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URGENT - Too Fast for a Herx???

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Posted 5/8/2009 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
I just took Rifabutin for the first time about an hour ago. I already feel strange. It feels like a Herx reaction, but that seems a little quick to me. I want to make sure it's not an allergic reaction. My head feels funny. I'm having some anxiety. I'm not having hives, itching, swelling, or any of the typical reactions that would be associated with an allergy. I think I might be getting a little dizzy, but that symptom could go either way.

Has anyone had a Herx reaction hit this quickly? How do I tell if it's an allergic reaction or a herx? My doctor is very hard to get a hold of during the day.

Thank you in advance for your responses.
Posted 5/8/2009 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi IH8Ticks,

When I first started ABX I had a major herx within an hour. If you are at all worried, please call your doctor.

Hang in there ok, hope you feel better soon!!
Posted 5/8/2009 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a little worried, but that could be just the anxiety, which is a common aspect of a herx reaction for me. My moods go crazy. I'm almost hoping for a herx. My symptoms have plateaued for a while, which is why this new antibiotic was added. If it's a herx, then that means it's working, and hopefully I'll start improving again soon. I've notified a family member who will check in on my periodically.

I wish there was a clearer delineation between herx reactions, new symptoms, and allergic reactions. It amounts to guess work trying to figure what is happening to me.
Posted 5/8/2009 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
I started herxing within 15 minutes of my first IV infusion of Rocephin - the exact same symptoms you are describing. Since I had to have my first infusion at the hospital, they made me stay an extra 2 hours afterwards because I could hardly walk (thank goodness my mom was with me during this and drove me home). My symptoms were dizziness, palpitations and brain fog.

It is guess work. I've been on IV Rocephin since February. Just had doxy added (Ehrlichia) - and now the herxing is back in full force. Before the doxy, I went through herxing "cycles" - like a week of herx, a few days feeling a little better.

There is no quick remedy unfortunately - I was told it could take months before I would even start to feel any better. I'm finishing my 3rd month at the end of May and I'm still not in good shape at all. The worst part for me is the Lyme rage, exacerbated anxiety and depression. I can't shake it. Now the doxy is making me sick to my stomach (I do take probiotics & diflucan) on top of the herxing. The next course of action, depending on how I do after 60-90 days on doxy is to try Tindemax to break open the cyst form, but doc thinks the herx could be too dangerous for me right now on Tindemax. My CD57 is a 16 and she wants it to be at least 25 before going to Tindemax.

Sorry for rambling - and I don't mean to discourage, just being honest.

Hugs,

Laura
Posted 5/8/2009 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for your help. I seem to be calming down now, both in terms of mood and other symptoms. I'm still feeling a little woozy, and I'm totally exhausted now. That's totally typical of how I feel after a herx. I've had worse herxing, but never this fast after taking a new med. I'm hoping this is a good sign. Maybe the Rifabutin is hitting an infection that none of my other abxs hit, or it's penetrating an area in my body that the other abxs can't reach.
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