Delayed Herx?

Hi all,

This is my first time posting, though I've browsed this forum quite often and have found it very helpful.

But the last week or so I've experienced something that's made me very nervous, so I wanted to ask about it here.

First, I'll say that I'm iGenex positive for Lyme. I took the CDC standard 2x100 mg of Doxy for 30 days with no relief, which led me to seek out the help of an LLMD. He has me on 800 mg of doxy a day to start.

At the beginning of the treatment, I experienced what I'm figuring was a standard herx, similar to how it's usually described by most. Now I'm three weeks in, and I've had a couple of days from absolute hell.

I can't breathe (LLMD suspected babesia but I'm not on anything that targets it) and have upper back pain, not sure if it's a muscle or respiratory related, I'm having the worst anxiety I've ever had (hoping some of you folks can help me out there haha), and I'm having heart palpitations bad. I got an EKG before my diagnosis and it was clear but it still makes me nervous even though I'm only 20.

Today I was in a grocery store and I thought I was going to pass the hell out. Only a light headache. Joint pain has never really been an issue for me.

Basically, the essence of what I'm asking is whether anyone has ever had a similar reaction to their treatment that wasn't at the beginning.

I've tried contacting my LLMD but haven't had any luck. One of the most frustrating things about this disease is that there's only ONE qualified individual who can help me.

Any response is greatly appreciated.

delyme98 said...
Hi all,

This is my first time posting, though I've browsed this forum quite often and have found it very helpful.

But the last week or so I've experienced something that's made me very nervous, so I wanted to ask about it here.

First, I'll say that I'm iGenex positive for Lyme. I took the CDC standard 2x100 mg of Doxy for 30 days with no relief, which led me to seek out the help of an LLMD. He has me on 800 mg of doxy a day to start.

At the beginning of the treatment, I experienced what I'm figuring was a standard herx, similar to how it's usually described by most. Now I'm three weeks in, and I've had a couple of days from absolute hell.

I can't breathe (LLMD suspected babesia but I'm not on anything that targets it) and have upper back pain, not sure if it's a muscle or respiratory related, I'm having the worst anxiety I've ever had (hoping some of you folks can help me out there haha), and I'm having heart palpitations bad. I got an EKG before my diagnosis and it was clear but it still makes me nervous even though I'm only 20.

Today I was in a grocery store and I thought I was going to pass the hell out. Only a light headache. Joint pain has never really been an issue for me.

Basically, the essence of what I'm asking is whether anyone has ever had a similar reaction to their treatment that wasn't at the beginning.

I've tried contacting my LLMD but haven't had any luck. One of the most frustrating things about this disease is that there's only ONE qualified individual who can help me.

Any response is greatly appreciated.

Hi, delyme98 - welcome!

Sorry you have lyme, but glad you found your way here.

Wow 800 mg of doxy per day - that's a high amount...no wonder it hit you hard.
Yes, it does sound like a herx. Sometimes when we treat one infection (i.e. lyme) then another one comes to the forefront (i.e. babesia)...that is also something that could be happening.

What you can do to help is detox....and more detox...

Some suggestions:

- Drink plenty of water every day
- Take epsom salt baths
- dry brush your skin prior to bathing
- take probiotics daily
- take liver support eg. Milk thistle extract
- Take Nutramedix Pinella ..and Burbur



Some more ideas here:

www.tiredoflyme.com/detox-methods.html


Start with a few methods...and every few days add in another...until you are doing several detoxes every day.

Thanks all for the constructive replies. I added some activated charcoal yesterday so I'm hoping that will bring some relief.

goshawk, it is 800mg that my doc is having me take, but the pharmacy thinks it's a 400mg dose, probably for the reason you described. I've got a week of the abx left to go, hopefully I can tolerate it. Unfortunately, I'm stuck on a family trip at the moment pretty much just hanging out in the hotel room. My detox options are a little limited as a result.