Treating Babesia, Mepron and Azithromycn: Herx or Drug Reaction?

I was diagnosed with Babesia and Mycoplasma (with a very high suspicion of Lyme. Awaiting a 10 week culture test result).

Doctor put me on 500MG of Azithromycin, 100MG 2X A day Amandtadine and initially Mepron 2X a Day 2 Tablespoons (very high dose)

After a week of this I was so dizzy that I could not see straight, I was weak and shaky. Was on the verge of throwing up. Thought I was going crazy. I went to the ER thinking my liver had been poisoned from the meds... All blood was normal. I also developed joint pain for one day. I had to do something very important for work. I was working on a documentary with The Monkees. I told the DR that I absolutely could not be in that sort of condition.

He told me to take a break from the meds for a few days after the job and then resume. Taking Amantadine out of the regiment and decreasing the Mepron to 1tsp 2Xday. I felt ok. Then a week later the dizziness/vertigo returned. I thought it was maybe a herx. I cannot tell. So I took a day off. I've been taking Burbur. IT seemed to help the first time. I took the Mepron again today. By this afternoon I was fairly dizzy again. I went to see a movie and couldnt look at the screen when shots panned. I thought I would puke it made me so dizzy. I've suffered from minor dizziness normally throughout Lyme but not this bad...

The reason I am suspect of this not being a Herx is because of taking a break from the meds. Dizziness goes away. Today I took them and it's back... I'm confused. Is it possible that after a week my system is herxing and that when i stop the meds the herx stops and when i start again it starts again? I was under the impression that herxes were not that immediate... I just want some reassurance from other folks here. I dont want to stop taking the meds but It really confuses me to feel better off of them than on them. The doctor called it all a herx... But I think that he uses that term too freely and that some people may actually be sensitive to these medications.
I've taken Zithromax in the past many times and it's never done this. So I'm certain it's the Mepron. That stuff scares me...

orangebeach said...
Sorry to hear that. I have taken the Amantadine. I still take the Mepron and Azithromycin. For me, it was the Amantadine and Azithromycin combo together that caused so many side effects. My head felt way off and I was disoriented and dizzy. It literally took 2 months to get that stuff out of my system and me feeling halfway normal again. Is that a new med for you? I don't notice to much with the Mepron and Azithromycin together...except after a month or so on it, I feel like I've been overloaded and take a break from it for a few days then resume.
I would seriously consider the Amantadine as the cause for your dizziness. There are other meds that could be given to you in place of the Amantadine.

Well I discontinued the amantadine for this round. I havent had it in 2 weeks. And I'm dizzy!

I imagine it's 2 teaspoonsful twice a day. Two tablespoonsful twice a day would cost $10,300 a month not to mention 2 liver panels. I don't think many insurances would let that fly. Mine bucked 1 tsp twice a day.

Lyme_Warrior_Lady -

Did Dr. Zhang's protocol for Babesia work for you?  I am thinking of going on this.

 Are you taking Artemisiae-2 for Babesia?  Any other meds?

I am trying to treat my Babesia first now and am prescribed Mephron and Azithromycin, but would like to start Artemisiae - I've been having some chest pains recently with Azithromycin.

Thoughts?

Thanks!!!

TwitchnItch

Hi Hamburg (btw I live in Hamburg as well, are you seeing Dr. G.?). I can only tell you that I have had herx/die-off symptoms for the entire time that I have taken abx (13 months). Lyme may be different from babesia when it comes to herx but I think no one can finally tell whether your symptoms are directly related to the meds you are taking or if they are die-off symptoms. I have read a definition of what a herx is that fitted quite well in my opinion and that I can confirm for myself. It was like "If your acustomed symptoms increase in severity or if new symptoms that are typical for lyme (or in your case babesia) occur, a herx is probably the reason."