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Herx/Rifampin Shortness of breathe Question
Hi all. This is my first question on this board. I have done alot of googling but never really posted. Ive been ill w/lyme for about 2-3yrs now. In a nutshell, Treated in the beginning w/sporatic short doses of abx and saw ID doc had a picc line per "guidelines" only for a month. Stopped seeing him after that because he said anything else would be "post lyme syndrome". smh
I had a major decline in health (on top of what I had already been dealing with) around end of feb '2014 and finally got my butt to llmd. May have even had a nervous breakdown. Was treated initially by llmd with amox 1000mg x2day for 30 days then got off that (took a 3 week break to prepare body for bigger guns) so recently was prescribed Doxy, Rifampin & Flagyl. I decided personally to hold off with the flagyl because it will be "popping" stuff and at least wanted to see if any reaction to Rifampin since have never taken it before.
So I started the doxy/rif a few days ago and stopped because shortness of breath. Im assuming it was because of the rifampin because I have tolerated doxy before.
I am allergic to NSAIDS and SWELL up like a carton character when I take them and cant breathe. The shortness of breathe wasnt as bad as that but felt like a heaviness on my chest and I had to fight for air for a couple hours at a time and then it would subside. Maybe could be even the whole air hunger thing. So far right now with llmd, we were clinically diagnosing bart & lyme....but who knows maybe babesia is coming out!
All I know is I can and have tolerate ALOT but cant do the whole not breathing thing!!.... That, and bad un-relentless nausea-uggh (had that last month with amox).
At any rate, the thing is that even in these few last days...I noticed a *change*...for the better I think. Granted it sucked as Ive been feeling very fatiqued and overall ill feeling amongst other things, but I noticed the internal tremors I was having subsided some, the burning pain neuropathy subsided some, and normally my breasts would be sore but they are not either.
My question is: what do you guys think? Was this a herx or somewhat of an allergic reaction? Is shortness of breath common when beginning to herx or with Rifampin by chance?
I feel like I almost want to keep going with it and start back up, but its a diff story when I start not be able to breathe well (sigh). I worry there are not too many drugs to treat bart if I give up on this one.
Also, I read something about starting and abruptly stopping Rifampin and then re-starting isnt good AT ALL for the kidneys? Does anyone know more about this?
I have read info on many forums but you guys seem to be the most knowledgable from my personal opinion!!
~HuGs & well wishes~
I had a major decline in health (on top of what I had already been dealing with) around end of feb '2014 and finally got my butt to llmd. May have even had a nervous breakdown. Was treated initially by llmd with amox 1000mg x2day for 30 days then got off that (took a 3 week break to prepare body for bigger guns) so recently was prescribed Doxy, Rifampin & Flagyl. I decided personally to hold off with the flagyl because it will be "popping" stuff and at least wanted to see if any reaction to Rifampin since have never taken it before.
So I started the doxy/rif a few days ago and stopped because shortness of breath. Im assuming it was because of the rifampin because I have tolerated doxy before.
I am allergic to NSAIDS and SWELL up like a carton character when I take them and cant breathe. The shortness of breathe wasnt as bad as that but felt like a heaviness on my chest and I had to fight for air for a couple hours at a time and then it would subside. Maybe could be even the whole air hunger thing. So far right now with llmd, we were clinically diagnosing bart & lyme....but who knows maybe babesia is coming out!
All I know is I can and have tolerate ALOT but cant do the whole not breathing thing!!.... That, and bad un-relentless nausea-uggh (had that last month with amox).
At any rate, the thing is that even in these few last days...I noticed a *change*...for the better I think. Granted it sucked as Ive been feeling very fatiqued and overall ill feeling amongst other things, but I noticed the internal tremors I was having subsided some, the burning pain neuropathy subsided some, and normally my breasts would be sore but they are not either.
My question is: what do you guys think? Was this a herx or somewhat of an allergic reaction? Is shortness of breath common when beginning to herx or with Rifampin by chance?
I feel like I almost want to keep going with it and start back up, but its a diff story when I start not be able to breathe well (sigh). I worry there are not too many drugs to treat bart if I give up on this one.
Also, I read something about starting and abruptly stopping Rifampin and then re-starting isnt good AT ALL for the kidneys? Does anyone know more about this?
I have read info on many forums but you guys seem to be the most knowledgable from my personal opinion!!
~HuGs & well wishes~
I was diagnosed with Lyme and babesia, but not with anything else. Didn't have any breathing issues that I recall, but the treatment (1st for babs, then 2d for Lyme) worked well. I wish the same for you! Keep us posted.
The breathing problem is definitely the Babesia so don't be afraid to take things. Remember, many co-infections don't always show up on blood tests. It sounds like Bartonella too. I have 3 co-infections, it is not unusual.
Good luck to you. Let us know how you are doing.
Good luck to you. Let us know how you are doing.
Hey Mojogal,
Well...yeah me too Mojo...something "got in me" and told me to jog to open up my lungs as hard as it was. I was pretty athletic speaking in the past tense. Also, It was very light jogging and pretty short but did help alot surprisingly.
