I just wanted input from the members. I already searched the topic but was hoping to get more info.
It is my understanding that a herx is a result of rapid die-off so that the body is not able to
dispose of the debris. A herx typically happens at the start of meds or a change of meds.
But, can you herx when you have a flare because there is more bacteria present?
Do flares normally happen every 4 weeks or is that time frame different for everyone?
Posted by hadlyme (Member # 6364) on :
You will find that we all seem to have a different meaning on these words.
Some people use flares to mean a herx, some use flares to mean something else.
It also has to do with what your dr. calls it.
I used to always call the die off feeling a herx. I now call it a flare. To me, it sounds a bit better when talking about it with my friends that do not understand. Flare seems to be understood better than 'herx'.
So to me, I take it as the wording is the same thing. My dr. calls it flare instead of herx also.
Herxing usually is a cycle thing, every 4 days, 4 weeks, etc.
I look at flare as a 'new' name for a herx.
There are others that do not look at them as the same. They should be posting soon with their opinion on it too.
Posted by Pony (Member # 32559) on :
This is one of the things that has always bothered me about lyme treatment.
It seems like nowadays everything is a herx, and that whenever you aren't feeling well you are herxing.
I too feel that people use the term herx when they mean flair. It's a loosely used term, for a very important, specific event. I've always interpreted it as: herx=die off, flare=increased symptoms NOT related to die off...
But as you see, people interpret these things very differently!
Good luck!
Posted by trubeee (Member # 34030) on :
Hi soccermama, my LLMD uses flares/herxes interchangeably. I'm not so sure though. I have my typical monthly 'flare' whether I'm on meds or not (not treated Lyme sufficiently probably) then when I'm on meds I have terrible herxes... but I tell family that I'm 'flaring' that way they get it...
Posted by soccermama (Member # 35101) on :
What causes a flare? It was my understanding that the bacteria multiplies every 28 days which causes
an increase in symptoms. If that is the case, then being on antibiotics would kill them off.
The result would be die-off and thus herxing.
Is that plausible?
Posted by Kern33 (Member # 36267) on :
I think it is hard to distinguish when you are on ABX whether you are experiencing a flare or die-off. For me, personally, the flares have changed their nature pretty much, thus I regard them as die-off reactions, since they really feel different compared to flares I experienced prior to treatment. Hope this helps Posted by gigimac (Member # 33353) on :
I have thought of flares as an increase in symptoms due to the monthly cycle of the bacteria or progression of the disease, while I thought a herx is an increase in symptoms due to die off of bacteria.
I get a once a month flare of symptoms and it gets way worse if I'm not on abx.
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