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Cold sore and secondary bacterial infection. Can someone help me out...?

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Posted 4/19/2014 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
I went to the doc yesterday (not LLMD - my 1st appt is scheuled for next week) bc I have a horrible cold sore, which I've never had before, I've had shingles but never a cold sore... Anyway, he prescribed me Valdez and Bactrim for a secondary bacterial infection.

My question/concern.... After I started taking both medications a few hours later I felt HORRIBLE. Last night I had stabbing pains in my head, face, and jaw, a horrible headache, chills, fever and more. This morning I still have a low grade fever and face and head pain (it's like the bones in my dace hurt).
Has anyone else experienced this? Is it the meds?
Assuming I have lyme, is this a reaction you would expect?

I was so scared last night, as my husband is our of town, and I felt like I was dying
Posted 4/19/2014 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry that's Valtrex and Bactrim
Posted 4/19/2014 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
Also forgot to mention it feels like the skin on my face is burning or crawling at times as well.
This is awful.
Posted 4/19/2014 12:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Delmar, Sounds like a herx reaction and is common when you begin antibiotics. Bactrim is known to be a high kill abx and also is sometimes used to hit Bartonella. So it may be helping both your infection and working on the lyme. Read up on herx reactions. They usually are at the beginning of treatment but can reappear unexpectedly esp if you change you meds.
Posted 4/19/2014 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
/sites.google.com/site/drjoneskids/treatment-issues/herxing
Posted 4/19/2014 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you! Thank you! So so scary
Posted 4/19/2014 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
sounds like a herx also, which would be a good indication that you have lyme if you are questioning whether you have it or not. Do the bones on your head feel sore also? I get that. I am just wondering if anyone else does.
Posted 4/19/2014 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
Yes! It feels like the bones in my face are aching. And I'm still occasionally getting that quick stabbing pain under my eyes, in my cheek bones, temple, and jaw. The crawling, itching, and chills have come back too... Just took another Bactrim about an hour ago.
I think this is the worst pain I've ever had.

I'm a little freaked out, but not too sure what to do. I feel too crappy to get my baby in the car and drive to urgent care.
Posted 4/19/2014 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
That is so horrible, Delmar. I am so sorry you are going through this, especially with a baby to care for. I have mild symptoms and a young child and even with my mild symptoms I am finding it overwhelming to care for my child sometimes and leaning on my husband and child's granparents for extra help.
Do you have any friends or family to help you? So good that you found a llmd to go to soon. I hope they can help you. I have found not all llmds are as good as others, in other words-- get started with this one and hopefully they will help you- and if not keep looking to find one that does. Where are you located? florida? I don't know any doctors there but can anyone on this board recommend one to you? Wishing you the best and sending you compassion, from a mom of a young child to another I know how hard it is to be sick and care for a child. Sending you hope.
Posted 4/19/2014 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
If you did have a  trusted family member to care for your child, perhaps you should go to the hospital- and make sure you tell them you are pretty sure it is lyme- sometimes you really have to advocate for yourself--- does your llmd have any emergency contact number you can get advice from on the phone?

or perhaps you can call your regular doctor for help?

Posted 4/19/2014 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
No we just moved to FL.
The LLMD hasn't given me an emergency number yet since I haven't seen him/her yet.
I know I should just go to the hospital if I'm really worried....

Has anyone else ever had this kind of stabbing pain in the head/face?
Posted 4/19/2014 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
No family close at all. :,(
Posted 4/19/2014 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
oh dear I really feel for you. Do you have a husband who can help you? wishing you the best--- I hope this awfulness will some day be a distant memory for you and that you can find a great doctor to help you heal.
Posted 4/19/2014 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Oh me too. Me too. Yes, my husband is very supportive, but unfortunately gone until tomorrow.
Thank you for your kindness
Posted 4/19/2014 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
have you gotten on antibiotics at all yet? I am not familiar with the medicines you described but could your regular doc prescribe you some antibiotics to at least get started until you can get a full treatment plan? It is so scary to be sick and alone and not feel like anyone is helping you. Once you see the llmd you will probably feel so much better to be in good hands. Hang in there. sorry you are suffering.
Posted 4/19/2014 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
The Bactrim is an antibiotic, the regular doc prescribed it for the secondary bactrial infection. I'm not sure i should keep taking it...? I think it's making things much worse
Posted 4/19/2014 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi you can def cut back the dosage. It is up to you if you want to stop completely. It is stirring up things in your system and hitting the Lyme. If you want to wait til your under the direction of the llmd then you can wait. Often times things will get worse before better.
Posted 4/20/2014 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Delmar,

Before I knew I had lyme I thought I had an allergy to bactrim it was so severe. I had this crazy intense stomach pains, fevers, stabbing shooting pains in my legs. I know now it was a herx reaction. I know that, because I have been on bactrim since then and had no reaction at all.

Make sure if you are taking abx that you are also taking a probiotic to help replace the good bacteria in your stomach. I can't give you too much direction in regards to whether or not to continue the medication.

Please just know, that you are not alone-herxing is a terrifying experience. You can try some of the detox methods. I recommend 1/2 cup parsley, 1/2 cup cilantro, 1 lemon, then something sweet like OJ (just to make it palatable). A lot of people drink this shake and it is great to relieve herxing.

Hang in there! Let us know how the appointment goes! Also, bactrim does not hit lyme, it hits bartonella/babesia so you should relay your experience on bactrim to the llmd.

~beth
Posted 4/20/2014 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
How are you feeling today Delmar? Is your husband back?
Posted 4/20/2014 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
Not yet, he shpuld be here soon. Thank you for checking on me :) I really appreciate the comments and support here. I'm feeling a bit better. I still have a fever but the cold sores, yes sores now, are better, and I'm not having the stabbing pains in my face. Still some of the aching in face (bones... weird). I continued Bactrim yesterday and switched to the Cipro this AM. Insomnia last night (not unusual though), sweat all night long, and fever of 100. This morning temp came down 99. I'm really thinking it probably is/was a herx reaction but think ill take the Cipro until I see the LLMD next week.

Happy Easter everyone. Thank you for the concern and care :)
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