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Increase in cfs symptoms, herx or what?

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Posted 3/18/2017 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on abx for 6 weeks now, the 1st two I didn't take them regularly. I should also start my period any day now. The past few days I've had a little pain here and there, and increase in heart pounding, but today the fatigue and brain fuzz (fog doesn't sound right for me) has gotten way worse than it's been in a few weeks. I also started herbs and have been increasing slowly since March 7th. I had a major flare up (endo described it as fibro/CFS flare) in the beginning of January before I started the abx. I was on my period then too. I'm scared it's going to happen again.

Could it be herx or my period?

sad

Post Edited (jlESVA) : 3/18/2017 1:00:01 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/18/2017 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
It could be either or both, unfortunately. During the menses, hormones fluctuate, causing the symptoms of PMS - and during herxing, we have increased symptoms too. You are right in the 'normal' time period to be herxing too. Something else you may find you are sensitive to is the moon phases. Full moons are more common to cause issues, but a new moon can as well.

I would encourage you to increase the amount of detoxing you are doing and rest as much as possible, keeping your responsibilities to a minimum. Be kind to your body - stay well hydrated, and eat well also. These things should ease your possible issues - but don't 'expect' to herx because they always seem to feel worse when we are waiting, expecting them to hit.
Posted 3/18/2017 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
During my bath yesterday I was more uncomfortable than usual and felt worse after I got out. I was all red in the face and weak, heart pounding. I didn't think it was any hotter than usual though. Usually I feel great when I get in, it's so warm and soothing.

When you say it's the "normal" time to herx, do you mean due to the abx? Or the Lyme cycle?

Thanks for your reply. I was reading up on some of your old posts and it encouraged me to look more into acupuncture.
Posted 3/18/2017 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
It's 'normal' to herx between 3 - 6 weeks after starting treatments. It's when the "Lyme cycle" and treatments kind of "collide" and we herx. Not everyone herxes, but many do. I assumed that those are not normal PMS symptoms for you - at least I hope not.

I'm glad you have found some of my older posts helpful too!! I waaaay overshare on here! LOL! But, it's in hopes that it helps someone. smile
Posted 3/18/2017 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. It never occurred to me about oversharing!! One's health is personal, and we need to share it to support one another. I'm thankful you did! No, not normal PMS symptoms at all! At least they didn't used to be...
Posted 3/19/2017 7:43 AM (GMT 0)

Traveler said...
It's 'normal' to herx between 3 - 6 weeks after starting treatments.

yes and sometimes for women the flares/herxes get in sync with the period, this is because there are large variations in hormones when the period happens and this affects negatively the immune system, so the perfect time for lyme to replicate mad

we already know that lyme relapses especially when there is weakness in the immune system: tired, lack of sleep, surgery, lack of some vitamins, flu or another infection, the period, etc... anything that dampens the immune response for a while will make it restart infection.
Posted 3/19/2017 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
And some women have their menses sync up with the moon phases, and on full moons they have a lot of issues. That used to be me, but again, I didn't know that I was carrying all these infections until decades after I had to have a hysterectomy because of a prolapse.

At this point, I would say that you should assume that it's a herx and increase your detoxing.

Very true, Mpost.
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