As you are or were being treated how do you know what you are feeling is from lyme or co-infection(s), from a herx, or from the meds?
My assumption is thats is a hard if not impossible question to answer but want to see what others have to say.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- That is why it's so important to have the experience, skill and wisdom of an LLMD who continues to learn and share information with other LLMDs. There are patterns to some of this that experienced eyes and ears can sort out. -
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Sometimes you can only tell after the fact. Not a good answer, I know.
Posted by n2themystic (Member # 27315) on :
Thanks for the replies.
I have an appointment on Jan 3 with my llmd and will have a good talk about this topic.
I just have this gut instinct the meds are causing more of my current symptoms than anything else.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
I too wonder. I think many, many here mistake herx for med side effects. It's becoming apparent only a few here ever make it out of Lyme hell and they seem to be the newbies. it doesn't seem like the med combinations are the key. It seems like being ill for a short time is. The rest are on the never-ending circle train.
Posted by jkmom (Member # 14004) on :
I agree you never really know.
The LLMD would have the best guess, though.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
For LLMDs, saying herx sounds better to them than med side effects. Herxing means you continue longer treatment dreaming for the day you make your turnaround. Med side effects means no more visits.
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
A clue for me iwas that when I herx the same symptoms come up.
I got a "funny" throat, not exactly sore, my eyes were crusty when I woke up, I felt generally like a truck hit me (worse than usual), I sneezed a lot but never get a cold,
But those symptoms were not constant. They would come for 3 days (sometimes longer) and then go. I would think if they were from meds, they'd be more constant.
And if you kept a medical diary, you could see a pattern. Herxes would occur at the bacteria's schedules (1wk, 2wks, 4wks) as that is when most die-off would occur.
I would think. I'm not a doctor so I don't really know...
Posted by sillia (Member # 23994) on :
I agree with 17hens about keeping a medical diary. I keep detailed notes of everything, and it has been very useful for me in finding patterns and relationships between my symptoms and what I'm taking or doing.
One easy way is to get a LARGE calendar, like poster-size. Write your abx in each day and jot your symptoms as they occur. A pattern may emerge.
Posted by Lauralyme (Member # 15021) on :
For me when I think I am herxing I detox like mad with
exercise, saunas, binders, colonics, coffee enemas. If I feel better after that, then I know it was a herx.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
If it's a lyme or coinfection symptom bothering you, then it's likely a herx.
Posted by nspiker (Member # 22824) on :
I agree with lauralyme; detox ,detox, detox. Some believe herxing is a good sign, but I don't. For me, it's the lack of detox or expelling the junk/die-off from my system.
Also, add only one thing at a time, to be sure sure you know the effect. Don't put anything into your body that you are not sure is helping. I believe in electro-dermal testing or muscle testing to ensure the antibiotics and/or supplements are not further stressing your body.
Also, intuition and trusting your instincts. That's my soapbox!
Posted by n2themystic (Member # 27315) on :
For detox I am doing milk thistle, pakana detox remedy, chlorella, and lots of water.
My llmd has a herx remedy he suggests when things get really bad.
None of the above really seem to help me. Makes me think its not a herx.
I am thinking of seeing a doctor i have been hearing about that does muscle testing. It would be interesting to see if anything comes up on the meds I am on.
Posted by trigal2 (Member # 20578) on :
For me the herx was time limited and I always felt better then I did before the herx once I came out of it.
The side effects stayed with me 24/7 and never went away...