I was taking Zithromax 250 once a day for 10 days when I started itching all over and got a rash. I called my Dr. told me to stop the Zith and go to the ER where they gave me a shot of Decadron which helped.
They told me to contact my Dr. the next AM which I did and he put me on Prednisone once a day for 10 days. I took the 1st dose of Pred and within 6 hours had really bad side affects from the Pred. which lasted about 2 hours and then the itching/burning prickling returned even worse tha before.
I called my drugstore who told me to try splitting the single dose into 2 smaller doses so I called my Dr. about this and his nurse told me no and to just deal with it.
I decided to try taking the lower dose of Pred and within 2 hours I had the same reaction only worse so I ended up in the ER again where they told me don not take anymore Pred. and just try Benadryl.
They also told me the half life of Zith is a long time so I called Pfizer and asked them. They told me since I took it for 10 days it will be in my system for another 20 days. So now I am worried I still have another 15 days to deal with this.
I called the Dr. this AM and they gave me an app't for Monday but I told them I needed to talk to the Dr. ASAP about this and what I should do now.
I contacted a friend of mine who is very up on Lyme (sh'e a vet and has been dealing with Lyme herself for 10 years) and she thinks I am having a Herx reaction from the bacteria dying off and not a reaction to the Zith.
Could this be true and does anyone know how long it might last? I'm scared that is a med reaction and now I can't steriods to help. Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks, Madison
Posted by Starfall1969 (Member # 17353) on :
I'm not a doctor, and I'm not an expert, but I think it sounds more like a reaction than a herx.
A herx is usually similar symptoms to the ones you have with Lyme or whatever you have, only amplified.
At least that's my understanding of a herx.
I would think if you have a rash and are itching all over, it's more of a reaction to the med.
If your doctor's nurse told you to just deal with it, I think I'd be giving her something to deal with! That's just an awful thing to tell someone!
Posted by Snailhead (Member # 18091) on :
Stay away from steroids at all costs. They will totally exacerbate lyme.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :