I am under the impression you don't herx from Malarone or Mepron because Babesia is not bacteria therefore no die-off is occuring.
So symptoms that occur from either of these drugs must be a drug side effect right?
This is really confusing.
Posted by Brandimc (Member # 22017) on :
I heard you can...but my doc says no. Im curious also.
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
No bacterial die-off, but parasitic die-off.
Also, if you are adding a macrolide as recommended by Dr B - then you may be having bacterial die off as well, as that could be hitting other organisms.
I always took Mepron or Malarone with a combo of 2 abx.
And am quite sure that I herxed, because I felt worse... but eventually felt better even while on the meds.
Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
Interesting question and timely for me as I start trimethoprim this week for Babesia.
Last summer I took Bactrim for one week for Babesia, but I had a tremendous reaction to it and had to stop. The nurse at my LLMD's office thought it was a herx.
I knew Babesia was a parasite not a bacteria, but I didn't put two and two together about the herxing. After my experience I think cactus may be right. One might experience parasitic die-off.
Posted by unsure445 (Member # 15962) on :
So, you can have a herx from parasitic die-off?
I am trying to understand what I am experiencing...
When I asked my doctor if you herx on Malarone he said no but I see many posts here that refer to a Babesia herx.
Thanks for the replies.
Any more insight or thoughts?
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
oh my i would assume so. if you can herx bad from candida, then i'm sure parasites would be even worse.
hence, the humaworm cleanse. some people have a real hard time of it.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
I think the herx is from the Macrolide portion of the treatment.
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
unsure, are you only taking malarone, or is it in combo with a macrolide (an abx)?
If so, you may be having a herx from that.
Leelee, bactrim gives me a massive herx - and apparently it hits more than just babs. My LLMD uses it often for bart treatment.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Either I was having a horrid herx off Bactrim the 3-4 days I was on it or headed for serious allergic reaction.
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
Bactrim knocked me flat for the first week - it was intense.
No rash or itching, and no reason to suspect an allergic reation, so I stuck it out.
After that week - wow. I felt better and better.
Bactrim was one of the best treatment options I tried - after the herx.
Posted by carl (Member # 16126) on :
My Herx from Babesia is very debilitating.
An article from a prominent Lyme doctor says that since Babesia are much larger organisms than Lyme bacteria, the collection of die-off material and toxins is much greater, which clogs up the very small arteries.
Carl
Posted by unsure445 (Member # 15962) on :
Yes, I am on Zithromax as well so its hard to tell what is what.
Carl, who was the prominent Lyme doctor? Can you post an initial.
I guess I am hoping it is a babesia herx of some sort otherwise it means I have a pretty significant lyme load still present.
Its like a guessing game, emotional, and physical roller-coaster.
Thanks everyone for the replies.
Posted by Katrina (Member # 15236) on :
You most certainly can herx when treating babesia. I initially had a very difficult time when I started treatment with Malarone 4day and then Mepron 5tsp daily. Initially, I had to start out very very slowly.
The medications also have side effect you need to watch for. One of them being depression. Most people can go off a couple days until it clears and resume treatment.
I have gone to Dr. s and Dr. h. Both of them well known. Both have said that you can herx. They have even said that a babesia herx and be worse.
Hope that helps.
Katrina
Posted by unsure445 (Member # 15962) on :
Katrina, Reading this is making my day. I feel so sick and I hate to think this is all med side effects. I rarely even med side effects.
At least a herx means I'm getting somewhere.
Thank you so much!!! Have a great day!
Posted by carl (Member # 16126) on :