internal vibrations: herx or symptom?

I get in chest, legs and feet. Have had it constantly since April. Seemed like it got a little better when I was on Biaxin pulsing flagyl/plaq. Drives me crazy.

The nervous system is one of Lyme and Co's main targets. The myelin sheath covering the nerves is often damaged during the bug attack and that's what can cause those internal vibrations, stinging/burning and shock-type sensations....along with tingling and numbness.

It's possible that something you eat or drink could exacerbate the symptoms - especially if whatever you consume stimulates the immune system.

On page 293 of his new coinfections book that includes Bartonella, Buhner writes : "It is not uncommon for the sensory and neurological systems to become exceptionally sensitive to any kind of external input."

Whether the symptoms are a herx or "just" another symptom likely depends on whether or not you had these issues before starting treatment. If you had them before, I'd consider them a symptom. If they developed after you started treatment, then I'd consider them to be a herx.

No matter what the cause, increasing your detox can only help and you might want to consider taking things that help the nervous system.

In his books, Buhner lists a variety of herbs that can help with these issues. Buhner says that all of the herbs he recommends can be used with all of the herbs used in all other herbal protocols.

Here's a link to his (now outdated) site that lists a couple of herbs that can help:

buhnerhealinglyme.com/lyme/neuropathy/

Buhner also mentions the benefits of NAC (N-acetylcysteine) supplementation in his newer coinfection book that addresses Bartonella: It "has strong protective effects against neurotoxicity throughout the CNS" and it "acts throughout the entire peripheral nervous system to inhibit inflammation".

Conquering nerve issues has been my main focus throughout treatment because my PNS (peripheral nervous system) has been most affected by these bugs.

There is a bunch of stuff you can do to help with these issues but it does take time for them to resolve.

It's hard to say specifically what has helped with my nerves because I'm taking sooo much stuff that's supposed to help.

Basically, we're talking about a bunch of different supplements and herbs that address the nervous system.

Please let me know if you'd like a list ;)

Hmmm....well, let's go with these:
I'm afraid to count how much I'm taking lol Suffice it to say, I'm taking like 18 different herbs and juggle 4 big pill organizers filled with stuff. My wallet is hurting badly these days...

Anyway, I'm thinking the following items are the "major players" for myelin sheath/nerve issues:

Planetary Herbals Myelin Sheath Support
Kudzu, Stephania, Chinese Skullcap
NT Factor

CD
Where does one begin if we wanted to start buhners protocol? Do we buy a specific book?

I suffer from tingling on the top of my head. I think I also have candida. I have taken many supplements over the years. I am not on any specific protocol now but i take some supplements and I use a few essential oils.

I have had many many symptoms over the past 10 or more years. Things are a little better but definitely not cured.

Thanks for any info.

Leslie

This is bugging me so much now I'm stopping all herbs/supplements for a while to see if it goes away. It's making me very anxious and I can't sleep. Feel it during the day too. Always on my mind. Depressing...

So sorry things have become so challenging, drummingdad!

I wouldn't necessarily stop all supplements at this point unless they're known to cause herxing. Your body needs support right now.

And, perhaps you might consider increasing your detox so everything gets to a manageable level. Then, you could re-start the herbs at lower doses.

Buhner has recommendations for herbs that can help with anxiety....and others that can help with insomnia. Unfortunately, both of these issues are often caused by Lyme and Co's and can get worse with treatment.

If it's of any comfort to you, I no longer experience internal vibrations which occurred quite frequently throughout the day.

The most I'll get is a buzzing sensation in my left knee and it doesn't last long.

I started treating with my LLMD in mid-September of last year so, it obviously took awhile to get to this point.

Hope you feel better soon!

drummingdad - I have a lot of nervous system involvement. So, I have nerve pain, and vibrating in my body - also have shivers that come and go - worse when I herx.

My whole nervous system seems to be very 'touchy'. All it takes is a song to play that I really like, and my body starts to shiver...it's ridiculous.
I'm not anxious about anything, but my nerves are just going crazy.

Or, if my brother is stressing me out (he's been horrible to me since my dad died over the 'will' stuff) - when he starts in on me...I feel my vibrations getting worse, and then I get my nerve pain.

I have always been an even-keeled person - handled stress quite well...so this is really messing with me.

I understand questioning the diagnosis. However, many diseases and health conditions are diagnosed clinically.

The testing for co-infections is less reliable than for Lyme. And, there aren't even tests for all the strains of Bartonella and Babesia.

If anything, perhaps you might consider reading Buhner's newer coinfections book that covers Bartonella. I think it will help you understand the infection and disease processes and be more accepting of the diagnosis.

Here's a link to a free sample:

/play.google.com/store/books/details/Stephen_Harrod_Buhner_Healing_Lyme_Disease_Coinfec?id=2GtnAwAAQBAJ

I'm amazed that you're up to max doses....I started in mid-July and can't seem to get past 8 drops TID each of the Babesia and Bartonella protocols.

Artemisinin can pack quite the punch and I must tell you there are threads on here right now by people who are still herxing one month after stopping whatever they were doing for treatment.

My herx today is one of the worst I've had in awhile. I actually didn't take my 3PM doses. Not sure what I'll do about the 9PM dose right now....I just might wait until tomorrow to re-start. I'm almost afraid to re-start at 8 drops lol I need to be functional so it's quite the juggling game.