Starting abx, what should I expect?

I've taken Rifampin, Zithromax and Nystatin. Zith was not too bad for me. I didn't notice anything severe on it. The half-life of zithromax is very long. Rifampin I had a pretty bad herx from within the first week and then the 3rd week. I've been on Rifampin now for almost 8 months. I tolerate it well, but it has a reputation for being difficult to manage. Headaches in particular can get bed for a lot of people on Rifampin.

Rifampin will turn your urine bright orange or red. Don't be alarmed, that's normal. I haven't seen a lot of positive results yet, but I think that antibiotics in general have prevented the very rapid progression that was occurring prior to using them.

There is a chance that a herx could start tonight, but most of mine have taken about 2-3 days or longer to start and reach full force.

Yes, I find that alka seltzer gold and also lots of turmeric can reduce a herx slightly. I'm also a huge fan of glutathione IV's. They help me tremendously and they keep my liver enzymes low which have been problematic in the past. You can get them at most naturopathic doctor's offices (even if they are not a LLMD).

Summer, I have Tumeric and I will get some alka seltzer gold today. I will look into that IV, I have had issues with elevated liver enzymes in the past too.

Traveler, thank you for that reminder! I've read that on this board so many times..."go slow", but wasn't thinking, and started both abx yesterday. Today I'll just take one of the two, and continue that one until I see how it's going to affect me.

I'll also start with the foot soaks, and drink lemon water. I do have issues with muscle spasms, but not since I started diazepam. I've found that I don't need to take it often, but since I've gotten in my system the spasms are much less now. I'll also grab some carrots while I'm out today!

I'm feeling ok today, so far so good, but I know this is only the beginning. I plan to research the supplements my LLMD recommended and see what I can afford. Eventually I'll have what I need! I'm hoping I can get disability this time around so that I can have some extra money to help with treatments. I'm wondering, I've been told "chronic infection" by several doctors, but nothing specific (thanks to that darn "negative" WB). I wonder if this, in addition to my Dx for Fibro, Depression, etc, will help me win my case? I truly hope so. Idk how I'll afford all of this otherwise. I can't wait to get back to work. This is driving me cRaZy!!!!!

Thanks again you guys. I really appreciate it!

Congrats on being on your way to healing! That's wonderful that you liked your LLMD and the appt. went well. It sounds like he has a good plan. The other thing to take, which may be in the Innate Flora (I'm not sure), is saccromyces. It is a healthy yeast that the body needs, especially while on abx.

Yes, like others said, take it slow. It is best to start one abx. first and give it a minimum of 1 week, sometimes 2 weeks is better. Then, you know what's causing what and med. changes can be made if needed.

The rifampin is for Bartonella. I'm on it and haven't had any problems w/ it at all. I have heard from others that it's a tough one to handle, but hasn't been for me. And, yes, it does change the urine to orange and sometimes stool. Sometimes, my urine can almost look red, which would have been scary had my LLMD not told me about it.

I was on Azithromycin. It targets the Lyme and I've heard that it's mildly effective for Bart. It was a little hard on my GI system. I got intermittent diarrhea on it even though I ate around the time I took it and took tons of probiotics. Everyone's different though. None of the other abx. I've been on have caused that for me.

My herxing usually sets in at about 3 days after starting a new abx. I try to toughen it out for 3-5 days, but have had to decrease abx. dosage in the past to decrease the herxing when it came completely intolerable and dangerous (not being able to eat or drink).
Yes, alkaseltzer gold is good for herxing. It's hard to find-I order it online.

Curcumin (the ingredient in tumeric) reduces inflammation, so that can help w/ the pain. My LLMD told me to make sure that it has black pepper exract in it because that helps absorption. I do notice a decrease in my pain after recently increasing the dosage.

My LLMD also gave me Chlorella and wants me to take 4000mg/day. It absorbs the toxins from the GI tract. This has helped me. I notice a difference after I take it. My previous LLMD had me take activated charcoal, which has the same purpose, but I notice more improvement w/ the Chlorella. It also has nutritional benefits.

As Trav. said, try the foot baths also. That may not cause you to herx like the full baths do.

If you can, line up help with your son. That way, if you are herxing, you can sleep and rest. The herxing can be really rough to get through. When I am, I have to have a lot of help with my toddler and 7 yr. old and the household stuff.

As far as caffeine, most LLMDs say NO caffeine. I know it's hard when you are so exhausted to try to take care of kids and get them to bed. Bedtime is the hardest for me. My husband travels some and those evenings are tough with the kids. I plan for it though-I nap in the afternoon, order dinner in or make something really easy, get them ready for bed very early in the evening so I'm not doing that later when I am crashing, and then we lay around and play on the floor, read, and watch tv. There have also been times when I've been too ill and have had to have a neighbor, friend, or family member come over to help me. But, most of the time I can handle it if I plan ahead like that.

Thanks Mystery Illness! Lots of helpful info there. I've been making calls today to arrange for help with my son for when I need it. I'm going to pack an "emergency" bag tonight, with his basics...diapers clothes, etc, in case I start herxing and need to get him to my mom's house. Unfortunately we moved recently so my family is about an hour away, but I can get him somewhere if needed. It's hard to prepare when I don't know when it might hit, but I'm trying to be proactive, as much as possible :)

It sound like you've got a great plan! There's a wonderful preschool just down the street (walking distance). I hope to get him enrolled part-time if possible (if it's affordable and they've got room right now). That way I can have my husband drop him off/pick him up or I can stroll him down there/back home on the days I can't get him to a family members house.

I really think he needs that socialization too, so it's a win-win situation! Except for the germs...but hey, that's inevitable. I used to work at a preschool so I'm a little picky about it too :) Hopefully they are flexible with the days I can bring him if I enroll him part-time. Idk their rules on that. Either way, it should be a pretty big help.