Topic: 7 year old child with stiff neck after starting Azithro.
TNT
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 42349
posted
My daughter just added Azithromycin (in place of the Bactrim she was on) every other day on top of her Amoxicillin, and now she has a very stiff neck. Cannot put her head back the whole way or turn it side to side very well.
She is not running a fever, and no other symptoms besides her leg pain & foot pain, but these are her usual symptoms. She does have a slight sore throat, but another one of my children (who is not in treatment) has had one for a little while, so I don't think it's significant.
I am thinking the sore throat is a symptom of the die-off. I figure the stiff neck is too, but am a little concerned.
She is not allergic to Azithro., and has been on this in the past.
Has anyone else had trouble with a stiff neck in a scenario like this?
Posts: 1308 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Oct 2013
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Amoxi and zith are a good combo for lyme. So, I believe this is a herx. The clue is the timing. The stiff neck came shortly after the zith was added, correct?
You don't say how long the stiff neck has lasted. Hopefully, just a few days.
I hope she doesn't get any worse. I suggest she drink a lot of water with lemon squeezed into it. Try to get her to eat at least 2 lemons per day squeezed into water. Tell her to make this her only drink for the next few days to a week. It will likely detox her and get rid of the stiff neck.
Most people with lyme are AMAZED at how well the lemon water works. You can put stevia in it to sweeten it if she doesn't like the sour lemon water. You can heat it up for in the morning.
Tell us how it goes.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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TNT
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Member # 42349
posted
Thanks, TF, I appreciate the suggestions.
Yes, today is 4th day after switching to Zithro. Stiff neck started yesterday evening.
Posts: 1308 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Oct 2013
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TF
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Member # 14183
posted
OK. I wouldn't worry about it then. The timing is perfect for a herx.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Yes, agree with TF. The timing sounds like a herx. And totally depends on the degree of neck stiffness.
It is minor stiffness, or does it prevent your child from tilting the head forward even a bit?
Things to watch out for that indicate medical attention is necessary:
-stumbling or confusion (more than just usual lyme) -nystagamus with the eyes -Screaming head pain
If your child has any of the above with the stiff neck, you should phone your LL doc asap. Even consider urgent care, although I know how we feel about the dang ER/Urgent care.
For me, the above symptoms plus stiff neck is from inflamed meninges. Aseptic meningitis I believe it has been called, although what the heck is aseptic about it? Bacterial soup is more like it....
The intercranial pressure rises from herx. (Or flare or relapse, I still don't know what is going on currently).
When I lay flat, the pressure seems to get "stuck" in my skull. After laying flat from sleeping, my head and neck feel like they will explode. The meninges get irritated, from the increased intercranial pressure. I've been battling this increased pressure from day 1. It sucks.
Then the stiff neck and head pain start up. Mornings are an absolute terror. I feel like I am trying to walk on the moon, with a neck brace on that prevents bending my spine at all, and a brass band is having a parade inside my skull
After being vertical all day, the pain gets a bit better. The symptoms reduce. google tells me this is because the CSF can 'drain' out a bit and relieve some pressure in my skull.
My doc gives me something called acetazolamide which helps reduce the intercranial pressure. Although it is not for kids according to it's data sheet.
Perhaps there is a kid friendly herb or medicine to reduce the intercranial pressure, if this is indeed what is causing the stiff neck.
However, if your child is getting the inflamed meninges, or increased intercranial pressure from a herx, then detox methods need to be ramped up, and you should phone your doc for advice.
Because if it is the start of your child getting the inflamed meninges, it will be good to have a game plan, and a strategy if it gets really bad.
I find if I can take activated charcoal and chlorella in the middle of the night, then the morning moon walk isn't as bad.
Also, a cool gel pack on the neck helps me sometimes too.
Sorry your child has lyme, but I am so glad you are there to help your child heal and keep your child safe.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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beaches
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38251
posted
Sorry, but are you all kidding me? If my kid had a stiff neck like that, the first order of business would be a trip to the ER.
All this advice about herxing is nonsense when it cones to a child. Get your kid to the ER. Any doc worth his/her salt can dx encephalitis or meningitis.
Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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Ellen101
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35432
posted
quote:Originally posted by beaches: Sorry, but are you all kidding me? If my kid had a stiff neck like that, the first order of business would be a trip to the ER.
All this advice about herxing is nonsense when it cones to a child. Get your kid to the ER. Any doc worth his/her salt can dx encephalitis or meningitis.
Agreed! I have to say one thing that has really concerned me on this forum is people attributing possible serious issues to herxing. A stiff neck in a child could potentially be serious. As beaches mentioned meningitis first popped in my head when I read this.
No one on this forum is qualified to diagnose a herx and should refrain from doing so. Please take your child to a doctor.
Posts: 1748 | From United States | Registered: Dec 2011
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TNT
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 42349
posted
Thank you all for your advice and concern. We did check in with the doc. It has gotten better by giving things a break.
Posts: 1308 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Oct 2013
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beaches
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38251
posted
Thx for the update TNT. Glad you checked in with her doc and glad she is taking a break. Sometimes that's what is needed. Hope she feels better soon. There is nothing worse than watching your child suffer.
Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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