My new LLMD will mostly prescribe biaxin pending my lab results. Previous experiences with zith left me with crying jags and deep depression.
Since biaxin is in the same family, what can I expect? Doc says I may react differently.
What are your experiences with Biaxin? Did you ramp up slowly? Did it help with your symptoms?
I'll be treating Lyme, bartonella, and Myco Fermentans.
Thanks for your input.
Posted by bearlythere (Member # 31973) on :
My lyme doctor has me on rifampin and Biaxin for Bartonella and possibly lyme. I had breathing problems and more anxiety while on the Azith. I am tolerating the Biaxin better.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
I tolerated Biaxin really well, no noticeable side effects. Liked it better than Zith.
I always start my medications at the full prescribed dose. If you've had problems with your meds in the past, ask your doctor if they would recommend starting more slowly.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I took Biaxin for 18 mo. It worked well. The hard part is the metallic taste in the mouth! Drink tons of water!!
Posted by fflutterby (Member # 28081) on :
No problems at all for me. No side effects, an easy one for me, except the taste which I got used to.
Posted by lymeboy (Member # 24769) on :
it's a lot easier to handle than Zith.
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
Wow, folks, that's good news to hear. I was getting a bit anxious regarding the biaxin, but if it's easier than zith, I'm all for it.
I will NOT go on zith again. I'd probably jump off a cliff. That's how bad that med affected my emotions! Within a few days of stopping it, I became more like myself.
Thanks for your replies.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Biaxin gave me intolerable side effects. For one, it caused insomnia. This got worse each day that I stayed on Biaxin. By day 4, I could not sleep even one minute all night.
Not only that, but biaxin gave me anorexia. I could not bear to eat food. This got worse each day on the med. By day 4, I could not force myself to eat even one spoonful of food all day long. So, I knew that couldn't go on.
And, biaxin gave me anxiety. This also got worse each day that I took biaxin.
On the 4th day of biaxin, I called the doctor's office and he had me stop the biaxin. He said these were all side effects from biaxin.
And, about 2 years later, a doc put me on zith, and I broke out in hives. So, it seems I don't handle the zith/biaxin family of meds very well either, just like you.
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
Thanks, TF. If I remember correctly, you went on Bactrim DS and another med which I can't remember to get rid or your bart.
My lyme is treated per test results, but there are other infections that are bringing me down. I work full time which is quite a challenge also.
My doc is helping me with sleep and anxiety. I just need to get rid of the malaise and funky head stuff.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
For bart, I took levaquin for one month. Then, went to the Bactrim DS (with pulsed artemesinin) to get rid of babs and also continue treating bart.
Posted by Lymedin2010 (Member # 34322) on :
I was given IV Rocephin for one month, then added 250MG Zithromax 2x/day (Bart), and 750MG Mepron 2x/day (Bab). IV Rocephin I had a reaction to. The Zithromax I felt nothing with, perhaps it was too low of a dose? The Mepron I also felt nothing with for almost two months, but then slowly started feeling toxic toward the third month.
I have switched to Biaxin 500MG 2x/day & felt anxiety blanket me suddenly. After the first week or so, it slowly died out, but unfortunately new symptoms have arisen.
Posted by donjoe341 (Member # 28634) on :
Every person is effected different by medication. It all depends on how well the antibiotics work at killing the infection targeted. If you symptoms become worse it is likely that you are herxing. With time the herxing will pass. The best way to find out is to take it and not to think about the possible side effects. All the worrying can cause the axiety to be worse.
When you do start taking it, make sure you start out slow. Take 500 for a week then bump it up to 500 twice a day. Also drink an entire glass of water with the pills. This helps with any metalic taste the meds may cause.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Biaxin is one of the best meds for me. I do not like Zithromax.
Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :
I had major anxiety on Biaxin. I could only handle about 1 week of it... not sure why?
Hope it works great for you!
Posted by momcap (Member # 31420) on :
My son has lyme and bartonella. He took Biaxin for 1 month, at the time for a strep infection that wouldn't clear. Biaxin really seemed to target the lyme/bart. He got rashes, fevers, very swollen joints, and terrible agitation/aggression. That's how we found out he had lyme. The doctor did not feel the rash and fever were allergic, and he had us continue a month. It was terrible. After that we tested him for lyme and it came back positive.
Depression and mood changes are listed as possible side-effects from Biaxin. I always have a hard time deciding what is a herx and what is just a bad reaction. Very frustrating. I would keep in close contact with your LLMD and let him/her guide you.