posted
Hi all. I haven't yet been diagnosed with Lyme (I have an appointment with Dr. W in TX next month though) but considering that I could practically count the number of symptoms that I have *not* experienced over the years using just my fingers I think I'd fall over dead from shock if it turns out I don't.
Any way, after reading through a lot of posts and links to other information here (thank you all so much by the way!!), I came across information on "herx" reactions, which led to a huge "HOLY COW" lightbulb moment...
A little over a year ago I was sick with the worst case of diarrhea I have ever experienced that lasted for a little over 4 weeks. It didn't matter what I did or took nothing would stop it.
It was AWFUL!!
On top of the diarrhea, I also had severe cramping in my left side and a big, red, swollen and painful right eye (huh??).
So I go to the doctor about a week into it and even though he thought I was too young (34), he was concerned that I might have diverticulitis so he put me on Flagyl and Cipro.
So I start taking the meds and seemed to be doing ok for the first few days. I still had the diarrhea but I hadn't gotten any worse anyway.
Then suddenly I started feeling just TERRIBLE...unbearable nausea, bad stiff and aching neck, *excruciating* pain in my left wrist, a horrible headache, and I felt really...foggy (worse than usual).
When I went to the doctor for my next follow-up, I told him how awful I felt so he went ahead and took me off the flagyl and the symptoms went away...not immediately, but quickly enough that it was obvious that it was the flagyl "causing" them.
Now, after learning about Herx reactions, I am thinking "HOLY COW!"...I wonder if I might have actually been herxing and neither I nor the doctor realized it.
What do you think?
By the way, he never did figure out what was actually wrong with me...eventually my symptoms just "went away" like they always do.
~Rachel
Posts: 19 | From San Antonio, TX | Registered: Apr 2009
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kgg
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5867
posted
Could have been a herx. Flagyl makes a lot of people feel awful.
Herx reactions make our present symptoms worse and also brings out symptoms we have never had before. If and when you start on antibiotics again, you may react similarly. Then you will know for sure.
Please discuss this with the LLMD you are going to see. And get an idea from him about what he wants you to do if you herx hard again.
Best, Karen
Posts: 1687 | From Maine | Registered: Jun 2004
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posted
Thanks Karen. Yes it's something I'm definitely going to mention to the LLMD. I'm hoping he just doesn't put me on the flagyl at all since that stuff is so god-awful...herx or not.
It seemed like by the time I got that horrid taste out of my mouth it was time for my next dose. lol
Posts: 19 | From San Antonio, TX | Registered: Apr 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Instead of flagyl, many do better with TINDAMAX. Ask if that will do the same thing for you. You will need something in that family to treat the cyst form of lyme but many really do better with tindamax.
Grapefruit seed extract and some enzyme things that I can't spell ... serraptase and lumbrokks something - also can help against the cyst's outer coating.
posted
Thank you and me too...May 20th can't get here soon enough.
Well this should be loads of fun then since I'm already a basket case from depression and (supposed) bi-bolar disorder. Posts: 19 | From San Antonio, TX | Registered: Apr 2009
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
wow, sure sounds like a flagyl herx to me.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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