I have to take this 250 mg. bid. I immediately developed discomfort in the sternum that comes and goes and tenderness in the xiphoid. I have to go up stairs slowly and can hardly even walk the dog. With exertion the sternum discomfort intensifies. The more it intensifies, the harder it is to take a deep breath. I even went to a cardiologist yesterday and everything was "fine". EKG normal. He didn't hear a friction rub but I will still get an echo next week to see if there is a pericardial effusion. Is something like this common with Flagyl? I also have severe bouts of lightheadedness upon rising...sometimes, not all the time. This is new as well. Naproxen or Advil seems to help with the sternal discomfort. What's weird though is how this comes and goes throughout the day.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Google costrochondritis. Common with Lyme. Most likely a herx reaction.
Go easy on the flagyl. A SLIVER of a 250 mg pill can bring a big man to his knees.
Posted by rera2528 (Member # 29886) on :
I echo Lymetoo. Costochondritis was my first symptom, and it is one of the last for me to get rid of.
I am on flagyl 3 days a week, because my stomach couldn't handle more than that. During those three days, my costo is worse. I also have more air hunger then, and feel like I am having palpitations, but I think they are muscle spasms around my inflamed ribs.
At the same time, definitely continue with the echo and watch the lightheadedness.
Also, with the Advil piece--when this first developed, Advil was all that relieved some of the chest pain. Whether it was just the Advil, or that plus Lyme & co, I developed stomach a stomach erosion and cannot take NSAIDs ever again.
I think Chiquita has posted some ideas about natural pain relievers or anti-inflammatories that are gentler on the stomach.
Best to you, Rera2528
Posted by koo (Member # 30462) on :
Rera, sounds like we have the exact same results from Flagyl. Why does it cause this sternal pain and xiphoid pain? Is it because of what it is doing as far as busting cysts or is it the medication itself? I am thinking the former but I could be wrong. It doesn't bother my stomach or digestive system (yet), and I think I am actually starting to tolerate it better day 3-1/2. I only need to stay on it for 10 days so I think I will just hang in there. I start doxy 100 mg bid after I finish Flagyl. How will this make me feel?
Posted by rera2528 (Member # 29886) on :
I can't really say why the flagyl causes some symptoms to flare over others. I tend to think that the costo pain is from babs, rather than Lyme, but I can't remember why I think that.
I was on doxy before the flagyl, so I'm not sure how it will make you feel. Doxy can also be pretty rough on your stomach.