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herxes - types, intensity, and duration

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Posted 8/30/2011 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
Ah, the beloved herxheimer reaction. Can folks comment on their experience with these? Also, is there a difference between a herx and a detox reaction? I just described in another thread my herx that just lasted about 3 full days! I believe it was caused by me killing off large amounts of Lyme in my fir sauna - too much time at too high a temperature to start off.

My symptoms included my typical dizziness, lightheadedness, disconnected feelings, anxiety and even some new ones including a weird auditory hallucination of some sort. Then I got tired - very tired to where I could barely move. That included some feelings of nausea as well. Then I was back to major symptoms as above. This lasted the better part of 3 days! Gosh I hope I killed off a lot of Lyme for having to go through that.

Today I am feeling like I am coming out of it but shaken and tired (no sleep for two straight nights )! I had made so much progress up till this point and now gave become very discouraged that I am starting back at square one.

Has anyone here had such violent and long duration herxing ? What's the difference between a herx and a detox reaction. Am I just stuck to ride these out or can I do something to fix them or make them less severe? Please it'll me this gets better!

Yaz
Posted 8/30/2011 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
IMO if your body is constantly killing the Bb bacteria, whether through antibiotics or your immune system, you can constantly have a reaction on the toxins they let off. Therefore, without detoxing, you can have a constant herx IMO only. However, most doctors (not LLMDs) will tell you a herx will only last a day or so. But if it was that simple of course, this disease wouldn't be so hard to figure out. For myself, as I began to feel better and better, the herxing is fewer and far between. It will get better !
Posted 8/30/2011 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thx sj! Yeah, I had just about reached w point where I had balanced the toxin reactions down to a low level - constant but low with some cyclical swings. But this herx floored me! I think it's over now and believe you/me, I am going to be more careful going forward. I will ease slowly into any treatment change.
Posted 8/30/2011 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
yazzer, Sorry you had such a strong reaction.  I have heard that a herx IS the toxin overload.  Ouch.  My hubby and I would really like to get one of those saunas (one of these days!).

I agree with you...it is important to go slow on any new thing that is added to your "routine protocol" so that the toxins don't overload the body too drastically.

It is important that even if/when a person is feeling good that they continue with regular detoxing methods and not stop just because feeling better.

I continue with the Dry Skin Brushing morning and night.*

I continue with Hydrogen Peroxine/Epsom Salt Detox baths 2-3 times a week.*

...among other things.

It makes a diffference.

Also, drink lots of water and think happy thoughts!

How you doing now?  Have you figured out a routine for the sauna?  How many days a week?  How long in it?  What kind do you have, if you don't mind me asking?

*You can search on HW for info

Posted 8/30/2011 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Daisy:

Well, I am a little gun-shy to the sauna now! I did get in there last evenining for 10 minutes at 105 degrees (not the 35 min at 115-120 as before!). The sauna I got is a two-person one and it wasn't all that expensive realtively speaking - less than $1000 and looks really nice including an AM/FM/MP3 stereo system! I feels great inside and I notice immediately the advantages over a traditional sauna.

But, since it is so new - just got it Thursday - I am still working the routine. My wife loves it too and ti fits us both comfortably - she can lay down in it if alone (but she is barely 5' tall!). I do indeed keep up with my routine ven when feeling good. This one just caught me off guard. I was thinking mercury detox and totally zoned that I would be killing whole armies of Bb. They were upset with me quite noticeably!

I often wonder if we could just kill eveything at once, suffer a one-month herx, and be done with it. But, it doesn't work that way. My adrenals are fatigued and I have to go slow and let them rejuvenate as well. Plus, my poor liver and kidneys could not take the added strain I m sure. Patience is not my strong point - I've only been in treatment for 8 weeks for Lyme that I have had probably 35 years...perhaps I should give it another couple fo monthsd, no?  :-)

yaz

 

Posted 8/31/2011 10:37 AM (GMT 0)
I herxed too hard and wound up in the hospital (this was in 2008) - and am still dealing with the consequences. Don't get impatient...take it slow - remember, the turtle won even though the rabbit could go faster...
Posted 8/31/2011 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Yazzer,

Thanks for posting about your experience withe FIR sauna.  I've been trying ti decide if that would be beneficial for me or not.

 

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