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How does Lyme cause Vertigo? Does Doxy Cause Herx?

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Posted 12/21/2011 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone know by which machanism(s) Lyme causes vertigo?

I am continuing to experience unpleasant sensation from watching things move.  Such as scrolling a webpage and something moving quickly in from of me.  The feeling is there ALL the time but worse when something moves.  I still have headache and neck ache as well.  I am taking two capsules of Turmeric a day (500mg each) and tried ginger but it didn't seem to do much.  With the turmeric, I am waking with less neck ache in the morning, which is good.  I am also feeling tired today, super achy feet, and my arms ache a bit.

I saw my LLMD on Friday at which time I had headache/neck ache.  Since then the vertigo began and hasn't really let up.  Its a real mood killer!  I also began a new pattern of pill taking so I would be more consistent with taking them.  So, the last few days I have been doing a good job getting in all the supplements, nystatin, and doxy.  I'm wondering could herx cause vertigo? Does doxy cause Herxing?  I ask bc from what I have read, doxy doesn't kill bacteria--it merely stops it from reproducing.  So it shouldn't cause a massive die off.

Anyways, I just feel like if I can figure out what could cause the vertigo, I might find a way to be rid of it.

 

Posted 12/21/2011 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
doxy does kill! Plus, the Lyme itself dies off from being attacked by your immune system and as it goes through it's natural life cycle - all this can cause a back-up of the toxins in your system as the detox pathways get overwhelmed. It varies upon what you read but the Bb life cycle is like 28 days... Finally, if you have been actively detoxing, then OTHER toxins that had been dormant in your system get mobilized as well - the body is like, "Hey cool, he's ready to get rid of some toxins, well, here's some more I've been holding on to!" LOL....it's a complex ailment, I tell you and this is just what I have garnered in my quest for knowledge - I am sure there is much more going on that this as well.
Posted 12/21/2011 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
BTW - vertigo is one of my symptoms and it perturbs me the most....mine has gotten better for the most part now, with only intermittent flare-ups.
Posted 12/21/2011 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
I have the same problem and am on Doxcy too. BUT, I had vertigo before I started getting treated for Lyme. Wearing glasses instead of contacts and resting are the only things that have helped at all so far. It is very hard to do things when feeling dizzy/off.
Posted 12/22/2011 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your thoughts. My prayer is that this is herx and not new Lyme symptoms; it is thus far my least favorite!
Posted 12/22/2011 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
I recently experienced a bad herx and I've only been on Doxycycline 100mg twice a day. I too have experienced vertigo off and on before any Lyme treatment. Ugh....not fun!!!
Posted 12/22/2011 4:56 AM (GMT 0)
oddly enough i've been experiencing vertigo- or something like it- for the past 3 weeks and i have been slowly going off antibiotics. i had started biaxin the beginning of september and ran out of that a couple weeks ago. im almost out of my omnicef now, which i began the middle of october. basically my lyme doc got his license suspended and im in the middle of figuring out who to call/what to do next. i hve already seen the 2 primary lyme doctors in my state and im thinking now my next option is a naturopath. but my vertigo, or at least what i feel like may be vertigo is the feel of being unbalanced and spatially disoriented. if i sit next to a wall, it makes my head feel weird and when im walking too i feel out of it. very weird sensations that began before i went off the 1st medicine- is this normal to occur so late after beginning the antibiotics? it doesnt seem like a herx. but i definitely know where you are coming from! this feeling is one of the worst, when your head feels out of it. ive had ear problems, so im wondering if the lyme is affecting those nerves. not fun!
Posted 12/22/2011 11:13 AM (GMT 0)
Lyme seems to like the nerves of the eyes and ears. For me, ear ringing is an issue that comes and goes. Vertigo (dizziness ) also. I am no doctor but it seems that Lyme and it's TBI brethren somehow affect the inner ear causing the dizziness and probably the tintinitis. Not sure though as research reveals a whole host of facts and theories.
Posted 12/22/2011 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
I've been wondering if it is inflammation around the nerves that might cause these issues? Also, the neurotoxins the bugs release.

