posted
Is it normal to have new symptoms after starting ABX treatment?
Most of my symptoms have been neuro, but today, my right knee has been killing me. I'm not wanting NEW symptoms.
Sorry for all the questions. There is a steep learning curve that I'm trying to get through.
It's really hard to know what pain is good and what pain is bad and not to panic at every new or old pain.
Posts: 798 | From Cincinnati, OH | Registered: Jul 2016
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Yes, it is normal. This is the herxheimer reaction. You can get new symptoms as soon as you start treatment and any time you change your treatment--new medications with a new killing profile.
Hopefully, the new symptoms are going to leave within a week.
Current symptoms can also worsen with a herxheimer reaction.
Drink plenty of water with fresh lemons squeezed into it. Drink this all day long. Water flushes out everything and lemons are God's natural cleansers of the body (to get rid of the dead germs). People are amazed at how well this works.
If that doesn't help you through the herx, try Alka Seltzer Gold (no aluminum in that one) with lemon squeezed into the water. You can take that at least 3 times per day.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- HW, if (as you say) you "panic" at every new or old pain, you will be worn out by 3:22 pm, ET tomorrow.
So, know that all bets are off and that you have surfers in your body catching these "waves" of whatever they are and doing flips here and there and then they will move on. So to speak.
You might try to adjust the dial on the pain, down to various levels of dismay and try for just perturbed awareness with a good breathe and know that it will pass (hard to say when, though - could be an hour, a day or a week or more).
And when it passes, the "surfers" will move on to another joint most likely. It's a body wave, in a way. You may find more amusing analogies, though.
As for knee pain, be sure to always wear sturdy shoes, even around the house. Proper arch support to them. You might get a pair of "dedicated" supportive low back clogs for in house use if you are used to going barefoot.
They need to have some sort of back to them, though so your foot comes down the same each time.
Be sure you are mindful as to your walking, sitting, moving so that your full frame is in good alignment.
Self massage can help, just don't dig around at tender points. Tender Loving Care helps. If you have access to a massage therapist who is lyme literate (or works with fibromyalgia or CFS) that can help a lot.
Yogo, gentle pilates, Qigong, too. But no over stretching. Gentle is key. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
Keebler, I laughed out loud, literally. I will we worn out by 3:22 if I panic at each pain. HA HA
Thanks for all the links Keebler, I'm trying to read everything. It's just a lot to wade through for my eyeballs! Slowly I'll get there.
Hugs, my supportive friends!
Posts: 798 | From Cincinnati, OH | Registered: Jul 2016
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- Glad laughter was sparked for you. I missed the "comedienne" gene that I so coveted. Here and there, in this "Twilight Zone" it's nice to have a laugh or two. When that's not possible, you will likely find that an acute appreciation of irony can help you roll with the punches.
And, for balance, always an appreciation of beauty & art, where ever and however one might find it - or seek it out. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- As for "a lot to sort through" - the two basics are magnesium and milk thistle. Get those on board and then you can wade through the rest. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
HW said.. "Is it normal to have new symptoms after starting ABX treatment?"
No. What you are experiencing is compliments of Louie the Lyme Monster.
Louie hangs out in your body- after being originally transmitted to you by Tiny the Tick Monster.
Louie does not like people to think Lyme is only this symptom or that- you know, like the IDSA/CDC flunkies and their friends do.
He prides himself on his ability to make a BIG splash in his new home and spends time in every room big or small.
Louie also despises antibiotics. When he detects them he literally blows his top! It's like a HUGE explosion!
But, like all explosions, Louie will eventually calm down and then run to find other traces of antibiotics and again, he blows his top!
We don't call this a herx. It is more like a 4th of July fireworks display.
So celebrate dear HW, cause Louie is losing his umph with every firecracker that you feel!
quote:Originally posted by Keebler: - HW, if (as you say) you "panic" at every new or old pain, you will be worn out by 3:22 pm, ET tomorrow. -
So at 3:23 pm, ET you can start preparing a really nice Epsom salt bath with some relaxing music on to enjoy...
Tincup, you should write and illustrate a children's Lyme book! Actually, for that matter, an adult Lyme comic book would be fine, too...
Btw, HW, I'm taking turmeric powder and it's greatly reducing inflamational pain in joints and muscles. I get it in bulk at the health food store and dip empty 00-size capsules into it and take a couple a day.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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me
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 45475
posted
Expect all sorts of new and weird symptoms when you start or increase a med. it's analogous to chemo: You get sicker before you get better.
I know it's scary. But it means the meds are killing off the "buggers."
Some people herx right away after starting a new med, some after a few days, some after a week. Basically, Lyme is an unpredictable beast, but there is definitely hope.
-------------------- Just sharing my experiences, opinions, and what I've read and learned. Not medical advice. Posts: 1431 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2015
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Robin3957836458274749272...
You said.. "Tincup, you should write and illustrate a children's Lyme book! Actually, for that matter, an adult Lyme comic book would be fine, too..."
I think YOU should. You have a rare quality of putting things into good words.
See! I can't even say that proper like. You have an excellent imagination and it would be nice to see you do a project like that. But, ONLY for fun!
Theodor Seuss Geisel, once out your way in California, whose first book was rejected over 20 times by various publishers, eventually charmed children world wide and became my favorite author of all times.
Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Funny you!
That sounds about as fun as eating raw clams and muscles, shells and all, that I dug out of the sand with my lower jaw from a low tidal section on dead fish beach.
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