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How do you know if you're herxing?

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Posted 5/29/2009 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all, I just started treating with Dr. J in SC this week. He has me on a regimen of oral ABX - Augmentin 200mg BID, Minocin 100mg BID, and Zithromax 500mg QD on MWF. So, this is my third day.  I can definitely tell on the days that I take the ABX because of the number that they do on my stomach. Other than that what should I be looking for to know whether I am herxing? I've been taking Epsom salt baths at night too and last night after I started sweating like I usually do I started feeling a little nauseous and light-headed so I got out.  Was that a little herx or just too much heat?  What else should I be looking for?


Thanks,

jasrich

Posted 5/30/2009 8:38 AM (GMT 0)
personally my 'herx' signs were - extreme fatigued - could have slept for ever!

all over itching/prickly feeling with no rash/GERD type symptoms-acid reflux/nausea/depression-crying a lot /anxiety/old memories arising-things I hadn't thought about in years

It is difficult to know what is 'herx' and what is 'reactions to abx'. - I think time will tell - you will see patterns in your symptoms/flares - that is the advice I was given.
Posted 5/30/2009 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
gorbybelle, that is so weird -- sounds exactly like your body was LITERALLY purging itself.
Posted 5/30/2009 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
I'm itching all over too but not sure if it's herx or continuing to anti-thyroid med that I'm on, Tapazole (I have Hashimotos and recently found out that I have Graves disease too). My throat/neck is hurting a lot too as it has been for many months but now I can find distinct spots and glands that hurt. Other than that I don't feel to different.

jasrich

Posted 5/30/2009 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not convinced that I have it either but two LLMDs think I have it or something that they can treat so I'm doing it.  I'm on Omnicef, Minocin and Zithromax, by the way, not Augmentin as I wrote before.

jasrich

Posted 5/31/2009 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
I forgot to mention - also during 'herx' [this is not for the squeamish !! ] I had very bad diarrhea - lots of water!! - then three days later - lots of white stuff ? in bowel movement.

after things settled my constant bloated stomach - was normal for the first time in months.

I also had tons of energy.

Not having 'herx' doesn't mean the treatment isn't working.
Posted 6/1/2009 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
I have bloat every day and have pretty much for at least a year. That would be great if it would resolve. All of a sudden I have some pretty serious GERD like symptoms too. More fun.
Posted 6/1/2009 7:10 AM (GMT 0)
you could talk to your doctor about 'intestinal worms/parasites' - this is what my doc. said the 'white stuff' in bowel movement was - I took a tablet for 'worms' - and two days later I had LOTS more of the 'white stuff' - this was not my LLMD. - I am seeing him today to ask his opinion.

maybe you are in the process of 'herx' - if the GERD has come-on suddenly - you should ask your doc. about it.

are you taking anything to replace your 'good bacteria' - eg;Acidophilus

I am sure you know this already - drink plenty of water to help eliminate waste/toxins
Posted 6/1/2009 8:29 AM (GMT 0)
Gorbybellle,

I was just about to post and tell you the "white stuff" could be parasites(worms). The nurse that supplies me my supplements told me not to be suprised if I see that in my stool. It is good that it is coming out for you. What pill did you take for that?
Posted 6/1/2009 8:43 AM (GMT 0)
the pill was called'MEBENDAZOLE' - they are for adults & children over 2 years old.

I asked a 'pharmacist' for them - they may come under different names.
Posted 6/1/2009 12:06 PM (GMT 0)
(formerly LymeUnknow)   What in God’s name are these worms and where in the world did they come from? Are these from Lyme??   Is there no end to the indignities??
Posted 6/1/2009 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
One of the ways you can tell if an abx is working is you get worse (herx) or you get better. If you stay the same for months then you can assume you either do not have lyme - perhaps a co-infection - or the drug you are using is ineffective or maybe not at a high enough dose.

I herxed within hours of my first dose of doxycycline. I had body pain, muscle twitching. pins and needles, chills, vertigo, ataxia, headache, and extreme fatigue. I was in bed for weeks. After that I never got that sick again but I continued to herx on monthly cycles every 28 days, which is the reproductive cycle of the bacteria. My cycle coincides with the full moon and whenever there was a lunar event, like the solar eclipse, it was much worse.

