LymeNet Flash: Are swollen glands a herx sx? HELP?!

This is topic Are swollen glands a herx sx? HELP?! in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/33051

Posted by aliyalex (Member # 6976) on :

I have been on doxy for almost a month. Added rifampin a few days ago. Have swollen neck glands. That is the only symptom I have had besides two 3 day headaches and extreme fatigue, even more extreme than before which was bad. Also had a sore throat for 3 days. Is this progress or am I dying a slow death? (Anybody felt that way before?) Thanks.

Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :

Wow, I've been thinking the same all day. I've had this herx, or assumed it's a herx for 2 weeks now nearly, and for the last week or so with sore throats, and glands that feel sore also.

I don't know the answer, if it can be a herx sx.

I have been thinking it can because it was a symptom I suffered with for years, along with lowgrade temp, which I've also had agin for 2 weeks now.

DLL

Posted by lla2 (Member # 2364) on :

the rifampin is probably killing off bart and producing those sytmoms which are bart symptoms..thats a good thing..hang in there...

Lisa

Posted by aliyalex (Member # 6976) on :

I am so glad to hear you say that. I asked my LLMD to add rifampin because I read in Dr B's protocol he suggested that. After 18 years of thinking I was dying and nothing was going to help, it is good to see some clearing happen. Again, thanks for the encouragement!

Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :

Do you know if other abx or herxes can cause sore glands?

I also have bart, but am not yet being treated for it and sore glands have only been back a week or so during this big herx (or setback).

DLL

Posted by lla2 (Member # 2364) on :

no but if you're treating lyme then the coinfections can come out even stronger in your body, and one major symptom of bartonella is swollen lymph glands...

so it could be while your treating the lyme with other abx, your bart is raging and coming out strong...your lyme probabaly wont' go away totally util you treat your coinfections accoridng to well known llmds IF that's what's going on...need to speak to yours about it...

Lisa

Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :

Thanks Lisa. Just been through the archives too and no wiser as it is only the front of my neck glands and no other glands that are sore.

DLL

Posted by TheCrimeOfLyme (Member # 4019) on :

Swollen lymph nodes in the normal person ( we're not sorry LOL)

Are signs of infection, but for us dingwings, it can be signs

of lyme and bartonella, sometimes candida and Im sure a whole other gamut of fun bacteria, etc.

It CAN come on as a herx ( I also had it with rifampin, my glands got very large)

AND it can also signify something very simple: your lymphatic system is backed up with toxins and you need to get junk out of there.

Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :

Hi COL,

I've just searched the archives because it occured to me that virtually all the sx i've had in 2 weeks are also sx of possibly serum sickness. However, I have been on Bicillin for 3 months and Biaxin for 9 months and whatever sites I've found on serum sickness say that it usually developes from 7-21 days after first exposure to medication.

Dr Bs guidelines also state that herxes can resemble serum sickness.

I just had a CBC drawn yesterday, so I GUESS that if i have serum sickness it will show on blood results, which don't come back until probably Friday.

I've also had 5 Bicillin injections WHILE going through this herx, or whatever-it-is....so if it was serum sickness I would have thought I would have had a serious reaction on the Bicillin since then.

DLL

Posted by aliyalex (Member # 6976) on :

What is serum sickness?

Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :

From what I gather it is a delayed allergic type reaction causing things like, temp.; rash; joint pain; itching, malaise, enlarged lymph nodes.

But, I THINK it's more common in children.

Posted by aliyalex (Member # 6976) on :

That certainly makes things confusing. Some day I would like to run into something that is black and white, like I used to think things were. lol

I guess since it is from adding the rifampin to the doxy that is bart. And I had a 3 day preview of this lymph/throat thing in the 3rd week. Thanks for educating me more tho. -A

Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :

Yes, incredibly confusing it is....

DLL

Posted by TheCrimeOfLyme (Member # 4019) on :

DLL:

Serum sickness reaction and lymph node toxicity are two different things. I think you know that though, BUT it is possible to get SSR on abx. Especially those on long term abx.

I researched SSR before, and you may actually have some odd lab values in the beginning, and they may taper off but you still have SSR reaction.

Then there is just "drug toxicity". Another fun one is "ototoxicity "

It never stops, its always a guessing game with this DD

Posted by kmr5861 (Member # 6924) on :

I had not really paid any attention to the co-infections.

When I was diagnosed with lyme in sept, my lymps under my left arm were swollen and very painfull.

Right now my glands on my left side of my throat is unbearable, the dr gave me zirthamx for a throat.

these drs are ridiculus.

Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :

COL,

No, I didn't know that. In fact, before looking up serum sickness just today I didn't really know anything about its presentation or anything. I only knew I'd read in Dr Bs guidelines that herxes can be similar to serum sickness.

Because I've been in assumed herx pretty bad for 2 weeks with every sx under the sun, I decided to look it up, and I found it very confusing as it sounded just like what i've been going through, and I guess what many of us deal with during treatment.

Is lymph node toxicity something that you get along with all the other symptoms, or does it present on it's own?

Did you at some point think you had serum sickness, or did you just research it anyway? (or did you actually have it?)

DLL

Posted by Sue vG (Member # 3143) on :

Many people also have Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), which causes mono in young adults and a variety of symptoms in adults who contract it at a later age.

The first few times I saw the doc with swollen glands she ran an EBV titer and it was high. I was seeing the doc because my overall lyme sx were worse. Doc said it was more likely a flare in EBV that was bothering me than a flare in the lyme.

Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :

Hi Sue,

How are you doing now? Hope you are better. I guess with a viral flare like EBV (which I was positive for years ago), time is the only thing (i.e.it will get better again with time?).

DLL

Posted by Sue vG (Member # 3143) on :

Hi DLL,

Thanks for asking, I was "cut off" abx in November on the basis of a negative LabCorp test. I still had plenty of sx, but that was how the doc has decided to operate.

I just started up with a new doc who is a couple of hours' drive away (still nothing like your "commute") and have new scrips for abx and she bumped up my thyroid.

I'd compiled a spreadsheet of sx that had intensified and/or returned during those 4 months off abx and it was clear that I was suffering for lack of treatment.
Also got a few new neuro sx.

The old doc did have me get an IgeneX test last month and my IgM was positive, so the old doc also wrote me a scrip. New doc suggested I take them together (zith and mino).

So we'll see. Hope you get your stuff sorted out soon,

Take care,

Sue