Minocycline Allergic Reaction

B

bloggymom

Member
Yesterday I started Minocycline. Within about 15 minutes I was jittery and felt like my heart was racing. I took my second dose at bedtime and shorting after that I started feeling super weird. I could not be still and when I forced myself I felt like I was on a high dose of caffeine or other stimulant. I had horrible nightmares when I could get to sleep and I felt like I was having hallucinations when I would wake up. Very scary.

Today I am still jittery and can't stay focused on one task.... kind of like my son when he has eaten food coloring or too much sugar. Any little pain or sensation drives me crazy. Almost feels like I am having constant panic attacks (I get panic attacks once in a while under normal situations). I can't keep my legs still for anything.

Anyone ever have a similar experience with this drug or similar drug??

I have let my CF nurse know but haven't gotten a response back yet. NOT going to take today's pills.
 
L

LittleLab4CF

Super Moderator
Get thee some benadryl if things haven't gotten worse since stopping minomycin. Penicillin and prontosil once filled our antibiotic arsenal. A history of people reacting to antibiotics started with the first antibiotic. Allergic reactions at best underscores human individuality. This pseudo-psychotic reaction is on par with anaphylaxis excepting in the former you have the added concern you might kill yourself. My first encounter was when a lesser doctor believed that tranquilizers made you tranquil and an antidepressant elevated you hence Elavil, the brand name for amyltriptaline. This ancient anti-depressant is often relief for pancreatic pain today.

My allergic reaction intensified over several days. A growing anxiety was just starting to include muscle stiffening, my parents took note. Uncharacteristically, my father took a seat across the kitchen table from me and seemed interested in my adolescent life. I couldn't get my teeth to mesh and talking felt as though my jaw muscles were fighting me as we talked. I couldn't help observing my fathers intimidating eyes observing me. After a few minutes he had gleaned enough and called our doctor to meet us at the hospital. My rapidly cramping body was getting worse as if on queue. Symptoms of lock jaw or jaunthropy cause a sardonic grin, drawn flat and unexpressive and as the reaction worsens the jaw muscles cramp and finally lock, cocked along with the neck and back. The dominant side of the body curled in, the knotted muscles tortured in an unwilling tug of war and.....

This terrifying reaction is generally resolved by an EpiPen. It can take a lot more than a shot of adrenaline to resolve. Your reaction can also be a broader warning about close relatives of minocyclin. The mycillium mould family brought us neomycin to streptomycin and beyond. As different as each antibiotic works on different bacteria, the closest antibiotic in a family may present no problems for you. As everybody knows an antibiotic you have properly taken for years may begin to react. A CFer's first aid kit should contain at least some benadryl and also in my opinion an EpiPen. An old antibiotic gave me an experience not unlike yours a few years after the more dramatic reaction to Elavil. Hopefully you stopped taking minomycin and nothing further untoward has happened.

LL
 
S

SaraNoH

New member
I took minocycline for about 2 years to kick my Nocardia infection (didn't work anyways, but yay no acne!) I went through exactly what you're describing except that after taking the full dosage for just 1 day I was bed-bound for 3 because it made me sick. My sister had the same issue and I did what she suggested (btw, she's a pharmacist so I really trust her): I stopped it for a few days to clear my system, got a pill cutter and took 1/2 doses for a few days WITH food, and slowly build up to full dose. I ALWAYS took it with food, even though it says not to. If I didn't I felt sick again. Worked fine for 2 years. Good luck :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top