LymeNet Flash: How long does herxing last

This is topic How long does herxing last in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/29189

Posted by prettyred791 (Member # 6460) on :

With all the knowledge of the Lyme Posters here.. please tell me.. because as the days go on..and 29 days into my first antibiotics.. My joints are starting to ache and swell all over.. like the traveling willburry's.. started in elbows.. went to hands.. than back to elbows..than to knees.. back at hands.. now the tops of my feets and shoulders.. all the while.. the others still haven't subsided.. EEEKK I need a drink and a freaking PAIN PILL...

Posted by nan (Member # 63) on :

Hi Pretty Red,

Sounds like you're Pretty Miserable and it seems like 29 days is a long time for you to be suffering.

What antibiotics and dosages are you on?
Are you seeing a Lyme specialist? How long have you had lyme?

Whenever lyme patients start on antibiotics they may have a herx reaction, or a flare up of old symptoms and maybe some new ones, too. Usually, but not always, this subsides in a few days to a week. The only disease I know of where you take your abx and then feel worse!

I have missed your previous posts...and you probably have already answered the above questions. Would you tell us more, please?

I'm sure others will chime in to help you.
Hope you can find some relief soon. A call to your doctor to explain what's happening is a very good idea, too!

nan

Posted by AZURE WISH (Member # 804) on :

Unfortunately herxes do not have a tandard duration ... for me they ranged from 1hr to 3 months... so you never can tell.

Drinking alot of water will help flush ur system out.

Oh and I hope u were kidding about the acholic drink ...cuz its really not a good idea.

Best wishes

Posted by lymeHerx001 (Member # 6215) on :

took me about 5 months for them to stop,,

I would get SEVERE!! burning in my legs and muscles, especially after sugar.

Now,---- nothing

Posted by rosesisland2000 (Member # 2001) on :

prettyred791, saw this on page 3 and thought that you may not have seen it??

My LLMD highly recommends stopping abx when herxing gets bad, actually he states stopping it at the first sign of a herx for a dose or two up to a day or so.

The understanding behind this is that your immunesystem can be even more compromised by it trying to fight not only the effects of herxing but, having to fight the disease as well.

So, the worse and the longer the herx the more you'd have to go off abx in order for this to subside. Herxing is good, herxing badly is not good.

I didn't follow my LLMD's advice and tried to tough it out on the "old school" thought that you must work through it and suck it up. I wound up loosing a whole month that I had to be off abx.

Rather than me just missing a day or so, I lost a whole month...get the picture?

Best to you and to answer you original question, "How long does herxing last?"

It all depends on so many varibles that no one will be able to tell you for sure. But, stopping abx when herxing, you should be able to tell the deference...check with you LLMD on this, though.

I am not a doc nor pretend to know all the answers, but, I am relating to you what I've learned through my experiences and those of others, 1000's of other posts.

Rosemary

Oh, and btw, you can just reply and let us know your out there by clicking the Post Reply botton that is located at the top AND the bottom on this page you are reading.