How do you know if your increase in symptoms or severity of symptoms is from herxing or if it's that the antibiotics are just not working?
5 days ago starting taking 500mgs of Amoxicillian 3 times a day.
Did 3 weeks of 200 mgs of Doxy followed by 2 weeks of Ceftin.
Thanks so much!
Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :
The only way I could suggest is if you stop the antibiotics for a day or two and see if you feel better. However, you should only do this at the advice of your doctor. If you're not taking Milk Thistle, try adding 350mg twice a day (away from your antibiotics).
Posted by x9w5a34 (Member # 28204) on :
I have the same problem. I have been taking Doxy for almost 3 weeks now and have symptoms every day. I didn't have this frequency of symptoms before I took abx.
lymeinhell, what do you mean by stopping antibiotics and seeing if you feel better? What does it mean if you feel better or if you feel worse? Don't worry, I won't stop abx without my doctor saying so but I am just asking.
Posted by lululymemom (Member # 26405) on :
What we found was that if it is a herx, the symptoms will increase tremendously for an hour or 2 after taking the meds. After that they gradually get better. If the symptoms are continuous with little relief and continue more than a week, I would consider changing of meds..
This is just from our experience, and I've read that continual herxing is not good either so changing or decreasing meds is a good idea.
Detoxing is also extremely important to lessen the herxes as well..
[ 10-22-2010, 06:10 PM: Message edited by: lululymemom ]
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
When I first started treatment I was much sicker for about two months. It was obvious that the abx was killing it.
After that I had a big increase in symptoms every full moon, which was my cycle for lyme. I gradually got better.
There have been many times that I have wondered if I was herxing or just getting worse or experiencing side effects. If you recently started a new drug and you rule out side effects, it is probably a herx.
Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :
quote:lymeinhell, what do you mean by stopping antibiotics and seeing if you feel better? What does it mean if you feel better or if you feel worse?
A herx is an increase of symptoms causes by the toxic buildup from the killing off of bacteria.
Your body cannot keep up with the removal of toxic waste and it builds up, causing all kinds of fun new symptoms or increases in existing symptoms.
So if you stop your antibiotics (and hence killing bacteria), it may give your body the time it needs to clear out the toxins, and you typically will feel better after 48 hours or so. Drinking tons of water throughout the day (8-10 16oz glasses) with lemon and upping your milk thistle intake will give your kidneys and liver some extra help getting rid of the junk.
Again, you should only do this with the consent of your LLMD. And they also should know how you are feeling.