posted
I had my first bicillin shot of 1,200,000 units on Oct 12th and the burning pain in my arms and legs, esp my shins as well as really intense joint pain in my hands and feet and knees was terrrible.
I could not understand how people could take that dose twice a week. My MD didn't want to give me more than one injection a month because of harrassment problems, but he agreed to give me half dose every two weeks.
Each injection hurt more than the last. It hurt to use stairs, and I was taking a lot more Tylenol 3s and codiene to manage. I do not work, can barely manage with life.
In my search for an answer as to why this is hurting me so much and other people are taking 4 times the bicillin I am taking, I found the bicillin web site that lists the adverse reactions of bicillin and it said Joint disorder and exacerbation of arthritis as some of the adverse reactions listed.
Can some one tell me what to think about this?
The LLMD I communicate with via email says maybe it is and I should stop the injections. But what if it isn't and I loose ground painfully claimed?
Has anyone heard of anyone having this kind of adverse reaction?
The WB test I had was pos IGG Igenex Neg IGG CDC and Neg IGM both Irenex and CDC.
I had been off and on Oral ABX for 2 years prior to the WB test. Igenex results were weak positive. IgG Positive Igenex and Negative CDC/NYS with + for 30 + for 31 IND for 39 ++ for 41 and 58 and + for 83-93
The IgM was Negative for both Igenex and CDC/NYS with only IND at 31 and 41.
Anyone have ideas to guide me please?
Jeannie
-------------------- Dxd clinical Nov 05 - March 08 tested low pos. from Igenex Started Bicillin/Flagyl Oct 2008 was on Ketek Tinidazole prior - PN, concentration low, tinnitus, PVCs, sore lymph nodes, hair loss, joint pain with some swelling, muscle tenderness. Posts: 56 | From Manitoba | Registered: Feb 2006
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David95928
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posted
All I can say is I had a heck of a hrx that lasted for months but ultimately subsided. Dave
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Thanks for that Dave. Did you have a clinical Dx of Lyme or was it a Positive WB test? CD-57?
What kind of dosage were you taking?
Jeannie
-------------------- Dxd clinical Nov 05 - March 08 tested low pos. from Igenex Started Bicillin/Flagyl Oct 2008 was on Ketek Tinidazole prior - PN, concentration low, tinnitus, PVCs, sore lymph nodes, hair loss, joint pain with some swelling, muscle tenderness. Posts: 56 | From Manitoba | Registered: Feb 2006
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
I'm taking 1.2 three times a week and I don't really notice any herxes. Maybe some minor ones in the first couple of months, but not really since.
I feel awful if I miss a shot, however. I totally and completely crash. I suspect you may be having some adverse effects. You are taking such a low dose, it would be hard to imagine those are herxes; particularly if you haven't experienced a similar type of herx on other abx.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
I agree with Tracy, it does not sound like a herx. Bicillin is absorbed so slowly. And you are on such a tiny dose. Maybe it is an adverse reaction.
Are you working with an LLMD? Maybe it is time to try another antibiotic. You need to tolerate the drug and have a high enough concentration of it in your system to actually treat Lyme.
Good luck.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
Bicillin is usually pretty tame as far as reactions go. Herxes can be prolonged on Bicillin as Dr. B's guidelines point out.
Also make sure whoever is injecting you is following proper procedure. If you graze a nerve, you can have some leg pain I would imagine. And watch for blood vessels.
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
Thanks for all your responses, I appreciate being heard.
It also was good to hear that it sounds like an adverse reaction rather than a herx.
the idea of using an antihistamine is interesting but I wonder what the difference is between an allergic reaction and an adverse reaction. Shheeesh! Nothing is simple and cut and dried is it? Amanda you suggested getting blood work checked after next shot and I wonder what they would be looking for in that blood work to tell us anything?
The LLMD I was seeing had to take early retirement due to harrassement causing poor health. My MD is willing to give the shots in moderation, but really is not informed much about Lyme so I am pretty much on my own.
Jeannie
-------------------- Dxd clinical Nov 05 - March 08 tested low pos. from Igenex Started Bicillin/Flagyl Oct 2008 was on Ketek Tinidazole prior - PN, concentration low, tinnitus, PVCs, sore lymph nodes, hair loss, joint pain with some swelling, muscle tenderness. Posts: 56 | From Manitoba | Registered: Feb 2006
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David95928
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3521
posted
Jeannie, my disagnosis was clinical as I was only positive for band 41. My herxes included general malaise, muscle and joint pain, tinnitus, vertigo, chills, fatigue..... You may be having a reaction. Bicillin is said to take about twenty four hours to reach peak level. So acute allergic reactions are fairly unusual. My herxes tended to really show up the day after the shot. Something that helped with my herxes was Detox Tea made by Yogi Tea Company. It's main ingredient is dandelion root. IF you were to try it and hae a reduction of symptoms, that would lend evidence to this being a herx. Some people have reported being very sensitive to Bicillin and only being able to tolerate pediatric doses until they get their bacterial load down. Dave
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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