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Doctor told me to stop Ceftin (PVCs and arrhythmia), questions:

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Posted 7/27/2016 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
So I went in today to my primary doctor and they felt skipped heart beats. They did an EKG and it showed PVCs and an arrhythmia.

He told me to stop taking Ceftin. He feels that it could be the Ceftin or Lyme die off or the Lyme itself.

I'm nervous because I skipped the morning dose. I don't want the Lyme to get ahead of me! Can that happen with skipping a dose?

He felt I should take doxycycline instead because he was worried the Ceftin may not be treating effectively.

They drew blood and are sending some out to check for I think four or six other tickborne illnesses. Are those types of tests even reliable?

Also I spoke to my friend who is a doctor and she said herx reactions can't continue this long. Today would be my seventh day of treatment on Ceftin had I not skipped my morning dose. Is that true? Or can herx reactions continue this long (7 days)?

The doctor wants me to see an infectious disease doctor in town...are infectious disease doctors good and aware about Lyme?

Sorry for so many questions and thank you so much!
Posted 7/27/2016 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
So, is your Dr. saying that is a side effect from the Ceftin?

It sounds like it could be a herx from the die-off.

YES - herxes can last that long ....they will continue until your body is flushing out (detoxing) more toxins than are being created by treatment and life-cycle die-off.

Did the heart symptoms start the same day you started the Ceftin...or a few days later?


No, most ID Dr.'s are not lyme literate. He will most likely discount lyme...

Skipping one dose of the antibiotic will not be a problem...it's much better than continuing on with severe herxing.
Are you detoxing?
Posted 7/27/2016 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
The co-infection tests are just as poor as the western blot. But every one should be tested once anyway and getting a positive on any of the co's will help nail down a better treatment plan.

Single ABX protocols do not help much, and skipping a day or even a few days won't set you back that much. Your doc is probably giving you too small of a dose anyway, even if you have a herx.

Herx reactions vary from person to person. Some herx all the time while on ABX, some for only a few days when making a protocol change.

Normally infectious disease docs are not good at all, but I'm sure there are exceptions like Dr D on cape cod (now retired).

Get to a real LLMD, get copies of ALL test result for your personal file.

I don't suppose you are taking a good probiotic, are you?
Posted 7/27/2016 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
ID doc's are typically the harshest when it comes to denying that Lyme disease exists so go knowing that may happen. Often people are told their symptoms are all in their head and they should see a therapist. Sad but true.

Switch to doxy and don't worry about missing a dose.
Posted 7/27/2016 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Agreed with what's been said already.

Your path will become more clear as you continue to trust your gut and make decisions with common sense.

We are paying doctors for their services. Just as there are good plumbers and not-so-good ones, the same applies to doctors. Biggest difference is we're talking about our health.

Keep asking questions - you'll get there!!
Posted 7/27/2016 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much!

The doctor today said he is not sure, could be a reaction to Ceftin, a reaction to Lyme die off, or Lyme disease irritating the lining of my heart. He said he didn't know enough and didn't want to be wrong. All he could say was "you are having PVCs and an arrhythmia." He didn't know why.

He said I am not a typical erhythema migrans Lyme patient and I said, right, I've never had a rash.

Will see what the other tests say.

Since I can't wean my son from breastfeeding overnight I would much rather stay on the Ceftin so long as what is happening isn't going to kill me and so long as it's working to kill the Lyme. How do we even know when an antibiotic is working? I have felt so weak and sick and have only had a few hours here and there where I feel ok and my energy is back a bit.

He sent my EKG to the infectious disease doctor.

I have an appointment on Friday with a Lyme literate naturopath - they had a cancellation otherwise I would've been seen in October.

I also have a back up appointment with another Lyme literate doctor but it's all the way in October.

I would get right on the doxy and they gave me a script for it but like I said I am still breastfeeding so my son would get some through my milk.

I'm also not entirely sure that I won't have similar reactions to the doxy you know?

Maybe this is just my body's way of handling the die off cycle and all herx reactions.

It helps me a lot to know what to expect from these tests and from the different doctors.

It also helps so much to know that some people continue to herx the entire time they are treated.

So skipping a dose or a day doesn't mean you have to start the antibiotics all over again and doesn't set you up for a super bacteria situation?

Thank you all so much!
Posted 7/27/2016 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
"He said I am not a typical erhythema migrans Lyme patient and I said, right, I've never had a rash. "

The EM is not so typical. I've read up to 50% do not get the rash...and even saw as high as 70% don't get it (sorry but can't back it up with anything)


"So skipping a dose or a day doesn't mean you have to start the antibiotics all over again and doesn't set you up for a super bacteria situation?"

No, in fact pulsing antibiotics is something that many LLMD's now use. I believe it's because the lyme and bart, babesia - aren't like typical bacterias. They are slower to replicate, so resistance shouldn't be an issue.

Hoping for someone with a better explanation will chime in...
Posted 7/27/2016 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much Girlie!! That makes me feel a lot better about skipping that dose and also about never having the rash!

Also, since I had already taken six days of Ceftin, would that effect a Lyme titer since they are rechecking it? Or can it still come back positive even after taking some antibiotic?

Post Edited (H Mommy) : 7/27/2016 2:17:30 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/28/2016 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
I forgot to answer that the heart symptoms began the same day - I had pounding racing heart after the first dose. Then the skipped beats began the following day. And I am drinking 2-3 cups of lemon water per day and want to start dry brushing - my brush just arrived in the mail today.
Posted 7/28/2016 4:08 AM (GMT 0)
Some LL Dr.'s suggest you be off all antibiotics for a couple weeks prior to the testing.

Others have their patients stay on them.

I'm sorry I don't know if the Ceftin you took would affect your test results.
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