LymeNet Flash: lyme and benadryl

This is topic lyme and benadryl in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by SpdDrv (Member # 5861) on :

I was just wondering if anyone else have found that taking benadryl during a herx helps to calm it down quicker? I am on flagyl 750 mg a day and I was in a HORRIBLE herx last LLMD visit and he suggested I take benadryl that night I did and the next day I felt better so I started taking benadryl everynight and am doing a LOT better and all. Is this a good thing to take benadryl with lyme? I think I have read something on here about it but can't for the life of me find it right now.
Any thoughts? Thanks,
Also my doctor says if I am herxing bad to stop abx until I stop. I thought herxing was good and a sign that I was getting better why would I want to try to stop from getting better? Maybe cut the effects back some but not stop the meds completely?
Stacie
PS Tincup your explanation of the cousin and lyme sounds right on mark to me. Ever noticed that your friends you spend the most time with you seem to be in the same cycle? Kind of blend together with that. I guess it is good cause we are both a grouch the same week and don't care if we see each other or not. LOL Maybe if I spent more time with my hubby I wouldn't have a cousin at all? Nope probably have little babies running all over the house. LOL Think I will stay with my friend and fight with the cousin and lyme when it comes around. LOL I liked that explanation was very well put! Thanks

[This message has been edited by SpdDrv (edited 22 January 2005).]

Posted by hobokinite (Member # 6132) on :

2 Benedryls at night help me sleep! I think herxes creates lots of histimine too. Although it's probably the bodys way of getting out junk, a little oasis from the pain is needed too.

Posted by flygirl (Member # 6669) on :

so getting sick in geneal - coughy, stuffed up - is a herx too?

Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :

"Hydrochloric acid is the main ingredient in antihistamines and that is what causes drowsiness."
http://www.ionizers.org/alkalife3.html

``Antihistamines are low acid.'' (from chart below)
http://www.keytohealthclinic.com/alkalinediet.html

The addition of acids may help to counter the inflammation aspect of TNF ALPHA (alpha is positive in Greek, beta is negative)...perhaps.

Caution when using nutritional charts...one says one thing and another the opposite! Even the nutritionists do NOT make it easy for us to try to rebalance our pH!!!

For example: many charts put blueberries in the acid category (since they grow in acidic soil, this makes the most sense). However, on this website (below) the doctor classifies blueberries as lowest (not most) alkaline.
http://www.betterbones.com/alkaline/articles/chart%20p12.pdf

If interested in the above chart and you go there ... pay close attention to the fact that Artemesia Annua is ``lowest alkaline'' and baking soda is ``most alkaline''.

In my updated nutshell post, I mentioned how vets in Germany used IV sodium bicarb (baking soda) to cure dogs of neuro babesia...and many here have tried artemesia for babesia.

Hummmm. See the connections?

Mg is also an "antihistamine", but it has a positive charge (alkaline). No need for TNF Alpha to be formed to begin with??? But once it is formed, acids can counter it to a degree?

When calcium tries to go into the cells (influx) it triggers histamine.

Documentation:

These data support the characterization of the NPE histamine receptor as an H1 receptor linked to elevation of inositol phosphates and intracellular Ca2+.

PMID: 1680603

Why is calcium going into the cells...'cause Mg is low!

"CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate a relationship between angiotensin II and intracellular magnesium and calcium. In hypertension, angiotensin II-stimulated calcium responses may be related to simultaneously decreased intracellular magnesium concentrations."
PMID: 8390527

Yes, we can use other minerals to help (sodium, chromium, selenium, potassium (careful!!!), BUT...until we restore the low levels (very) of Mg, the SYMPTOMS of lyme disease will continue even WHEN the disease has been eliminated. This low level of Mg is very dangerous. We need this electrolyte for soooooooo many functions!!!

[This message has been edited by Marnie (edited 23 January 2005).]