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My doctor added rifampin to the minocycline I take. Within a few days my brain issues greatly increased so much that I had to stop because I couldn't work. I have read on the BB how rifampin gives a lot of people issues. I have also found that Arteminisin increases my brain problems. Not sure if these issues are a side effect or herx.
Assuming a herx can I get the lyme/co-infections out of my brain without this brain herx? Is this something that I am going to have to eventually work through?
Posts: 854 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010
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When I took Rifampin for the first time I couldn't work for two weeks, then my brain cleared a ton. It was worth it but it was really tough.
Posts: 845 | From Northeast | Registered: May 2011
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My herx from Rifampin was brutal. I was knocked out for about 10 days, and again when I ramped up to full dosage. But since then, I have had significant improvements. If I knew then what I know now, I would have prepared myself a bit more for it (I have 2 kids, one of them is only 3) but I would definitely do it again. It seems to me that your symptoms are probably a herx.
My LLMD has me take charcoal and cholesteramine to detox. The latter detoxes your brain. I have to take them in the middle of the night because they will also bind medication in your stomach. Maybe ask your doctor if there is something you can take to help with the detox. Herxing can be awful, but is still a sign we are getting better!
Posts: 427 | From Pacific Northwest | Registered: Oct 2010
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Jamers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28016
posted
Terv-What do you mean by brain issues? I have to start Rif. next week.
Searchin4truth-Did you start out at half the dose twice a day? How long did you treat for??
-------------------- Diagnosed Pos. Lyme Nov. 17, 2010, Igx. Pos. Babesia Duncani March 2011, Igx. Clinical diagnosis for Bartonella Posts: 1127 | From North Carolina | Registered: Sep 2010
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Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
I took Rifampin for 4 months. The brain fog never cleared until I stopped the medicine. I could not work that way, I had to stop. The Babs meds seem to clear my mind. I may herx for a short while but nothing like the Rifampin. I can work while on Babs meds although they make me tired.
Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009
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The brain issues that appeared were confusion, inability to concentrate, feeling very overwhelmed/depressed, and crying over everything.
I already had memory issues and occasionally had the inability to concentrate. The later seems more pronounced on days I take the Arteminisin.
Posts: 854 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010
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posted
What helped me immensely (and still does) with my brain fog is Dr. Jernigans Neuroantitox II CNS/PNS Formula. I confirmed how much it helped me when I ran out of it and my brain fog returned. It supposedly removes the excess ammonia, which is a by-product created by the infections. I also stopped eating gluten and dairy, which I feel also helped with the brain fog too.
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I started with one dose a day, and when the herx subsided, I added the second dose. I am still taking it. Uncontrollable crying is one of my symptoms of a herx. When I can't stop crying (over nothing) I know I am herxing!
Posts: 427 | From Pacific Northwest | Registered: Oct 2010
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Glad to hear that I am not the only one in tears. My poor husband doesn't know what to do with me.
I will try restarting it at half the dosage when my work emergency is over. I should have known better to take a full dose. It took me 6 months to get up to the full dose of mino.
Posts: 854 | From Somewhere | Registered: Nov 2010
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