Wondering if anyone has had any side effects from Bicillin LA?
I have had a sore lower back/hip pain and what seems to be nerve pain especially on my right side - this morning I woke early with an itchy raised rash where I had the shot a week ago. Also a bit of rash in groin area where there is also some pain...
I don't think that it's infected- not warm to touch, nor swollen-
Just wondering if anyone has experienced anything like this?
I am getting 3 shots a week for the last 6 months- and stopped orals almost 2 weeks ago-
Could be a herx- but nervous about the nerves...
Thanks for any light shed- Sarah
Posts: 119 | From new york, NY, USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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minoucat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5175
posted
Sarah -- when I first started my shots I did sometimes have a pinkish-colored, warmish, raised area at the shot site for a day afterwards. But I did well on the shots and this reaction went away after the first couple of times -- maybe as the skill level in giving the shots improved . I did get a little itchy in the shot area a couple of times, but this occurred right after having the shot and faded within hours, and I think it was because bicillin leaked into the skin as the syringe was being withdrawn (I could see the bicillin leakage).
But what you're describing would definitely make me nervous -- I'd suggest checking this out thoroughly with the doc before you proceed with the shots. I have known a couple of people who reported serum sickness with bicillin IM, and in some cases it did seem to start with nerve pain that mimicked sciatica and/or a rash. For the 2 people that I know of that this happened to, the nerve pain went away after the injections stopped.
Drug monographs for Bicillin tell you to check with your physician immediately if you get a rash or an injection site reaction.
Good luck.
-------------------- ********************* RECIDITE, PLEBES! Gero rem imperialem! (Stand aside plebians! I am on imperial business.)
I'm interested to hear of anyone with serum sickness from Bicillin LA-
I was hoping to get pregnant soon- and thought that I would most likely stay on Bicillin LA throughout, so very sad to think that I may have to go off of it...
I recently tested high for anti cardiolipin antibodies, so perhaps this is also a part of this latest puzzle.
As always, the opinions here have been invaluable to me and I don't know how I would cope without all of you-
Thanks- Sarah
Posts: 119 | From new york, NY, USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
I am pretty certain that the Bicillin LA injections I received for several months caused lower back pain....one of the only places in my body I did NOT have any pain before starting treatment...as well as huge nerve pain down my leg into my feet and even arms.
I don't take Bicillin injections anymore, but I consider it a trade off in the treatment. The nerve pain is still with me as well as the lower back pain, especially the two bumps/bones above the buttocks.
I think it is unfortunate side effect. I've always had joint pain, hips and everywhere else. Another thing I think the Bicillin seemed to do is increase the joint pain though, into my hands and feet (which may partly be herx as well) but also make the bones inside my body where the joints are, like in my hands and feet grow bigger. My wrist bones have grown bigger as well, and hurt more too.
I did not have problems with rashes that were not managed and did not go away relatively quickly, and only at the injection site.
Drink lots of water for your kidneys. And maybe find some herbal teas you like and can tolerate.
I take magnesium baths A LOT.
I feel like I need a wheel chair now, like I am walking on fractured bones! But I won't bring myself to that right now and just walk along like some ancient relic, about 500 years old!
As for the side effects of the bicillin in the bumps over the buttocks, I really do hope it goes away especially since it was one of the few places I was pain free from the chronic lyme.
As for the hands and feet...the fatigue in them does make it hard to get out of bed...I have a thought it is the brain.
I think the best thing we can do...which I have not been doing enough of, is stretch.
Good luck Sarah, and the rash could be allergic reaction or herx...definitely get that checked out.
One thing my llnp said to me when I mentioned the pain in my hips/above buttocks area....and that I never had it before was..."migrating pain?" I trust the antibiotic treatment but at the same time I think it is important for all llmd's to explain to patients about real live risks and side effects and not just attribute everything to a herx.
posted
I have lower back pain from the Bicillin LA 2.4 million unit shots too. It happens when I'm sleeping. During the day I don't experience any pain really. Just to be clear, I am talking about lower back pain, and not pain where the needle goes into the buttock. But I do have pain there too.
Posts: 4 | From Orange County, NY | Registered: Nov 2008
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