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Rifampin & Zithromax: Are my symptoms herxing or side effects from meds?

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Posted 10/8/2011 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone:

I started Rifampin and Zithromax about 3.5 weeks ago. Since I started these medications I have had dizziness almost constantly. Actually, it's more of a vertigo happening when I move my head too fast, tilt my head, stand up too fast, etc.

I've also had other symptoms arise, come and go since starting these meds. I called my LLMD but he said I'm herxing and to stay on the meds unless I cannot tolerate it. Well, if I am herxing, I want to stay on them because I know that is a good thing however, I wanted to see if anyone else has expereinced the same vertigo symptoms while on these meds that I am.

I am just trying to figure out if this is herxing or simply a side effect of the medication.

The last few days, I have a TERRIBLE tight neck muscle that extends down to my shoulder blade causing me pain that is radiating down my arm! ouch!!!

Thanks and hope you are all having a terrific weekend!
Posted 10/8/2011 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Carrie,

Sorry to hear that you are uncomfortable. It sounds like you are having the standard worsening of symptoms and additional symptoms that crop up as a result of die off.

Keep detoxing, get your rest and look forward to feeling better. A massage from your favorite person will no doubt help with that neck muscle! Don't be afraid to take pain medicine. Being in pain doesn't benefit anyone.

Enjoy your weekend (as much as you can)!
Posted 10/9/2011 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
I hope that dizziness has let up some for you by today.  It does sound like herxing  based on what I had felt but of course mine didn't seem quite so drastic or continual.  Best to keep an eye on it just in case it is a reaction of sort.

Altho the dizziness is steady, it wasn't always severe.  Yesterday while sitting, all of a sudden when I turned my head slightly, it felt like my head swung SO FAST and I thought surely I would faint.  That passed quickly tho.

 As for the pain, I did not have that steady pain like that but I sure have been a having a persistent stiff neck.  Massages would be great :-)   but I just had the heating pads so they helped me alot.

Definitely do what they say and detox detox detox.  I learned that from the mods and they were sooooo right.  I cannot tell if it is helping or not at the time but I sure can tell when I don't do it enough...so therefore it's helping.

Aren't you using your sauna??????  I keep procrastinating on getting one...which one to get???  The more I research it, the more confused I get.

Hope each day gets better for you!

Posted 10/9/2011 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Scorp:

I have a sauna but no, I haven't been using it.... I am going to use it today. I was up half the night with a super bad stick neck with pain radiating down my arm. The muscle that goes from your neck down towards your shoulder blade is all inflamed or something. I've had this problem before. Not for a long time though. But this time, it is KILLING me! Yesterday I took four excedrin, one aleve, three perkocets and one amix. Nothing touched it. I think what I need is a muscle relaxer. Ugh

As far as the sauna goes, I did a lot of research on them before I bought mine, so I can help you with this. You definitely want to get Hemlock wood. Don't get cedar because cedar is an oily wood and can emit toxins with the heat. Also, the carbon heated ones are much better than the ceramic because the heat is distributed more evenly. I posted the other day that costco online has them on sale right now. You can get a 1-2 person one for $999.99 which is a great deal. They also have a 3-4 person one for $1499. I personally think the smaller ones are better cause #1, my sauna time is my time and I'd rather sit in it by myself and #2, I have had someone sit in mine with me before and I took much longer for me to work up my sweat.


Well, I'm off to scour the house in search of a muscle relaxer and finish the last few chapters in my book "the Help". Have a great Sunday!!!
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