This is one of those "am I herxing, or just getting worse?" questions.
Can a herx last for a few weeks?
I increased my Doxy dosage to 300mg about 2 weeks ago. Since then, some of my symptoms have been amplified (internal vibration, insomnia, tingling, prickling).
BUT also have some new symptoms like neck pain (fun!), chest pain on right side which lasted for 2 days, but now is gone.
Can a herx last for a few weeks, or is this a sign that my abx isn't working? What's the usual lenght of a herx?
thanks!
Posted by Visual Afterimage Man (Member # 10435) on :
It's a herx..
Think about this.. how on earth could you be getting worse as you increase the drug designed to KILL the bugs?
You are killing more bugs, which are going to make you feel terrible. As your bug load decreases, you will feel less bad.
Stick with it.. it will let up.
I remember my first herx kicked my butt for around 4 days.. and then it let up.. but it was present for probably an entire month.. but after the first four days it was manageable.
Keep in mind.. herxes are a good sign. it's short term suffering for long term gain.
If its too much, you can talk to your doc and ask about backing off the abx. Personally, I want to kill the bugs so I try to suffer through herxes.
Goodluck.. keep posting here. As you herx, I know it's hard.. and sometimes its nice to hear from the supportive fellow lymes telling you it's going to get better. And it will!
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Every time I change meds or increase dosage, I herx for a couple weeks to a month. I also grin and bear it through a herx ... are you doing anything to detox? It's the toxic load that hurts, so detoxing helps some.
As mentioned before, it's worth it and it gets better.
Posted by ThursdayNext (Member # 12198) on :
Thanks for the feedback..I will definitely stick with abx, because while these symptoms can be bothersome, and at times scary, i'm still functioning & can go to work.
I guess the uncertainty comes from the fact that i'm still not 100% convinced it's lyme.
I had a positive ELISA, but a negative WB through Stony Brook IGG: 18+, 41+ IGM: 41+ (and other non CDC specific bands ).
So, it's hard to tell if it's a herx / flare / or something else entirely.
Posted by ByronSBell 2007 (Member # 11496) on :
I've been herxing for over 7 months now.....
Now I have started rifampin and feel like I am all the way back at square one. Posted by Visual Afterimage Man (Member # 10435) on :
You will feel differently after your visit with your LLMD.
He's gonna tell you to get the uncertaintity out of the way.. and focus on getting better.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)