LymeNet Flash: Started Rifampin, sudden calf pain

This is topic Started Rifampin, sudden calf pain - drug reaction? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/133931

Posted by maz1 (Member # 47868) on :

Hi All,

I added Rifampin recently to my abx cocktail (also on ceftin and biaxian) for my Bart/Lyme/babesia.
The following day after my first rifampin I started experiencing constant calf stillness/soreness/pain like a pulled muscle. Both legs, pretty much all day and becomes worse with walking.
Would this be a reaction to the Rifampin?
Never had a calf pain prior to Rifampin.
Anyone else experience this, advice welcome.

Thanks

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Maybe it's sucking out all the magnesium and other minerals in your body?

Posted by maz1 (Member # 47868) on :

I've been taking decent amounts of mineral supplements and tons of magnesium for months. Bloodwork is all in order.
The issue just started the day after starting the rifampin.
I'm trying to figure out if anyone else has experienced very painful calf muscles after starting rifampin.
It's to the point where I struggle to walk

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Could be the combination of drugs is just not good for your body. I hated Rifampin.

Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :

I would let your doc know about this. It doesn't sound right. It could be a side effect or reaction to the drug and perhaps you need an alternative.

Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :

I got horrible knee pain when I started rifampin in a knee that never gave me problems before.

For me it was an adverse drug reaction. I lost my senses after that (touch and sound). I stopped it after about 5 days.

I found out later I lack a gene to process it.

Over 2 years later and I STILL have pain in that knee. [Frown]

Posted by daphnelyme (Member # 47821) on :

I am experiencing the same but I am currently on doxy. Never had this in the past when on doxy. Wonder if it is drug related or if it is some other manifestation of the tick bite/bacteria?

Posted by TX Lyme Mom (Member # 3162) on :

Calf pain can be s sign of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) -- ie, a blood clot, which is NOT something to mess around with.

Report it to your doctor ASAP and let him/her decide whether you should go to the ER or not.

Voice of experience. My husband had DVT nearly 40 yrs. ago. He was lucky that it didn't break loss and travel to his lungs, heart or brain.

That's why suspicious calf pain must always be checked out by a qualified medical professional.

The tendency to hypercoagulation (including DVT) is genetic so you don't want to take a chance that you have this condition which can be life-threatening if it's ignored. Better safe than sorry.