RASH - Lyme symptom or antiviral med symptom? Or herxing??

I'm now covered in a rash of red bumps on my thighs, elbow and behind one ear and it is really itchy.  I have been taking minocycline for over a week.  I started acyclovir (Valtrex) for my HSV-1 last night.  Now...the rash.  Could this be the new med or herxing?  Neither?  

[wonko]

I also have small red bumps that appeared after I began treatment.  Some are 2-dimensional, others are like little hard pimples.  Started out on my face, then forearms, then my right leg.  Recently on my chest and part of my back.  They last much longer than a typical break out, I've had the ones on my arms for several months now.

I really don't know if they are from the Lyme, the meds, or what.  My LLMD doesn't seem sure either, but has noted that this is seen in many patients.  I'm also on mino, in addition to plaquenil and zith.

I don't know anything about Valtrex, but I assume it's compatible with the antibiotics?  Perhaps ask your pharmacist about any interactions, if you haven't already.

[Hope75]

It is spreading, quickly.  Now it is all over my back, neck, legs, stomach.  It is very very itchy.  They are very raised bumps.  I took some benadryl, but I'm miserable.  I read up about Valtrex - nothing says it interacts with the abx., but I haven't looked at everything.

[wonko]

Mine is much more quiet, I usually just happen to notice it's spread when I'm bathing or changing, it doesn't itch that much.  It's raised, but perhaps not as much as what you have.

I usually try to only make one change at a time in my treatment, otherwise it's difficult to know what needs elimination/modification.  I know that's not always possible/convenient.

Sounds like you should call your doctor(s) in the morning.  Did the same dr. Rx both meds, or did each doctor know about the other Rx?

[cindy903]

allergic reaction? I agree w/ wonko. Call the doctor as that seems like an allergic reaction.

Is this generic? I have found I seem allergic to generic doxy (rashes and nausea) , but not the "real thing" -- doryx.

[cindy903]

Oh and the combo of Valtrex and mino - who knows-- check that!

Valtrex -- anecdotally -- makes Lyme symptoms better! You're on your way. Congrats...Keep us posted and feel better soon.

[jason80]

I use the web for checking drug interactions, for example:

http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php

BTW, acylovir is different than valacylovir. There aren't nominally any drug interactions, but they list a bunch for each of the individual drugs which should be reviewed.

p.s. I hadn't heard that Valtrex makes the Lyme symptoms better, why is that?