We are getting ready to start treating my 6 yr old daughter's bart and ehrlichia with rifampin. She is also taking zith and Amox.
I am a 'nervous nellie' with her because she has special needs and among other issues she doesn't communicate and I never know how she really feels.
I am wondering if anyone who has young children on rifampin can give me advice on what to look for regarding side effects
Are they the same as adults? I started it in august and can get pretty mean headaches but after the first month of herxing that's all that remains.
I am SO worried about giving her meds since she can't talk plus she's on 2 seizure meds to boot
Please help me feel better about this, I really am worried and I don't think anyone else in my family gets the responsibility I have on my mind as to if I am doing the right thing. It's the first steps of a new med I always have trouble with, with giving to both my kids but my son is 'typically developing' so he can tell me everything - she can't tell me anything and that's my problem.
I appreciate the words of advice!
Peyjad
Posted by jkmom (Member # 14004) on :
My daughter is now 12 and is developing typically, but it is hard to tell what is happening with the meds for her, too. She always feels bad and never says she feels better.
For the most part, I go by how she acts.
When she went on Rifampin, she did complain more about her headache, but she also started laying in her bed even more. It also caused her mood disorder symptoms to flare up.
Her doctor at the time thought the increased headache was a side effect and took her off from it. She got even worse off from it, so her new doctors and I think that was a herx.
I think you will be able to tell if the Rifampin is making things worse. It is still hard to know if it is a herx or a side effect.
Posted by Peyjad (Member # 23228) on :
Jkmom-thx for replying!
I guess I will have to watch her like a hawk and start her on 1/2 the dose. That's what I did for myself anyway. I think my H/A is a herx because I don't have it all the time- just my opinion though, who knows
Thanks again for your thoughts! Peyjad
Posted by Sophie1234 (Member # 26412) on :
Hi, my two cents on Rifampin: I first started on 300mg. Yikes. I am not a big person (112lbs). I finally went down to 75mg per day. I just broke the capsules open and divided them into four equal parts in gelatin caps. (of course, with the blessing of my Dr., don't do this on your own.)
Posted by Peyjad (Member # 23228) on :
Thanks Sophie1234
That's like me too - 300mg and 120lb that's why I started at 150mg and glad I did. My daughters rifampin is liquid so it's easy enough to half the dose. I am pushing forward (with anxiety) because I am hopeful the Lyme and co is the reason for her global developmental delays and seizures and with treatment, it will improve (TONS, I hope)