DD hasn't had much anxiety in a very long time--really not since the very beginnings of treatment, over 2 years ago.
She just started Doryx about 2 weeks ago (after having been on mino for a long time) and has been experiencing anxiety again.
However, her anxiety doesn't quite sound like true anxiety, and she is having a hard time describing what she is feeling.
She says she has started to get weird thoughts that she can't "let go of"--she says she knows these thoughts don't relate to her per se but the thoughts don't go away, so she doesn't feel like herself--
I'm not quite sure what that means--obsessive thoughts?--or depersonalization? I don't really know what depersonalization is, though I guess her saying she doesn't feel like herself would possibly be that? Can someone describe what depersonalization feels like? Does it come on with anxiety?
I'm thinking it is a herx, based on the amount of time she has been on it--however, I've also read that doxy can cause a lot of anxiety so I'm not sure if this is a side effect.
She said she doesn't feel like she is anxious, i.e., restless or whatever else might be a normal anxiety--but rather these senseless worries that won't go away cause her anxiety.
She also has had some really "crazy" dreams since starting up the Doryx.
So, what do you think---side effects or herx?
She's never truly herxed on anything ever over the last 2 years of treatment (has just gotten better), so this too makes it hard to tell if this is what it is--
Has anyone experienced this type of "anxiety" especially with doxy and was it a side effect or a herx in your experience?
She really hates this feeling and wants it gone--it is very unsettling for her.
Any thoughts on how to get rid of it quicker? Would increasing detox help this type of herx? Say lemon water, etc.? Burbur? Parsley? Camomile tea? etc.
Thanks for any help--appreciated!
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
To me, these are always a herx. But I"m not a doctor so do your own research.
Depersonalization is when you feel "detached". It is as if you are living in a dream world and that nothing is real. When I had it, it seemed like I was looking at the world through a camera lens...or that I was miniature version of myself, sitting inside of my head and looking out at the world through my eyes. Weird and not fun.
Anxiety can be Bart or Lyme. This could be a flare.
Posted by aMomWithHope (Member # 19255) on :
Oh, Bcb, that sounds awful! I will ask her if this is what she is experiencing.
How did it resolve? How did you deal with it when experiencing it?
Posted by SScott (Member # 30415) on :
I agree in that it sounds like possible Bart, but we all experience things differently. My anxiety and depersonalization was from Bart. It was like a was not participating in life and really didn't care if I was. I had problems carrying on the simplest of conversations. I got lost driving home from work.
It was all very scary. My LLMD perscribed abx to specifically target Bart. To go along with Doxy, I took Azith and Rifamprin. the thing about Bart is you begin to improve very quickly once treatment begins (2 weeks). You continue for several months, but you know if it is Bart as you get better.
Babs is another story, takes longer to feel better. My vivid dreams came with Babs, which kicked in one month after I knocked Bart down...lovely.
Posted by Jane2904 (Member # 15917) on :
It does sound like a herx to me.
Up for more experiences.
Posted by aMomWithHope (Member # 19255) on :
I'm going to proceed as if this is a herx. I asked her whether or not she feels outside herself, looking in, etc. to see if she was experiencing what you've all described as depersonalization, and I don't think that is what she is going through--thankfully, because that sounds horrid, and I'm so sorry for those of you who are experiencing that.
The more I can get her to describe the feeling, it does sound like obsessive thoughts of worry--nothing dangerous or threatening--but thoughts she knows she doesn't believe or agree with that just won't quit no matter how much she tries logic.
I'm going to up her detox with the episodes and see if that helps. Suggestions that have worked with this particular problem (anxiety) would be appreciated!
She had been off Lyme-specific meds for 2 months without any relapse, so I'm thinking that the ketes were able to come out of the cyst forms and are now not happy with the Dorxy--so most likely a herx. She is also on Tindamax, so that will be a good combo.
She does have Bart and has been treating for 2+ years--and yes, Rifampin is her wonder drug--, and we are thinking of taking her off in hopes that she is done with it--so we'll see how she does on the doxy and take it from there.
I would also imagine that if it was a side effect of the doxy/Doryx (versus herx) the symptom would be more constant versus random, which is what she has.
Thanks again for your thoughts--hopefully this will pass, and she finally gets rid of her last remaining symptoms.