I've been in treatment for Lyme for 5-6 months and I'm still not sure how to distinguish between "Herxes" (die-off) and "Cyclic Lyme Symptoms" (live bacteria).
I've been on a few different treatment regimes during this period and have been keeping a detailed log of my many symptoms.
How can we tell which symptom flair-ups are due to herxing? Do herxes usually occur during the first week of treatment? How about "new" symptoms that creep up in sync with hormonal cycles, are they 'herx' or a sign that the infection is getting worse?
Caro
PS. I've been off doxy since March 10:
ONE MONTH: Cat's Claw / Cholestipol (like cholestyramene): - headache the first 5 days - then the odd 1-2 day headache over next few weeks, - my neuro symptoms and skin flushes peaked around my period (days 18-22 of this treatment).
THEN ONE MONTH: Diflucan/Cat's Claw/Samento/ Allicin: - headache/dizziness between days 15-25 of this treatment (around my period) - NEW SCARY SYMPTOMS: hangover-type malaise, creepy chills, brain fog days 14-15(right before my period, and just after some physical exertion - moving apartments) - Neuromuscular symptoms suddenly improved on day 15 (hmmm, I moved to a new and warmer apartment on day 14 so that may be related too).
It's so hard to tell! Does anyone think they know the difference btw herxing and lyme getting worse?
Posted by lymebytes (Member # 11830) on :
Well there is suppose to be a Lyme cycle. When on antibiotics, lyme dies during the growth phase every 4 weeks or so...supposedly. I have yet to nail down the lyme cycle. Some strains of Bb can grow anytime.
I have been in treatment 2 years and feel like it has been one long herx. So I asked my LLMd to define Herx vs disease pain.
He said, "An amplification of existing symptoms, return of old symptoms or new ones appearing".
Didn't help me much either...I still wonder.
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
I find timing is the best way to distinguish. Herxes usually begin within the first 72 hours of a new treatment or increasing a doseage. A herx is Lyme symptoms, so you can't judge by the symptom.
Hormonal changes definitely exacerbate our symptoms. It is very common for women to notice an increase in symptoms near their menstruation.