posted
I increased my dosage about 3 weeks ago, and spent half of yesterday morning in the er with an ovarian cyst.........it was mentioned that the Rifampin "could" cause female problems, and I looked it up when I got home, and I did see that it is possible.
Has anyone had this happen? I have had pretty good results with this drug, but I can't function with cysts this size.
I talked to my LLMD's nurse and she said she hasn't seen any patients have this problem. I asked her to talk with LLMD about alternate Bart/BLO treatment since he suggested I go off the Rifampin.
I have a gyn apt this week and am going to ask about this (but I don't expect them to know anything).
I am frustrated because, like I said, I am having good results with this............and I was at a standstill for a long time.
-------------------- TL Posts: 365 | From OK | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
gemofnj
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15551
posted
Hi Tif,
I have been plagued with ovarian cysts, but not because of Rifampin.
My real thoughts were that the lyme was actually the culprit in making them quite worse.
My gyn put me on birth control to control them as they occur frequently and are painful. It's been going on for me like almost 2 years now.
I happen to be in the middle of menopause at the moment, and hormones are all over the place.
And like you, have found myself in the hospital because of the excruciating pain they can cause, especially if they rupture. OUCH! (worse than childbirth IMHO)
As a result, my gyn put me on birth contol to aid in them producing. B/C stops ovulation.
In general, ANY antibiotic (especially taken long term) will lessen the effects of birth control and shouldnt be your only means of protection against pregnancy.
However, I didnt see a need to stop Rifampin because it accelerated the production of the cysts.
Your episode could be purely coincidental. And, if the Rifampin is working, you may want to stay on it a bit longer.
You must do what you feel is right for you. You might want to consider a few thoughts before you discontinue:
Have you ever had cysts before the Rifampin? If yes, did they occur more often while on it? Are you on birth contol?
Always go with your gut, and your doctor's opinion. (if you trust him/her)
Good luck! Posts: 1127 | From atlantic city, nj | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks for the response. I have had a history of them in the past, although nothing near this severe since I started abx a year and a half ago. That is why I am not positive that the Rifampin is the "only" culprit here, although it is the only thing that has changed.
I have also been on bc pills in the past to stop the ovulation cycle (I have had more than cyst problems), but when I developed tachycardia from Lyme, I quit taking them. However, it did help with the cyst production.
Interesting that your OB/GYN isn't concerned about health risks (I am assuming you are over 35 since you are menopausal).
The rupture is what sent me to the er..........OUCH for sure. One thing Lyme has given me is an incredible pain tolerance......but still.
-------------------- TL Posts: 365 | From OK | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
gemofnj
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15551
posted
Believe it or not, my gyn (women's medical specialist) has claimed that B/C REDUCES the risk of ovarian cancer and with my history of endometrial hyperplasia (overgrowth of the lining of uterus) and cysts, he recommends b/c as a good therapy.
But there are other risk factors that can affect birth control and BREAST cancer risk.
My interpretation is if you are predisposed to breast cancer (family history of breast cancer), or are a smoker, and take birth control, you can increase your risks of blood clots and/or breast cancer. DO NOT SMOKE especially while on b/c.
posted
Oh my, bless your heart! I hope I am not waiting at 55.........
Fortunately, I am not a smoker anymore (boy I miss that sometimes), and I am sure that BC is gonna be what they recommend. I am seeing a new doc as the specialist that I have been to in the past isn't that close.
-------------------- TL Posts: 365 | From OK | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
gemofnj
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15551
posted
Glad to hear you are no longer smoking!
Good luck on your visit and keep us posted. Posts: 1127 | From atlantic city, nj | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic