Hi, everyone Just wondering how the Bicillin folks are doing?
There is always so much conflicting info on the net. Even here, I see some posts on how lyme is like syphilis, which Bicillin is used for (and so should work well), while other posts say that lyme could be driven deeper into the tissues by penicillin-type drugs. The whole thing confuses me quite a bit.
Regardless, I am on Bicillin IM shots right now, and have a couple of questions.
I've experienced weird heart palps on occasion, at night, when I've had a shot the same day. Most of the time, I try to keep my cool and let it pass, but (pardon my french) boy do they SUCK!
Also, I seem to be in a fog most of the time. Vision seems out of whack a bit. Occasional word slurs, which intensified after starting Bicillin, then eased up.
Then, I've been having dreams / nightmares every night and awakening tired in the morning, though this could be due to my 8 month old waking up repeatedly during the night. I don't actually awaken (not as sensitive to sound as my wife, so she gets to him before he gets really mad), but maybe my sleep is disturbed nonetheless.
Sound like herxes?
Also, anyone on Bicillin IM started artemisinin at the same time? Interactions?
And, finally, about scar tissue. My wife has been giving me the shots, but she gets nervous about moving too far from the initial point the doc showed her. Any problems worth worrying about, besides greater difficulty getting the needle to go in, if she tends to give them in the same spot? We do alternate sides, a 1.2MU 3x per week.
Whew! Sorry for the long-winded post. And let me know how you guys are doing on it!
Thanks,
- JB
Posted by Christine202 (Member # 6158) on :
I've been on Bicillan for about 6 years...I have gone off it just to get sick again...
I combine it with other abx, but I will never go off of it unless they find some miracle cure for Lyme soon. For me it has gotten me slowly but surely more functional and my neuro symptoms mild to none at times....
Posted by Christine202 (Member # 6158) on :
I forgot to add that I had very strong herxes when I first started.... I used only 1 shot every 10 to 12 days so that I could stay on it...
It seemed to be the magic potion for many of my symptoms... It took about 1 year for the herxes to get less intense.... For me it was well woth the wait....
Also I am not a dr, but since my husband has been giving me the injections for years I have done fine with alternating sides.... I dont believe that there is too much scar tissue formed or my Butt would be a pin cushion by now!! LOL
Of course check with your LLMD about that as well.
Also I would advise any9ne on long term Bicillan to have an epipen handy just in case it is ever needed.
Good Luck and I hope that you find some relif with the treatments! Posted by David95928 (Member # 3521) on :
Johnny, In my case the herxes were really powerful and lasted non-stop for months. And, almost three years later, I had one yesterday. My guess is what you are experiencing is herxes. Detox Tea made by Yogi Tea Company usually eases herx symptoms substantially. try it. David
Posted by bugabooboo (Member # 7383) on :
I started bi-cillin a few weeks ago. I am rifing also. I have had some strong herxes. If you are getting 3x a week, your body doesn't have much if any time to "recover". But I'm NOT arguing with prescribed amount.
Injections can go anywhere in the upper outer 1/4 of each buttock. If you were to draw a cross on each buttock with 4 equal areas, you would then stay in the upper outer quadrant.
Always aspirate to assure that med is not in a vein.
Give over a 1-3 minute time period to minimize pain afterward.
You can also use ice prior to injection.
Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
Definetly alternate sides! Its makes it easier. the herxing was VERY strong for me in the beginning, just as you described. I felt like I was in a fog, like a dream like state, fuzzy thinking, all sorts of stuff like that. I was exhausted and dizzy all the time too. It gets better in time, i took it for 2 years, same dose as you, 1.2 MU Bicillin LA 3x /week. Hang in there and keep doing the shots. make sur eits the upper outer butt cheek, its okay to use the same spot, just keep rotating. Posted by johnnyb (Member # 7645) on :
Thanks, guys,
I think I will check with the doc on going back to 2.4 MU - 2 shots once per week - for the time being. I think the 3 shots per week is a bit much for me right now. The two-at-once but 1x per week seems to let my body recover better.
Also will check out the detox tea and maybe try the foot pads again. I still have some left. It's worth the BBQ smell if it helps clear my head!
- JB
Posted by burnbitter (Member # 7088) on :
I had my first bacillin IM shot today. Any tips? My bottom sure is sore, so I think the ice might be a fine idea. Anything else I should expect?
thanks!
Posted by Nal (Member # 6801) on :
Im bicillin. Its killing me but maybe its a herx? Anyone getting muscle weakness this stuff?? My dr wanted me on it 3x's a week as well and I said "no way". Ive never heard that it can cause Lyme to go deeper into the tissues-where did you see the info on that? Wishing you wellness in every way!
nancy
Posted by blackmon (Member # 1528) on :
JB, My 15 yr. old son started Bicillin IM about eight weeks ago - he's only taking one (1.2mu) per week right now due to intense herxing for a couple of days after the shot. The doc wanted him to take them twice a week and eventually we may do that.
He's done the best in a long time on this current combo. which is Septra, Plaquenil, Artemisinin and Bicillin. In the past he had what seemed to be constant herxing and increased inflammation while on abx.
The stategy now is that he takes the orals 4 days on/ 3 days off. We time it so that he has a couple of days when he feels a bit better and can do something with friends on the weekend. He has a long way to go, but has improved from being mostly house-bound and in constant pain.
He's also taking B12 injections about 3x/week and I think these have made a big difference for him...always hard to tell what is causing what, though.
As far as combining abx - the doc is using Plaquenil for the cyst form which I think is what you are referring to when you say that the penicillins (and cephalasporins like Rocephin) can "drive the lyme deeper into the tissues". Actually, the theory is that they cause the bacteria to change to a cyst or cell-wall deficient form which is more difficult to kill. Flagyl or tinidazole...or plaquenil is used to kill these.
Good luck to you...tough to be sick and not be able to get a good night's sleep - but I'm sure the joy that your son brings will be good medicine!
Nancy
Posted by David95928 (Member # 3521) on :
Nancy, I'm so glad to hear your son is doing better. Good days help create and maintain hope. David
Posted by johnnyb (Member # 7645) on :
Burnbitter, I've gotten lots of good info from David95928 and Wildcondor on use of Bicillin. You might want to search for Bicillin posts from them. Most important is to aspirate- pull back on the plunger- and make sure no blood enters the needle (look at directions also for info).
Nancy (Nal), I have experienced sudden weakness all over in the past, but not constant in one limb. More of a fatigue / tired state these days. You may need to reduce the frequency of the shots, but check with your LLMD for sure. I think skyking posted here on penicillin driving lyme deeper into tissues, but maybe blackmon's explanation is more specific?
Nancy (blackmon), yes my little guy is very good medicine!
- JB
Posted by LC (Member # 7070) on :
I started IM Bicillin in October. After the first couple shots, the pain and bruising lessened.
I have no medical explanation as to why.
Some tips I learned are to warm the tubex up to body temp. instead of room temp. by holding it in my fist for a few minutes. Lessens the sting of the medicine entering your muscle.
I also try to walk around afterward.
I herxed for three weeks staight, had about a week of feeling better, and now herx again.
I'm hoping the severity lessens. I also ordered the detox food pads from Healthmarvels.net. Seems like a lot of people have success with them, so I'll give it a whirl. LC
Posted by blackmon (Member # 1528) on :
Just wondering...what if one doesn't pull back on the syringe and the meds do go in a vein? what would the effects be?
We have a nurse who is giving my son the shots (I do the B12)...I haven't asked if she is aspirating, but I will next time. What would happen if not?
David, your success has been an inspiration and your willingness to share your experiences has been really helpful. It seems like a slow go, but having some social life goes a long way as a teenager. Hope you are continuing on the upward path...how's the house-building going?
Nancy
Posted by David95928 (Member # 3521) on :
Nancy, Aspirating to check for blood is absolute standard procedure. Any competent nurse would do it. If you feel unsure, you could tactfully ask what would happen if it got into a vein. I'm pretty sure the nurse would then explain her aspiration procedure. Getting Bicillin LA into the vein or PARTICULARLY into the gluteal artery could be quite serious. Thankfully, my situation is steady with, perhaps, very gradual continue imporvement. It's hard to tell. The house is going well although there is still some interior work to be done. David
![[Smile]](smile.gif)