I started Diflucan and had an awful herx, similar to my Babesia herx. Fatigued, dizzy, head/neck pain and whole body pain. I have been on it 3 days now and wondering if it is hitting Babesia/parasites or yeast.
When I treated Babesia I probably had BAD yeast issues from Augmentin (and was not given anti-fungals & frequent vag infections). Now Im extremely unsure if this is Babesia or Yeast...
I have swollen glands and feeling of swelling in nose, throat, ears. This was exactly the same issues I had with Babesia treatment but maybe it was yeast? Very confused...
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Diflucan kills yeast, so this is most likely yeast die-off.
Of course, there is a lot more information we would have to know to be sure. For example:
have you started any other meds recently?
What meds are you on?
When did you start them?
What other diseases do you have?
Are you still treating babs?
Babs flares at regular intervals, and so does lyme. So, all of this has to be considered. This could just be a lyme flare or a babs flare.
I suggest you keep track of the lyme flares (28 day intervals). That goes a long way to understanding why you are having a bad day.
If you are also still infected with babs, that illness flares about every 7 days.
I experienced both lyme flares and babs flares when I had these illnesses. I could predict on the calendar when they would happen. That helped me plan my activities and understand when I suddenly felt so bad. Kept me from getting alarmed, thinking I was relapsing, etc. It is great to be able to predict these things and then just have peace while they are happening.
With the small amount of info you have given us, it makes it sound like you just started diflucan and got this problem so there is likely a cause and effect here.
However, in reality there are many more facts that would have to be known to make an intelligent guess about what is happening now.
I am not familiar with using augmentin to treat babs. Are you sure the doc was using it to treat babs and not lyme? On p. 14 of Burrascano you will see augmentin used as a lyme treatment.
Normal babs treatment is mepron or malarone along with zith or biaxin. You will not see Burrascano mention augmentin as a babs treatment.
Next time you see your lyme doctor, I suggest you ask directly which meds are treating which diseases. This information helps the patient understand what is going on more than anything else, and eliminates a lot of the guessing that you do.
Swollen glands is a common lyme symptom.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Also, here is a thread where at least one person says that diflucan hits the cyst form of lyme:
So, if this is correct, you could be reacting to the killing of the lyme cysts (a true herx reaction).
Did the doc give you the diflucan because he wanted to kill yeast or lyme? Do you have yeast symptoms?
It all comes down to understanding what disease the doc is trying to hit with each med.
Posted by Jamers (Member # 28016) on :
I wasn't clear...the Augmentin was used to treat lyme in addition to Mepron/Zith used to treat Babesia. I may or may not need additional babesia treatment but currently the only 2 meds I am taking is Doxycycline and Diflucan.
The Diflucan is strictly for yeast symptoms I have been showing signs of (white tongue, stomach issues). The Doxy is used with Flagyl and is being pulsed so Im only ingesting Diflucan and Doxy this past few days.
I have been treating for 14 months and have never actually pinpointed a "flare" of any kind. I always feel awful and the only time my symptoms are worse are around my menstrual cycle. This could be my Lyme flare but I am not positive.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Well, what happens when you take the flagyl? Do you get sick at all? Do you get the sickness you are now describing? When was the last flagyl pulse?
If you just pulsed flagyl, then this could be a herx from the flagyl.
If you herx on flagyl and if diflucan really kills lyme cysts, then this could be a lyme herx from diflucan killing lyme cysts.
If you don't get sick on flagyl at all, then this is likely a yeast die-off reaction.
Even if you get sick on flagyl, if you haven't taken flagyl for at least a week, then this is truly a reaction to the diflucan, most likely.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
My lyme doc told me that they were just discovering that diflucan hits babs too.
Posted by Jamers (Member # 28016) on :
TF-The Flagyl does not give me this type of herx or feeling. I herx a little but nothing like I used to. I know that Flagyl really messed with my gut so thats why Im on the Diflucan now.
However, the yeast die-off is just so similar to my Babesia die-off symptoms. I agree its die-off from the Diflucan but what is dying exactly? I had yeast issues on Augmentin but that was also the same time I started Babs treatment so I have the two issues overlapping.
If this is truly Babesia re-emerging and not yeast then I need to get on Babs meds ASAP! I was hoping this question would lead me toward one or the other.
Catgirl-Do you know to what effect Diflucan hits Babesia? Do you know if its curative or just annoys the bugs?
Posted by Jamers (Member # 28016) on :
TF-The Flagyl does not give me this type of herx or feeling. I herx a little but nothing like I used to. I know that Flagyl really messed with my gut so thats why Im on the Diflucan now.
However, the yeast die-off is just so similar to my Babesia die-off symptoms. I agree its die-off from the Diflucan but what is dying exactly? I had yeast issues on Augmentin but that was also the same time I started Babs treatment so I have the two issues overlapping.
If this is truly Babesia re-emerging and not yeast then I need to get on Babs meds ASAP! I was hoping this question would lead me toward one or the other.
Catgirl-Do you know to what effect Diflucan hits Babesia? Do you know if its curative or just annoys the bugs?
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
He just said it helps fight babs (sorry, that's all I remember).
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Then, based on all you have said, the chances are the greatest by far that this is yeast die-off which is what your lyme doc gave it to you for.
Yeast die-off can be as bad as lyme die-off. Ask Tutu.
Posted by Jamers (Member # 28016) on :
Thanks both of you for your help. I greatly appreciate you insight. I really HOPE its only yeast die-off!! Thats the best case scenario!
