posted
Hi all... I have been doing Rocephin injections, Biaxin, and Septra for 3 weeks. My last dose of these was on Monday morning. That night, I started itching - my hands, arms and my feet. They were also swollen with huge hives everywhere. Throughout the day yesterday, the itching continued and at about 8 p.m., my lip started swelling. Even after taking Benadryl, the swelling and itching got worse and worse.
I finally went to the E.R. at about 11 p.m. They were very concerned and I saw the doctor within 10 minutes. In the next 10 minutes, I had a shot of epinephrine, IV Benadryl, and IV Solumedrol (steroid).
The doctor said that Rocephin is one of those abx that you can all of a sudden develop an allergy to. Is this correct? Also, he said that because it has such a long half life, I needed to take a Medrol (steroid) dose pack for 6 days and Zyrtec.
I know that steroids are usually contraindicated with Lyme, but is this dose okay for this length of time? The doctor said that it was a very good thing that I came in when I did and that it was very serious when it starts to move to your face (then moving to your airway).
I am so bummed out!! I really felt like the Rocephin was working and I have never had an abx allergy. How do I know which abx this was from?
Thank you!!
Posts: 292 | From UT | Registered: Aug 2001
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
How scary! I'm glad to hear that your OK.
Have you contacted your LLMD yet? That would be my first suggestion.
It probably was the Rocephin that caused the reaction. You should follow the ER docs advice to finish the Medrol pack and take Zyrtec. If you do not continue the Medrol pack you risk having the symptoms come back. Sometimes the second reaction can be worse than the first.
Give your doctor a call to let them know what happened. They would know what antibiotic would be best for you to continue or switch to now.
Take care Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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karenl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17753
posted
This happens quite often. All these meds are very toxic and your liver has trouble.
I was in the same situation and did not take steroids. Anyhow it will happen again with other medications once your body had too much.
Start other meds slowly to test first, even when your doctor wants you to jump on a high dose.
Steroids will work in your system for 12 months, read the fine print. Your immune system will be shut off for up to 12 months.
I think steroids will be the next big class action law suit. In case you take it, keep all paperwork, you might need it later on.
You need to avoid rocephin and cross related meds as well.
Posts: 1834 | From US | Registered: Oct 2008
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