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Posted 12/3/2008 5:44 AM (GMT -8)

My LLMD recently switched me from Levaquin to Rifampin because I was having tendon pain.  I felt pretty good on the Levaquin, side effect wise, except for the tendon pain.  I took one Rifampin yesterday and I felt tired and a bit headachey.  Anyone have experience with this drug.  Should I take it at night instead of during the day?  And what is up with the orange pee?  Also I had alot of gas and nausea and loose stool from just one pill.  Should even bother taking today's dosage of 2 along with my other meds or just assume I will have diaherra and talk to the dr. about it at my appt on this Friday?

Posted 12/3/2008 6:31 AM (GMT -8)
AHHHHHH, Rifampin.... you've got the "Orange Riampin Poo Blues". This stuff turns everything orange, your pee, your poo, sweat, tears (be careful if you wear contacts).

I had my one and only herx on oral Doxy and Rifampin, so be careful you might experience a herx reaction. I am currently on Rifampin and Levaquin - I'm just lucky that way. Anyway, if you feel yourself going downhill, you might be experiencing a herx reaction, which can be good. I lasted through 10 days of my herx and then the magic happened - totally LD free for 4-5 days... and then I started to decline again. I haven't been able to duplicate this reaction since. Anyway, I hope Rifampin works for you and CURES you.... I think it "cured" something in me, maybe the LD infection or one of the co-infections... keep us posted on how you do on this.
Posted 12/3/2008 6:34 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Jeliane..thanks for the reply.  I just edited my post.  Can you take a look at my last questions and let me know what you think.  You sound experienced.
Posted 12/3/2008 6:41 AM (GMT -8)
Yeah, you're going to have diareah while taking Rifampin.... eventually this will kind of subside, but my experience was that it took a few weeks. My LLDr. wanted me to do the C-diff test because of the diareah - but I didn't do it, I knew it was just the Rifampin. If the Rifampin makes you tired, I would take it at night with something to eat, like a few crackers, which will probably help with your upset stomach. And, I would go ahead and take the increased dose. See how well you tolerate the increase... and definitely tell your dr. what is going on when you see them on Fri.

Hope this helps... everything to do with Lyme disease should be color coded (Lyme = green, Mepron = yellow, Rifampin = orange).
Posted 12/3/2008 8:57 AM (GMT -8)

Hi so sosickoflyme.  What dose of Rifampin are you taking?  Which infection is your doctor targeting?  Rifampin can be effective for Lyme, Ehrlichiosis, and Bartonella.  Are you taking high-quality acidophilus at least two hours apart from the antibiotics?  This is important and may help with the diarrhea.

Some doctors prefer patients to take Rifampin with food because it can cause nausea.  You may want to ask your doctor if this is okay. 

I hope it works well for you!

Post Edited (ticker) : 12/5/2008 5:35:18 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/3/2008 9:54 AM (GMT -8)

Hi ticker, the dr has ordered 600mg of Rifampin, pulsed every other day like my other meds for Bart.  I already decided he needs to give me something else if he can.  I still feel terrible today from the one pill and today is an off day.  I wonder if he can reduce the dosage of Levaquin from 500 to 250 mg.  I was doing pretty well on that except for the tendon inflammation in my ankle.  Has anyone ever heard of that?

I do take high quality acidopholis...the refrigerated kind. 

I feel like if I could get this med straightened out, I would have some clear sailing for a while.

Posted 12/3/2008 10:26 AM (GMT -8)
Tendon problems (tendinitis and sometimes rupture) are a known side effect of Levaquin (they don't know the cause though). Dr. may switch you off depending on how bad it is.

On Rifampin (300 2X day) and Levaquin (500 1x) too - no herx though :-(
Posted 12/3/2008 4:19 PM (GMT -8)

Hi sosickoflyme.  From what I understand, 600 mg is what is typically prescribed.

I am not a medical professional, but I believe Levaquin can cause permanent tendon damage in some cases.  Since you experienced tendon pain while taking it, it may be best to discontinue it.  I think 500 mg is the proper dose so taking less may not be effective.

 

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