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What does herxing feel like for you?

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Posted 4/13/2017 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a couple of weeks into treatment, and I've had some new symptoms appear and some old ones gets worse. I've also had some of the best days I've had in about 6 months. So I'm trying to figure out what the medication is doing and whether it's doing enough because I thought I would feel worse, but I have a high pain tolerance and because of my responsibilities I'm one of those people that tend to push through things. I know everyone is different, but I was hoping to get an idea of whether the meds are working.
Posted 4/13/2017 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
You described herxing well in your first sentence: "I've had some new symptoms appear and some old ones gets worse." That is the description of herxing.

I also have a high pain tolerance and had a tendency to push through everything (that's what living with these infections for decades leaves you with too) - but learned to not do that and to pay close attention to what my body is telling me now. That pain is a way that the body "cries out" for help, and any other dysfunction can be seen the same way. Pushing it continually really raises your chances of a really hard crash eventually when you ignore those signs - that's how I ended up so bad off after trying to use pharma abx. I didn't allow it to stop me, or even slow me down much - boy do I regret that!

Yes, you are herxing and yes the meds are working. Please do rest as much as you can and detox lots!!! Remember, if you don't take care of yourself now, your body will insist on it later! Then we are usually down and are no longer able to do the things we may need to do though.
Posted 4/13/2017 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Good advice Traveler. The other day when I was feeling decent I considered going to workout, and then I decided to wait. I haven't done anything besides walk since Nov!

I think I'm a little worse on the Tinizadole days. Not sure if that's typical.
Posted 4/13/2017 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
My worst symptoms get worse usually...and then some old ones even appear...and of course there's always the new symptoms that happen.

then my brain starts thinking stupid thoughts...like "what if it isn't Lyme?"
Posted 4/13/2017 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Girlie - I've definitely had those thoughts! Especially with only 2 pos bands and 1 indeterminite. I know something is wrong though and the only thing not ruled out was something neurological since I decided to skip those tests based on what I read on here.

I think we know when something is wrong with our bodies, but sometimes we make excuses (I'm just getting older, I overdid it) until we can't ignore it anymore.

I've had hours of really hurting since starting treatment, but most of the time it doesn't seem so bad. Maybe doing the restricted diet for a few weeks first did help. Last night and this morning were tough, but now it's better again. I don't think I'll ever fully understand this illness or the treatments.
Posted 4/13/2017 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
My symptoms were so horrible...and stacking on very quickly ...that I knew it wasn't getting older...or overdoing it - I knew it was something bigger than that...and it scared me...I thought at the rate this is going...this could be the end of me.
Posted 4/13/2017 6:39 PM (GMT 0)

Kat1000 said...
Girlie - I've definitely had those thoughts! Especially with only 2 pos bands and 1 indeterminite. I know something is wrong though and the only thing not ruled out was something neurological since I decided to skip those tests based on what I read on here.

I think we know when something is wrong with our bodies, but sometimes we make excuses (I'm just getting older, I overdid it) until we can't ignore it anymore.

I've had hours of really hurting since starting treatment, but most of the time it doesn't seem so bad. Maybe doing the restricted diet for a few weeks first did help. Last night and this morning were tough, but now it's better again. I don't think I'll ever fully understand this illness or the treatments.

I'm glad most of the time it's manageable for you... Hang in there!
Posted 4/13/2017 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
I've had rather big herxes in last 6 months, it could be lots of things happening:
- fatigue
- brain fog, very difficult to focus mind on something
- increased pain in joints
- being in state of half sleep, feeling you are not fully awaken since waking up
- anxiety
- depression, crazy suicidal thoughts
- heart beat rate changing to very fast levels
- problems with falling asleep
Posted 4/13/2017 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
My herx symptoms are very similar to Yellow Cat's. Some herxes are worse than others.
Posted 4/13/2017 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Herxing for me is generally an exacerbation of my current symptoms within the first week or so. This includes small fiber neuropathy, myalgia, arthritis, sharp stabbing pains in my head, carditis flares like i'm having a heart attack and sharp pains in my abdomen. Most of these seem to be part of the same complex. Ie nerve pains or muscle pains in these different areas that have the same "character". Some in new places will show up. Sometimes symptoms from past infections will show up. After about 3-4 weeks my herxing consists of a wave of extreme nausea, fatigue, loose smelly stools, food sensitivities, stomach chills and this feeling of being totally dead and dried in my intestines. This second set are not symptoms i normally have. I initially thought i was poisoning myself with treatment but they come and go just like a herx. So maybe another organism that's usually just laying low. I don't know. The first set is mostly what i deal with day to day since i've gotten sick
Posted 4/14/2017 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
How about emotions? I'm feeling way more emotional and irritable recently.

