I started taking 150 mg of Rifampin last Wednesday to treat Bart. Just upped the dose yesterday to 300 (150 in am and 150 in PM).
This morning I was crashed into depression, then this afternoon I am itching unbelievably - even inside my ears! I itch on a regular basis, but not usually this bad. Usually a dose of Benedryl takes the edge off so I can be comfortble.
I took two Benedryl for the itching, and within 20 minutes my nose stuffed up completely. I have a terrible cough from a cold I've been battling, and the coughing is suddenly worse, so much so that I'm having a little trouble breathing.
I just called my husband to come home from running errands because I'm worried if this gets worse I'm going to have to go to the hospital.
Does this sound like a Bart "herx"? Has anyone had any experience with this kind of episode?
posted
I don't know, but don't take anymore until you know more. Have you called your LLMD? I would do that ASAP.
I could not take Rifampin.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Andie333
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7370
posted
Hi, Elizabeth!
First, I hope that by the time you're reading this, you've managed to get some relief from what you were experiencing. It sounds awful!
I'm on rifampin for Bart -- have been since Dec. -- and I've never experienced anything like what you were describing (I take 1500 mg a day).
When I was first on the rifampin, I had a some wicked mood swings and a few horrible headaches but no itching. I did have some breathing issues with Bart but after starting the treatment, those disappeared.
Again, I hope you're able to figure out what's going on and that you can get some relief!
Andie
Posts: 2549 | From never never land | Registered: May 2005
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Ten minutes after I started this thread, my husband came home and said, "That's it. We're going to the ER." The best the ER doc could figure out is that I had some kind of allergic reaction. I suspect it was an over-the-top histamine reaction from Lyme or Bart or some other co-infection acting up.
They got me hooked up to an IV line (the nurse had a terrible time finding a good vein), then injected me with adreniline (sp?), Benedryl, and something else I can't remember. I told them I didn't want Prednasone because of the Lyme. The doc didn't like it, but was respectful of my choice.
I responded very quickly to the drugs, and felt like an elephant lifted off my chest. I'm still itchy, coughing badly, and feel a slight wheeze and some air hunger, but I'm much better. Although I got nauseous later (and I have terrible menstrual cramps, just to add insult to injury).
The ER doc sent me home with an inhaler (albuterol), an epi-pen injection for emergency, in case my symptoms return, and told me to take over the counter Clariton and Tagamet for the next couple of days.
We were there for a total of seven hours. Six in the ER. Took an hour to get the drugs for the hospital pharmacy. Yuck!
But I'm breathing easier than I was. And I bet I'll sleep well tonight!
Thanks again for your support. This kind was a really sucky night.
kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
My daughter started Rifampin last week, is at 300mg and going to work up to 600mg this week since she is doing pretty well not herxing on it.
She just walked by and said, "my head is so itchy"! She took a Benedryl. We'll see if that works
Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
I got a hot tip from the ER nurse yesterday: Liquid Benedryl works as fast as a shot. Pills can take up to an hour.
I'm gonna go get me some of that!
BTW, I feel better today, in that I can breathe. Woke up with a migraine though, and I feel like I've been beat up with a baseball bat, inside and out.
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