx in the interim was probably a good idea.
Posted by cantgiveupyet (Member # 8165) on :
Im moving this up, for more input for Jaded
Posted by minimonkey (Member # 8693) on :
Given the foul-smelling urine, I'd also suggest you have a complete urine-analysis -- I had that symptom when I had a kidney infection years ago.
I know it seems impossible that one could have a UTI with all the abx, but it IS possible (I was on abx when it happened) -- not all bacteria respond to all abx.
Liver is a big possibility as well -- whatever it is, it doesn't sound good....
Posted by happygirl (Member # 10318) on :
I always have very foul smelling urine during a herx. it doesnt really happen any other time. It lasts about 4-5 days and then clears again. Usually the colour is ok but the smell if foul. Sorry I cant be of more help !!
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
Frankie,
I just started Rifampin for Bart. Personally, I have never heard of anyone on 1200 mg. a day of Rifampin - even tuberculosis uses 900 mg. I thought Bart was about 600 mg. a day ?
Both Rifampin and Zith are hard on the liver, so thank goodness you are having your enzymes checked out.
When I was reading all the Rifampin information, I already knew it said that bodily fluids turn orange. But I was surprised to see that stool can, too.
It seems like Rifampin affects everything. My internist says it penetrates the tissues really well, that's why everything turns orange.
Also, the pharmacist I talked to (one of the only ones I've ever spoken to who kind of understands Lyme and Bartonella) said that Rifampin interacts with just about every drug - and makes the body get higher doses of the other drugs.
So there could be interactions, too.
Please let us know what your tests results are.
I'm the queen of concern about liver issues because I went through such bad ones with Ketek. That's why I'm having my enzymes checked every week now that I'm on Rifampin - but it's because of the previous liver damage, I'm sure other patients don't need to be checked so often.
Take care, Jill
Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
My first thought is your gut. It sounds damaged. I agree with TC and the others too that your liver and kidneys may be involved.
Find a doctor who is highly trained in nutrition and the gut. I had Leaky Gut Syndrome and very high levels of lead. Both of these were reeking havoc on my body and my liver and kidneys. I had the foul urine smell too.
You've done a good job tackling the bacteria with abx, now it sounds like you may need to focus on rebuilding your body.
But like the others, I am just a sick person trying to get well.
Luvs
Posted by Jadedemolush (Member # 9090) on :
Thank you all... seems very encouraging.
Stomach back to normal for 2 days, and toxic urine has stopped. Dizzyness came back for a day, and now I feel almost normal again except for now my neck burning and mild visual issual.
So very odd... meeting with the doctor this week.
I think the rifampin helped me a lot... but i think it was time to come of.
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
I also would get cloudy urine during Herxing or when I got really bad. Whenever starting a new antibiotic I expect it...
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