posted
Hello everyone- I was wondering if any of you could help me figure out what is going on. I am trying, but it is so hard to figure out what is a herx, a reaction to meds, or Lyme/coinfections getting worse.
I have been on Doxy 400 mg twice a day for about 3 1/2 weeks. I didn't feel much the first 2 1/2-3 weeks, but was consistent and feeling good with mild symptoms. Last week I felt more arthritic in all my joints and starting having this mild burning sensation all over my body - not at the same time - it would come and go in different parts, including my eyes - not intense, just for a few seconds at a time throughout the day. I also feel this in my chest area, both near my heart and around it, on my palms, bottom of feet, etc.
Sorry to be graphic, but I also feel it a little in my genitals. The feeling is extremely mild in my genitals, and I dont have itching or other discharge. I have never had a feminine yeast infection before, so don't know what that feels like. My first symptom was burning in my arms, so I was hoping maybe this was a herx. I should mention, I felt this burning on a lesser level the 2nd and 3rd day on the Doxy and then it disappeared.
Now I am starting to wonder if I am developing a systemic/yeast infection. Due to miscommunication, I did not start the Nystatin protocol until last week, 2+ weeks into the Doxy.
I'm wondering if the yeast infections Lymies talk about are limited to genital yeast and thrush, or are there other areas of the body it spreads to? My tongue is fine yeastwise - both acupuncturist and dentist said this recently.
I am taking a good refrigerated probiotic - 15 billion (7.5 acidophilus, 7.5 lactobacillus) both in the morning and at night. Sometimes I take 30 billion at night. I also have been taking sacc. boulardi. I eat about 6 oz. of greek yogurt a day, sometimes kefir, no sugar or starch, flour or yeast in my diet.
How do you treat the yeast infection if it's vaginal? Just with Monistat or an OTC?
If you do have a vaginal yeast infection, do you stop the antibx until it resolves? Does this mean you can't use that particular antibx anymore?
I am going out of town, so am anxious to know these things so I can be prepared if I'm away from my doctor.
What do you think - is this a herx, a yeast infection, or something else? Thanks for the input!
LZO
Posts: 117 | From Chicago, IL | Registered: Jan 2006
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kgg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5867
posted
IMHO, this is a herx. It is not uncommon to have a herx 3-4 weeks into treatment and then again. Some report that the herx will lessen each time.
What have you been instructed to do for the herxing by your doc?
Karen
Posts: 1691 | From Maine | Registered: Jun 2004
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posted
Thanks Karen. It would be nice if I could talk to my doctor. I spoke to his nurse. They apply the same rules to everyone...when experiencing a herx, d/c the meds until you feel better. "The turtle wins the race."
However, the sensation is so mild, I don't feel I should d/c the meds. What do you think?
DOes this sound like the right thing to do in your opinion?
Posts: 117 | From Chicago, IL | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Sounds like the monthly herx to me too. IN MY NON-MEDICAL OPINION I personally would not stop the meds unless the herx was enough to make me miserable. Just for talking for ME.
That said, "The turtle indeed wins the race!" So listen to your body!!!!
Yeast can be EVERYWHERE. Systemic yeast can make your life a living h***...so avoid at all costs!
If you do get a bad case of it, your dr will likely prescribe some Diflucan for you. Keep taking that Nystatin!!
posted
I agree with you, about not stopping the antibx. I feel fine, and it wouldn't be worth it.
Wondering what the symptoms of a systemic yeast infection are? How do you know? Is it something to monitor with blood tests? Is it possible to develop one in under a month? So many questions!!
Thanks for the links, I will check those out!
Posts: 117 | From Chicago, IL | Registered: Jan 2006
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don't stop your abx or try anything you read here without talking it over first with your LLMD
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
Test for Yeast.
I found this simple test on a Threelac Probiotic website and it worked for me.
Spit into a glass of water and let it sit for 30 mins. If stringy stuff and cloudy sediment occurs, you have yeast. If the water remains clear you do not have yeast.
If you just recently started abx and have not had lots of abx in the past, you probably do not have a yeast problem. Good idea though to start the probiotics now as yeast will definitely become a problem after you've been on abx for awhile. Take the probiotic as far away from the time you take the abx as possible. The abx do kill the friendly bacteria in the probiotic.
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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Great links Lymetoo, appreciate it! I do file the candida diet by the book, with very little cheating.
I will definitely try the spit test in the morning. Should be interesting!
Interesting about pain while swallowing, like on the left side of my adam's apple area. I have noticed this in the past two weeks - a discomfort when I had a soy latte, and also when I had warm unsweetened soy milk. I wondered if it was from warmth or maybe the acidity of the latte? Or just a coincidence. Not sure...hope it's not a yeast symptom!
Posts: 117 | From Chicago, IL | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Sounds like a herx. Yeast causes fatigue, fever, spaced out, shortness of breath and bad GI for me. Burning sounds more neurological to me like lyme.
Posts: 293 | From healdsburg, ca , sonoma | Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
I just failed the spit test. Ugh. Is this pretty accurate? I feel pretty good today.
What to do now? I already take 30 billion + probiotics/day. And I am taking 4 nystatin 4 times per day. I was taking Florastor - sacc. boulardi - daily. Do you think this non-pathenogenic yeast could be causing these results?
Posts: 117 | From Chicago, IL | Registered: Jan 2006
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quote:Originally posted by LZOChicago: I just failed the spit test. Ugh. Is this pretty accurate? I feel pretty good today.
[/QB]
I don't know. I never did the spit test. I figured I could have yeast and NOT have it in my mouth, so why bother?
I wouldn't think it would prove anything if it came up negative..?? But since yours came up positive, I don't know.
Hopefully, someone here can tell you more!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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liz28
Unregistered
posted
Yeah, sounds like a herx. Although this is venturing into alternative territory, you could try goldenseal or coptis extract in addition to the probiotics and nystatin, since they have an ingredient called berberine that sometimes helps with yeast. And sometimes theanine and bromelain can help with the anxiety of herxing.
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don't stop your abx or try anything you read here without talking it over first with your LLMD
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