Neurological flare, not sure what to think

So for the past few months my protocol has pretty much been low dose minocycline, malarone, and houttuynia. Last month, I had some test results come back that had high viral titers, especially EBV. So my doctor and I discussed adding antivirals, and I decided to just start with monolaurin since I am so sensitive.
I started at 1 pellet lauricidin brand, and within a few weeks made my way up to 4 (yes I know, thats not a lot), which seemed like it was making me feel worse, but I felt I could deal with the herx. Then I started noticing really bad neurological symptoms coming up. Basically feeling really dizzy/spins, uncoordinated, difficulty walking straight, tremors, bad brain fog, derealization, just super spaced out, spasms, horrible internal vibrations/buzzing sensations, feeling my pulse throughout my body, pounding heart, muscle weakness, and feeling frozen up--I'm not sure how else to describe that sensation. All of this I have experienced before at different times and levels, but its all just come up suddenly and strongly in a way that is abnormal for me and extremely debilitating.
So I stopped the monolaurin, and have waited to see if its a herx, and for it to calm down, but its just been ramping up. Its been almost 2 weeks since I've stopped it. I am not sure what to think or do about it. I have a doctors appointment later in the month and have messaged them, but I need help trying to figure out what to do in the mean time.
Does anyone know why monolaurin might cause a neurological flare? Or is it likely something else is happening and monolaurin has somehow irritated another infection or something? I do not feel like its a herx anymore at this point, it feels different to me and very much like something else is going on and flaring. But who knows.
Any ideas on what else could be happening? I have been wondering if viral infections can cause strong neurological symptoms and maybe I need prescription antivirals to try instead, but if its not viral thats flaring, what else could cause this?
Any input or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this, hennatattoo. I know neurological symptom flares can be so freaky and debilitating!

Looking back at your other posts, it seems like many of your symptoms are neurological, perhaps particularly when using antimicrobials. So maybe even if a few of your neurological symptoms this time are unfamiliar, it could be considered more of the same, since you know herxing tends to mean neuro stuff for you?

What has helped you recover from herxes in the past? What usually tones down your nervous system dysregulation?

Also, what has flared neurological symptoms for you in the past? Have you been experiencing physical, emotional, or mental stress lately? What about holiday dietary changes, like extra sugar, caffeine, processed food, or alcohol? Sleep changes, a virus, mold, over-exertion, hormonal fluctuations? Maybe other factors are contributing in addition to herxing.

I'm going to throw out a bunch of ideas to help with nervous system dysregulation, overstimulation, and inflammation. I'm sure you've tried some of them, but sometimes it helps to brainstorm, so here goes: tapping (EFT), limbic system retraining, curcumin, alpha lipoic acid, omega 3 fatty acids, anti-inflammatory diet, addressing MCAS, craniosacral therapy, acupuncture, meditation, yoga, qi gong, tai chi, breathwork, guided visualizations, frankincense essential oil, CBD or other forms/derivatives of cannabis, vagus nerve toning exercises (laughter, gargling, hummung, etc.), activities in which the hands "cross the midline," lymphatic massage, magnesium, L-theanine, bacopa, adaptogenic herbs, reishi, lemon balm, Rescue products, quality sleep, time with loved ones, full-spectrum light, earthing, mental health support, electronics avoidance, dry brushing, B vitamins, etc.

I don't know which of the things your are taking could be contributing to these symptoms, but so often it's not just one thing that causes a symptom flare. I'm not totally sure what you mean by frozen up, but otherwise I have had all of the symptoms you describe. Some persisted for years, both on and off of antimicrobials, so I understand your suspicion that it's not herxing (or not just herxing) causing the symptoms.

I hope you find some relief soon!

Thank you for the responses everyone!


Girlie, when you say that sounds like what you experienced, do you mean just general symptoms you had day to day? Or that you had a flare like that with something you took? And did you find anything in particular that helped with these symptoms?


saraelia, for the most part, time usually helps my herxes. But when I stop taking all antimicrobials, I start to get worse anyway. So its like I take something, and feel horrible, but if I take nothing, I feel horrible regardless. I am not a good detoxer but I do a lot of things to help with it, I just have always been a terrible herxer. I have noticed curcumin and TUDCA has helped me with herxes, but its not a silver bullet, and doesnt help right away. I always take epsom salt baths and binders which help somewhat, but I dont feel immediately much better with anything. And if I take curcumin too often it gives me abdominal pains, so I can only take so much of it. Looking back, I think most of my neurological flares came from treatment of some kind, antibiotics or herbs, but this is definitely on another level for me. I feel like the best thing to do is target whatever is flaring, but its hard to know exactly whats going on. Your ideas are super helpful and very much appreciated, I have not tried all of them. Could you tell me what rescue products are?
Another way to describe feeling frozen up is like a deer in the headlights lol but its like my mind and body freeze, I can't really process anything going on, and I feel stuck...if that makes sense. Its very weird.


Garzie, could you tell me more about what you took that triggered neurological symptoms for you? And was it weeks until you noticed the herx calming down? Also, did you find anything in particular that helped those symptoms?

Rescue is a product line made by Bach Flower Essences. Some find them helpful, and there are no side effects. One of my in-laws, who is not a "crunchy" person in the slightest, tried Rescue Sleep for her insomnia after nothing else had worked, and she doesn't have trouble sleeping anymore! That said, it didn't help my child, so your mileage may vary.

I know a lot of people on the autism spectrum, and that freeze symptom sounds like what they experience sometimes when stressed or overstimulated. It makes sense that the brain forces a pause when things are just too much, but of course that's not a good feeling! Have you looked into Naviaux's work on the cell danger response?

I know it's so hard to be patient with symptoms like this, but you will find relief from this eventually!