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Holy herx...I need a break!

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Posted 3/4/2013 7:43 AM (GMT 0)
Ok I've been gradually feeling worse and worse over the last couple days, and I know I need to slow down. I think adding the Artemisia (sp?), is what put me over the edge, but I'm not 100% sure. I'm afraid to take a break from the Rifampin I've heard it can be hard on your kidneys.

I'm also on Zithromax. Any suggestions on what to back off of for now?

I have major joint pain, to the point where no medication is touching the pain, just miserable. I can't use my heating pad for relief because I have a horrible rash on my back (and arms and legs), and the heat turns it to full-on hives and makes it worse.

I hate to be a whiner, but sheesh...this is tough! Until I can see a pain specialist I'm going to have to slow down I suppose :(

Any advice one how to handle this?

I'm detoxing, taking plenty of supplements, drinking lots of lemon water, green vibrance, good diet...idk what else to do. I knew it was going to get hard, but this is worse than expected.
Posted 3/4/2013 9:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Rori,

I'm sorry you're feeling so rotten,I wish I could give you magic pill to take the pain away.

When I was at my worst last May/ June, I couldn't even stand,I didn't hardly leave the house,totally impossible.

Pain killers were completely useless,I just stuck to my Turmeric and Boswellia.

But,things have slowly improved,I tried to concentrate on every tiny sign of improvement,that gave me the courage to plod on.

Have you thought about acupunture? I know Traveler swears by it,of course it's expensive and we all have to count the pennies,but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Sorry I can't help more but it will get better,really it will.

Tickled
Posted 3/4/2013 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
Good morning Lymer.
I'm not good at giving real advice, as I am usually the one needing it!

But I can say this for sure, when I start to feel worse, and try to stress out about how I'm going to get stuff done, it only compounds the already crappyness.

so yes, slow down is good advice for most of us.

seems to me, most people with lyme are over achievers anyway. so if we slow down by 85%, we will still be getting done more than most, right?
Posted 3/4/2013 11:39 AM (GMT 0)
'Holly Herx!' - you just invented a new expression...

I'm sorry you're feeling so bad, I really understand you! I'm going through the same thing. Like Tickledpink, I don't leave the house anymore, just going to work (sitting here like a living dead), back home in my sofa. In the weekends, I don't even leave the house for groceries. I'm just not up to it... I don't want to see anyone, nor pick up phones, nothing...

Since I allowed myself this, I feel less stress. I just don't care about other things than getting well anymore. It's just about me right now, and about being 'able' to work so I can finance this disaster...

I used to beat myself up about not being able to do things, not being able to participate in social events, and so on.

I'm so terribly tired and worn out that I don't have the energy anymore to worry about it...

Hang in there, we just need to think that it'll get better...

Marie

Posted 3/4/2013 11:40 AM (GMT 0)
Well Tom, I was just writing about the same thing as you - but being at work it took me a while to push the 'submit' button... lol
Posted 3/4/2013 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Lymer, I'm so sorry you are going through this!

I'm not a doctor and I'm still new at this, but I think the easiest thing to back off on for a bit is the herb. From what I understand, it's a strong one. But unlike Rifampin (which I also take right now) I don't believe you will have the re-introduction issue with the herb. I am so paranoid about missing my Rifampin dose because of the acute renal failure possibility, I have them stashed in my car, in my pocket book, etc. just so I always have it. It's a very real possibility, so don't stop taking that. Also, as Traveler always says, you don't necessarily have to cut the herb completely, just reduce it by alot to make it easier on your system and see if that helps you at all.

I do hope it does!! xox
Posted 3/4/2013 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
Feel better Lymer!! Thinking of you. Do all the sweetest things you can for yourself.
Posted 3/5/2013 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
Lymer, sorry you're feeling so awful. It sure does get bad sometimes. I've had herxing where I've been bedridden. Not fun! I felt really horrible for 2 months straight and so my LLMD had me go off all abx., including Rifampin, for 5 days. I did ask about the risk of going off of Rifampin and she wasn't concerned about it. However, because I was off of it, all of the Bart symptoms came back w/ a vengeance w/in 3 days of being off of it!!!
Since the Artemisia is what you added most recently, I would suggest either stopping that or decreasing the dose. See how you're doing then. If you still feel awful, maybe decrease the dose of the Zithromax temporarily.
It sounds like your body needs a chance to catch up w/getting rid of the toxins.
Posted 3/5/2013 11:39 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all of the great advice and support. I really appreciate. I'm trying to stop being so stubborn...I feel like I need to push myself constantly or I'll never get better. But I've definitely decided to take a break from the Artemisia, see what happens and go from there.

Thanks, it's so nice to have the support from this group. I would honestly be lost without you all :)
Posted 3/5/2013 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
Some really great advice has been given! I would just like to emphasize what Marie said about just being concerned with healing. We have a tendency to forget that our bodies are quite possibly battling the biggest battle of our lives - well at least hopefully!

We need to be sure to give ourselves the gift of time - time to treat, time to heal, and time to recover. I found that most of those things I thought 'had to be done right away', could really wait and I was pretty much the only one who cared!!
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