Posted by bearlythere (Member # 31973) on :
I had horrible yeast issues about a year ago. Then I started the Candida Diet and POW. The yeast herx was worse than the antibiotics.
It sounds like a lot of your symptoms are from the yeast die off.
Tutu has the right idea> Diet is the key and keeping the yeast under control.
Give it a few weeks with good anti yeast measures and see it you feel better.
Posted by Jamers (Member # 28016) on :
Thanks Bearlythere!! How are you? I hope you are doing well! I was feeling 80% till this! Sending you a PM.
Posted by anuta (Member # 22646) on :
Diflucan has antiphrastic activities, and therefore it kills Lyme and Babesia. So it is very normal that you experience Babesia herx.
5 years ago, when I just started to have my first Lyme symptoms (nasal and sinus inflammation, headache), but was still undiagnosed, I thought all those symptoms were caused by Candida.
So I put myself on Diflucan, I've had a horrible herx, had to reduce the dose to 50 mg, but then slowly went back to 150 (still thought it was Candiada die-off), after 3 months - all my symptoms were gone. I thought - that's it, I'm free. But after stopping Diflucan , 1 month after I've had symptoms come back.
I did not know back then , that it was Lyme, but when symptoms came back I have realized it is something more than Candida.
Posted by pme (Member # 31621) on :
Jamers First off your mailbox was full again. I tried to pm you but that was last night so maybe it is clear now
Yeast die off for me caused a really really bad Herx reaction. After I initially felt that release in my throat I felt awful. I know it was my body getting rid of toxins......I even got an awful itchy rash on either side of my trunk. Sort of in the liver and spleen area. I think the body tries to get rid of the toxins in whatever way it can. That is why i wish I hadn't stopped foxy at the same time as starting g the diet because then my body could have focused on yeast die off only. My body had to fit hard to fight off the yeast die off in the first two months.
I think die off is so hard of the body. I felt. Awful and still do because of stopping Lyme treatment although I can't tell which sx are yeast and which are Lyme related.
The book The Candida cure has been helpful fr me. Have you read it?
Posted by pme (Member # 31621) on :
Jamers First off your mailbox was full again. I tried to pm you but that was last night so maybe it is clear now
Yeast die off for me caused a really really bad Herx reaction. After I initially felt that release in my throat I felt awful. I know it was my body getting rid of toxins......I even got an awful itchy rash on either side of my trunk. Sort of in the liver and spleen area. I think the body tries to get rid of the toxins in whatever way it can. That is why i wish I hadn't stopped foxy at the same time as starting g the diet because then my body could have focused on yeast die off only. My body had to fit hard to fight off the yeast die off in the first two months.
I think die off is so hard of the body. I felt. Awful and still do because of stopping Lyme treatment although I can't tell which sx are yeast and which are Lyme related.
The book The Candida cure has been helpful fr me. Have you read it?
Posted by Jamers (Member # 28016) on :
pme-Sorry I cleaned my mailbox again. If this is yeast die-off then I should probably stop all meds because Im loaded with yeast. I feel so fatigued like the ,can't lift my limbs, fatigue. I will look into the book you mentioned! Thanks!
anuta-Thanks for your response. If Diflucan has anti-parasitic properties then it could be killing: yeast, babesia, lyme, and parasites? No wonder I feel like this! the only problem is, is that I don't know what infections its hitting and how to proceed with treatment, so confusing!
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
Jamers,
I can comment on your issues relating to my own current experience. I am not doing Diflucan, but am working on yeast. Using an anti-fungal nasal spray with sporonex in it and Liquid Nystatin.
I am also taking 3 tablespoons coconut oil per day.
My die off sx are: severe lead weight fatigue (hard to lift arms, hold head up). Facial/Sinus pain/pressure. Plugged up ears, when I use the Neilmed rinse, they crackle, otherwise just pressure. Also, stiff neck, but I've had that as a symptom all along.
I couldn't figure out my new onset of fatigue until I read your post- would definitely say the link to sudden onset of fatigue, at least for me, is due to the candida treatment.
I am not on any antibiotics. Just treating yeast and gut. Hope this helps!
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Jamers, detox the yeast out (helps). Lemon water, whatever works for you.
Posted by Jamers (Member # 28016) on :
Thanks you feelfit and catgirl!
Feelfit-Those symptoms sound like mine exactly. My ears got really bad and caused some dizziness. The fatigue is rough. I was feeling great the day before I took Diflucan, like 100%, then I took one pill and I feel terrrible. i completed my 5 day course but still feel bad. Nystatin gave me no herx at all...unlike Diflucan. Do you also feel tired all the time, even after sleeping? The weakness and fatigue are relentless!
Catgirl-Thanks for the advice. I took some burbur and milk thistle and apple pectin but haven't noticed much. I probably need something stronger like charcoal or chorella.
Posted by jwick25 (Member # 15190) on :
Jamers,
I'm so glad I found this post because I am going through something so similar.
Treating yeast for first time with Fluconazole. Not treating anything else currently.
I have been confused because since starting Fluconazole last week, I feel like babesia symptoms have emerged. I keep wondering if it's a babesia flare or yeast die-off. Glad I'm not alone.
Do you get any tingling in your hands or arms?
Posted by desertwind (Member # 25256) on :
Took it a few years ago for yeast and got a nasty neuro. herx. Thought it was lyme but was assured it was a yeast herx.