posted
Hi, I started Erythrmicin 500mg 3x day and plaquenil 200 mg 2x a day, 2 weeks ago. I had abdominal pain from the start of taking the meds.
First week I felt ok but tired. This last week has been really bad. Abdominal pain, nausea, weakness, achcy all over and extreme fatigue like the flu.
I know this is a herx and is suposed to happen. The problem is I tried to work today, as I have to go back, I have no choice, but had to leave early as I am just so sick.
I can't work in this condition and want to stop the meds all together. Just so confused and have no idea what to do? Any thoughts on this and what you would do?
Stop the meds? Switch meds but the cost is a concern? Pulse? Take a break? Stick it out? just not sure here at all what is best?
Thanks so much Ann
-------------------- If you keep doing nothing...nothing changes!
posted
Ann this EXACT Same thing just happened to me... To the Tee, I am on same meds as you pretty much, and had the exact same Herx as you are..
What I did was took 3 days off (my LLMD says I can do that every 3-4 weeks) then started again at half dose for 2 days then to full, and "knock on wood after a little while I am much better abd even when I was herx'ing bad just having the 3 day break was a god send.
Oh and BTW ask anyone here I was QUITTING nomatter what anyone said!!! And then I decided to stick it out a little longer and am glad I did... Althogh I have a weird rash right now but feeling OK.
posted
I'm very sorry that you are feeling so sick. I can relate as I am just beginning my treatment and have started herxing from the supplements. If I feel this bad from the supplements, I'm very concerned about how I will feel once I begin the IV antibiotics.
I also feel bad for you having to work while also fighting this painful disease as I know there is no way I could do it either. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling and maybe he could recommend a different treatment protocol that would not be so rough for you. Whatever you do....DON'T GIVE UP!
-------------------- My comments on this site are not intended to be taken as medical advice as I'm not a physician. Posts: 206 | From Georgia | Registered: Dec 2008
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nenet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13174
posted
Sounds to me like the abdominal pain and nausea are drug-related side-effects (they are common side-effects for antibiotics), and the flu-like symptoms are classic herx symptoms.
I would discuss trying a different antibiotic that might cause less gastro-intestinal problems for now.
Regardless of what med, make sure to not take on empty stomach, and to *take good probiotics* every day. They really help the GI stuff. Maybe not the stomach pain but the other stuff (though probiotics can help keep you from developing an ulcer from h. pylori overgrowth).
It seems to be common for many that the worst herxes are at the beginning of treatment, and they get gradually easier through time (months/years, however long treatment takes).
Take heart! You have gotten much further than tens of thousands of people with untreated or under-treated Lyme. You have a Lyme doctor, you are in treatment, and you can still work, though I know that is a challenge.
You got into treatment before you became debilitated, so you are starting out in a better position already. You have more strength starting out, to fight this battle. Stick it out, you will get through this!
Best wishes, and talk to your doc - they understand when herxes get too bad or a drug isn't tolerated, there are options! My LLMD syas that herxing is NOT supposed to get so bad that you can't handle - to drop back on doseage, etc. or change meds when necessary. Their motto is "slow and steady wins the race".
TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
If you have lyme and/or co-infections and you stop treatment, you may feel better for awhile but eventually the infections get worse. So bad for some of us that we had no choice but to stop working because we became too ill to work.
In my opinion, there is no choice but to treat. The key is finding out what works, how much you can tolerate and either holding there or figuring out how to tolerate more until you are well.
If it were me, I'd contact my LLMD and get their advice. Tell them you must work and ask what can be done to treat while at the same time allowing you to work.
Some of us talk a lot about detox. That's because it is really important for some of us in order to manage treatment. Please start researching detox issues here by looking in the archives. That could be part of what you need to work on in order to continue treatment and still work.
Terry I'm not a doctor
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Erythromycen is one of the hardest drugs on my stomach... always has been. SEVERE stomach cramping and nausea. This is typical of this medication. I refuse to take it. See if your MD will put you on Biaxin (Clarythromycen)instead. This is in the same family, but easier to take. It is MUCH easer on my stomach.
Posts: 453 | From TX | Registered: Aug 2008
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quote:Originally posted by TerryK: ... Some of us talk a lot about detox. That's because it is really important for some of us in order to manage treatment. Please start researching detox issues here by looking in the archives. That could be part of what you need to work on in order to continue treatment and still work.
Terry I'm not a doctor
You know, I was going through a really rough herx early on too, and I looked into the detox suggestions posted by Terry and others. I ended up trying a lymph drainage massage, and the next day I felt like a new person. I know it won't work for all, but if your insurance covers it (mine does with a rx from a doc) it -- and probably other suggestions re detox -- are worth looking into.
Kim
(PS I also tried a coffee enema, so far with no noticeable results other than the complete bafflement of my husband; will incorporate more detox suggestions in future).
-------------------- Wildlife biologist working in tropics since 1997; tick bites in Nicaragua in March 2007, started getting sick May 2007; diagnosed with Lyme based on serological testing in Jan 2009; treatment starting Feb 2009. Wish me luck! Posts: 116 | From Seattle | Registered: Feb 2009
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