Posted 8/27/2012 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Not everyone has a herx. If you are carefully ramping up your meds, if your body is very efficient at detoxing and you have an effective detox regimen, and you don't tend towards auto-immune attacks, then it is very possible you won't have a herx.
Some doctors feel you need to have a herx to show that the medicines are working. More recent thinking, and the thinking of many natural healers, is that herxing severely or at all is not beneficial. They feel that it puts the body into a state of crisis, which slows down the overall progress towards healing.
There is probably a middle road here, where you can skirt on the edge of a mild herx, listening to your body and adjusting things accordingly.
But to answer your questions in short: No, you don't have to have a herx. Yes, in some cases herxes are dangerous, but they are an inevitable part of the healing process for some people. And yes, your healthy regimen may make it so you don't notice a herx.
You will, however want to see a gradual improvement. If you notice that you've hit a plateau, you can increase or change your meds or "challenge" yourself by going on a trip or increasing your exercise.
It is very common for Lyme patients to notice a cycle to their illness. For some it is a two week, for others a four week. As you recover you will see a lessening of that.
Hope this helps!