do you only get the herxheimer reaction at the beginning of treatment, or do they repeat every couple of weeks as the spirochetes go into hiding/come out of hiding and the die off again?
Posted by gemofnj (Member # 15551) on :
"The Herxheimer−type Reaction is somewhat different in Lyme....Because Lyme is caused by a spirochete, much of what we learn and think about Lyme borreliosis comes from our experience with syphilis.
In the early stages of killing the Lyme spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi) with antibiotics this Hexheimer type Reaction can be found if looked for.
Appparently it comes at different times. With I.V. antibiotics it may be noted within days of treatment; with oral antibiotics it may be noted within days to weeks of treatment.
When these antibiotics begin to destroy the Lyme spirochete, a toxin is given off causing either direct reactions or indirect actions through stimulation of the immune system.
The symptoms can vary from systemic reactions such as a low blood pressure, fever, chills and hives, to more specific
symptoms such as increase in joint pain, headaches, rash or in general, a reversal or worsening of the Lyme symptom complex. "
Hope this helps a little. Always check with your doctor.
Posted by jenny76 (Member # 18205) on :
That was very helpful, thank you. My doc says that it might just be what my symptoms are now, just intensified a bit.
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