For those of you who started it when did you start feeling really crappy from it? What did you feel?
Easter is next weekend, then 2 weeks after that Iam driving 9 hrs to take my son to see Dr J in CT.
Iam wondering when I can expect the herx because Iam trying to figure out when I should start it so that I can hopefully feel alive enough to do these things.
Thanks for your help
Oh also, how long did it take until you noticed you felt better?
Posts: 574 | From Out there somewhere | Registered: Jul 2010
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posted
I LOVE Rifampin.... I am sad to be having to give it up here shortly for Biaxin. It is time for me to switch things up says my doc. Rifampin was kind of hard for me at first. I did not have a terrible herx from it, it just knocked my bart down a few notches.
If you can, take it on an empty stomach. It works a lot better that way. I would say start right now so that the worst is out of the way before Easter. I don't know if there is any way to predict but you may not herx at all. Wishing you smooth sailing.
Posts: 859 | From Southeast | Registered: Mar 2011
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I had bad insomnia from Rifampin but I know it was working on the Bart.. It interfered with my sleep med Lunesta making it practically ineffective so I had to switch meds.
I herxed within 2 days of starting....
Posts: 343 | From North Carolina | Registered: Oct 2008
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posted
My doc allowed me to increase the dose incrementally.
Maybe start with 150mg every other day and see how you do? Ask your LLMD, of course!
Posts: 330 | From TN | Registered: Sep 2011
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dbpei
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My herxing started about 4 or 5 days into treatment. Bad herxing lasted just a few days then lightened up a bit. It has continued off and on for the next two weeks but it is much more tolerable now (3 weeks into using).
It does change your sleep. I seem to awaken every couple of hours at night and sometimes cannot get back to sleep. Hopefully, it is going to zap these bugs!
Posts: 2386 | From New England | Registered: Aug 2011
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My doctor told me i could start at 300 mg a day and then increase. I wish i could start at 150 but they are capsules so i cant really do that
Do alot of people do every other day? bc i would be willing to try that if thats something some people do
Posts: 574 | From Out there somewhere | Registered: Jul 2010
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ktkdommer
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I never really herxed with rifampin. Just got better.
-------------------- Things are never dull. After 3 fighting Lyme, 2 are in remission. Youngest is still sick, age 22. He has new diagnosed Chiari Malformation and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Posts: 1366 | From Perrysburg, Ohio | Registered: Nov 2010
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I too was worried about starting it but never had a bad experience on it, other than it did affect my white blood cell count, so my LLMD had to take me off it.
Julie
Posts: 307 | From Byfield, MA | Registered: Jan 2004
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nonna05
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pm
Posts: 2563 | From Denver,CO | Registered: Aug 2011
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lpkayak
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i immedieatly became suicidal...but i had a friend close, lowered dose and built up to full dose in 2 wks and it was great for me
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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I am in the 3rd week of the protocol starting the 4th.
I am still drinking tea and the Rifampin cause my teeth to stain.
My protocol is 300 mg twice a day for three days. Then a four day break. I continue to take houttuynia from 1st Chinese. I took a three week break and started back this week.
We see if this shortens by Bart treatment.
All the Best, MattH
Posts: 607 | From Houston Texas | Registered: Mar 2011
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dbpei
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I notice the staining too. My dentist told me to try the toothpastes that are whitening. I have been using Arm & Hammer whitening toothpaste since my last dental cleaning and I notice an improvement. I also found some Tom's whitening toothpaste that I haven't used yet.
Posts: 2386 | From New England | Registered: Aug 2011
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WPinVA
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I was really sleepy the first week or so on it. I always have fatigue but this was a different feeling - more like I just wanted to curl up and go to sleep. I looked up the side effects and that was one of them. Something to be aware of with that long drive ahead of you.
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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My 8 year old son started Rifampin 6 weeks ago. He's been on a lot of different antibiotics with minimal herxing, but on Rifampin he herxed HARD! Within 24 hours he could hardly wake up and complained he was "too weak to stand". He went on sensory overload, started binge eating, and then couldn't sleep at all. That was the first day!!! The first week symptoms included angry, yelling, "flashing" pains, knee pain, defiance, tingling in feet and hands, diarrhea, fever, headache, coughing, and "feels like I'm floating". The second week started with aggression, hysterics, calf pain that prevented him from walking one whole day, extreme irritability, and a visual disturbance. The third week was amazing - best week we have EVER seen. He was so calm, happy, and relaxed. He started liking music again, which was his passion before becoming ill. (Since lyme/bart took over he can't stand any noise.) The last couple of weeks have been a little up and down. But overall there has been a very big improvement with Rifampin.
He has yellow staining on his teeth, but it does brush off with some effort. He is also having trouble sleeping, but he usual does for a few weeks after the time change, so I don't know if that's from the Rifampin or not.
I think herxing or not herxing on a particular med is individual for each person, so who knows for you. If you increase your detox it should help a lot with herxing!
Posts: 41 | From Ontario | Registered: Apr 2011
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dbpei
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Wow, momcap. That is amazing about your son. It must have been so hard going through the first few weeks for you all. It is good to hear that rifampin has helped him so much and that you made it through those awful weeks of herxing. I will try to remember that when I am going through some rough spots...
Posts: 2386 | From New England | Registered: Aug 2011
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