I literally took my first 250mg of Zithromax w/dinner and I have the worst stomach pain turned into upset stomach, acid reflux and now a headache (and I'm really dizzy and feel really tired all of a sudden).

The stomach problems and headache passed but I now have that flu-like ache in my lower legs. I haven't had this feeling is a very long time. I now remember why I hated it so much.

Also, I'm on 250mg of Zithro for 7 days and then one every other day for the next 3 wks. Then I see the LLMD to go over how I did on abx. Is this normal?

[This message has been edited by JillF (edited 07 July 2004).]

Dizziness is also noted as one of the indicators of an allergic reaction, though, along with rash, swelling and ichiness.

I'm on 600 mg daily and doing fine with it -- but doctors all seem to dose differently, for different reasons. So best to talk to the doc about it, and to understand why you're on that dosing schedule and if you need to be using something different.

Have you tried liquid zithro?
My doctor prescribed the liquid because of my gastro sensitivity to antibiotics.
I drink one glass (8 oz) of water, take 1 teaspoon (200mg) of the zithro, then chugg another glass of water. This helps to dilute the zithro, and makes it much easier on the stomach. I only get a little bit nauseated that lasts maybe 5 minutes or so.
My doctor wanted me to drink a quart of water with the zithro, but that's way too much water for me to drink at one time. 2 glasses is plenty enough for me.

I do this with Mepron, too, then I take the second dose 12 hours later. Hope this helps.

Now...are you sure you have a LLMD?
Your treatment looks very weak.
250 mg of Zithromax is a tiny dose, and the length of treatment makes no sense either.
When were you bitten? Why are your doses so low? Have you been checked for co-infections? Please make sure your doctor knows what he/she is doing and treats you according to the ILADS guidelines.

Zithromax is typically 600-1200 mg per day and taken along with other antibiotics for several months.

I really was hoping I wouldn't have to change doctors. Sigh.

The LLMD I'm seeing seems to wonder if I do have Lyme or something else.

He wants to see me in a month to see how I reacted to the abx. I wonder how I'm supposed to react if I do have Lyme.

The stomach pain (it's like the stabbing pain I've had through-out the body) only lasts for a few minutes after I take the abx. But since I've started the abx, I've had a constant headach that gets worse after taking the abx. Is this related, who knows?

Also, I've had better luck sleeping since taking it. Also, more energy.

I've had a weird symptom that is new. It's like a muscle spasm, muscle soreness and a stabbing pain all in one. It's nothing I've felt before. And it happens for like 5 seconds and then totally disappears. And I never know where it's going to hit me on the body. It's a totally different pattern and happens very infrequently - something I've never experienced over the past year or so. It's been hitting me all over the body (even the neck - which has not been a common place for anything over the past year).

Also, the redness/rash/flushing I get on my face (nose and cheeks) seems less red now.

Is this because of the abx? Who knows.

Most of my symptoms have gone now. I'm starting to feel normal.

I wonder how I'd be feeling on a stronger dose.