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Am I Herxing??

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Posted 12/21/2009 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
I discovered this year after battling Chronic Sinusitis that the main cause of my underlying condition could be the result of Lyme Disease. For years I've been battling chronic fatigue, non-specific pains, and brain fog. Most recently, my joints have been inflamed, and I have pain in my heel (diagnosed as Plantar Fasciatis).

A few months ago, I broke into an infection which caused my fet and legs to become cold and painful. A fever followed for a few days, and it seemed like I might have the flu. Doctor's were unable to tell me because I also have symptoms of a sinus infection, and have been battling recurring infections to my sinus all year.

On antibiotics, I noticed I began to feel better. The fatigue is lifted, and I have more clarity to my mind.

So, i'm on my 3rd course of antibiotics right now (Augmentin 857mg) on my 9th day, and this is where my question comes in. I have been having chest tightness for weeks, and it feels very hard to breathe.. It also seems to get worse while I'm laying down, and causes me to get a headache because I feel like I can't get enough oxygen.

Could this be a herx from Lyme Disease?
Posted 12/21/2009 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Wolfed Lyme,

Welcome to the forum! I started off like you and had sinus infections that would come and go, the flu-like symptoms that would do the same and everytime I'd take antibiotics, I'd feel so much better. I wish I knew then to continue on antibiotics because I wouldn't be where I am now.

Your chest pain could be a co-infection called babesia BUT you need to get it checked out because it could be heart related. It could also be something called chostocondritis. That too causes chest pain and shorness of breath. Please let your doctor know and get it checked out. It's best to be safe.
Posted 12/22/2009 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
CajunGrl,

Thanks for having me. I'm still working through my symptoms, and I have not been diagnosed with Lyme Disease. But, I have a suspicion at this point.

I will call my GP if my chest symptoms continue to persist. I spoke with my allergist this morning, and he thinks because I said, "I have a hard time getting a full breath" that this is related to Anxiety -- as his response was, "that is very common from people who have Anxiety."

I believe it might be Pleurisy, because I don't have a lot of anxiety over the situation.

CajunGrl, did you have a Herx when you were on antibiotics? If so, what was it like?
Posted 12/22/2009 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
Wolfed Lyme - Your pulmonary symptoms could be caused by anxiety, but if it were me, I certainly would not accept that as an answer until everything else had been ruled out. I had those symptoms, too, and although I saw a cardiologist, and a cardiology specialist, neither discovered the true cause of my symptoms. I also was referred to a counselor for anxiety, and took Paxil to treat that anxiety. Neither of those solutions lessened my symptoms significantly. It wasn't until I was tested, several years later, for Lyme and coinfections that I found out I had babesia. That is what was causing my tight chest and air hunger. Well, that and the other undiagnosed problem I had which was severe sleep apnea. It always scares me to hear anxiety offered as a diagnosis for these symptoms; there are so many physiological things that can cause them. One other thing you might want to check, if you have only been having the tight chest and air hunger while taking this antibiotic, and it is a new antibiotic for you, your symptoms may be a side-effect of the medication. I cannot take Cipro because it does that to me.

I also have a history of sinusitis, and have also been told it could be attributed to Lyme. I don't think it is a herx reaction; I think it is from toxin build up since sinuses are part of our drainage system. But that's just an opinion.

I hope you find an answer soon. If it is babesia, it is important to get treatment before it gets worse.

Rose
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