My doctor suggested Dramamine or bonoine and feels its Lyme related-not a med side effect.
Posted 12/23/2011 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
I, too, have vertigo. It's my major symptom of Lymes. I just went to an ENT yesterday because I was hoping it was BPPV. She said no. I am going back to do a balance test. (I'd fail!) She said I could start PT which sometimes helps Lymees. So I am thinking these buggers liked my ears. I hope I eventually get better. Every day for 2 1/2 years of having vertigo is not fun. I do take Meclyzine which seems to help although I hate adding another pill to my long list.
Posted 12/24/2011 12:10 AM (GMT 0)

yazzer said...
Lyme seems to like the nerves of the eyes and ears. For me, ear ringing is an issue that comes and goes. Vertigo (dizziness ) also. I am no doctor but it seems that Lyme and it's TBI brethren somehow affect the inner ear causing the dizziness and probably the tintinitis. Not sure though as research reveals a whole host of facts and theories.

Yes! My left ear especially has a nasty habit of cutting out on me--everything will go muffled, then ring for a bit.

Would not be surprised if inner ear stuff is affecting my balance, either. That drives me nuts. I guess I have more than one reason to look into padding my walls here at home. ;)
Posted 12/24/2011 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Lol! I have had the muffling and increased ringing too. It only lasts 30 sec or so when it happens but it has occurred. Probably once every few days at first. Now its kinda rare as I get better. But still have the background ringing constantly at a low level that flares higher at times. I ran 3 1/2 miles three days ago St a fast pace and had the ringing increase afterwards. Today I did 3 fast miles on the treadmill and it wasn't as bad. Tired now though!
Posted 12/24/2011 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
I have the constant ringing too! Seems like it started since I began taking Ceftin - although it doesn't seem like a side effect, like worriedinvt said - it seems like the result of whatever the ceftin is doing to the lyme, but boy is it annoying!

Sometimes the ringing gets so awful, and of course that's one of the few sensations you cannot run away from! I've found that listening to white or pink noise helps A LOT!

My hearing goes in and out too - it's weird, like all of a sudden there's this loud buzzing in just one ear but at the same time I can't hear anything.

My ringing increases after exercising too, come to think of it. This is definitely something I want to look into and research - I love knowing WHY Lyme is causing the weird symptoms I experience...knowledge is power!!
Posted 12/24/2011 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. I am on ceftin and biaxin with the ringing. But I had the flare-ups at times even before I started treatment. So the ceftin may be aggravating the symptoms but I think the root cause is Lyme.
Posted 12/25/2011 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Sooo, with the board so quiet today, I did a tidbit of reading about dizziness, ear ringing and tick-borne infections.
Here's what I discovered in my little search:
Lyme can affect many nerves in the head - each causing different issues within the body. The malfunction can be caused by an inflammation of the nerve itself, inflammation of the surrounding tissues, or because of a "misfire' of sorts - the wrong message being sent or the message not getting sent at all.

Not only does Lyme Disease causes dizziness, but so do Babesia infections.

Hope that helps just a tidbit!!
Posted 12/26/2011 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Diet changes and anti-fungal treatments can help as well.

I was originally diagnosed with Menieres Syndrome, and finally found vestibular relief through diet changes and anti-fungal treatments.

But when I discovered that systemic infections were the cause of mine, I started hanging out here because most Menieres and MAV sufferers haven't discovered the systemic infection link and therefore there isn't a lot of advice for abx treatments on the Meniere's sites.

You guys are all over the abx treatments.

My hearing tests over the last few years show a definite decrease in hearing on bad days, with an increase on good days. Once I started with my diet and anti-fungal treatments, they showed my hearing improve back to close to normal. I do still have mild tinnitus which I expect may be with me permanently, but I haven't had a vertigo attack (or even dizziness) or hearing problems since 2009.

I think anyone with vestibular disorders (not caused due to any physical damage) should consider Lyme or other systemic infections as a cause. Meniere's and MAV are the two biggies (IMHO).

Also, consider that taking lots of abx might make it easier for fungal infections to get a foot hold. In my case, extensive anti-fungal treatments allowed the bacteria to go wild. Now I won't take abx without anti-fungals and won't take anti-fungals without abx.

Plus tons or probiotics wink
Posted 12/28/2011 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all.

