Rifampin and Anxiety

Hi All,

I'm looking for some advice and help. I started Rifampin about 2 weeks ago for Bartonella. I'm slowly ramping up on it. Started by first taking 150mg and then 300mg.

Last Friday, I increased the dose to 450mg. Was fine throughout the day, however at midnight, I had a very bad anxiety attack out of the blue. I really thought that I was dying.

I've decreased the dose back down to 300mg, but am still suffering from anxiety. My anxiety had completely gone down, but it looks like the Rifampin has brought it back. It mostly affects me whilst I'm sleeping at night. I also feel very restless during the night and not sleeping well at all.

Does Rifampin cause anxiety? I was fine in the first week. Or is this anxiety a symptom of Bartonella, which is now coming out fully? Any ideas, how I can handle this, without prescription anti anxiety meds? Does this anxiety eventually go away with Bartonella treatment?

Sorry for so many questions! Thanks to all for their help!

Hello Unlucky77!

It is normal to experience anxiety about two hours after taking Rifampin. Out of all the meds I took I always hated taking it. It was the worst I was on but the last med I took before I completed my treatment. I have been off meds for 4 months.
Are you taking another ABX also or just Rifampin? I know taking zithro or mino with Rifampin can cause night anxiety. I'm sure its a healing herx reaction.
Hang in there, once your body gets used to the dose and adjusts you should be feeling better. In the mean time pick up a good book(not about Lyme) to read of you wake up in the middle of the night. You need to keep your mind off it until it passes or you will work yourself up more. Trust me, I have been there.
Good luck on your healing!

I'm terrified of rifampin and I know I need it... :-/ hang in there it's to be expected from all I've read.

I was on Rifampin 4 times in the 3 or so years of treatment. I never really felt settled when I took it if that makes sense. Always on edge. Had pain urinating also and craving of carbs. It took 5-6 weeks for me to be at an okay point. I did lots of yoga to keep my mind on breathing so it wouldn't wonder. I also was paranoid.. I thought I was going to get fired at work and ended up winning employee of the year that same week. The mind is a strange thing. It works well, just caused me a ton of issues. And the red/orange pee was a little freaky. :)

I'm on Rifabutin. I started with 150 mg twice daily for five days and today was my first day of 300mg twice daily. I haven't had any anxiety at all. I wonder if they're different in that regard?

I do feel awful today. Worst day for fatigue and pain in weeks. I don't know if that's a coincidence or a reaction

I'm still waiting on my co infection testing, so starting this drug first (after I developed hives on doxy) must mean my docs pretty sure I have bartonella. She told me she's sure I have babesia, based on symptoms. Hmmm. I'll ask her during my appointment tomorrow. It's only my second appointment. I'm really new to this!