posted
I have been on mepron for 5 weeks now, and I am still unable to ramp up to full dose of 1 tsp 2x a day, and zithromax 2x a day. Twice I have gotten up to 3/4 tsp 2x a day, and zith once a day, and bottom out with herxing (severe sweats, extreme muscle pain, extreme insomnia). I took a 2 day break from treatment a few weeks ago and everything was fine. I worked back up to my ceiling, and again I can't stand the herx. Did it take anyone a few months to get up to a full dose, and how do you break that herx ceiling? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
Posts: 393 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
My son didnt have any major problems with herx outside of the major aggression twice in 4 weeks...I didnt realize the insomnia could be herx also....He is having trouble sleeping...Thanks for shedding some light.
Posts: 127 | From Rock Tavern, New York | Registered: May 2005
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posted
I herxed so bad that I crawled to the bathroom and had to reduce initial dose to quarter teaspoon and half tab. Was able to ramp up over several weeks, but liver functions blew sky high and I was pulled off everything. Talk to your LLMD. Be careful of taking things like benadryl to reduce herx, as this can increase ocular pressure.
Definitely, get hold of your LLMD. Good luck.
Posts: 719 | From Delaware | Registered: Jan 2006
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HEATHERKISS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6789
posted
My husband switched to maralone. It's working out better for him. Took him about a week and a half just to ramp up the zith.
Then he started to add the maralone and ramp that up.
Do you take your medicine in the middle of a big fatty meal? That's what has always helped me.
good luck,
-------------------- HEATHER
Posts: 1974 | From ABERDEEN, NJ 07747 | Registered: Jan 2005
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trails
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1620
posted
ramped up for 3 weeks...on 10th day of full dose:
I herxed so badly I passed out at work they had to call 911 when they couldnt stabilize my vitals.
Then I took a 5 month break and had to have pelvic surgery during that time.
Second try I was able to ramp up to full dose within a month and herxes never got nearly as bad as that first time.
Corgilla is right about the resistance thing--if anything DONT stop the zith. mepron without zith is proven to cause resistance. Not sure about the other way around though. ??
I thought Dr. WiseButt was only taking bits of mepron for months...she could only do DROPS. Try her blog, she writes about it some there: http://www.twistoflyme.blogspot.com
Babesia is heavy stuff and many LLMDs are now thinking it is the reason MANY of us are not getting better.
I am sorry you are having to go thru this. I wish I had more suggestions for you? You can search for mepron buddies--there are threads about it in the past. Force, Trails
Posts: 1950 | From New Mexico | Registered: Sep 2001
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posted
Hi, I'm new here, just finding my way around. I'm wondering if others have struggled with psych/emotional abreactions on Mepron. My stomach handles it just fine, the rest of me crashes! I've just stopped my 2nd round of Mepron in 2 years. The first was when newly diagnosed with Lyme and Bab. At that time I took Mepron alone (2 x 1 tsp daily) for 2 months for Bab, plus antibx for Lyme. The herx was ugly, causing a deep anger and depression. I was doing wonderfully on a long meds break during the weeks before last Xmas, but a Bab screening and new W.Blot still showed positive so on Jan 1st I started Mepron and Zithro. Again, no titration recommended and straight into 2 x 1 tsp daily. I did fine for 4/5 weeks, then plummeted into the worst herx ever: insomnia, nightmares, hallucinations, panic attacks. My LLMD agreed to stop cold and move straight into Lyme Antibx, with a view to re-starting Mepron. I have chosen to stop Mepron and before moving into next protocol to rest and restore myself with some quietness, simple food, NO supplements to aggravate the liver, only lots of warm water drinks, light tea and a mild herbal cleansing tea. Some symptoms are abating, though still having bad panic attacks and sleeping poorly. I'm a yoga teacher and have a bag of tools at my disposal, ie. breathing and staying present - talking myself down from the attacks, but it's launched me into an ugly depression which I pray will lift soon. Just started 10mg Prozac to help offset depression. I have to keep functioning for my kids' sake. The hardest thing for me is learning to balance the physical/mental/emotional cost of the cure against the potential worsening effects of the disease. I currently feel in a fog of inertia - lots of ambition, but no motivation or energy to start or finish any projects. Any one out there with similar experiences? Would be grateful for your feedback. Thanks
Posts: 6 | From RI | Registered: Sep 2005
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I can fully appreciate your note. I have been on mepron now about 2 months...finally working up ALMOST to full dose. I had really bad insomnia during the first month of tx, which has abated somewhat. I have also been struggling with depression and strange crying jags that seem to come out of nowhere. I have strange bursts of adrenaline in the evening, which could probably feel like a panic attack. (I think this might be adrenal herxing?) I have absolutely NO energy, and when I get home from work I spend the rest of the evening in a semi-comatose state on the couch. My husband thinks I am a potted plant, but that's the best I can do.
Hope you are able to hang in there! Good luck!
Jen
Posts: 393 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Jun 2005
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