I was diagnosed as early Lyme. Probably had it since late fall or January 2008. We can't tell except my IGM was positive for 2 bands, #23 & #41.
Finished a 3 week course of Doxy with no herxing. I got 95% better after the 3 weeks.
Now on Biaxin XL for 30 days. I am into the 3rd day of Biaxin and really nothing except fatigue. I'm concerned because I am NOT herxing. And can you go in the sun using Biaxin XL? Had mixed answers.
I will get my results of co infections from IgeneX and Bowen next week but the doctor said if you have been on, or are on antibiotics while tested, and have EARLY LYME you can get a negative result. If you have chronic or late lyme, you can get a positive.
Has anyone NOT herxed at all on medicines and they still get better? Has anyone had early lyme and got great results and cured within a few months?
I dont ever hear about the happy endings!
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
If you improve without herxing, count yourself as one of the lucky ones. Yes, it does happen.
The majority of the happy endings don't hang around here, but you can read about them in the success stories.
Posted by dbourne (Member # 13833) on :
I have been treating since Dec and haven't herxed yet. I would like to think that as long as I am getting at least a little better then something is working.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!!!
Sometimes, it takes awhile for the herxes to hit. But you may be like a few folks who never herx and just get better and better!!!
Posted by lymebytes (Member # 11830) on :
Did you start treatment right after the bite, that is early lyme. Here are the stages of LD, I would not call you early, but I am not an LLMD. IgM positives are more common in Late Stage Lyme, but can also simply mean active infection. Last fall is many months ago, does not define early. Maybe stage 2 and if you don't remember the bite..likely stage 3. Stages: http://tinyurl.com/56tojy
I have been on Biaxin a long time, the sun is fine.
You may not be herxing for 4 reasons, 1) Your dose isn't high enough 2) Wrong abx for your strain 3) About 1-5% don't herx. 4) You don't have LD and hit another infection entirely and are better.
Early, late, abx or not..the testing for me was always positive, although I know that isn't the case for everyone. If yours is negative, he will really have to evaluate by your symptoms if this is Lyme or Lyme in cystic form, remission or if co-infections or lyme at all.
Take care.
Posted by kitkat32 (Member # 9682) on :
Your herx might be fatigue. Mine always starts with the constant fatigue. For the past 3 nights it has decided to change into insomnia.
Everyone is different. As far as the Biaxin XL, I don't have a problem with sun sensitivity. I don't burn or anything.
However, I will say though that being in the heat tends to make me feel worse. If I am feeling poor already I get really ill if I am outside to long. It doesn't bother me when I am out there, usually it is an hour or so after I go inside.
Good luck to you...kit
Posted by daise (Member # 13622) on :
Hi gemofnj,
I herxed every 28 days on 2,000 mg a day of biaxin, along with IV Rocephen and after that, LA Bicillin shots. The herx lasted weeks, then it got down to about two weeks. (My germ load is heavier than yours--it seems you do not have early Lyme but do have disseminated Lyme.)
It usually takes time to herx!
Some never herx. Some have no pattern to their Lyme herxes. Many seem to herx right away on flagyl.
Hang-in there. Herxing will probably arrive! It's a worsening of signs and symptoms.
daise Posted by gemofnj (Member # 15551) on :
[QUOTE]Originally posted by lymebytes: [QB] Did you start treatment right after the bite, that is early lyme.
Hi Lymebytes,
Thank you for a thorough answer. No I guess I didnt get treated after the bite, because I dont remember getting bit at all. I did have small bruise like marks (not typical bullseye) on my stomach in January that took months to disappear.
After that I had lots of symptoms & most did fit into the category of lyme.
I was tested on May 16th for all kinds of diseases and all were negative except the 2 bands #23 & #41. And that was BEFORE antibiotics.
So, if this is really lyme, I have no idea when I was infected, and wouldn't it be unusual to get bit in winter??? Did not golf since last fall in Connecicut. Otherwise no outdoor activity.
Since then I have been tested and all (including co-infections) come back negative. So, with that, i guess my concern is the co-infections. If any of my IgeneX testing comes back positive then I guess maybe I may need other types of meds. My Biaxin XL dose is 1,000 a day until my next Drs appointment. I sure hope not.
Thank you everyone for your helpful replies. Posted by daise (Member # 13622) on :
Gemofnj,
Here's a clue.
quote: You wrote:
I did have small bruise like marks (not typical bullseye) on my stomach in January that took months to disappear.
Possibly the small bruise-like marks are bartonella-like illness. They can come and go. That's common, with Lyme. It's not at all unusual not to test positive for bart, as there are many strains of bart and they can't test for all of them--yet!
Thank you for the advice. I truly feel that the bruise like marks were definitely related. I did tell my LLMD. Not sure if 1,000 mg a day of Biaxin XL is good for bart, enough or the right meds. Was recently tested from IGeneX so we will see what their results are and how the LLMD will proceed.
What is really weird is that it showed up in the middle of winter. Very perplexing.
I will definetly check out that website.
Really appreciate it! Posted by trish4 (Member # 14156) on :
It took me 3 months after starting medicine until I finally starting herxing
Posted by daise (Member # 13622) on :
![[dizzy]](graemlins/dizzy.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[hi]](graemlins/hi.gif)