The problem is you cannot tell if you are herxing or in a flare except I guess if you get better and better instead of worse and worse, you can assume the abx is doing it's job. It is also hard to tell for sure if you are not having a reaction to the abx. When I was on levaquin, my muscles began to hurt but as I had just started amoxy for the lyme the LLMD told me it was a herx and to continue the levaquin. As a result my tendons were damaged and it has been months of misery.

I also get used to feeling the way I do and cannot determine if I am well or not unless I have obvious physical symptoms like twitching. I think not being able to lose weigh and having no memory is age related. It is very hard to tell. I spend a lot of time trying to figure out what is what.
Posted 6/1/2009 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Dr. J had me do a week of Alinia and then wait a week before starting the triple ABX cocktail that I'm on now. Alinia is an ABX that supposedly targets the gut and kills the bacteria that parasites feed on. I had a little diarrhea that week but no white stuff that I noticed. I've been moving my bowels more than usual for me - from 1x/day to more like 2-3x/day for the past several days but, again, nothing noticeably weird about the stool except that it has been more yellowish than brown sometimes. I take milk thistle and a few other herbs in a gentle liver/gallbladder cleanse formula. I also take probiotics 2x/day. I'm drinking water but probably not enough. Also taking epsom salts baths 3-4 nights/week.
Posted 6/2/2009 7:34 AM (GMT 0)
LymeUnknown,

I didn't know that was you. Why did you change your name?

Anyone can get parasites and I don't think it is Lyme related. You can get parasites from meat not being cooked long enough, if the meat is infected. You can also get them from your own animals. That's why I always wash my hands.

I'm sure there are other ways you can get them but that's the only two I know of.
Posted 6/2/2009 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
you can also get them from some friuts and veggies.its uncomen but it can happen
Posted 6/2/2009 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
If you have to ask.... then it's not a herx - haha! Just kidding. When I had my one and only herx, I was within 3 feet of a bathroom for 10 or 11 days.... I threw up, had diareah, sinus dripping, sweats.... it was like the bacteria were pouring out of any opening they could find. I also knew within 24 hours that "something was changing".... after that herx, I thought I was cured, best feeling in the world. Lasted about 4-5 days and then I went downhill again.

I know this sounds crazy but I want to herx until it's over.... I just don't know how to bring it on... what abx's to take etc. During my herx I was on doxy and rifampin. Tried this combination again and nothing happened...NADA... I hate this disease.
Posted 6/2/2009 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
I'll say this, I'm pooping like crazy, several times/day instead of my usual 1, and not diarrhea.  If that's herxing, it's tolerable so far.  I also have swollen lymph nodes all over my neck that my doc finally acknowledged today after I have been complaining about them for 6 months. He ordered a CT of my neck but I don't expect to tell us much. From what I have been reading here that's fairly common.  It would be great if the ABX knocked it out b/c I haven't been able to wear a crew neck t-shirt without discomfort for many months now.
Posted 6/3/2009 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, CG, that's me. Just got a wild hair, I guess (changing my name, because I feel so certain) Unfortunately my appt w/ LLMD has been rescheduled for 2 weeks. I must say, all of you are scaring me to death w/ the herxing! I HAVE to keep working til I get fired or drop and am NOT in a position to work w/ diahwhatever and everything you all are going thru! If Dr prescribes abx, should I wait until the weekend to take it? I have never yet had any problems w/ abx, but have never been on heavy doses over periods of time.

More herxing info, then, please!
Posted 6/3/2009 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
How common are the enlarged lymph nodes in the neck? I've had that for going on a year now and it has gotten progressively worse over the past several months to where my throat and neck always feel swollen. I can't even wear crew neck t-shirts comfortably anymore. I finally got my family doc interested yesterday when he examined me and found many swollen nodes. He sent me for a CT of the soft tissue of the neck to see if there are any nodes large enough to biopsy. My LLMD totally blew if off when I mentioned and made up a lame DX.
Posted 6/3/2009 7:00 PM (GMT 0)

gorbybelle said...
very bad diarrhea - lots of water!! - then three days later - lots of white stuff ? in bowel movement.

This should be added to the list of Lyme disease "symptoms"!  turn smilewinkgrin

Posted 8/28/2009 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
jasrich,

I have been undiagnosed with lymes for 5 plus years and in those years i have had multiple time that my lymphnods have been swollen.  The doctor never really seemed to do anything about.  The last primary doc i went to gave me a rx for amox.  I usually just do hot packs.  good luck.  i am hoping that this will eventually stop.  just started treament 2 weeks ago.  no herx yet. 

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