LymeNet Flash: Could the Rifampin have done this?

This is topic Could the Rifampin have done this? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by Kristyn (Member # 51857) on :

my major ocd symptoms and intrusive thoughts are back. They reared their ugly head 10 years ago ( well before I saught lyme treatment) i wont get into great detail but it was an absolute horrifying time for my family and I and we all prayed I'd never face that again.

Well now its back and I am absolutely devastated and scared, on top of the physical pain and agony to boot from the Bartonella ( and if you can even call it a Rifampin herx) So its double trouble.

Whhhyyyyyy this now? I had so much faith in this drug.

I reached out to my LLMD via email on Thursday and since she was on vacation her office manager told me to discontinue the Rifampin and reassess on Tuesday when she's back.

Do I take comfort in knowing that its the Rifampin doing this and that im not really "crazy"? Yes absolutely. However its still frightening because it's day 3 since I stopped the Rifampin, heavily detoxing and no relief.

I have this underlying worry the Rifampin triggered something that could last several months, something I dealt with 10 years ago. My family is well aware of this too. I dont want to be back on psych drugs to "clear it away".

I know Rifampin is an ugly harsh drug and psych symptoms can be overwhelming during a herx. But is this normal? Can it bring out paranoia and old traumatic memories?

What's a good Rifampin subsitute?

Thanks 💚

Posted by overlyme (Member # 43455) on :

rifampin will make you herx mentally

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

I'm glad you listened to your doctor on this. Rifampin is not the cure-all and can have some really bad side effects.

My problem with it was a SEVERE headache. Years of having migraines was no match for this drug's effects!

I stopped it after 5 days and it took three weeks to get rid of the headache.

So that gives you a snapshot of what it can do to some of us.

I sure hope it all resolves for you VERY SOON!!!!

[group hug]

PS .. My LLMD told me it could cause brain swelling .. so he gave me another antibiotic to help with that. I don't remember what it was.

I MIGHT be able to find the info. Just the other day, I found my notebook/journal where I wrote everything down.

Now if I can find it again!