At any rate, finally talked to llmd yesterday and he said my last test from labcorp was positive for babesia.
My chest and lymph nodes are still sore but hopefully seem to be tapering off some.
I did get him to call in a non-steroidal inhaler as well which I picked up today and it has seemed to help.
I stopped meds...and he wants me to order some arteminsin and continue that with the doxy and flagyl.
Im so freaked about the breathing thing Im scared to even touch the meds again....but Im gonna have bite the bullet and re-start the fight...sigh....
I just cant believe I actually got a positive test for babesia....I mean I can...no surprise with all the stuff ticks can carry.... but that one is the furthest away from my main symptoms. crazy.
My best wishes to you getting your mojo back soon. Hang in there. Thanks again for all your responses Mojo.
Well...yeah me too Mojo...something "got in me" and told me to jog to open up my lungs as hard as it was. I was pretty athletic speaking in the past tense. Also, It was very light jogging and pretty short but did help alot surprisingly.
At any rate, finally talked to llmd yesterday and he said my last test from labcorp was positive for babesia.
My chest and lymph nodes are still sore but hopefully seem to be tapering off some.
I did get him to call in a non-steroidal inhaler as well which I picked up today and it has seemed to help.
I stopped meds...and he wants me to order some arteminsin and continue that with the doxy and flagyl.
Im so freaked about the breathing thing Im scared to even touch the meds again....but Im gonna have bite the bullet and re-start the fight...sigh....
I just cant believe I actually got a positive test for babesia....I mean I can...no surprise with all the stuff ticks can carry.... but that one is the furthest away from my main symptoms. crazy.
My best wishes to you getting your mojo back soon. Hang in there. Thanks again for all your responses Mojo.
Wow, impressed that you jogged. I have not gotten my mojo back yet but still trying.
If you have other questions, feel free to ask.
If you have other questions, feel free to ask.
Thx hun! Im still in lingo with it all right now trying to figure out this and trying to figure that...brain overload on top of brain fog-ughhhh!
At any rate, its either babesia coming out.....or a BADDD herx/major die off. In the back of my head possibly babesia I wouldnt totally rule out...but at this point in time right now from what Ive dealt with today....I think a bad herx fits.
I was debating going to the hospital all day due to heaviness in middle of my chest and shortness of breath....but I HATE the hospital. "They are for emergency situations and not chronic illnesses I have I heard once." smh
I had pneumonia twice when I was a teen and they told me one of my lungs was scarred and I have been told on a by a doc on a hospital trip a couple years ago that upon x-ray one of my lungs was slightly collapsed. She told me to exercise to essentially inflate it.
Im figuring, since our lungs get toxins (hence from die-off) and mine are probably impaired (light cig smoker also *until recently).... Im thinking maybe this is why the shortness of breath. I had only been treated with amox and rocephin prior so and never an actual abx combo until I got to llmd so even just the bit of combo & different targeted abx I think made a huge dent and my body cannot eradicate the die-off fast enough.
The only way I am coherently typing this right now is with the relief that I **MADE MYSELF** put on 2 layers of clothing and went out and PUSHED myself to jog around the driveway a few times.
I think I got my lung inflated some and sweated out some die-off toxins. I made sure I took a shower as soon as I got in so the toxins were not re-absorbed as well. I feel I am slugged with toxins in all my body detox places-my lymph nodes, lungs, skin, liver, kidneys, gut..you name it.....but affecting lungs the worst
Im doing what detox methods I have knowledge to and readily available i.e. lots of water & lemon water, epsom baths, foot detox, trying to sweat, got a home massage from spouse and trying to exercise
Although I have anxiety, I know panic attacks and its not that.
Btw that is an awesome tip regarding the body temp, thx so much! I will certainly be on the eye out for any night sweats (sigh).
Thanks again for your input Mojogal. It is GREATLY VALUED
P.S. If you dont mind me asking...have you gotten your "mojo" back yet...or are you still pressing on?
xx's
At any rate, its either babesia coming out.....or a BADDD herx/major die off. In the back of my head possibly babesia I wouldnt totally rule out...but at this point in time right now from what Ive dealt with today....I think a bad herx fits.
I was debating going to the hospital all day due to heaviness in middle of my chest and shortness of breath....but I HATE the hospital. "They are for emergency situations and not chronic illnesses I have I heard once." smh
I had pneumonia twice when I was a teen and they told me one of my lungs was scarred and I have been told on a by a doc on a hospital trip a couple years ago that upon x-ray one of my lungs was slightly collapsed. She told me to exercise to essentially inflate it.
Im figuring, since our lungs get toxins (hence from die-off) and mine are probably impaired (light cig smoker also *until recently).... Im thinking maybe this is why the shortness of breath. I had only been treated with amox and rocephin prior so and never an actual abx combo until I got to llmd so even just the bit of combo & different targeted abx I think made a huge dent and my body cannot eradicate the die-off fast enough.
The only way I am coherently typing this right now is with the relief that I **MADE MYSELF** put on 2 layers of clothing and went out and PUSHED myself to jog around the driveway a few times.
