Herx vs Bad Days? what's the diff?

Hi Jenn,

Wow, you are one tough lady! I don't know how you all do it when you have small children. I can barely move most days but my kids are older so they can do for themselves.

A herx usually makes everything worse. Your muscles, joints, flu-like symptoms all get a whole lot worse. This usually lasts for days, sometimes weeks. I hurt everyday too and some days are better than others but when I herx, it pretty much knocks me down ALL the way. Everything is so much worse, especially the pain. I can hardly take it.

Springsjean,

Sometimes when there is a change of antibiotics, the new antibiotics start killing off the bacteria that your last antibiotic couldn't get to. That is actually a good thing. You want your antibiotics to kill off all of that nasty bacteria.

just hope it's herx, because then it would mean you are getting better!!

I fell ill while still nursing a baby (plus 2 bigger kids to care for), I know it can be tough!! I survived without toughening up - I just let myself do as much or as little as I could on each particular day without judging myself. And kids accept that readily (at least mine did). After a while (a long while:))) even my husband stopped picking at me and accepted the state of things.

Thanks ladies. I actually have a 14 yr old son and a toddler- 17 months. Soooo teenager.. need I say more. He doesn't always like to help, but since he watched Under our Skin with me he understands more I think.

I was on Doxy for 4 weeks the weeks I was off it I got even worse than before I started. I got into my LLMD and he wanted to do the IV but I had to go into the office 3 days a week for who knows how long and I couldn't afford the copays. ( I got laid off in May) So I opted to do Doxy again and he gave me a script for 2 months. So it's been 2 weeks since I started up again and I've felt pretty crappy. This week has been the worst with headaches and now I get stabbing pains in random spots. And its like someone stabs me with a knife really fast, it doesn't last but it's so sudden and so painful. Last night it was in my hand and I was watching tv with my son and i jerked my hand and gasped and he just looked at me like I was nuts. LOL

I guess I won't know if I am herxing or not. I've done cleanses in the past and when I herxed from them it felt like I was on my death bed. Vomiting, sweat, chills, etc... So I guess I expected the same.

finding721 - I am sooo hard to offend. lol I agree with bembuks, that some days you're going to be able to do more things than others and you can't judge yourself about it. I never ever let myself lay in bed, even if it's to move to the couch, I make myself get out of that bedroom. And unless my legs are paralyzed there is nothing that is going to keep me down, some days I have to hold on to things when I walk, but I guess I just refuse to let it win.

My mom is flying up next week to give me some help for a week and I am afraid I just might collapse when she gets here. LOL

Hi I see a LLMD in PA . I was taking doxy for a while with not much improvement also.

Then my LLMD added Clarithromycin . It really boosted the healing although it was very gradual..I def hit a wall with the doxy then the clarithromycin brought me further. So I'm taking doxy and clarithromycin.

also the jarro-dophilus for probiotic replacement.

Then the pain management is norco.

Everyone is right about detoxing . The hydrogen peroxide epsome salt baths are great.

Also My LLMD recomended an enzyme for breaking up biofilms you learned about during Under our skin.
It is called serrapeptase, and must be in enteric coated form. It has many indications and one is that it does help remove waste from the body. Waste as in dead bacteria, dead tissues, inflammation, also a pain blocking dimension.

I just started my serrapeptase and it has been so far a wonderful addition to my protocol. My fingers were swollen and they are almost normal today.

I also had pain and swelling in my knees which is reducing very well also.

Ive only been taking it for 4 days. Ive been telling people about it before i received it now that i am taking it i can actually vouch for it.

another thing that has helped me which may not apply to you is ive am taking ADD medicine. I tried Concerta first, it helped with brain function like concentration and retention, also gave me much needed energy.
Then i tried adderall which i am taking now it seems to last longer and to me is better on all the symptoms i just mentioned that the concerta helped.

It may not be ok with you to take ADD meds because people with Lyme should not take things that are neurological, but it is a sacrifice i am willing to take for the extra energy to take care of my 2 year old and my 94 year old grandmother whom i care for also.

I feel for you young mothers trying to make it with kids to take care of. You deserve a medal.
I hope you get over the worst of it soon. Quercitin is a supplement that helps reduce inflammation. you can get it at your health food store.

I think it is the toxins from the die off in your brain that are causing the neuro problems, Jenn. You almost always get worse before you get better.

Hi Jenn,

I started having worsening neuro problems after I started antibiotics. You may also want to ask your doctor about Bartonella.

I go twice a week for IV rocephin which has not required a PICC line. My eyes and ears are getting better after eight treatments. I still have four more to go and then we re-evaluate. I have to pay out of pocket for these as my LLMD has chosen not to submit to insurance due to the hassles they give him. I seem to be ok with the abx, but I am on a rather strict diet and several probiotics and candida busters. Everyday, I pray that I can withstand the full course of abx as I've only been at it for two months.

Doc and I decided to do IV when the neuro symptoms appeared. They scared me badly and I would have done whatever was needed to try to get my vision and hearing back to where it should be.

It is a big decision; I'm sure you'll make the right one for you. All the best to you.