I got prescribed biaxin for h. pylorii (along with amoxycillin). The side effects sheet from the pharmacist sounded extremely safe- mild warnings about yeast infections and diarrhea.
About a week into it, I started having some weird side effects- wondered if I could be having a herx (which hasn't happened to me with antibiotics plus I am doing really well anyway), etc.
It's a macrolide, like azithromycin, which had made me very tired as a side effect, so I googled 'biaxin side effects tiredness' or something like that.
Scary stuff came up, mostly from non-Lyme patients (so it's not a herx on their part). Lots of stories about people taking it for a sinus infection and ending up near-suicidal, with serious psychiatric symptoms, days of total insomnia, pain, rapid heartrate and blood pressure issues, and ER visits!!!!! http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=50662&name=BIAXIN
While I'm not surprised that a potent drug can have these side effects (someone on Lymenet mentioned hallucinating scorpions etc while on this drug), I wish they'd listed a bit more of this stuff on the side effects warning sheet I got.
I'm NEVER prone to anxiety or depression, but I had moments of panic today, my stomach pain got a lot worse, been sleeping a lot followed by insomnia, and today, a floaty, disjointed feeling like Lyme brainfog and some strange leg muscle pains. While most of these are not super strong (other than my dreams being unnaturally vivid), it's disturbing to have so much stomach pain that doesn't respond to Pepto-Bismol (which is part of the treatment I"m on for h pylorii anyway).
I'm mostly posting this because I think most Lymies would attribute it to neuro symptoms or a herx, but it sounds like lots of 'normal' people have these experiences too.
Posted by MariaA (Member # 9128) on :
heres a typical Internet side effects chart. Says nothing about insomnia or tiredness, or about psychotic symptoms, etc:
I'm on my 3rd round of Biaxin & Plaquenil (6 months each time).
I had read it can cause nightmares, disorientation etc. I can't lie down flat when I'm on Biaxin. I immediately feel something strange & disorienting that might lead to panic. My simple solution that works for me is to never be flat while on Biaxin. I sleep propped up on pillows. I put a thin pillow under my shoulders and another one on top of that. When I travel I take those 2 pillows with me.
The first time on Biaxin was the hardest. Horrible taste, couldn't sleep, chest pain, thirsty.... Now it is easy to tolerate.
hats
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
Long before my Lyme dx I made a connection between Biaxin, which I took for sinus infections, and insomnia. Of course my duck rolled his eyes, but I've read of may people here having the same side effect.
I agree with Cave that it could be hitting things that you haven't hit before with other treatments.
I'm currently on Levaquin and having some similar side effects, but not as severe as yours. The insomnia is only really bad during herxes and only for a day or two.
I agree that it would be a good thing to discuss with your LLMD.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by MariaA: Scary stuff came up, mostly from non-Lyme patients (so it's not a herx on their part). Lots of stories about people taking it for a sinus infection and ending up near-suicidal, with serious psychiatric symptoms, days of total insomnia, pain, rapid heartrate and blood pressure issues, and ER visits!!!!!
I would bet big bucks ($$$) that many of these "normal" people had undiagnosed LYME!
That list sounds like Lyme symptoms to me!
Posted by lymebytes (Member # 11830) on :
Hi, I have been on this combo for 7 months with great results. Did you doctor put you on a proton pump inhibitor with it, like Nexium, prilosec, etc.? The trio are suppose to kill H.pylori.
I took 1000mg/Amoxi with 500mg/Biaxin twice daily. I actually had horrible anxiety before starting this which has seemed to ease as well.
I had a horrible case of H.pylori, which it cured and did a great job at killing Bart as well as HME (ehrilichosis) and LD. I am literally fighting my LLMd to stay on this combo I have done so well.
I wonder if you are herxing or if they are side effects? Make sure to talk to your LLMD soon.
Biaxin as been a miracle for so many, but like the doctor's say we never know how we will react until we take it, each of us can have such different experiences.
So sorry you aren't reaping the great benefits from it.
Take care.
[ 20. May 2007, 01:16 AM: Message edited by: lymebytes ]
Posted by AndrewInCA (Member # 2010) on :
Last night (before I read this message) I came to the conclusion that I am NOT having a herx, it's a reaction to the Biaxin.
My symptoms are unbearable anxiety, mania, inability to stop moving, body rocking constantly... I feel like I'm losing my mind. I think it is also causing my insomnia. (I take my second dose right before bed)
The thing that makes me (and my LLMD) think it's not a herx is that it happens every day about the same time and gets worse every day. (for over the last 10 days) If it is a herx, my body can't take it anymore along with all my weight loss, insomnia, etc.
[ 21. May 2007, 11:53 PM: Message edited by: AndrewInCA ]
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Biaxin was awesome for me. And sure, you could have a reaction to it, but everything you guys listed COULD be from a herx.
Insomnia and anxiety {& etc} are lyme and/or bart symptoms.
Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
Biaxin gave me some weird anxiety and some other borderline bizarre herxes. I pushed through them all and ended up doing really well on Biaxin. Once the dose was increased to 2,000 mg along with 3,000 mg ceftin plus Bicillin and flagyl, I got better and better. Hope it works out for you. If it for h.pylori, consider adding mastic gum 3x per day, and pepto bismol capsules 8x per day. Ask your doc of course. Posted by Vanilla (Member # 11155) on :
I thought babs could cause some weird anxiety and strange symptoms too or is it just Lyme and bart that do that?
Condor I knew that trout was hiding somewhere. I hope you still have all your fingers after brushing your cats teeth.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
My LLMD has had me on flagyl (250mg one time a weeks) to prevent C. diff.
It may be worth asking about, although this is also a tough drug to take.
The first couple of weeks of doses was really bad (herx wise).
Hope you get to feeling better.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by AndrewInCA (Member # 2010) on :
A person who muscle tested me with Biaxin the other day said that it disturbed the norepinephrine neurotransmitter in my brain and screwed up my cortisol/adrenals. All things that could have been causing my problem.
For others - it's a great drug.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Don't forget that you're not supposed to take Biaxin with SSRI anti-depressants.
Posted by lymewreck36 (Member # 4395) on :
Is effexor an SSRI antidepressant, and what problem does the interaction have?
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
but I've read of may people here having the same side effect.![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Hope it works out for you. If it for h.pylori, consider adding mastic gum 3x per day, and pepto bismol capsules 8x per day. Ask your doc of course. 