posted
I just started taking Ketek this past Saturday and my doctor is going to add something in about a week. I have been on doxy, iv rocephin (10 weeks), biaxin with omnicef ( 1 month). I had a terrible herx with the biaxin and omnicef. I don't know if I should have changed abx or not. My joint and muscle pain has increased terribly. I don't know if it is geting worse or if it is dying off. How long can someone herx? days, weeks? I don't have any idea, because I am so new to this. I appreciate anyone input and direction.
Thanks,
janjan Posts: 30 | From warrenton, virginia | Registered: Nov 2005
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mlkeen
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1260
posted
Hi Janjan-
Welcome-sorry you have this nasty disease. My husband alternates Ketek with tetra and has done well. Anythime you change abx or dose you can herx.
It sounds like you are herxing. Some folks here herx very hard for a period of time. My son would herx every 3-5 weeks and be in bed for 5-7 days each time. Based on this, I thought I never herxed because I was only more achey and sore from time to time . My llmd thinks this is how I herx. Herxing has no predicable pattern, but it could like it did for my son.
Over time you should start to feel a little better. This will be the indication that the medication is starting to work. It often takes months before progress is seen.
Thanks for the information. This has been a struggle so far and I know that I can beat this disease in the end. I just have to keep on keeping on. I guess is such a surprise to have such increased muscle and joint pain. I have had some, but it really hurts now.
Thanks for the incouragement. I pray for your families return to health real soon.
Love, janjan
Posts: 30 | From warrenton, virginia | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
My new llmd tells me that biaxin, zithromax and ketek are all related. My daughter and I have terrible problems with the 2 of the 3 we have tried (I've had all, she had a severe allergic reaction to IV Zith and paralysis with biaxin.)
My doc is now using malarone instead of mepron/zith for me and Bicillin/Bactrim/Rifampin for my daughter.
I absolutely couldn't tolerate the Ketek.
Posts: 132 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2004
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I've been on Ketek since May. At first, I coupled this w/ Mino and Tinidazole, and I felt like I was in constant die-off mode. My LLMD figured the combo was too strong for me, so now I pulse the Mino and Ketek every other day. This has been much more tolerable for me. Whenever I start to feel extra icky, I back off my ABX for a few days. If I feel better during this period, then I know I was herxing while on the meds.
Everyone reacts to ABX differently, so it may take you some time to figure out how your body responds..and how long your herx may last. I've also found that my herx reactions vary on different meds.
Hang in there. It sounds like the Ketek's working!
Wishing Wellness, Jewl
Posts: 79 | From Chicago, IL | Registered: Sep 2003
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valymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7076
posted
jan
It has taken my son many weeks on ketek before herxing but his herxing these past days has caused the most painful muscle pain in arms - shoulders - elbows.
Very hard to watch him as he suffers this......feel so helpless. Let me know if you find something to help ease the hurting.
Posts: 1240 | From Centreville,VA | Registered: Mar 2005
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NP40
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6711
posted
Ketek is an extremely powerful abx. You may want to ramp it up slowly. My son would herx so bad he couldn't walk, we had to get a wheelchair for him.
Excessive herxing is counter-prodcutive. If your out in Lala land, back off the dosage for a little bit, than slowly ramp up again.
DO NOT rush treatment. Try hot baths in epsom salts' for pain. Have your doc try various pain meds, or sleep meds so you can rest. Sauna's, whirlpools in hot water help many. The keets don't like the heat.
Make sure your getting enough magnesium to help some of the joint pain. Lymies will burn magnesium up in droves.
Posts: 1632 | From Northern Wisconsin | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
I am starting my second round with Ketek, I took it for two weeks, switched to omnicef/flagyl for two weeks, now back to omnicef/ketek for 2 weeks....
I am doing fine on it, BUT I have been on various antibiotic treatments for two years now, if I had taken this 1 1/2 years ago, I probably would have herxed at least as bad as I did on Biaxin, I have three unfinished jars of biaxin still sitting around from then...
Hang in there and try to take what your doctor has given you if you can, if it gets too much, stop or lower it and call your doctor. More might get healing faster, but if you need to function to some degree now, you may need to take it slow. As a single mom with three kids, believe me I know that too much of a herx respoinse can be unworkable.
good luck, and hang in there. I am seeing improvement, you will too.
Posts: 222 | From Santa Cruz Mountains, CA USA | Registered: Nov 2004
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