What does it mean if the abx alleviate symptoms but you don't herx? It seems like I would be killing something if abx make me feel better but there should be a herx afterwords.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- It's actually a good thing, a better thing when there is no herxheimer reaction. It's best to feel better and I'm really glad to hear of this positive action.
Herxheimer reactions are highly over-rated as a badge of "required" suffering. They are best to avoid, or at least to minimize by certain supportive measures prior to taking medications.
It may be that if you were / are doing supportive methods, they helped your body stay stronger. Could be you just got lucky.
It might be that the doctor was careful in matching the Rx, the dose, the combinations (?) or even just the timing with your particular body at this point in time. All the variables were in your favor.
And, since you are feeling better, there is no doubt, it's a good thing. This does happen for many along the way when the right medicine is finally found / obtained, etc. -
Posted by Charles12 (Member # 24729) on :
quote:Originally posted by terv: What does it mean if the abx alleviate symptoms but you don't herx? It seems like I would be killing something if abx make me feel better but there should be a herx afterwords.
Antibiotics are anti inflammatory.
Posted by terv (Member # 29410) on :
I should have mentioned this in first post.
I am on maintenance of 1 week a month. Told LLMD I couldnt take it anymore and needed a break. I gradually started feeling better. But then cognitive issues and fatigue came back and I couldn't stand it anymore and went back on at 10 weeks. Everything improved with no herx
quote: Antibiotics are anti inflammatory.
Does this mean if I took anti-inflamatories my cognitive and fatigue would improve?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Good point that many abx are also anti-inflammatory so you could be seeing good results for other good reasons in addition to help against lyme.
To answer your question:
Any efforts that help reduce inflammation safely can help reduce cognitive and physical fatigue.
Anti-inflammatory action, alone, might not be enough with infections are on board but it's a "required" part of any treatment. And it also requires many facets of attention.
Inflammation causes lots - and lots - of trouble for any body.
However, many (most?) of the pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs can have some terrible side effects, starting with damaging the lining of the GI tract / stomach, etc.
NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inf.) can cause leaky gut and that leads to serious damage.
Ibuprofen can be really hard on kidneys; acetaminophen really hard on the liver. Even a normal doses for some people.
An anti-inflammatory diet, clean air, good water - and avoiding things that cause / contribute to inflammation for YOUR body is a good idea, though.
Of course,
soy, corn, gluten and dairy, sugar, processed foods
are the first food groups to consider avoiding but also those that contain too many oxalates (certain vegetables) and lectins (mostly in grains, beans).
Lectins - search that term at YouTube with "Paul Mason"
Oxalates - search at YouTube with "Elliot Overton"
You might also need to avoid Histamines and Salicylates. (sp?)
You might need to assess your foods, even if "good" for any that might cause your particular body trouble.
Canola oil and the like: Seed / Vegetable oils, too, are very toxic and cause terrible inflammation. At YouTube, search "Nina Teicholz" + "Vegetable Oils"
Certain herbs can be excellent help also with other proactive measures.
. Berberine is one that comes to mind and is fairly easy to take. It really helps me a lot regarding many symptoms, especially inflammation.
If you are on a treatment plan, be sure to consult with your LLMD first, before taking any supplements. And discuss with them "ways they might address ______ " -
Posted by kidsgotlyme (Member # 23691) on :
I have only had one severe reaction from a change in my antibiotic routine and that was with the start of Cefdanir. I had unbearable nerve pain in the pads of my fingers and nerve pains shooting up my arms for a day or so and then I added in a high dose ALA called Alamax. I have never felt a true herx reaction like my daughter did.
I did just have all of my meds changed in the last couple of weeks and have been super emotional and weepy since adding Rifampin. I just realized today that it could be from the change and could technically be a herx so I just calmed down and took my anti anxiety medicine. I refuse to suffer if I don't have to.
So far, I'm in the 10 percent category of just feeling better. I'm not taking it for granted and know that could change. For today, I'm thankful for the small things.
Trigeminal Neuralgia is kicking my butt and I don't know that my Lyme didn't cause it. I don't know that I could stand having a herx reaction on top of this horrible facial pain.
Posted by Charles12 (Member # 24729) on :
quote:Originally posted by terv:
quote: Antibiotics are anti inflammatory.
Does this mean if I took anti-inflamatories my cognitive and fatigue would improve?
Inflammation is part of the immune systems response to the infection. Any anti inflammatory powerful enough to make you feel better, would probably make your condition worse in time.