LymeNet Flash: Lyme, herx, something else..

This is topic Lyme, herx, something else.. in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/35446

Posted by hwilsonvt (Member # 7453) on :

A question.

My wife is in on Biaxin and Plaquenil for a month and a half. For the first time my wifes face started to twitch uncontrollably like a rabbit. The muscle around the cheek but near the nose is twitching an almost making her eyes close. What the H**L is going on?

Posted by hwilsonvt (Member # 7453) on :

I am bumping because I am really worried. My wife doesnt even know what her face is doing. I thought she was joking because how could she not know it was doing that. All she knew is that are eyes was closing on its one every once in awhile

Posted by david1097 (Member # 3662) on :

This could be a number of things. Did you try to back off on the pills to see what happens. If it is lyme a few days gap in the dose wan't hurt.

Is she taking anything else?

Which side of the face?

Any other symptoms?

How many weeks since the start of the drug. Recent thinking is that at week 4, 8 12 etc, there is a flareup with week 12 being the worse?

Posted by Lisianthus (Member # 6631) on :

Hi hwilsonvt,

Facial twitching is very common Lyme symptom. She is probably herxing, and it just happens to be her face and eyes at this time.

I would let your Dr. know on your next visit. Sometimes it is easier to keep a journal of symptoms to let your Dr. know whats going on with you on a week to week basis.

Good luck,
Lisi

Posted by hwilsonvt (Member # 7453) on :

Both sides are twitching. She has been on meds for 6 weeks. Other side effect are just joint pain and tiredness. Um..she is also on probitics and 5 mg Lexapro

Posted by david1097 (Member # 3662) on :

Is it ok to stop lexipro abruptly? I don't know.

If it where me I would stop the meds that I could (maybe not lexipro?) until I got a reply from the Dr. If the symptoms go away with reduced dose then it is something to do with the meds. If not then it something to do with the disease process. If I recall correctly biaxin has a very long half life so it will take a few days for the levels to go down - say 3 days or so. If the symptoms go away I would then restart and see if they come back.

6 weeks is an odd time, How often did the symptoms flareup occur on the past (some people have 2 weeks cycles, most have 4.) If she has 2 weeks cycles then theis could be the second herxhiemer wave.
Did the joints just light up within the last few days, this is pretty good sign that it is Lyme at work.

Posted by hatsnscarfs (Member # 6562) on :

A few weeks ago the area under my right eye started "fluttering" uncontrollably for several minutes. It stopped and started a few times. It happenened very briefly the next day and then the symptom vanished.

As you know I'm also taking P&B but am now in my 11th month of treatment so symptoms are greatly reduced.
hatsnscarfs

Posted by hwilsonvt (Member # 7453) on :

Hatsnscarfs..thanks for your response. I am glad to hear that it might be a Herx. IT gets so upsetting when new symptoms appear when you think that the healing is suppose to begin.

Posted by hatsnscarfs (Member # 6562) on :

New symptoms are part of the healing process. As soon as one symptom goes away I get another. Over time they are less severe and resolve faster. Some like the eye fluttering were severe and then vanished.

When I think really hard (now that my brain is working again) I can remember some point in my life when I had pain in almost every area that has bothered me with lyme. This leads me to believe the Lyme has been hiding there for a long time.

I think each new symptom means the Lyme in a particular area is being attacked. This is a good thing. Detox, detox...

Lots of water, Epsom Salt baths, podi patches and whatever else works.
hatsnscarfs