I have just finished a 3 day course of Coartem taken with Daraprim
I finished it wednesday night and it was unreal whilst on it but then Thursday crashed out and by Friday I had the most horific herx EVER mentally, it got so out of control my LLMD had to step in, I have been doing lots of detox anyway but then took a large dose of Activated charcoal and to get me through I had to up Ativan and Sleep pill lots last night.
LLMD said normally people dont get such a reaction but you can get a bad Babesia Herx, as bad as Lyme (This was FAR WORSE) he also said the meds will be out of my system by the end of the weekend as they have a long half life and to detox and do what I need to help me through - But he reassured me it will pass
I was not prepared for this - has anyone ever experienced such a herx on Coartem/Daraprim
LLMD said that I hopefully after recovering from this herx that we may see some gains - I Pray so
Posted by opus2828 (Member # 15407) on :
I did herx on coartem. I took it two pills twice a day for 6 days.
It increased my air hunger terribly- assuming this was a herx. And heart palpitations.
Mentally, I felt agitated. I was dizzy and felt hot but did not run a fever.
I felt like I stepped off a merry-go-round.
My memory seemed to disappear. Had a lot of trouble.
After I stopped it, I felt a bit better but then 2 days later it started up again - chest tightness and breathing issues again.
It does have a long half life - artemether is 3 days and lumefantrine in more like 6-7 days.
This would explain why I continue to feel like I'm still herxing 3 days after stopping it.
It did make my headache better and I have a bit less muscle pain.
My LLMD thought this would be an easy med but I totally disagree.
Oh, and on day 6 I was pulled off it due to heart palpitations- tachycardia. I was supposed to take it for 7 days.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Coartem only made me feel better, no herx. I did not take the Daraprim at the same time. I started the Daraprim about 36hrs after finishing the Coartem course. It caused night sweats the two nights after I took it. Also seemed to hold off my babesia symptoms for only 2days after finishing the pulse. They've been back full force for over a week now as I've been waiting for my doctor to decide what he wants to do with me next.
Rianna, It sounds like the combination of Coartem and Daraprim together produced a strong herx. Something that they don't seem to do on their own. If I may ask, what other symptoms did you experience with it?
I hope that you get significant, lasting improvements when this herx clears.
Posted by Rianna (Member # 11038) on :
HI Sammy
When taking them both together it made me feel totally zoned out/chilled and I had more Neuro symotoms and light night sweats but not drenching sweats, also had some teeth chattering but not chills - At the time of taking them they just felt so strong.
Then the day after I was totally crahsed and then the day after that Friday I was a mental mess, agitated, crying, anxiety really like nothing I had ever experienced - Spoke to LLMD and he said it was a profound herx and perhaps it was where he ised them together, like you he said many use Coartem Mono and dont have a severe herx
He did say that for some Babesia Herx;s can be terrible and he said when this Herx subsides I could see major Gains (I hope So) I did lots of detox Friday night and lots of Activated Charcoal and then as the anx was so bad ativan and sleep pills - today slept in for the 1st time ever.
To me this says as the Herx was so strong I must have killed something - I have had bad Her's before but nothing matches this combo - Lets hope it gives me gains.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Please keep us updated Rianna. I really hope that this works for you. Babesia is/has been a big problem for me so I'm watching to see what it working for others so that I might ask for similar treatment.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
I had one heck of a herx the first time I took Coartem. I never took the Daraprim.
The Coartem (the first time) landed me on the couch for a week straight. I could barely sit up, stand up, breathe, or do anything at all. I was way too weak to even be upright and do detox.
If I tried, I started to pass out. Even after a week, when I went to an appointment, I barely made it, almost passed out, was totally out of it.
But it helped the symptoms a lot! But didn't get rid of the Babesia.
The next round didn't seem to do anything noticeable. Then recently I was given two rounds at 1/2 dose to no apparent effect (I thought it was odd that I was given a 1/2 dose?!).
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
I had one heck of a herx the first time I took Coartem. I never took the Daraprim.
The Coartem (the first time) landed me on the couch for a week straight. I could barely sit up, stand up, breathe, or do anything at all. I was way too weak to even be upright and do detox.
If I tried, I started to pass out. Even after a week, when I went to an appointment, I barely made it, almost passed out, was totally out of it.
But it helped the symptoms a lot! But didn't get rid of the Babesia.
The next round didn't seem to do anything noticeable. And I was given a round at 1/2 dose recently to no apparent effect (I thought it was odd that I was given a 1/2 dose).
Posted by Rianna (Member # 11038) on :
I am hearing this more and more - I think as the drug stays in your system so long you get such a stong Herx. The Daraprim was the icing on the cake!!!!!
Once the drugs come out of your system I think and hope benefits will be seen. For me the detox is helping but LLMD's need to be made aware of the intensity of this herx.
Posted by hope_29 (Member # 22363) on :
I took Riamet/Daraprim on Wed-Thurs-Fr. I started to feel bad on Thursday, I had chest pain, muscle pains in my legs, tiredness, weakness... On Saturday I started to have headache, heat waves, I still had muscle pains and I was very weak. Saturday night was the first time I could sleep. Today, on Sunday, I'm still very weak and I have muscle pains.
Posted by janet thomas (Member # 7122) on :
lots of info about riamet
Posted by Rianna (Member # 11038) on :
I think these drugs will take some time to get out of our system as both Coartem and Daraprim can take a week or more to clear out of the system and I assume a lot of us are poor detoxers so it could be longer - I finished Wednesday night and now its Monday and I know the drugs are still in my system, hopefully by the end of the week all will be cleared.
I think Coartem alone is tough but adding Daraprim with it is just TOO MUCH for me anyway
Posted by Rianna (Member # 11038) on :
quote:Originally posted by Rumigirl: I had one heck of a herx the first time I took Coartem. I never took the Daraprim.
The Coartem (the first time) landed me on the couch for a week straight. I could barely sit up, stand up, breathe, or do anything at all.
Rumigirl: Ok so I finished Coartem/Daraprim a week ago tonight and I am SO SO weak, how long did it take you to recover from the Herx - This is a very potent Combination