My fatigue is also very up and down. It's hard to make evening plans (when I don't have kids) because I never know if I'll have any energy past 8pm!
Posted 4/14/2017 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
I was just diagnosed with Lymes 5 years post tick bite (I had two bands in my test) I am taking 400 mg of doxy a day and 200 mg of hydroxychloroquine (plaquenil) a day. I've been on this treatment for about 3 weeks and it's hard to tell if I'm getting better, having side effects from the meds, or herxing. I've recently started having random throbbing pains in my body. Right now the back of my left arm, my inner left thigh and my mid right side of my back are all throbbing! This is definitely new and frustrating. I've had some abdominal pain and even had swollen lymph nodes in my groin for 2 days earlier this week. Add nausea, fatigue and a solid shoulder muscle cramp to the mix and I'm having a grand old time. Does this sound like herxing? Or do I need to talk to my dr. about the meds I'm on?

This is all so new to me and I'm so frustrated being stuck in this crummy feeling body! Any thoughts or shared experiences would be very appreciated. Thank you so much!
Posted 4/14/2017 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi cityfer - welcome to our community.

Sorry you've got Lyme, but glad you found us here.

Yes, that does sound like you are herxing.
Are you doing enough to detox?

Here's a link to a website with a lot of good detox ideas:


www.tiredoflyme.com/detox-methods.html

Make sure you are drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily.

You can add lemon juice to some glasses.

Some more detox ideas that I do:

- warm Epsom salt baths
- Dry brush your skin before the baths.
- light exercise if you're able - even if it's just a short walk
- take something to support your liver - eg. Milk thistle extract
- take Nutramedix Pinella - Nerve/brain cleanse and Burbur.

You need to take probiotics daily, Thos us VERY important as the antibiotics are killing off the good bacteria in your stomach and intestines.

I take probiotics two or three times a day.

We encourage all new members to read through the thread st the top of the page titled: "New to Lyme?..Start a Here!"
It's packed full of useful information.

Please keep reading, posting..and feel free to ask any questions you have.
Posted 4/14/2017 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
Forgot a few things I wanted to say.

You will want to start with a couple detox methods and add a new one every few days, and gradually build to multiple methods daily.

You will want to add a binder to the detox ideas.
This will help flush the toxins out of your digestive tract.
An example is Actuvated Charcoal.

It will need to be taken a couple of hours away from food, supplements, antibiotics..etc. because the binder flushes everything out..not just the toxins.
Posted 4/15/2017 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the tips! I really appreciate it!
Posted 4/15/2017 2:08 AM (GMT 0)

cityfer said...
Thank you for the tips! I really appreciate it!

You're welcome - keep reading - there's a lot to learn.
Posted 4/15/2017 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like herxing to me.

I also have fairly high pain tolerance and keep going no matter what. My son is home from school with Lyme and bad herxes so I can't completely stop.

Like so many have said, on good days I do too much and then pay for it. I'm still learning that one (thanks Trav!).

Interesting to hear others mention suicidal thoughts from lyme/meds. My son has mentioned this to me and it has scared me terribly. Truth be told I have been a wreck because I lost my brother less than two years ago same way. I hope his thoughts clear with treatment.

For my family it's more moods/irritability/fatigue. When I herx from something new I can't quite function - hard to explain.

Sorry you are going through this. Times does go by quickly and you will get better and better. Up the detox and just rest.
Posted 4/15/2017 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cityfer!!
Welcome to our community! Girlie and Huddie have given you some great information, so I just wanted to stop by and say welcome and I'm glad you found us!

As Girlie said, keep reading and keep asking questions!! There's lots to learn.


LOL! Huddie - I'm still learning that!!!
Posted 4/17/2017 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I have to say the last couple of days have been really tough. This morning I woke up and felt like I had a whiplash! My feet are killing me.

I get better during the middle of the day, but then it all starts in again toward the evening and I can't wait for bed. I'm tracking the symptoms to see if there is any cycle. I really hope this means the meds are working.

I'm glad Easter is over. I gave in a little bit to the treats, but not bad at all. It's hard to eat at someone else's house though, just like going to restaurants. You're never quite sure what they put in that might bother you.
Posted 4/17/2017 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
This is exactly what I would say? Yes... it almost feels like maybe I'm not doing enough. Or maybe it is all for me a farce?
I'd like to see through a microscope!
I want to see them eradicated!

Kat1000 said...
I'm a couple of weeks into treatment, and I've had some new symptoms appear and some old ones gets worse. I've also had some of the best days I've had in about 6 months. So I'm trying to figure out what the medication is doing and whether it's doing enough because I thought I would feel worse, but I have a high pain tolerance and because of my responsibilities I'm one of those people that tend to push through things. I know everyone is different, but I was hoping to get an idea of whether the meds are working.

Posted 4/17/2017 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
Kat, I think Herxing is a bit different for everyone but has a similar undertone. I've been on herbal treatment for Bart since mid February and on prescription antifungals since March, and iv f lt soooo much worse. My fatigue is throughthe roof. All my symptoms have gotten worse. There is normal life for me right now. But I'm gonna try to amp up my detox routine and hopefully that'll help. I hope your herxing stops soon.
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