Treatment Herx and Acne

Hi Peoples,

I started Lyme / Bart treatment about 2 years ago. I began the treatment with supplements and Paleo Diet, worked up to Buhner herb protocol, then finally to Doxy/Plaquenil/Rifampin/Tindamax (pulsing on weekends) abx which is where I am at presently. So far nothing has really moved the needle for the muscular skeletal pain and fatigue I experience daily. In fact, Pain symptoms have progressed significantly, which I certainly was not expecting.

Is the increased pain a herx reaction? I was under the impression a herx is a distinct spike in symptoms returning to a higher baseline of health after the herx. I have just experienced a gradual worsening of symptoms since I started 2 years ago without noticing a discernible pattern of symptoms as it relates to herbs or abx. Not sure what my next treatment approach will be...new abx protocol?

Also, I had a clear facial complexion until I started treatment. Once I began the Lb Tonic I began noticing small acne on my forehead, not bad but noticable. Now that I'm on abx my acne has gotten much worse. At first I was hopeful that it was a detox reaction of a bacteria die-off, now I am just wondering if it is the result of the abx just messing with my good bacteria balance. Anyone else deal with acne as a part of the treatment?

Post Edited (Jon11) : 2/7/2018 12:05:02 AM (GMT-7)

I too have had lots of acne since starting treatment. Bartonella is usually the culprit of skin issues.. rashes, acne, etc.

Like Girlie said though, babesia should always be treated unless you have absolutly no signs. Night sweats, heart issues, off balance, etc. Many symptoms overlap with lyme and all co-infections so I think it is important that we target the big three: Lyme, Babesia and Bartonella.

Dr. J or Dr. H (cant remember which) treat babesia before anything else. It's probably the most serious co-infection as it invades the red blood cells and can cause debilitating fatigue and many other issues.

We detox through the skin. Others have posted about this happening too - well into adulthood. Its not permanent.

Certain antibiotics make me brake out - mainly in my chest and back but sometimes on my face as well. I have been told by my lyme doc that it's the bartonella dieing from the antibiotics. I take plenty of probiotics to hopefully replenish the good bacteria. I notice after I've been on an antibiotic for awhile the ance disappears and because of this I do believe it's just the bartonella reacting. It sucks but I just remind myself that it's temporary and it means I'm killing these demons.