Hi I'm new here and recently diagnosed with Lyme Disease. It appears I have Borrelia, Babesia, and Bartonella. I only tested positive for the Babesia, but my Dr. thinks I have the Bartonella as well. It appears I've had this for a year now, but can't say for sure.
Something is causing my heart to race. At rest its about 105 and if I get up and walk across to my kitchen, my rate goes into the 140's. My rate has always been in the 60's. I'm also getting short of breath with any kind of exertion. I feel like my anxiety is going 24/7. I'm also shaking alot like I have parkinsons. Lastly, even after 10 hours of sleep, I feel so weak and can barely keep my eyes open and have no energy to do anything. I have had all of this and many other symptoms for a while now, but these are the main symptoms that really seem to be worse 10 fold since I started on meds 2 days ago. Here is the list:
Tindamax 250mg twice per day Bactrim 1 tab twice per day Biaxin 1 tab twice per day N-Acetyl Cystine 1 tab twice per day B12 Sublingual 1 tab once per day Mycelex troch 1 tab on the tongue 4 x day
BTW, the Dr. gave my Glucothione and B12 by IV injection in her office 3 days ago. There was some Niacin in it and I believe some Magnesium too. My anxiety went through the roof after this infusion and I had a terrible air hunger attack too. But it went away after a few hours and I started the antibiotics the day after. I was at my baseline before starting the antibiotics.
I'm taking Xanax and Klonopin too, but it doesn't seem to cut into the anxiety or help with any of this. Again, these symptoms have gotten worse since starting on these meds just 2 days ago. I took today off, but no better. This lasted a good part of the day too, I left that out.
So the question is, which of these medications that I'm taking is making all of this worse ? Or is this just part of Herxing ? I appreciate any opinions in advance. I hate this disease because I feel so alone. When I hear others have the same thing, it gives me some peace of mind.
Shannon
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
welcome shannon to the board! sorry to read about your problems; sounds like a HERX but i do agree starting many things at same time can be a reaction also to 1 or more meds.
i have no knowledge on meds you showed! you won't get many answers due to late time now but we have many RNs, etc. on board also.
keep a DAILY LIST OF SYMPTOMS WHEN THEY START, STOP, and how you react to them. it will come in handy later.
in what i'm going to post below as my welcome, check out my newbie package link now going to top and look thru the TABLE OF CONTENTS...
there is a link in there about meds INTERACTING WITH ONE ANOTHER; check that out, and use it typing in your meds ok!
***************
Welcome; i'm so glad you found us!! You've come to the right place for education and support!
Dr. Burrascano's most recent "Diagnostic Hints and 2008 Treatment Guidelines for Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses" @
DebAZ's 12.08 comparison of 05 to 08 new guidelines:
Differences in newest Guidelines compared to 2005 Guidelines
Page 25 26 and 27 Added section "Sorting out the co infections"
Page 28 New info given to get supplements from additional places
In all areas of Supplements there has been various changes and additions to each description and i advice people to re read the full supplement section as well the following additions to the whole supplement section:
Basic Daily Regimin NT Factor Added
Alternative Treatments CITICHOLINE Added
Immune Support Transfor factor Added
For Fatigue Took out "For Fatiuge" section
Other Optional Vitamin D Added
Page 31 "Lyme Disease Rehabilitaion" is rewitten and added to
He mentions Flexcreme (Flex Cream) by Pharmanex as great for body pain
. suggests that you discuss with your doctor continuing treatment until you are symptom free for 2 months.
please see BettyG's newbie package info on the link below; click on link at bottom of my package. Check it out as time permits for you! @ http://tinyurl.com/58eyou
sorry, link takes you to END vs. beginning, so just use UP ARROW and go to the TOP for detailed info! thanks!
Fyi: we have over 1000 viewers daily; 200 - 400 posting/replying; so specific titles get our time/replies. non-specific ones, i sob, scroll on by!
Also, please be very specific in the subject line what you will be discussing so more people will be able to assist you.
***************
please go to my newbie links, copy the entire thing, and then print this off....
financial burdens compiled by melanie reber pages 74 - 92; outstanding info there.
also in my table of contents, for FINANCIAL BURDENS, i believe there are a few more general comments there without links!! print that off too as it's newer info from members thru their own personal, tragic experiences. thoughts and prayers headed your way..
