LymeNet Flash: mepron/zith periferal neuro problems

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » mepron/zith periferal neuro problems

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Topic: mepron/zith periferal neuro problems

islandgirl
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 5914

posted

For possible babs, I am taking mepron (1 t.2x day) and zith (250 tab 2x day. Experiencing frequent hot flushes and very cold chills, continuously throughout day and night. Stabbing pains in feet and hands are much more noticable after only 2 weeks.

I will live with these if I know they are doing me no long term harm, but are positive reactions. Not seeing my LLMD til mid January.

Questions: Is this a drug that might be causing this, which one? Or is it the lyme and/or babesia bad guys yelling in protest? Is this a positive sign that I do have babs? I know I have lyme. Thanks.

Posts: 190 | From BC Canada | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged |

zipzip
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 6226

posted

did you have these symptoms before you started this protocol or only since?

not indicative symptoms of babesia per se, but lyme in general.

i don't know of either mepron or zith to cause peripheral neuropathy (stabbing pains), but chills and flushing are often indicative of babs.

if the symptoms started after you started mepron/zith i would think it is a herx, or lyme is getting worse though i doubt that. depends what you on before and if what you are on now (zith) is as strong as prior treatment.

Posts: 795 | From nyc | Registered: Sep 2004 | IP: Logged |

liz28
Unregistered

posted

At work, can't talk long... but on mep, chills got much worse, can't remember lots of words, depth perception way off. Be careful if you drive.

IP: Logged |

minoucat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5175

posted

I didn't experience this set of sx, although I did feel much worse for several months on mepron/zith/art. Mostly very irritable, and my legs ached intensely, and I had headaches.

My understanding is that as the babesia die off any Bb that parasitized the babesia are released, which might be causing an intensified Bb herx.

Probably a good idea for you to let your doc know what's going on, even if you're not seeing her for a while.

Posts: 2331 | From WA | Registered: Jan 2004 | IP: Logged |

Oz
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 2905

posted

My LLMD thought the persistant chills and hot flushes were possibly babesia and sure enough I tested positive after three tests and a year after my initial diagnosis with lyme. My lyme and babesia seemed to co-mingle so it's hard to say what's causing what not to mention the medication side effects. Having gone through the mill, my advice is to stay the course.

It will be and up and down ride but you will gradually have less bad days and more good days.Your good old self will emerge again.

Posts: 228 | From Wassaic NY. USA | Registered: Aug 2002 | IP: Logged |

islandgirl
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 5914

posted

Again, lymenet folks came through with some quick and perceptive answers. Thank you all for your ideas. Zip, I had most of these symptoms with lyme, but pereferal neuropathy and chills/sweats were not nearly as strong. Tinninitis is back again, loud and clear with this new rx regime.

What is another rx that would take the place of zith? I experimented and it seemed to me, periferal nerves began within 10 minutes of taking zith this afternoon.

Thought you couldn't herx with babs. But, perhaps you are right. I will stay the course, but will try again to reach the LLMD

Posts: 190 | From BC Canada | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged |

minoucat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5175

posted

Hi, Islandgirl. The herx question is an interesting one. My bro in law, a nurse, assures me it only occurs with spirochetes. Other clinicians disagree strongly. My own experience is that, whether it was technically a herx or not, I had a strong reaction as I reduced the babesia load. For me, it wasn't the meds themselves -- at the end of the treatment, I did not have any of the symptoms that I did at the beginning, but the meds were the same. This is from the Jemsek clinic:

"In theory, Herxheimer reactions occur when an administered antimicrobial agent has successfully led to lyses of certain organisms (107). By definition this phenomenon is not unique to Bb.

Non-spirochetal infections manifesting the Herxheimer event after treatment include Brucellosis, Glanders, Anthrax, and even Leprosy (mycobacterium leprae) (113)."

Zith is a macrolide; there are several others in this class, including Erythromycin, Clarithromycin [Biaxin], and Spiramycin, and now Ketek (the next generation of macrolides). If you have a sympathetic pharmacist, it would be great to discuss alternatives with him or her -- those guys are a terrific and underused resource.

Hope you're feeling better!

Posts: 2331 | From WA | Registered: Jan 2004 | IP: Logged |

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