Topic: Rifampin - could my symptoms be due to drug side effects vs herx/relapse?
bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
Hi folks:
So as some of you may have read, I'm going through a bit of a relapse, flare, or something since late December. Prior to this I was 90-95% and off abx for 2.5 years, out living life.
Anyway, I'm wondering if what I am going through could potentially be due to the Rifampin versus a bug of sorts. And would it be better if I stopped Rifampin.
Here is a brief history: -Started Rifampin and mino in late August after 3 weeks of Cipro / Doxy. Also started Freeze Dried Garlic at this time. -By late Sept, I felt really good. -By Oct, my night sweats disappeared for several days and twitching was better. -By November, I dropped mino and changed back to Doxy. Stopped Garlic. Continued Rifampin. By mid November, I started having occasional episodes of wooziness and feeling off the afternoons. They would resolve by the next day. -By December, I had 2 episodes of getting dizzy for a few minutes. Each episode followed by 2-3 days of feeling woozy / off. I blamed the Doxy and asked my LLMD if I could stop meds on 12/21. Later that day, I had a return of flushing, hot face, woozy feelings that I haven't had in weeks. (this was in the afternoon before I stopped the meds.)
After stopping the symptoms got worse with many old symptoms appearing including sweats, hot flashes, fogginess, dizziness, etc, etc.
I've been blaming my stopping Rifampin as the cause of the relapse, but if you read the above I was having symptoms of this relapse all while I was on rifampin. This started in November while I was on drugs, not after stopping.
So I wonder if this is perhaps due to Rifampin. I know it can cause you to deplete your adrenals really quickly.
When this happened I was on Biaxin, Doxy, HH-2, Mepron, Bicillin shots and a few other things. Had many many of the same symtoms that I have now (but not all.) In this case, what cleared it up was dropping Biaxin to 4 days on, 3 off and doing 4 pulses of Diflucan.
Could my entire issue be yeast?? When I was on abx from Aug-December I didn't even try to control my diet. Lots of carbs and sugars. But..I did do about 4 days of Difulcan in January with no impact, and now my diet is very strict yet I still have problems.
I guess I'm wondering what you think?
I'm desperate to get my head stuff to go away. Is this just my body finding Rifampin toxic? I was recently ART tested and the woman said my body "hates" Rifampin and doxy.
Thanks,
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3134 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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posted
Sorry to read about your latest relapse bcb.
In all honesty, you sound really unsure about what you are dealing with and its sometimes best to trust that. I think for those of us that have treated a long time and had periods of feeling good and really bad, its important to start trusting your body versus what you "think" symptoms are.
Maybe stop everything for a few weeks, treat yeast heavily (if you were lax about diet on antibiotics it could very well be the issue; eat coconut oil daily on top of taking Diflucan), and see if any other symptoms come out that might give you a clearer picture of what you are still dealing with.
Rifampfin, while an amazing Bart drug, is really tough on mitochondria over time and this causes fatigue which can confuse things.
Does your llmd treat with Biocidin? I have never used it but a friend of mine has made significant gains using it. It treats candida, pathogens, and biofilms.
Feel better soon.
-------------------- unsure445 Posts: 824 | From northeast | Registered: Jun 2008
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bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
Sorry Unsure...when you say "trust my body" what do you mean? Do you mean I should stop, or continue? (I know you aren't doctor btw.) What would you do if you were me?
Yes, I am confused. This disease is confusing. I have symptoms that could be Bart, Lyme, Protomyxzoa, or Babs, or other parasites.
I"ve had them before and got them to go away before. But they don't seem to want to go away now.
I HATE how I feel, particularly after feeling so good for years. I just want me back.
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3134 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
| IP: Logged |
Pocono Lyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5939
posted
Just some thoughts here.
Your symptoms sound like maybe babs to me. If I remember correctly, I believe I read somewhere that Rifampin has a bit of an effect on Babs.. Also Doxy.
Maybe it's possible that the Rifampin/Doxy kept it under control but now isn't?
If one's immune system is strong, Babs can go without symptoms. Since antibiotics somewhat suppress the immune system and also the stress we endure, yours may have taken a hit.
From all of my research, Primaquine is vital in getting rid of Babesia as it's the only medication available at this time to hit the dormant form in the liver.
-------------------- 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
9 But he said to me, �My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.� Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ�s power may rest on me. Posts: 1445 | From Poconos, PA | Registered: Jul 2004
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bluelyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 47170
posted
How long have you treated prior to this last flair. ? How did you fair on the cipro (floxed)? Did art practioner say what infection was up front...bart or proto have you tried iver/alinia?..maybe frequency til you hit what it is..
-------------------- Blue Posts: 1539 | From southwest | Registered: Dec 2015
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posted
Yes, it could be due to yeast .. and/or possible histamine intolerance maybe?? Lyme can really mess with our entire bodies and we can be left with a big mess to clean up.
Being floxed is also a possibility. It can take awhile to show up.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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