I am fairly new to LymeNet. I have about 50 of the Lyme/Babs symptoms, including Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue the last 7 years. I started my Mepron/Zith combo on Monday; stayed on it 5 days.
I stopped the Mepron today, because of a crushing chest pain that seems to wrap around my back and front and effect my heart with palps.
It comes on every time the same - about 30 mins. after taking the Mepron and lasts 4 hours, then is gone. It happens each time.
I took the Zith alone today, and don't have the chest/heart reaction.
I'll call my Doc on Monday, but wanted some input. I want to take the Mepron; I know what it's for - Babs. I know I need to take something to kill the parasites.
I'm trying to figure out if this is a die off hex or a drug reation.
I don't want to mess around with chest pain. It seems to me I would continue with die off and it wouldn't pattern my Mepron intake, but this is all new to me.
Your thoughts appreciated.
This is all so scary!!
thanks, M
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Definitely don't mess around with it! I wouldn't take anymore until contacting your doctor!!
How much mepron are you taking?
Posted by marcelle (Member # 13815) on :
Thanks. That's what I think too. I feel so much better today, without it. I was previously taking the Mepron - 1 tsp. a.m and 1 tsp. p.m., with meal.
I am still herxing, but it's more generalized aches, pain and fatigue, without the chest pain.
Posted by jenschasinglyme (Member # 11193) on :
I got thoose same symptoms in the start of babesia treatment.
I think it was a herx for me. I also read in the Babesia book by Dr. Schaller that thoose symptoms could be a die off reaction and that babesia possibly has it's own die off chemicals.
I was really freaked out when I got thoose symptoms but am glad to say they went away...totally!
Good luck.
Jennifer
Posted by marcelle (Member # 13815) on :
Thanks for sharing. How long did you have the chest pain? (days, weeks, etc? )Was it only when you took the Mepron, or all the time? Did you have the chest pain before treatment? Thanks.
Marcelle
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Some people begin on only 1/4 tsp or less PER DAY. I had to go to the ER twice during babs herxing.
So yes, it happens........but the herxing is nothing to mess around with or ignore.
Posted by LymeCFIDSMCS (Member # 13573) on :
I had crushing chest pains for three years. They were mostly resolved by Cipro, which led my doc to suspect bartonella. I wonder if treating for babesia unmasked a bartonella infection? You might want to look into this. I know how scary the chest pains can be. I personally think the crushing sensation indicates pericardial involvement.
Posted by LymeCFIDSMCS (Member # 13573) on :
Also, I'm pretty sure some drugs can cause pericardial involvement. You might be having an inflammatory response to the drug.
Posted by marcelle (Member # 13815) on :
Thank you all. It is so helpful for me to hear other people's experiences. I have called my doctor and waiting to hear back.
I will mention about reducing to 1/4 teaspoon a day of Mepron.
Also, will mention about inflammatory response to medication - if he thinks this might be happening.
Also, will bring up the bartonella question.
What a maze this disease is.
Thanks again, Marcelle
Posted by roro (Member # 13383) on :
I have had those symtoms since april, way b4 I ever started treatment. I was told it was babs.
if its a symptom of babs, and treatment causes a worsening of symptoms, then I believe that is a herx, not a reaction to the med.
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