I even actually had my heart stop a way back when I was doing ammox and doxy.

Its always a good thing to have it checked out for possible problems...especially where heart is concerned...but dont get too emotional over it cuz it will only exacerbate your symptoms...and ya dont need that.......

zman

I realize this is not exactly what you experienced and not with same drug, but I wanted you to know there is such a thing as a heart herx.

The next day I was given a Holter moniter and I am still waiting for the results.

I am on IV rocephin now but had this problem prior to treatment.

The palps seemed to be much worse after I had a PICC line inserted, but that may be coincidental.

Yesterday seemed to be pretty good though, and today so far (knock on wood).
My chest is still tight though. I also get winded pretty easily.
Have you had a holter moniter? You Dr. may be able to set that up for you.
given the chance that it would catch something during the 24 hr period you could have at least a little piece of mind.
I hope you feel better!

Best of health!

Sounds exactly what happened to me while on clindamycin/quinine for BABESIA. I think you're having a babs herx. Chills, air hunger, rapid heart beat, lightheaded...all point to babs in my opinion.

Don't overdo the artemisinin....if things get really bad, back off the meds. I ended up in the ER twice in one week because I didn't back off the meds. BOY, did I learn!

Take care, and if things get worse, you may want to have your dr check you over. You don't want to overlook something that could be serious.

I've had similar episodes, and my PCP sent me to a cardiol. for the full gamut of tests. Even the holter turned up nothing.

But I was put on on a beta blocker, because my pulse was around 100 just sitting, and my bp seemed typically around 130-140/90.

The heart palps and fast pulse, lightheadedness and yes, chest pain right where you described typically accompanied my first couple herxes. Espsom salt and baking soda baths typically broke up the chest pain - but it would usually migrate to somewhere else.

I hope you're also monitoring your b.p. and letting LLMD know of these incidents.

One word of advice during these attacks - Remember to BREATHE. In for 5, out for 10. I truly believe that what causes the lightheadedness is that we panic and forget to breathe, limiting the oxygen that goes to the brain (thus putting yourself into a panic attack).

Stress definitely aggravates things. My BP is usually 120-130/70-80, but under stress, I will shoot up to as high as 150/85. Of course, the chest tightness and air hunger feels worse during this time.

Still waiting to get that echocardiogram. Luckily, I only had that one episode, but I still feel some air hunger and breastbone tightness.

Holters haven't shown anything, but I never seem to have them on when an episode occurs. Guess I am just lucky .

I took a break from the meds yesterday, in case it was a herx, to ease up, but I am back on them today.

Also taking Mg regularly now (in fact, whenever my BP is up, I just take some extra to get it back down). I really want that intracellular test. Gotta bug the doc...

- JB

Hi, Julie, I was actually put on Toprol XL awhile back when I had a weird seizure / heart racing type attack.

Unfortunately, the doc who did this didn't do enough follow-up with me, and it took almost a month to get a holter monitor, when he realized that the toprol was slowing my heart rate to under 40 beats per minute all day.

No wonder I kept feeling like I was going to die in my sleep as I drifted off!

I seem to be unable to get past 2-3 days of biaxin / artemisinin without backing off for a day.

I know what you mean about having to intentionally breathe....