A-bab herx questions

I've been rx'd artemesinin, a-bab, and doxy. I initially increased the a-bab dose too quickly, increasing 1 drop per day bid to I got to 5 drops bid. I started feeling wired, agitated, and increased gastritis pain. So I took 5 days off and started back on it yesterday. I took 2 drops mid afternoon and within an hour that wired feeling came back. Reminds me a bit of when I took speed in college back in the 70's. It was tolerable til I went to bed and I struggled to fall/stay asleep.

I had this same feeling back in November and December prior to the dx of babesiosis, bartonella, and Lyme. I managed it somewhat with theanine, taurine, and glycine. I didn't start consistently sleeping well til January when I started taking low dose doxepin for sleep. That has been working pretty well till last night.

Here's what I read about a-bab:
"A-BAB has its primary affect on the brain. It decreases inflammation and helps reintegrate brain function. It can revive memory, concentration and problem solving.
A-BAB has a harmonizing effect on the nervous system. It is designed to help insomnia, anxiety, mood instability and restlessness.
This formula can balance serotonin and the other neurotransmitters helping depression, pain and sleeplessness."
Really! Could have fooled me.
I'll definitely back down on the abab but it seems odd to me that it's having the opposite effect on me than that stated. Does what I'm having sound like a herx? All I have read on this forum is that the herxes seem to be endless. I wonder if this just a bad reaction to the formula. Have any others gotten to the other side of the herxes with abab?
Thanks again,
David

Post Edited (Black Jack Davey) : 2/17/2017 9:34:11 AM (GMT-7)

Here is a good article of herx -- www.tiredoflyme.com/the-herxheimer-reaction.html

Sometimes one drop is way to much to be the starting point.

My idea for this is to take and dilute that one drop even more to where it is tolerable.

You can put one drop into a shot glass and fill it with water. Then take that water and one drop and divide it into 4 doses.

So in essence you are starting with 1/4 of a drop of herb.

I also had a couple of herbs that I just could not tolerate. I gave up on those and went with an alternative.

Try the dilution and if it still happens, it is time to call the doc and see if there is an alternative.

Or proceed with all other herbs and come back to that one later????

It is all trial and error - finding what lyme protocol works for each one of us. We all require something different.

Black Jack Davey said...
Thanks, the doxy and art are definitely working. In 3 weeks my fatigue has abated significantly. I'm no longer a prisoner to my home. Starting to recondition my self slowly. Other symptoms are improving as well but I still have a ways to go.

My llnd & I will review the tx protocol in a couple of weeks. The a-bab energizes me, yet exacerbates symptoms that had previously abated quite a bit.

My llnd said the art and the a-bab target Bart and Bb as well and I've found some credible reports of that in my searches.

I'm somewhat skeptical of herbal remedies. Before I got sick with this TBD, I've tried numerous herbs, St johns wort, echinacea, valerian, holy basil, goldenseal, various herbal formulas recommended by my acupuncturist and none of them did squat. Well, once I did get some nasty bulk herb formula from an acupuncturist that cured my bronchitis lickety split.

At least I can clearly notice something with this a-bab, just don't know if it's herx or something else.

I hope that your LLND is correct about the a-Bab and Art targeting bart. But, it's been my experience with my own treatment and reading about others' on this forum that it might not be enough.
Unless - maybe you are dealing with a recent infection...only having had it for a few weeks? Maybe that would be the difference.

If you are seeing progress...then I think it would be wise to 'stay the course'.

So you haven't had these infections for years...only months...

I haven't tried the atovaquone....i have a bottle to try...but am waiting to stop my Rifampin for bart...maybe next week?

I think it can be harsh...some people get 'blue' when taking it...and it's hard to distinguish if it's a herx...from a side effect.

Black Jack Davey said...
My LLND said 5 different docs will give 5 different Rx's, fwiw. Im trying to convince myself that we're not on the wrong track. Here: https://rawlsmd.com/health-articles/when-to-consider-antibiotic-therapy
Dr. Rawls says: "Doxycycline covers for borrelia and coinfections except babesia. Other antibiotics can be added at the discretion of the healthcare provider." He also states: "Synthetic antibiotic therapy should always be accompanied by herbal therapy. Herbs support immune function and reduce inflammation. Herbs may reduce the time period required for antibiotics to work."
My LLND hasn't name dropped when I asked about the protocol. He just said he doesn't want to overwhelm my system with abx. He did say he'd consider the atovaquone /zith combo but it was too soon for that.

Anyhoo, 24 hrs after the 2 drops of a-bab, the reaction, be it herx or other, has subsided to a more tolerable degree. It's micro dose titration from here out with the a-Bab.

I am a huge fan of Dr. Rawls new book!

Glad you are doing better...... Be the tortoise. LOL!

PeteZa said...

Sometimes one drop is way to much to be the starting point.

My idea for this is to take and dilute that one drop even more to where it is tolerable.
Try the dilution and if it still happens, it is time to call the doc and see if there is an alternative.
.

Well, I found that 1/2 drop, 1x per day is my limit without discomfort. Tried 1/2 drop twice today and it exacerbated anxiety and gastritis symptoms. These are both symptoms I've had from this disease but have been 80% better of late. I hate to go backwards. It's not intolerable, but certainly unpleasant. I do feel energized by it and that's all well and fine..... Til bedtime.

Is 1/2 a drop per day likely to be helpful? Seems like so little.

If so, maybe the buhner protocol won't cost me a fortune if and when I go that route.

Black Jack, there were a couple of herbs that I took one drop and was super sick. I decided to try those herbs at a later date.

I healed before I ever had to try them.

used as a "challenge" - I take to mean something you try when trying to find out if you have an infection - for instance a challenge for bart would mean you would herx after a trial of the product that is used for that infection.