I have a question, but before I ask it, I'd like to update everyone on my situation...
I have been on abx for around 9 months now, with very little difference [better/worse] in my symptoms. I've only been with my LLMD since June of this year, and have seen him twice now.
Before seeing him, I was seeing a Nurse Practioner for Lyme, who prescribed me Doxy/Biaxin [400 mg/1000 mg]. I took both for around 5 months. No change in symptoms during this time. She then switched me up to Rifampin/Doxy [600 mg/ 400 mg], with still no change in symptoms [3 months].
With the new LLMD, he has had me on a combo of Rifampin/Omnicef/Doxy [300 mg/500 mg/200 mg], and adding Flagyl [1000 mg] during the third week. The fourth week he gave me off. During the first three weeks of this regimen, I experienced no change, as with the other abx before. However in the fourth week [off week], I've suddenly experienced very increased tremor and a re-emergence of the myoclonus.
I know that whole story was long-winded, but it brings me to my question...
1) Is it possible to herx during the off week, whenever no abx are being taken?
I certainly don't know what has suddenly brought out this myoclonus and increased tremor, but it has been bad this week.
Thanks,
Posted by Wimenin (Member # 15294) on :
I would think...yes. Its possible. Its possible theres still enough of the abx built up in your system that if theres a growth cycle, it could be creating the herx kill off. Or its possible that the the other 3 weeks are keeping lyme in check, and without anything week 4 theres more activity. I dont know.. just offering some thoughts. You can get herxes from exercising, or from other supplements as well. The hard part is always distinguishing between a herx, or simply a lyme flare. The only true way to know is if you feel better afterwards...
Posted by CraigC (Member # 13732) on :
Thanks for the input. I did up my gym work outs to 5 days this week, which just so happens to coincide with my week off from abx. I continue to have bad tremor today, and I've noticed that the myoclonic jerks have gotten worse now too.
Time will tell, whether or not I feel better after. Right now, I am just hoping for "the after". lol
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I agree with everything Wimenin said and suggested.
Keep exercising..! You're making the keets die!
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
Please contact your lyme doctor and let them know what is happening. They may decide that you shouldn't be off for a week.
I think anything is possible but herx would not be my first guess especially since you've been on abx for months without herxing.
I think you may have a co-infection or the symptoms may not be lyme related. In any case, a call to the doctor would be a good idea.
I'm a bit confused about why you are on abx for so long with no change one way or the other?
Have you been tested or treated for co-infections?
Terry I'm not a doctor
Posted by CraigC (Member # 13732) on :
Since I wrote my original post, I was thinking about something....
Both times I've had myoclonic jerking, it was 5 days after immediately stopping Ativan. I vowed that after the first time another doctor prescribed Ativan for me, that I would not take it, since it didn't seem to do anything but make me groggy. However, the new LLMD thought it would help if I had brain inflamation, so he prescribed it. Now, after 5 days of abruptly stopping it, I'm having myoclonus, just like I did the time before.
I've read where abrupt withdrawl of this medication, can cause tremor and myoclonus. I just think that it is too coincidental, not to carry some heavy weight here. I think that is why I may not be getting better on the abx, since some if not all of these symptoms, are being brought on by the drugs I'm taking.
I plan to keep treating with abx, since I've come this far; but, I find it awfully coincidental, that this has happened to me twice now, and both times were after an Ativan stoppage.
To answer the one poster, I'm continuing to treat, because I wanted to exhaust all oral abx possibilities [co-infections & Lyme], before halting treatment. I figure if I've treated this long [9 months], I might as well give it a full year or so, to make certain. And yes, I've been tested for Lyme and it's co-infections. Igenex results came back IND for 3 bands, and the Fry Test showed Mycoplasma or Hemobartonella. I've been using Rifampin and Doxy for any co-infections, and the other abx for Lyme. Nothing so far....