After 8 weeks of having symptoms I finally tested postive for LD. I start treatment on Monday. I'm a little worried about what the antibiotics are going to do to me. Can anyone tell me what to expect using these anti.?
Azithromycin - Cefdinir Minocycline
I will be adding Flagyl on the 3rd week of treatment.
This site has possaibly saved my life! Had I not found it when I did, I would not have known to keep looking into Lyme and to find a LLMD.
Bless all of you for helping others when I know some of you can barely function.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
When I started treatment I got much worse before climbing out of it and feeling better. That is typical and we call it the "herx". The toxins from the dying bacteria overwhelm your system causing more inflammation and an increase in the symptoms you have as well as new symptoms you never experienced.
I was in bed for about a month. The good news is that I have never been that sick since then.
What people experience varies though depending on how sick you are and how effective the abx is at killing the bacteria as well as how well your body can eliminate the toxins.
Everyone stresses the importance of detoxing while you are herxing. People say to drink lemon water, take hot baths, sauna, etc. I was given the herb quercetin to help with detoxing. Do a search on detoxing to get other things that help people.
Hopefully you were recently infected and will respond quickly to abx. Be sure you are symptoms free for at lease two months before you quit abx or you will probably relapse.
I know what you mean about the forum saving your life. These internet lyme forums save many lives, mine included. Good luck.
Posted by lyme in Putnam (Member # 11561) on :
Everyone is different and has different symptoms depending on how long they have this. Whats good for one isnt' good for another, I learned that. Expect good and bad, but the good is so worth it...
Posted by geo (Member # 18333) on :
I have been on azith for over 3 months with absolutely no problems. While I haven't been treating as long as most others, my only advise would be to "be patient".
I am reaching the point of frustration now with continuing inflammation but I know this is just part of the healing process.
Support networks are very important
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- "Herx 101" -------------
Lyme is caused by the gram-negative bacteria, BORRELIA b. - that is what is known as a SPIROCHETE, a cork-screw shaped bacteria that can sort of spring where ever it wants, not needed the blood stream for transport.
Spirochetes are particularly rough bacteria and they can take many forms to evade detection and resist treatment.
When spirochetes get irritated they emit toxins. To begin with, Borrelia b. is a very toxic infection. But irritate it and it spews forth even more toxic junk into our bodies.
So, our bodies are loaded with toxins and our liver and kidneys are overwhelmed. One reason why LIVER SUPPORT is vital to treatment.
To spirochetes, irritation to them can be nearly anything. It can be strong medicine, too much activity, too much heat, too much noise or light, etc.
That is why lyme patients feel so awful so much of the time. Even a little vibration will irritate spirochetes. Too much heat, too much movement.
Still the herxheimer reaction - from "chemical assault" (even if from a strong herb) - is very real.
The Herxheimer reaction (also known as Jarisch-Herxheimer or Herx) occurs when large quantities of toxins are released into the body as bacteria (typically Spirochetal bacteria) die, due to antibiotic treatment or rapid detoxification.
Typically the death of these bacteria and the associated release of endotoxins occurs faster than the body can remove the toxins via the natural detoxification process performed by the kidneys and liver.
It is manifested by fever, chills, headache, myalgia (muscle pain), and exacerbation of skin lesions.
Duration in syphilis is normally only a few hours but can be much longer, up to months or years, for other diseases, especially Lyme Disease. The intensity of the reaction reflects the intensity of inflammation present.
The Herxheimer reaction has shown an increase in inflammatory cytokines during the period of exacerbation, including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8.[1][2]
The reaction is also seen in other diseases, such as borreliosis (Lyme disease[3][4] and tick-borne relapsing fever[5]), bartonellosis, brucellosis, typhoid fever, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and trichinellosis, Q fever, and cat scratch disease.[6][7]
Especially note herxheimer abtracts with Leptospirosis, another spirochetal infection.
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A "herx" can also be connected to liver stress, in general. If the liver is overwhelmed, and then asked to outperform - handling too many chemicals or faced with too much exercise - it can't process out the toxins and there is a backwash, so to speak. Technically, that may not be called a herx (or it may be) but it's a toxic reaction, all the same.
More specifically, a "herx" can also be connected to porphyria (or to elevated porphyrins), just one kind of liver stress resulting in a toxic level of elevated porphyrins. There are at least eleven kinds.
More about how at least one kind is seen frequently with lyme patients - see the "Secondary Porphyria" post, especially -- and the MCS post so you can minimize chemical assault that adds to liver stress: ---------------------
PORPHYRIA Thread - along with details about KPU/HPU (Mauve factor) -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Now, for what can HELP:
Be sure your support measures and self-care education lists are in place. Liver support is essential. Adrenal support, too. ---------------------------
** Nutritional Supplements in Disseminated Lyme Disease **
J.J. Burrascano, Jr., MD (2008) - Four pages
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It's very important to have this book as a reference tool for self-care and support measures. It answers so many questions in detail that is impossible here on the forum.