LymeNet Flash: Hallucinating... have I finally lost my mind, or is it the quinine?

This is topic Hallucinating... have I finally lost my mind, or is it the quinine? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by CatCCC (Member # 14262) on :

Good morning everyone,

I'm on quinine/IV Clindamycin for Babesia. I took it last night for the third time, and I guess I was a little out of it because I don't remember any of the following:

I hallucinated that the bathroom floor tiles and closet doors were in motion. I threw up several times. Both things happened during my infusion, within an hour of taking quinine.

I have taken IV Clindamycin before with no problems, so my best guess is this is either a quinine side effect (though the insert doesn't mention it) or a herx reaction.

I feel weak this morning, but nothing is moving that isn't supposed to be. Anyone have a clue what's going on?

Thanks [Smile]

Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :

I don't know much about the meds you are on but please call your LLMD! That sounds like a scary reaction!!

Good luck!
Melissa

Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :

QUinine!!! Quinine!! Quinine!!!

AND

Quinine!!!

Posted by Rianna (Member # 11038) on :

I hallucinated with every Babesia med so I think it may be a Babs herx, but call your LLMD.

Rianna

Posted by CatCCC (Member # 14262) on :

I left a message for my LLMD but it usually takes several days of calling to get a call back from her, so I will continue to welcome anecdotal Lyme wisdom on hallucinating and quinine in the meantime! [Smile]

Cat

Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :

Quinine toxicity can cause blindness which can ber irreversible so you never ever want to overdose on quinine. This could very well just be a Herx but I would talk to your doctor about it. Alcoholics can actually go blind from drinking too many drinks with too much tonic water- not a joke, case reports are in Pubmed!! Because ocular toxicity happens with quinine I would make sure to talk to your doctor.

Personally I wouldn't panic over this instance because hallucinations DO happen with quinine,
I would only worry if your visual acuity were affected- and that would not be transient-

Should NOT happen unless you are overdosed or very very sensitive to it- it is very rare- but I felt I should mention it because it is ocular-
Again, I would myself just take it as a Babesia herx, but something to mention to your doctor just because quinine toxicty does affect the eyes-
Best wishes,
Sarah