posted
I have a complicated question, but the short version is this:
Do children Herx with Amoxicillin, and what should a parent be looking for to tell if it's a Herx or not?
Neither my preschool son nor I am yet diagnosed with Lyme, but I suspect that I have it and am in the process of seeking a second opinion from a LLMD. But I read to my horror (in more than one source) that the organism that causes Lyme has been found in breastmilk, and I was nursing my son for about a year after I found my attached tick. If I have Lyme, there's a good chance my son has it, too.
My son was recently prescribed 400 mg Amoxicillin 2xday for an ear infection. That's the recommended treatment dose for Lyme for a 35 lb child (although my son is a bit heavier than that) He's been on it for 3 days, and is showing some unusual behaviors that seem to be signs of fatigue (asking to be carried, sleeping later than normal, asking to take a nap in the late afternoon). He's also been eating more than usual and having some gastrointestinal issues (which is a listed medication side-effect). When asked if anything hurts, he says he's "fine".
Does anyone have any info or could recommend a good website or book where I might find out about Herx in children? As I said, I don't even know if he has Lyme or not, but I want to know what to look for.
Thanks in advance for any assistance, Vezzy
Posts: 6 | From Long Island, NY | Registered: Apr 2008
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
While I may not be able to answer your questions, I just want to tell you that it would probably be a good idea to give your son some probiotics (like acidopholis, bifidus, etc) while he is taking amoxicillin.
You can find probiotics in any health food store, and many supermarkets. Nature's Way Prodophilis has worked well for me.
I hope you are seeing an llmd soon, for both of you!
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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sometimesdilly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9982
posted
Vezzy-
i need to get to bed, but will send you a PM tomorrow.
I have a 5 year old son with congenital Lyme, and have been where you are now...
the most important thing to know is that even if your child has Lyme, the prognosis for children is quite good- if given adequate treatment.
and, if your child has Lyme, it sounds like you are seeing the problem early on, which is the best of all possible circumstances.
take care- dilly
Posts: 2507 | From lost in the maze | Registered: Aug 2006
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From my experience, yes it is possible for you child to herx on Amoxicillin. That was what got me thinking that I had passed Lyme to my children was whenever my daughter was treated for an ear infection (which seemed like was every month) she would claim of knee pain.
Tracy
Posts: 41 | From Singapore | Registered: Jan 2008
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posted
Vermont_Lymie--Thank you very much! That is an excellent suggestion. I also have some LAC yogurt in the fridge, and I will make sure he gets some until I can make it to the health food store. I appreciate the advice.
Sometimesdilly--Thank you! I'd be greatful for any information on the subject. Your words were very heartening. I haven't found too much information about children (though admittedly I haven't yet been searching very long). ...Will be looking for your PM when you get the chance to send it, and thanks so much for taking the time to respond.
Tracy--Ah, I thought it might be possible. Thank you for sharing your experience. Complaints of joint pain is certainly something to be on the lookout for, then. I really appreciate the information!
Posts: 6 | From Long Island, NY | Registered: Apr 2008
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When my son had his first herx, there was no qusetion about it, he was on the floor in pain, his whole body hurt. Fortunately it passed over night.
Since amox is used to treat lyme, I would expect that it would make a child herx. I do not know if the dosage that your child is on is comparable to that given a child with lyme, as my child is a bit older, and cannot take amox.
I hope for your child's sake that lyme is not in the picture, but if it is, at least you will know soon and be able to treat.
The Natures way chewable probiotics have worked well for us, as my son wouldn't take the stuff that you had to sprinkle into some sort of food.
Tummy problems and abx go together, so I wouldn't necessarily see them as a herx unless they persisted after you add some probiotics to the mix.
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