I took Zithromax for almost a month and have taken Ceftin for 3 weeks.
Week 5 of treatment, I thought I was feeling some better. In the fifth week of treatment, three out of 4 days, I exercised for 20 minutes. One day, in the fifth week I spent about 3 hours outdoors and got extremely hot and fatigued by the heat.
The day after I got so hot, I had a MAJOR setback. In the sixth week of treatment I've been sicker than I have ever been since my illness started a year ago.
I have abdominal pain which I think is nerve pain. It's always been uncomfortable, but this past week it's been downright painful. My ribs hurt and I seem to be having some difficulty breathing. And, I feel incredibly weak. I can barely get up and walk around. When I do walk around, I feel much sicker.
Is it normal after you've started antibiotic treatment to become sicker with Lyme than you ever have been before?
Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :
I think it is safe to say this can be the norm. The antibiotics are killing off the lyme. This can lead to a lot of toxins in your system.
You MUST detox in whatever way or form you have available to release the toxins out of your system. These are usually why you feel so bad.
If you have the money, I recommend an infrared sauna, or some way to release the toxins. Do a search on this forum for detox methods and there should be a TON of threads.
I have had really good luck with a sauna. Not only has it helped me regulate body temperature and sweat again, but it also helps me release the toxins that Lyme is responsible for. I used to be VERY intolerable of heat, and could not sweat no matter what. Much better now..
Hope this help Fuel
Posted by IckyTicky (Member # 21466) on :
I agree. I got lots worse before I started getting better.
Heat and I do not seem to get along well either. Although I'm doing better with it than I was.
Are you detoxing? Sweating enough and drinking plenty of water?
Did you get bitten in TN? I am from there...and was bitten there.
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
Also, be careful to not over exert yourself...that can cause set backs (I'm talking to myself here as much as to you).
Best, Timaca
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
You can also expect to have monthly flares of symptoms while treating borellia. Mine always coincided with the full moon. These flares help you to gauge your progress with borellia.
You probably have co-infections that the abx you are on is not addressing. There are overlapping symptoms but some are specific to individual infections. The co-infections flare differently and are harder for me to figure out. After treating borellia for awhile you and your LLMD will be more aware of symptoms that might be co-infections and need different meds.
Hang in there. It is a marathon, not a sprint. 6 weeks is a very short time. I treated borellia first and was feeling much better in about 3 months. But then I declined again, not realizing it was bart which is why the abx I was using for borellia did not work any more.
I believe recognizing infections and treating them all early is key to successful treatment.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Marathon I agree. But so worth it..Keep up the good work...
Posted by Mindy159 (Member # 31149) on :
Lemon water helps me detox.
I have a difficult time breathing when it's humid, plus, it knocks me out (really tired & humid today).
I can't do much outside anymore (I used to go on walks & outdoor shopping). I noticed it is harder for me to be outside as my treatment progresses (I feel and look really sick). I think it's the humidity. My doc is treating me for babesia too (air hunger).
Just keep plugging along and try water with lemon in it (it really helps). Plus, you have to drink a lot more water than you used to when you have lyme.
Posted by pooldog71 (Member # 21722) on :
Tennessee
Unfortunately, it does happen quite often. Are you seeing an LLMD? In any case you might want to discuss the breathing issue with your doctor.
I feel for you and want you to know that most of us had similar experiences that were also miserable at times. I guess it is part of the process that we must go through to get to the next step.
I have learned that this disease is very individual and is a bit different for everyone. As Nefferdun pointed out that you will probably have monthly flares of symptoms while treating borellia. For many people these flares are every 4 weeks. But not for everyone, in fact during 1 1/2 years of treatment, my flares are unpredictable and I do not know when they will come. The important point is that we are all a little different in how our symptoms affect us.
For me this was pretty scary at first, but I have adapted and try to appreciate each nice moment, hour and day that I have. And the good news for me is that the good days have been happening more often. But if you are going thru something that doesn't seem right, ask your doctor and/or ask here.
There are a lot of good ideas above, drinking lots of water (especially with lemon) is a key component to my doc. Detoxing is very important, and with many different methods. Another couple that helped me, were parsley drops and epsom salt baths. Parsley drops at 10 per every ten minutes for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, helps me when I have that crummy feeling all over. A hot Epsom salt bath can help you feel better and help to relax. Try a drop or 2 of peppermint oil, it is especially nice and adds some aromatherapy to the process.
Create a list of resources and remedies that you can call on when especially needed. I am glad you have found this forum, and I hope that for you, like me, find this to be a great resource.
Hope you are feeling better...
Posted by lada (Member # 32618) on :
Good post pool dog I agree with all you said. I drink a Tom of lemon water and I also add peppermint to my baths. Both so helpful.