posted
I have been on rifampin at 30mg for a week and then 600 for another week..I get this head fog that makes it so I cant concentrate at work..then the wooshy wierd feeling in the brain and off balance..the skin burning in the feet..I cant work under this..it is awful..is it a herx or is the med...this is a very hard drug to take..also my short term memory is shot on this med..I cant remember things and it gets me worried.. eric
Posts: 593 | From long island ny | Registered: Apr 2006
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valymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7076
posted
quote:Originally posted by valymemom: I can't answer directly but I will share this. My son is taking rifampin, doxy, and then zith on weekends and he seems the same - not worse, not improved.
Two friends daughters are taking the same protocol/dosage and their symptoms have increased. Both are miserable - not able attend school. The moms hope it is herxing.
Posts: 1240 | From Centreville,VA | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
I've been on both the Rifampin and the Zith and the Rifampin by far packs a bigger wallop. Polar blast I felt very similar to what you're describing for the first three weeks I was on the Rifampin. I was barely able to keep working but by the fifth and sixth week the mental fog began to clear and I was able to think faster and more clearly then I had in the previous two years.
I took 600 mg a day for 12 weeks and the symptoms ebbed and flowed the whole time but at the end of it I felt much better over all. I hope you will too.
[ 02. May 2007, 06:57 PM: Message edited by: Patrick ]
Posts: 142 | From Florida | Registered: Oct 2005
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
Eric,
I get those same side effects of Rifampin and more - that's why I haven't been able to get to a full dose - I have to work.
Even without Bartonella, Rifampin lists dizziness as a side effect.
When I described my reactions to Rifampin, which you mentioned, plus electric shocks, increased myoclonus, feeling like I'm being stung by bees, etc., my LLMD seemed to think this just indicated it was hitting the Bartonella.
This is the toughest medication I've ever been on.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
I was on rifampin/doxy/zith for 12 weeks, could only tolerate 300 mgs. It was a really tough drug, I didn't feel good until I finished the 12 weeks.
Posts: 561 | From eastcoast | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
I've been on Rifampin 600mg daily for almost 2 weeks, and when I started, I had horrible head symptoms just like yours. Terrible brain fog, droopy eyes, pressure inside the head on the brain and on the eyes that made me feel like I was going cross-eyed. It's better now. I attribute the symptoms to a severe herx. Do you feel it in your neck and spine also?
hang in there. It will get better. I like the idea that it's killing lots of bugs in the brain.
Posts: 975 | From California | Registered: Apr 2007
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
I just started rifampin about 10 days ago.
Took 300mg for first three days, then ramped up to 600mg.
I have the dizziness, eye pain, increased foot pain, etc.
My neck and back of my head hurt too.
Just a note.
After starting rifampin, I noticed some spasming in my bladder.
Strange sensation. Like I have to go NOW!!
However, having difficulty pushing urine out....
Difficulty initiating too.
Called LLMD....this is a possible side effect of rifampin.
He asked me if I could deal with it....I said Yes!
I've already tried levaquin with bad results...
Don't have many more bart options other than doxy.
I can't do doxy over the summer. Just the heat makes my skin burn.
LLMD said if it got worse or I felt that I could not tolerate the bladder symptoms
To stop taking it and call him immediately.
I am hanging in there....hoping this will slowly go away....along with the herx.
Hang in there.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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