Does anyone know if you can herx from RMSF? I was diagnosed a couple weeks ago and started doxy. I am hurting so bad right now in my feet, hands, elbows, knees, neck, back and wrists.
I assume this is what a herx reaction is. Or maybe it is just a coincidence that my symptoms are worse and I am on doxy.
I have not been diagnosed with Lyme but tested positive IGG and 2 bands reacitve on IGM 2 1/2 years ago. Recent test only shows band 41 on both IGG and IGM.
I haven't been able to get into a LLMD yet so am seeing ID dr. until I can get in.
So, could I herx from RMSF or does this sound more like a Lyme herx?
The foot pain has been unbearable.
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
RMSF is caused by a spirochete, no?
They give off toxins when they die & this causes the Herxheimer reaction.
Foot pain can sometimes be caused by Bartonella. It is not uncommon to have another coinfection flare up when one is being subdued.
Have you been tested for Bartonella?
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
RMSF and/or Lyme can cause a Herx with Doxy. I don't know how you could really differentiate to exclude one or the other by determining if it's a Herx.
Since your treatment would also cover Lyme, I'd think it more important to determine if it could be a Bart symptom.
Posted by HollyS (Member # 20550) on :
Rocky Mountain is not a spirochete.
I just did some looking around and found that a herx reaction is most common in spirochete infections.
The infections listed as common for herx reactions are: syphilis, borreliosis (Lyme disease[5][6] and tick-borne relapsing fever[7]), bartonellosis, brucellosis, typhoid fever, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and trichinellosis and Q fever.
I guess that answers my question. It is likely Lyme or Bart instead of the RMSF. The ID Dr. will just not admit I have Lyme.
I am hoping to see LLMD soon.
Posted by AliG (Member # 9734) on :
Sorry, RMSF is probably the only co I haven't been Dxd with yet I was too lazy to look it up. I don't know why I was thinking Ricketsia were spirochetal.
I'd say that as long as you're getting treatment that's causing a Herx you're doing good.
I'd tell him that you're having the pain in your feet & that you've heard it can be a symptom of Bartonella coinfection. Ask if he could have you tested to rule out possible tick-borne coinfections.
Posted by bejoy (Member # 11129) on :
Rocky Mountain is not a spirochete, it is a Richettsia. Usually not as hard to treat, but can still make you very ill.
Most of us with lyme have multiple undiagnosed bacterial infections.
Anybody who has had their immune system hit hard seems to have multiple bacterial and fungal infections, this just doesn't seem to be commonly known.
What you do know is that Doxy is killing something, so that would be considered a good thing.
I'd suggest making sure you are doing whatever you can to prevent the fungals from taking over where the bacterials left off!
I'd also suggest taking a cyst buster either way, in case you do have spirochetes, so you don't just drive them into the cyst form.
Good natural cyst busters include systemic proteolytic enzymes, and bee venom ointment.
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
I was too lazy to look it up. I don't know why I was thinking Ricketsia were spirochetal. ![[bonk]](graemlins/bonk.gif)