Topic: Accidentally have been taking 1,000 mg Zithromax daily...tummy hurts...advice?
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Needing some advice on what I should do, because my tummy feels really messed up now....
I was stupid and was a space cadet....and instead of taking 500 mg of Zithromax once a day, I was taking it twice a day (my previous LLMD used the 250mg pills, so I was used to doing it twice a day).
(I switched myself from Biaxin to Zithromax, since I had some 500 mg Zith laying around. More on that below)
I did this for about 10-14 days, until I looked at the bottle and figured it out.
Anyways, my stomach had been bothering me while I was doing this, but no diarrhea surprisingly. I was just getting more gurgling at first, and then, I started to get this stinging, acidic type feeling around the stomach area, or maybe a little lower, on the left side.
It would be so bad that I would just want to lay on the couch, and not be walking around. It kind of made me want to hunch over.
Well, I stopped the Zith for about two days once I realized what I had been doing, and am now back on the normal dose of 500mg daily, but still having the stomach issues.
When will this go away? Could I have damaged my stomach? That is what I am worried about.
I am afraid to tell my LLMD, because at my recent appointment, I said to him, "Oh, I switched myself from the Biaxin to the Zithromax, because I feel better (brain-wise) on the Zith, and I had plateaued on Biaxin...that's okay, right?" And he was like, "Nooooo!"
I was surprised because I thought he would be okay with it, because he seems pretty open-minded. I dunno if it was just that I didn't ask first, or what.
I was about to tell him also that I accidentally was doubling up on it, but because of his reaction to my changing the meds at all, I was afraid!
So I wanted to ask him about my stomach still hurting, but then didn't. So I am still stuck worried about my poor tummy, and not having medical advice.
Basically I just want to know how long this will take to go away, and if there is anything I can take to make it better, because I'm still getting it everyday. And I also want to know if I could have done something to damage myself, or if this will just pass?
Hope this all makes sense....a little worried. The pain is just very acidic and for some reason is concerning me. It is pretty localized. Hope it passes.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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IMO that dose would probably not hurt you as I know some kids that get put on that much for their size and weight. I had terrible Gi pain and the gurgling that you describe when I first went on Zith (at the start of my tx over a yr ago).
Might be worth it to treat for yeast with Diflucan. I did when this happen and as soon as I took the first pill I knew that is what was bothering me.
Stacy
Posts: 476 | From Columbus, Ohio | Registered: Aug 2007
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-------------------- "We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us" - e.m. forster Posts: 921 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2004
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Thanks!
That is a good point, maybe it is just yeast issues from the increased dose. I have been more "lax" with my diet lately too.
I ran out of VSL#3, but am ordering more. I have been taking other good ones in the mean time.
Have been on Nystatin, but was missing some doses.
I am now back to never missing a Nystatin dose, but maybe I will need some Diflucan or natural anti-yeast supplements to clear this up.
I suppose that is worth a try before I start assuming I burned a hole in my stomach! I may try the anti-yeast route first, then call him if it doesn't get better.
Then again, maybe I should ask before I go on 7 days of Diflucan! My old LLMD would let me just take a few days of Diflucan when I felt the need (I have a bottle of it here)...but maybe I should ask first...
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Hoosiers51
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Member # 15759
posted
Also, I've been having issues lately where I've been addicted (yes, I'll admit it) to candy.
I have been better, but still need to figure out a way to get this under control. I know candy cravings can be yeast-related, but my massage therapist and I think it could be neurochemical-related, since I had a miscarriage a month ago.
I am going to start a new post about these cravings to see if anyone has tips, because this has got to stop. It probably isn't as bad as what most Americans consume daily, but for how healthy I usually eat, it's bad.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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-------------------- "We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us" - e.m. forster Posts: 921 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2004
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
hahaha! I guess it is a combo of things then. I just did another post about my unfortunate little addiction. It is kind of laughable, but I really need to get it under control.
I am going to go back and edit...because it's not really sugar, it's more like candy (which isn't usually cane sugar).
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Carol in PA
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Member # 5338
posted
quote: Well, I stopped the Zith for about two days once I realized what I had been doing, and am now back on the normal dose of 500mg daily, but still having the stomach issues.
So you're still taking the Zith?
Weren't you going to stop it for two or three days, and see if your stomach got better?
Carol
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
I stopped it for a few days, but my stomach wasn't really getting that much better, just maybe somewhat.
So I decided to try it at the normal dose to see if the stomach would correct itself over time if I'm not OD'ing on the Zith. I am worried about letting the blood levels of Zith drop off totally, because I like this drug and don't want any resistance to be built.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Areneli
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posted
People are taking long term a lot more than that.
Posts: 1538 | From Planet Earth | Registered: Jan 2005
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Leelee
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Member # 19112
posted
I did the same thing with minocycline. It took me a few days to realize my mistake.
Hope you are feeling better.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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pamoisondelune
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11846
posted
My lyme-literate but not lyme-specialist doctor had prescribed Zithromax 500, twice a day,. That was with Mepron.
He had also another time prescribed Minocycline 200, twice a day; try as i might, because of scheduling difficulties i ended up just taking it once a day.
---Polly Polygonum
Posts: 1226 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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lymewreck36
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4395
posted
I took high dose zithro for a very long time...years...and then my tummy fell out!
I have never been able to take zithro for more than a few days since then, even though the doctors say I should, and that I should heal...and all kinds of other "shoulds."
I have to take biaxin...when I take antibiotics.
When I disregard the danger and take zithro becuase I am desperate...I get the abdominal pain really bad.
And when that happens, I find that it takes at least 10 days to calm down. When I discovered that, I wasn't surprised because zithro has a 10 day half life, so it will take a while for the blood levels to drop down and your stomach to feel better.
Give it time...take your ascidopholis, and a high fiber diet. Lots of water, rest, and things will heal.
Mary
Posts: 1032 | From North Carolina | Registered: Aug 2003
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