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Herx Reaction to Zith/Mep Combo

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Posted 11/18/2008 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hey All...

Hope you're all staying strong and doing better each day. My wife just started with the Zith-Mepron Combo. After just one week, she's flat on her back and much lowered appetite. Her symptoms have returned, not full strength but ever so present. PVCs, PAlpitations, Numbing Joints, Back ache, etc... Is this a normal response to this medication. Should we expect that it will pass soon, and she'll get better? If you've had this experience, PLease advise. Would love to hear from you.

Thx..

RMV

Posted 11/19/2008 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
Wow.. That's a lot of info. Thank You so much for taking the time. This is a Horrible Horrible Disease. I swear from what I've read, it sounds like it NEVER goes away. My wife has only had it for 3 months with no Meds. Let's hope this Mepron/Zith has the Magic. I cant imagine going To and From Meds to Meds. We'll have to find the Strength. It's just really difficult seeing her go through the symptoms ALL OVER AGAIN with this HERX.

Posted 11/19/2008 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
OMG... 8 years is a long time. If you dont mind my asking, How does one stay with this for 8 yrs? is it because of Mis-Diagnosis? I wish you all the best...
Posted 11/19/2008 2:55 PM (GMT 0)

Hi RMV.  I am sorry your wife is feeling so bad.  Babesiosis can cause lack of appetite. 

Are you aware of the Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction (herx)?  Often when people who have Lyme take antibiotics, their symptoms get worse or they get new ones.  When the antibiotics kill the bacteria, toxins are released making them feel sicker.  It can be scary when it happens, but it is a sign the antibibiotics are working.  Although it can vary individually, many people experience this at the beginning or change of treatment and every three to four weeks.  With Babesiosis, some people experience this on day three and every three weeks.

Here is one site where you can read about the herx: http://www.angelfire.com/biz/romarkaraoke/Herx.html

I have had a severe case of Babesiosis, so I know how intense the herxes can be.  Make sure you are documenting your wife's symptoms daily.  One way to do this is to list the main symptoms she has each day with a numerical rating of their severity from 1-10.  Over time when you review this, you can see when her herxes occur and how she is responding to the meds.   

It is good her infection is relatively early.  Over time as the infection load decreases, the herxes should get less severe. It can take time to recover and it is normal to feel worse before feeling better.  With proper treatment, she can get better.  Make sure she is doing everything possible to strengthen her immune system such as eating healthy, taking appropriate supplements, drinking a lot of water, doing things to detox, getting enough rest etc.

It is also important to learn as much as possible.  I recommend reading Dr. Joseph Burrascano's 2005 Diagnostic Hints and Treatment Guidelines For Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses at http://www.ilads.org/burrascano_0905.html  He is one of the top Lyme doctors in the country, and many Lyme doctors follow his protocols.  He also lists diet, supplement, and exercise recommendations.  I also recommend the books "Everything You Need To Know about Lyme Disease Second Edition" by Karen Vanderhoof-Forschner and "The Lyme Disease Solution" by Kenneth B. Singleton MD.

Your wife is lucky to have your support.  Hang in there okay?

Posted 11/19/2008 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ticker... really appreciate your response. We actually read your response together. Very helpful for her to have the support we have received from this Forum. Your symptoms are very much similar to hers and your advice is on point. She's finally understanding her good fortune of catching it early. She cannot detox right now because of the severe weight loss. Instead we're doing some dark green juicing with some Beets and ginger. As well, she has been taking Artemissinin, Nystatin, MultiVitamins, Primadophilus, Inderal etc... Funny thing is we have gone from healthy young adults, running several miles a day, to a line of Prescribed meds on the dresser. Very disheartening. Thanks again to you and "keepHope" for sharing your stories. Great deal of comfort.
Posted 11/20/2008 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Deb

My wife Jennifer monitors all this with me and she is really touched by your story and your gesture.
She welcomes you guys to email her. It's great meeting like minded people who are dealing with the same issues. I really believe in the healing power of collective support. her email is
[email protected]

Hope you're feeling better
Posted Yesterday 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
RMV
I am on the Zithromax too. And it knocked me on my butt as well. There are some great books that you should read. Like Coping with Lyme Disease. But Denise Lang. 3rd edition.
And you should know that if you do not have lyme yourself that you can catch it from your wife. Not by kissing per say. She is lucky to have you caring for her and that you are not ill. So be careful while she is actively sick with the lyme.
There are a lot of different treatments out there. And as you have noticed by now that Lyme is very controversial. It shouldn't be.
I have been fighting it for almost 5 years. I was one of the luck ones who found the tick and got treated that day and for 60 days with doxy. But now knowing a lot more about Lyme I think that I got it the summer before. When I lost a baby.
But you should be aware that there are some homepathic treatments out there that do some treatments that are very aggressive as well.
I am getting treatment at Envita in AZ. And is is not a cake walk, but I am getting great results over the 7 weeks of treatment. And I am able to watch other really sick people get better around me. Which is hopeful.
There is a lot of information on the web about collidal silver.
Posted Yesterday 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
RMX
I finally got on cymbalta for the pain. I mean I could not function without it. My back pain and pain all over was like I had rolled a car...actually. I did roll a car when I was young..and it hurt less...:>)
But if she has the chest pains do not take more than 30 mg to start. It is used for people with severe pain that are losing their limbs.
it is not a cure by any means. But i am sure that she is tired of being in pain and wants to be able to get out of bed and function. It also gave me energy. I am still on it for depression. And since the depression had gotten so bad with my lyme. It is not safe for me to go off of it yet.
When I have gone off of the cymbalta I can't really walk. My hips do not work...jello..and the back, I can't stand up straight. My kids were very frightened by seeing me that way, so I have stayed on it.
Posted Yesterday 9:04 PM (GMT 0)

Hi M. Vineyard

Thx so much for your response. We believed the Jury was still out on whether or not Lyme was a Communicable disease.  I do share some Mild Symptoms. Mostly Anxiety issues, that come and go. I do have some Heavy Heart Beats usually after a meal, it's quite uncomfortable. I may have been bit by a tick, but I'd never developed a Rash anywhere. I was hospitalized twice for dehydration, but that could have been from running myself thin from taking care of everyone.  My doctor (Internist) thought i was just depressed and Anxious and gave me these Anti-Dep pills. After speaking to someone at the IgeneX Lab, She confirmed that I CAN catch it from my wife, Hence the "mild symptoms", and that i should wait six weeks after taking the Anti-Dep pills to test. It is very nerve Wrecking. Any Comments?

RMV

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