How long do your Herx symptoms last?

I recently took a round of treatments, 1 ketoconazole, 1 azithromycin, 1 InterFase Plus / day for 7 days, then 1 keto, 1 azithro for another 3 days (I would have taken more, but I was on the verge of not being able to function after 10 days).

For me it has taken two-three weeks before I start feeling well again.

How long does it take you guys to recover?

SM

Hi Sickman,
It really does depend on your exact situation that is going on in your body. Some one who has trouble with detoxing will take longer to recover than someone who has well functioning detox pathways and is actively helping their body to detox, as one example.

And, of course, I used that example on purpose!! Giggle! Be sure you are detoxing as much as your body will allow when hitting these infections that hard! Also be sure to schedule in naps and extra rest times -it really will make a difference!!!

Thanks folks. I'm pulsing, because after a week or so of even a single abx I get to the point where I can barely get out of my chair. But I look at it as if it where chemo. It makes me sick for a time, but if I don't I'll never get better. (though the consequences of not taking chemo when it's needed is probably worse). If I didn't have to work I would continue even when I was immobile, but alas, I have to work.

When I'm herxing I get exhausted and depressed and my cognitive function approaches nil, but I as often as I get discouraged, I hold on to the belief that if I continue, I'll get better, and if I don't I won't. I do take frequent naps and long hot showers, soak my feet, milk thistle, L-Glutamine and apple pectin and lots of probiotics.

BTW - I _do_ like coffee, but there are limits to where I'll put it :)

SM

I'm still new at this and would like to know what is meant by "pulsing." Also, someone wrote that they were at the "end of their treatment." What does the treatment usually consist of, just abx and maybe some supplements? And who determines the length of a person's treatment? How would someone know they were coming to the end?

I don't recover either. Sometimes I think I'm in a herx, but it turns out to be a new symptom that has come to stay or part of a steady decline lol.

When I was on Mepron for two months, I was "herxing" for two months. Then I had to stop everything for liver issues and I felt just as bad if not worse. So far the only time I get where I feel recovered is for a few hours after a vitamin IV.


Missyouall, I'm pretty new to treatment, only about 6 months in, but my LLMD uses the CD57 combined with symptoms to determine the end of treatment and then goes to "maintenance" which is usually natural lifestyle modifications and herbs. He will treat again though if there's a relapse. I know that I'm nowhere's near the end of my treatment. I'm hoping it will be clear to me when I'm getting to the end.

Pulsing is where you take a medication for a shorter amount of time and then stop. A lot of people do this with Flagyl and IV's too. For example, they'll do 4 days in a row of IV rocephin and then 3 days "off" per week.

Cure Unknown is great. It really helped me in the beginning to understand the controversy which I was skeptical of. A lot of stories of families affected by Lyme are featured and tons of scientific studies and research is discussed.

Another book I like is The Lyme Disease Solution. It's great to have as a reference. I refer to it almost every day when I want to check about a specific medication, supplement, diet change, detox method etc.

I also like Insights Into Lyme Disease Treatment. It gives 13 different doctor's protocols which I find helpful so I can compare what I'm doing with what some of the other LLMD's from around the country and world are doing for their patients.

More good info and sound advise from all of you. Thank you.
Feeling quite a bit better today. Please God it lasts, at least for a while.