Hey guys. In the three months that I've been sick, I haven't experienced swollen glands. Five days into my antibiotic, every gland in my body is swollen, especially my neck area and arm pits.
Is this normal? Have others experienced this? Some days the glands are more painful than others, and also more swollen. They've been swollen now for about a week and a half.
I'm hoping this is a good sign, but I'm still nervous. I thought maybe I'm having a herx because I'm definitely feeling worse than I was before starting antibiotic treatment. How long can a herx reaction last?
I haven't seen an LLMD yet. I see him next week for the first time and officially get my testing done for Lyme and any co-infections, but as of now, my clinical diagnosis is Lyme.
Also, after starting the antibiotics, my throat has become very sore. I've also noticed that I'm having acne on my chest, face, and other crazy parts of my body, like arms and legs. I doubt it's a reaction to the Doxy since I've been on it in the past and haven't ever had problems. Maybe the toxins are just trying to release themselves. I don't know.
Posted by Patrick (Member # 8108) on :
I have had this happen as well several times during my treatment over the past two years. At first it scared me to death too but I've gotten used to it. I believe it means the antibiotics are doing there job and killing things. Seems to happen each time the meds are changed
I was put on Zithromax this past week got really tired at day three, dizzy yesterday and this morning all the glands in my throat and neck are swollen.
Hang in there you'll be ok and it will pass.
Patrick
Posted by northstar (Member # 7911) on :
Hi,
There is die-off, toxins, etc. when the abx works.
There are tons of posts here on detoxification, to help the body get rid of the debris.
Lymph massage, detox teas, lemon teas, things to catch toxins in the stomach, epsom/soda baths, FIR saunas to sweat it out of the skin, mild exercise to keep the blood pumping and help muscles stimulate the lymph (lymph system does not have own pumping system, it requires muscle contraction to move it along) etc.
The body is working, the abx is working, but sometimes we have to help the body when the workload is heavy.
Northstar
Posted by strongerangel (Member # 10037) on :
I really have no idea, but it could be a good sign:
Lymph nodes play a key role in the "production of immune cells (such as lymphocytes, monocytes, and antibody producing cells called plasma cells)." (Wikipedia)
Posted by SarahL (Member # 11452) on :
I've had swollen glands/lymph nodes off and on for three years now - even had one biopsied because my doc couldn't find the cause.
I have them right now, in fact.
I can't really tell you if this is normal b/c I still have yet ot find a doc who will diagnose or treat Lyme (or even do a decent test), but thought you might want to know you're not alone.
Sarah
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
This was one of my first symptoms that kept ongoing in my so called Post-Lyme Syndrome!!! The ER doc one time said that he had never seen underarm glands like mine except with end stage AIDS!!!! He was impressed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everything else looked normal (didn't feel normal) at that time, but my glands were visible and swollen and it felt like walking around with two pencils shoved under my pits!!!
All normal now, like everything else...
Posted by 5dana8 (Member # 7935) on :
The abx can really stir things up,your body is working overtime to get rif of the toxins.
With my lyme I had swollen lymph nodes for 15 or so years. I had a duck also take them out( One under my arm pit & one in my groin & several from my adomin. 2 surgurys later they all came back normal. It seems when I told the duck they where left over from lyme she did not believe me.
When I herx sometimes they will flare & become swollen again. I had shotty nodes when going threw IV 3 years ag. The did eventually go down to normal with treatment.
hang in there Dana
Posted by aiden424 (Member # 7633) on :
I've had swollen glands/lymph nodes off and on for almost 21 years. Mostly in the arm pit or breast area. It has gotten some better for the last several years.
I bought a rife machine and have used it twice and both times I've gotten really sick, and my lymph nodes Really hurt again. I'm not sure what it means.
Kathy
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
Dana, you said you had your lymph nodes taken out. Did i read that right? I didn't know you could have that done.
Mine are really hurting, especially under the arms and groin.
Posted by Parisa (Member # 10526) on :
Look into Buhner's book. He discusses lymph drainage to some extent and recommends Red Root tincture and Swedish massage. He also says a properly working lymph system is very important to recovery.
[ 12-04-2009, 08:13 PM: Message edited by: Parisa ]
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
Two things that are supposed to be very good to help the lymph drain are:
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
Dana