I just started with the Ketek. My prescription calls for 1600 mg per day. (Insurance only covers 5 days worth).
Five hours or so after taking first dose, my "burning" pain increase.
Am I herxing? Has anyone experienced this?
Posted by tvalentijn (Member # 5255) on :
I had Ketek as well but it has been a while so I don't remember the dosage. It's similar to Zithromax but then better (next generation). I took it for waaaaaaaaaaaaaay longer than 5 days - more like 4 months. I took it together with that yellow gooeye liquid (forgot the name - Jeez). Anyway, it helped me a lot. Also got rid of my Babesia. It's expensive though...
Good luck,
Tim
Posted by tvalentijn (Member # 5255) on :
the yellow drink is called Mepron
Tim
Posted by mtnwoman (Member # 8385) on :
Ketek 1600mg is higher than I ever did. I mostly hear of people using 800mg once in the evening.
Might want to watch your liver closely with lab tests.
You didn't say where your burning pains are --- obviously if it's in your stomach it could just be an adverse effect of the Ketek, but if it's an old familiar pain in your limbs getting worse it may well be a herx.
Might want to check with your prescibing doc.
Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :
I would not take 1600mg a day. Are you sure that's right? 800mg a day is the usual dose.
Ketek really was good for me, but after a few months I couldn't tolerate it anymore.
Posted by Marcie (Member # 10070) on :
I am on 800mg a day of Ketek along with omnicef combo. I agree that 1600mg a day seems to be a
lot. Before Ketek I was on Doxy, so Ketek to me is great. I did not like Doxy. I've been on
Ketek now for about two months. My doctor wrote me out a six month presciption for it. I use
mail order service and I pay twenty dollars a month for it through Caremark insurance. If your
insurance does mail order look into it. When I went to the local pharmacy to get it filled it
was eighty five for a month. I was told to watch the liver while on Ketek. I've done fine so far, and I feel that it has helped me out.
Marcie
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
Hi - just wanted to let you know I took Ketek off and on (mostly on) for, I think, 9 months total, and I made good progress on it.
I took 800 mg per day, every day (1600 does seem high), and it gave me a major herx. I was also treating babesia while on it, so was taking Mepron as well - and, wow, did I herx.
One of my first life-altering symptoms (which led to a diagnosis) was burning in my extremities, and with Ketek, that symptom definitely increased at first - so it could be a herx.
Don't forget your liver tests every 2 weeks, or monthly - whatever your doc ordered. I never had a problem, but it can cause problems.
Also, I experienced some vision issues - double vision mostly, that resolved once I stopped taking Ketek. I think it was a side effect, not a herx.
Can't remember how many days my ins paid for each month, but I know they didn't cover all of it. I believe they covered a percentage of my monthly Ketek - it wasn't cheap, but it was well worth it, in my case.
Wishing you good days, Cactus
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
I am also on Ketek, (800 mg/day) and Omnicef, plus Plaquenil. I agree that 1600 mg seems high. Dr. Burruscano's guidelines suggest 800 mg/day. You can find them in the newbie links at the top of the page.
Posted by savebabe (Member # 9847) on :
Ketek has been a great drug for me. I have had significant improvement in all of my symptoms. Both my llmds believe taking Septra with Ketek and Mepron increase the effectivensses of these drugs.
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
Please verify that dosage with your LLMD. As others have said, 800 mg. is the Lyme dosage.
Have your liver enzymes checked much more frequently than with other antibiotics.
The package insert does warn of vision issues, usually the first couple of days, that usually disappear. That is a side effect that is to be expected with Ketek. I purposely did not drive the first couple of days just in case.
Please make sure your Lyme doctor is aware on the potential dangers of Ketek. He/she should be, it's been in the news a lot. That's the reason for being vigilant about checking liver enzymes.
Jill
Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
Maryann, I'd like to echo the others to verify it that sounds like a double dose of Ketek. I've not heard of anyone taking more than 800 mg. (Not like everyone tells me their doses but you know what I mean.)
I herxed off the first dose of 400mg but it got better the next day. It was a massive amount of neuro stuff for me. I can't imagine what 1600mg would be like. (Yes, I'm a wimp but please double check the dosage.)
The samples I had of Ketek were 2 on a card saying 400mg but 2 were 800mg (400 each). The cards were confusing.
Also, ask your doctor for samples... this ABX is sampled a whole lot, that may fill you in for what you insurance doesn't cover.
Posted by 8man12 (Member # 7664) on :
Ketek worked great for me, after about 4 months my stomach couldnt handle it anymore.Hope you do well on it.
Posted by Ann in CA (Member # 97) on :
My LLMD also has me on ketek (400 twice a day) and omnicef. Three months and no problems yet--just the occasional headache. I was down to pretty subtle symptoms before we switched to Ketek, so no there has been no real herx.
My LLMD is on top of all the latest info, so think you should really check that 1600 amount.
Best wishes.
Ann
Posted by MommaK (Member # 10376) on :
Hi All!
My daughter was on Ketex for MYCOPLASMA, before we got the lyme/co-inf Dx. Mycoplasma was possibly transmitted by the tick bites we knew she had! At the time her lyme tests were neg but I asked for the myco test! I hate the lab report did not state which strain!
However she began to have trouble breathing the 2nd day after she started ketex. The dr (not llmd) said that was not common and switched the abx. When we finally found a dx and llmd he said that the ketex induced breathing problem could have been a herx! Every other Abx she has been allergic to has caused hives. Who knows?