Betty's POSTING GUIDELINES
When you post or reply, please break up your solid, continuous block text welcome to the board! many of us have neuro lyme where we can NOT read long solid block text and be able to comprehend and read it as is.
please edit your post by CLICKING PAPER/PENCIL ICON to right of your name. that opens up BOTH subject line and body text.
now please break up your WORDY SENTENCES into one sentence paragraphs. Then hit ENTER KEY ``THREE`` after each paragraph; we need that space for comprehension.
if you are NOT a wordy person, you can do 2 or 3 total ok. do this for your entire post.
NOTE: you do NOT have to use "", just show the name of person you are responding to, and then type your comment.
IF you need to use "", PLEASE DELETE "BOLD" CODES so it's regular type text we read vs. the DARK, HARSH/PAINFUL BOLDING.
specifically, delete the first 4 characters of 2ND LINE of a ""
[QB] just delete these 4 characters, and BOLDING is GONE! my eyes will really appreciate that; it's one very bad side effect of my having lyme for 38.5 years!! xox
then go to left hand corner and mark box to receive ALL REPLIES, and click EDIT SEND
we thank you for helping us; otherwise, we will SOB, SCROLL ON BY, since we can't read to help you. If I see posts like this, I SOB them; to hard on me.
LYMETOO'S DR. C'S EXPLANATION OF WESTERN BLOT TESTING!
PRINT THIS OFF the full explanation, and then CIRCLE the numbers that coincide with your positives, IND! That will explain your no. results! ------------------------------------------------------
People seeking doctors might be able to get help from their state online information and support group. Nearly 3,400 people belong to state groups. Some of the groups are small but more than 20 of them have 50 or more people and seven have over 100.
The groups are moderated and you have to apply. Most don't allow doctor names, but once on the group, you can ask for doctors in a certain area and ask people to email you privately. *******************************************
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
-
Vitamin B-6 can be calming.
So is magnesium. If you take it with B-6, that is best. (However, be sure to have taken a B-complex during the day sometime. And don't over do B-6. It has to stay within a balance.)
If this gets too bad, call your doctor. Otherwise, call on Monday and ask his advice on magnesium dosing in your case.
If you don't have magnesium supplements, you can soak your feet in warm water with epson salts or take a warm bath with that.
Do not drink a mixture of that, though, it will really eat away the inside of your mouth (I tried it once when I ran out of magnesium supplements).
The magnesium will really help the heart rhythm - in fact, they use it in emergency situations. It also helps the body to detox.
Calcium can help calm, too, as can zinc.
This can get better - and it will. As hard as it may be, try to control your breathing into slow, steady breaths. Music that is calming can also help the heart rhythm. Avoid fast paced music, of course, for now.
Good luck.
-
[ 02-01-2009, 12:29 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Ocean (Member # 3496) on :
Have you heard of POTS? Has your doctor mentioned this syndrome to you??
Take care, Ocean
Posted by kgg (Member # 5867) on :
If this was me, I would stop everything until I spoke with my physician. Do they have a weekend number to contact? If not, I would call on Monday.
Bactrim can cause nervousness. But this sounds more than that. Here is a link for side effects:
You sound like someone who is sensitive to doses and combinations. Some have found that they need to ramp up on meds, get used to them and then add the next one.
Some have found that they can't do combinations so they take meds sequentially instead.
And some have found that they only tolerate very low doses of medications.
Again, if this was me, these are some things I would talk with my doc about.
Hope that Xanax starts helping you soon. I hate anxitey.
Best, Karen
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
I agree with Kgg. My LLMD would never treat that aggressively. He starts with one thing at a time, and slowly builds up to tolerance. Some people are more sensitive than others.
I would back off a bit. Over the counter activated charcoal (2 tablets every 4 or more hours) will bring down the herx. That is my LLMD's advice.
CherylSue
Posted by Rianna (Member # 11038) on :
Hi Shannon,
Firstly the Glutathione and B12 work well on the detox pathways in the liver and therefore move toxins quickly so this could account for your worsening of anxiety after these shots.
Sadly anxiety can very much be a symptom of herxing as you kill the spiro's and or co-infections so you need to ensure you detox hard.
With regard to your meds using the Genelex med interaction programme it states the following
Tinidazole MAJOR interaction with Biaxin in fact it has come up as a RED MAJOR and states as Tinidazole and Biaxon use the same drug pathway in the liver that Biaxin increases Tinidozoles effects up to 150%
I also agree that this is FAR TOO AGGRESSIVE as a starting point
Hope that helps and speak to your doctor soon
Rianna
Posted by lymielauren28 (Member # 13742) on :
Hey there Shannon, and welcome!!
Sounds like you're herxing big time. When you start killing a lot of "bugs" at one time, especially in the beginning, Lyme symptoms increase.
I always know when I'm herxing b/c I get bad anxiety and feel very shaky.