I think I got my lung inflated some and sweated out some die-off toxins. I made sure I took a shower as soon as I got in so the toxins were not re-absorbed as well. I feel I am slugged with toxins in all my body detox places-my lymph nodes, lungs, skin, liver, kidneys, gut..you name it.....but affecting lungs the worst
Im doing what detox methods I have knowledge to and readily available i.e. lots of water & lemon water, epsom baths, foot detox, trying to sweat, got a home massage from spouse and trying to exercise
Although I have anxiety, I know panic attacks and its not that.
Btw that is an awesome tip regarding the body temp, thx so much! I will certainly be on the eye out for any night sweats (sigh).
Thanks again for your input Mojogal. It is GREATLY VALUED
P.S. If you dont mind me asking...have you gotten your "mojo" back yet...or are you still pressing on?
xx's
It really sounds like Bart's due to the swollen lymph nodes and neuropathy.
I never had shortness of breath with Bart's but it does cause anxiety so it could be a panic attack?
For me, my Babesia symptoms came out after starting rifampin. Rifampin also caused a major herx which is a worsening of the symptoms.
I would look up side effects from rifampin and see if shortness of breath is on the list.
As for our immune system, a good way to know if it is in good shape or not is by your body temp. I use to run low grade fevers, now 20 years after my tick bite, my body temp is always around 97.
Keep an eye out for your night sweats to see if they increase.
I never had shortness of breath with Bart's but it does cause anxiety so it could be a panic attack?
For me, my Babesia symptoms came out after starting rifampin. Rifampin also caused a major herx which is a worsening of the symptoms.
I would look up side effects from rifampin and see if shortness of breath is on the list.
As for our immune system, a good way to know if it is in good shape or not is by your body temp. I use to run low grade fevers, now 20 years after my tick bite, my body temp is always around 97.
Keep an eye out for your night sweats to see if they increase.
Hey Mojogal!! Thanks SO much for your response! Well I did have a short period of sweating the 2nd night but other than that not usually. I NEVER even run fevers anymore.
I feel like my immune system went on a vacation due to the stupid bacteria and essentially made it auto-immune as it is known to do......until yesterday after stopping the treatment....and even right now, my lymph nodes are somewhat sore and swollen! Im actually HAPPY about this lol! It tells me my immune system must have sensed something dying/infection and activated and is doing something. It really hasnt given me any inclination like this in a long time.
I know I dont have anything else going on infection wise because I am too much of a germ-a-phobe and havent even got a cold since I got lyme *knocks on wood* due to the fact I will feel like death and cant handle anything on top of lyme/co's.
Oh my...3rd year of trying to treat bart huh?! Woww, its sounds more stubborn that I thought. I wish you the best with your treatment and hope you feel well soon :)
Could you please tell me if you have noticed any shortness of breath with your lyme or bart herxe's?
I know everyone's different but I really feel like that rifampin did a hit a lil something. I also took milk thistle for the first time in a while and pollen is real bad right now...maybe I could have had a breathing reaction to one of those as well. Darn it!
I always suspected I had bart before the lyme anyway and the bart was stealth not causing any symptoms until lyme came along and activated it ://
Regarding my symptoms currently, Ive been dealing with ALOT of heel pain, shin pain, migrating burning neuropathy throughout body, stiff neck, sore lymph nodes, joint pain (knee's/elbows mainly), brain fog, internal shaking/tremors, tinnitus. and probably a few more.
I feel like my immune system went on a vacation due to the stupid bacteria and essentially made it auto-immune as it is known to do......until yesterday after stopping the treatment....and even right now, my lymph nodes are somewhat sore and swollen! Im actually HAPPY about this lol! It tells me my immune system must have sensed something dying/infection and activated and is doing something. It really hasnt given me any inclination like this in a long time.
I know I dont have anything else going on infection wise because I am too much of a germ-a-phobe and havent even got a cold since I got lyme *knocks on wood* due to the fact I will feel like death and cant handle anything on top of lyme/co's.
Oh my...3rd year of trying to treat bart huh?! Woww, its sounds more stubborn that I thought. I wish you the best with your treatment and hope you feel well soon :)
Could you please tell me if you have noticed any shortness of breath with your lyme or bart herxe's?
I know everyone's different but I really feel like that rifampin did a hit a lil something. I also took milk thistle for the first time in a while and pollen is real bad right now...maybe I could have had a breathing reaction to one of those as well. Darn it!
I always suspected I had bart before the lyme anyway and the bart was stealth not causing any symptoms until lyme came along and activated it ://
Regarding my symptoms currently, Ive been dealing with ALOT of heel pain, shin pain, migrating burning neuropathy throughout body, stiff neck, sore lymph nodes, joint pain (knee's/elbows mainly), brain fog, internal shaking/tremors, tinnitus. and probably a few more.
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Sometimes when you start treatment it stirs up the co-infections as it did with me. From the rifampin it seems as if your Dr is thinking you have Bartonella because that is a common treatment. The Flagyl will treat lyme when it is in the cyst formation. It is good to take it.
It could be a herx too. Are you sweating a lot? Any other symptoms?
I am on my 3rd year of trying to treat Bart and it is very difficult.