Anyone else get hot flashes/ sweats?

No. Definitely sweaty, but not drenching.

I immediately thought Babesia as well - especially after reading Horowitz's extensive explanation about how it manifests. Once you clarified that they weren't drenching (and you didn't have them before starting treatment), that idea went out of my head.

It definitely isn't Bart based upon his symptoms summary for *that*.

I do know hot flashes occur in Lyme (I had a couple instances after I started treatment)

I'm going with herx.

And, I really, really hope you will trust in your LLMD re diagonosis.

Even if you do have a co, you won't necessarily be treated for it right away....unless you just happen to be taking a med that addresses the co while treating your Lyme.

As Dr. H said during his NorVect speech, the Autoimmune Summit interview and in his book, doxy is one of those meds that "hits" not only Lyme but, many of the co's.

In fact, there's a good chance that the doxy you took wiped out your Erlichicia.....he says it's one of the easier co's to treat....7-10 days of doxy.

It's become VERY clear to me that LLMD's first treat the known infections (which often require many months of combinations of different abx) along with any noted, related issues (such as adrenal/thyroid dysfunction, mold/toxicity, etc.) Then, if symptoms remain, they dig deeper for the cause.

Our one step at a time as Lymies often involves a lot.....trying to double-step does nothing for our healing and can often sidetrack us.

Post Edited (cd3764) : 11/23/2014 8:17:48 AM (GMT-7)

One more big possible reason not discussed yet-

Besides the previous possibilities:

Hormone imbalance caused by the infection(s). Anyone with untreated low (hypo) thyroid will tell you it can cause hot/cold flashes with sweats- the kind that wake you up. Adrenal fatigue (which many of us have) can also do this. These two hormones are most likey to be effected the longer the infection.

Both of these go hand in hand. People with chronic lyme and low thyroid for a long time are more likely to take thyroid hormone the rest of there life.

In Non-chronic lyme with low thyroid, the chances of full thyroid recovery are much, much greater.

A TSH test for thyroid is not enough. The free T4 test and MOST important free T3 test in the middle to upper third of the range is optimal to be thyroid symptom free. These tests are are covered by insc. and regular Drs.

Adreanal testing has been covered hear before. The best for adrenal fatigue is the adrenal saliva, about $150 from private labs - not covered falls under experimental.

So if this does not pass with other herx symptoms, get it cheched out.

This is similar info that should be in the top post sticky. See my post on that.

Lots of lymies have hormones all messed up. When the adrenals are stressed, it taxes out the thyroid. When both are messed up - all other hormones can now be effected. They all work together.

The thyroid can also develop antibodies against it from the invading bacteria setting up shop in the thyroid gland itself.

In autoimmune low thyroid - the actual disease version has one or both elevated anti thyroid antibodies called TPO and TgAb. These antibodies then go into self destructing the gland it was supposed to be protecting. the thyroid gland goes down hill from there and can the destruction can be viewed vie thyroid=oid ultra sound.

Endo Drs then just give out thyroid meds for life to increase the level and do not address the cause- they say the cause is unknown. Replacement thyroid hormone does not fix the gland, just replenishes the hormone daily. We are finding out there can be many causes. Bacteria is one.

You could sayI'm the thyroid geek here.

Utah - When I first started to get symptoms - it was hot flashes, anxiety, bouts of depression - I was told menopause was the issue. I went on the bio identical progest cream - no change, then added the estrogen - no change. Then I started to get more symptoms stacking up - vibrations, joint pain, muscle pain, etc etc. I was still told menopause - by 4 Drs including a female a Naturopath.
I knew it wasn't all meno related - I had way too many symptoms and had never had hormone issues before - no PMS, no postpartum issues - and I wasn't a wimp - I knew I could handle meno symptoms.

I now experience cold shills/shivers too (but it's different than what you feel when you really are cold).

My LLND thinks that it's more adrenal issues causing it - not so much the female stuff. And now I only get one hot flash per night and maybe two during the day. My LLND thinks it will all clear up with treatment. But it takes time - I chose not to take a low dose cortisol - instead I am taking herbs to support the adrenals.

We think I have bart, too, so it's possible bart is stressing the adrenals.

I have had Free T3 and t4 tested - upper range and also did the 24 hour urine cortisol test. It was high the first time and normal range the second time. I have thought about doing the saliva cortisol test - just tired of testing.

Utahgal - Your hot flashes are probably from the combination of every thing.

Did you ever get reverse T3 tested?

If you dropped your thyroid med, it would be good to get the free T3 and see where thats at.

I had to lower my thyroid med when I started ABX. Dx'ed with Hashimoto 12 yrs prior the tick infection(s).

The pharmacist even mentioned the ABX I was on is known to make other meds more powerful.

My hot flashes returned some in my three month herx last year, BUT I also lowered thyroid med at the same time. In the past when ever I adjusted thyroid med I got hot flashes - and I'm a guy.

I used to get night sweats almost every night the years I was most ill - before I was dx'ed hypo thyroid and tick infections. Woke up drenched.

Look at it this way… you are treating the infection but you also need to compensate for the damage the lyme has done/is doing.

But I would get both reverse T3 and reverse T4 tested so that you know if you should replace both or just the T3. Most MDs will only test TSH and tell you you're fine... and they should be fired.

Even then, my T3, T4 tested OK but my LLMD doubled my naturethroid dose and I'm doing better so like astroman, you kinda just need to try out a few things and see how you respond.

I'd also kick your detox up a notch if you can—get those dead critters out as efficiently as you can so they aren't mucking up the works and confusing your process.

I just remembered that when I started herbs for Bart and Babs I started sweating in places I didn't know I had sweat glands… hoooboy. not pretty.

-p

Yes, horrible drenching sweats, and I feel really sick when I have them.

I am post menopausal.

These are a lot worse than menopause.

Margaret