posted
So, it's been awhile since I've checked in here. I had the Igenex battery and tested Igenex Positive on the IGM. I have just started on Doxycycline 200mg BID. What happens now? How long will it take before I start feeling better? Is it days, weeks, months? (I was bitten by a deer tick about 14 months ago and started symptoms around 8-10 months back.)
Thanks.
Posts: 386 | From Southeastern PA | Registered: Oct 2007
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lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
Thomas, the way we respond to treatment is very individual and also affected by any co-infections, etc., that we may also have.
Even if you tested negative for co's it doesn't mean you don't have them.
Your fist reaction will probably be a herx from the doxy. Most of us herx within a few days of beginning on a new abx and then about every 28 days after that. Gradually the herxes get shorter and milder, and we begin to feel better.
It's an up and down recovery. Not just straight from bottom to the top again. There are so many other actors that can figure into how long it takes to recover.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
I've read the term "herx" a bit here. Just what is it and what does it feel like? It's interesting, because the first 3 days of the Doxy I felt pretty good.. then days 4-5 not as good. Thanks.
Posts: 386 | From Southeastern PA | Registered: Oct 2007
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adamm
Unregistered
posted
That's probably the herx.
As for what to expect--
well, if you see a Lyme-literate doc
(check the Lyme Disease Associations's database and post in the seeking a doctor forum),
you should be fine. It may take a while for you to get there, as
you've been sick for a while, but you will get your pre-infection
treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Some info everytime you have severe symptoms which can happen the first few months of treatment can be continual but if you write down everything you will see a pattern for your herx's which with a lot of people happen every 28 to 34 days . That way you can plan around them.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
posted
Hey Thomas - my response to doxy the same as yours timeline-wise.
After the first week 1/2 (3-4 no response days, then feeling realllllly bad for about a week) I leveled out and began to improve in a major way. After about 6 weeks on 200mgs daily doxy, I got very sick again, with a lot of neuro stuff. So doctor upped me to 400 mgs, which REALLY gave me my life back.
From April through late September, slow and somewhat steady improvement. What a relief! Then, a bad backslide for 8 weeks or so. Back in a positive trend now.
I was sick for about 1 1/2 years before diagnosis.
You've got to be patient, AND as mentioned above, it will be the 'weirdest' recovery from a sickness you've ever experienced - it is just not 'a little bit better every day' experience, as all your previous recoveries will have been. As my neuro says, you have to learn to 'roll with it'. But you will get better.
otm
Posts: 314 | From east coast | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
Thanks for sharing your input/experiences. Yes, this is very strange. After going on 400mg/doxy/day, felt good for 3-ish days. Then really bad for day 4-5... Yesterday some good and bad and today is starting off fairly decent. So, patience is the key.... I need more of it!
Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Posts: 386 | From Southeastern PA | Registered: Oct 2007
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CherylSue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13077
posted
This is a timely thread for me. After pulsing amoxicillin for almost 2 months, my doctor has me doing doxycyline 200mg twice daily. I just started last night. It's a little rough at times. My doc thinks he can get me back to work in a month on the doxy. I sure hope he's right.
If I herx, I should just stay the course? Pulse?
Please post your updates. I need your support.
Thanks, CherylSue
Posts: 1954 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2007
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