I have been taking the turmeric since I began this post and my motion issues seem to have improved.  I have tried Bonine for it but it doesn't seem to help much.  My stepfather had a stroke :( on Friday and so I have also been distracted.  My feet are killing me now so I did a detox foot bath yesterday and may do a full body bath tonight.  Plus, the shower needs a cleaning and needing a bath motivates me to do so!

I began oregano last night...we'll see how that goes.  I have also started reducing inflammatory foods in my diet based on the info in my new recipe book.

Thanks again!

@ Traveler - Thanks for the info.  I was thinking it might be inflammation because it included neck aches and headaches.  The head and neck ache were first to go with the turmeric and the motion stuff lasted till maybe a couple days ago. 

Posted 12/29/2011 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
I'm so glad to hear that your symptoms have eased a bit for you, Worried!! Although be careful with the oregano oil, it's powerful stuff and may cause a herx - not something you need right now with the concerns you must have right now.

I'm really sorry to hear that your Step-father had a stroke. I really hope that everything is okay.

Please be sure to take extra good care of yourself right now - don't discount the stress that this puts on you!

Gentle hugs,
Trav =)
Posted 12/29/2011 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Traveler.

My poor stepdad's challenges sure make mine seem small! He is only 47 years old. He is paralyzed on the left side and had a lot of brain swelling--they watched it closely and thought they'd have to open his skull. It seems this hurdle has passed. Praying for a full recovery! I have been trying to do some research on stroke and natural healing through diet and such.

Maybe I will start slow with oregano--esp. since I've increased garlic and have been using oregano in my food. Maybe every other day?
Posted 12/29/2011 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Wow! Your Step-father is only 47?!?! Heck, I'm 48!! smhair That sure puts the tragedy in perspective! He's quite young to have something like that happen. Again, my sympathies.

Best of luck on finding the right info to help your Step-father!

Your plan with only doing the Oregano every other day is a good one, but considering the extra stress you must be under right now, I would also suggest that you start with a small dose and build slowly and carefully. You sure don't need to have a major herx right now!

Please do keep us informed on not only your progress, but your Step-father's as well. Only as you are up to it though!

Please don't forget to take really good care of yourself so that you can be there for your Step-father!

Big gentle hugs~
Trav
Posted 5/4/2016 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
Could you please tell more about the Anti-fun gals? I am new to this forum and am having difficulty with the rocking boat issue since August! Another writer wrote that teeth can be the underling culprit I am removing filings but question my upper left root canal? Asked my Llmd if I should get it pulled and he told me to wait. She said I could be making it worst ! I ruled out Meneres? Can this go away?... Scared
Posted 5/4/2016 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
girlie mom start up a new topic so everyone will see your question.
Posted 5/4/2016 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Girlie mom ---

Yes, please start a new thread (this one is about 5 yrs old and might not get as much attention) and ask any questions you have on antifungals. Unfortunately, I have a lot of info to share but might be able to answer questions. And that way the moderators can also give you an official welcome!

-p
Posted 5/4/2016 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Actual vertigo is a FULL on spinning where you can't regain your equilibrium. It's not just simply being dizzy or lightheaded, or its not just off-balance either. ..vertigo is initially SEVERE...

My very first bizarre symptom of 'something seriously wrong', was severe vertigo in 2004. The first episode was so SO bad that I literally could NOT move(for 2 days) from the position that prevented it from going to full spinning-I had to ly on my left side. For an entire year when riding in a car(I wasnt allowed to drive), I had to wear 'blinders' on the sides on my sunglasses to prevent my eyes from catching any movement from my peripheral vision. Between 2004, when vertigo first started, until about 2008, I had mild vertigo issues that involved depth perception being off, loss of balance, head-rush sensations, a feeling on top of head like hot iron while at the same time feeling like my head was filling with cold water.

Ringing and buzzing in and of the ears occurrs AS RESULT of a severe vertigo attack. My initial diagnosis was benign positioning vertigo where the 'ear crystals' were dispersed from the chamber that controls your equlibrium.

I didnt have ringing ears until years later after the acute Vertigo attack.

In 2014, when I first started seeing a lyme literate dr, she said that vertigo is mostly caused by heavy metal toxicity. In 2004, I was told it was a virus! I think its both. I hav HIGH heavy metals, and HIGH viral load.

My 'Lyme sister' never had vertigo and she tested low on heavy metals.
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