I actually couldn't tolerate Biaxin for this reason - for me, it caused one never-ending panic attack. It didn't subside until I went off the Biaxin.
Did your doctor talk to you about herxheimer reactions? I would put in a call if I were you.
Also, if it gets too bad you can cut down on your meds or even stop for a day or two. More than likely when you start back up the herxing will be more tolerable.
Sorry that you're having such a rough time, but remember that you're not alone. We've all been in your shoes and we understand.
Glad you found this sight!
Lauren
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
-
Shannon,
I am so glad you see several have replied with some excellent and specific advice about the meds. Indeed, starting slowly with low doses is something many people have to do.
I hope you feel better soon.
---
Rianna - FABULOUS link. Thanks so much for that.
-
Posted by Rianna (Member # 11038) on :
quote:Originally posted by Keebler: Rianna - FABULOUS link. Thanks so much for that.
Shame all LLMD's did not use it!!!!!!!!
Rianna
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
-
For further reference, you might find this book - and some of the links below - of interest.
This book, by an ILADS member LLMD, holds great information about treatments options and support measures. Discussion of the many symptoms helps in understanding what is happening to our bodies during this process.
Magnesium: The Underappreciated Mineral of Life Part II
-----------
All this on magnesium is partly because it has helped me so much. However, be sure to ask your doctor. Most lyme patients are very low in magnesium as the infections seem to do that.
Some are concerned that the magnesium can "feed" infection, however, if the body is severely depleted the body must be replenished as magnesium is a necessary mineral for survival.
Taking magnesium with B-6 helps it get into our cells better. And B-6 is a calming vitamin, too.
All that said, and in addition to the great advice about the medicines, your LLMD may have specific advice regarding magnesium supplementation.
Again, good luck.
-
Posted by SForsgren (Member # 7686) on :
Possibly hyperthyroidism
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
-
Shannon,
I just now remembered that you also said:
" . . . I'm taking Xanax and Klonopin too, but it doesn't seem to cut into the anxiety or help with any of this. Again, these symptoms have gotten worse since starting on these meds just 2 days ago. . . . I took today off, but no better. . . ."
-
Did you mean that you got worse after the Xanax and Klonipin? And that you took (yesterday) off from just those two?
Those both use the liver detox pathway Cytochrome P-450 and if that is too pushed it can create anxiety and irregular heart beats.
For myself, both made me worse - but I have trouble with all sorts of meds.- you may be different.
The Klonipin certainly can calm down the nervous system but it does add to the work of the liver. Anytime the liver is overworked, all sorts of symptoms can pop up.
If you feel worse from this, the magnesium may work better for you. It did for me. Scullcap tincture also has been a Godsend for me at times.
WHAT IT DOES: Scullcap is bitter in taste and cooling in action. It calms the nerves.
Scullcap tincture is an excellent and extremely reliable nervine. It relaxes and strengthens the nervous system in a manner that can be felt within thirty minutes.
. . . It is strong enough that it will calm anxiety in fairly serious situations, . . .
According to King's American Dispensatory, Scullcap "is tonic, nervine and anti-spasmodic,'' and ``it has proved especially useful in chorea, convulsions, tremors, intermittent fever, neuralgia, and many nervous affections.
In all cases of nervous excitability, restlessness, or wakefulness, attending or following acute or chronic disease, from physical or mental overwork, or from other causes, it may be drunk freely with every expectation of beneficial results.
When its soothing effects have ceased, it does not leave an excitable, irritable condition of the system, as is the case with some other nervines" (Felter and Lloyd, 1898).
Dried scullcap, commonly found in over-the-counter herbal preparations, is basically inert, and therefore useless. The related Chinese herb scute root is more anti-inflammatory and less calming in action.
- click tab at link to see references
=======
Herb Pharm is just one brand of top quality tinctures. You can find that at many health markets. Even just one drop in a quarter cup of water has helped my nervous system settle down very quickly.
You would not want to drive until you get settled on dose - or you might want to take it only before bed. Again, just one drop can have an effect so you'd want to start there.
-
Posted by beths (Member # 18864) on :
I had the exact symptoms-treating bart helped. I was on Rifampin for 3 months-it was really rough, but the tremors and some of the anxiety went away. Another 9 months of bactrim/zith cleared the tremors...and I sleep at night!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
welcome to the board! many of us have neuro lyme where we can NOT read long solid block text and be able to comprehend and read it as is.![[Wink]](wink.gif)
otherwise, we will SOB, SCROLL ON BY, since we can't read to help you. If I see posts like this, I SOB them; to hard on me.