posted
I started worrying after reading the thread below about "overtreatment." I started treatment in September for Lyme, babesia, bartonella and HHV6. I'm on omnicef 2x per day, zithromax per day, roceferin per day and added artemsia on last Saturday. Last Monday I started running a fever, chills, sweats and a raging headache/tooth/jaw pain. This has continued on for the most part every day for almost a whole week now. Its hard to sleep with the fever/sweats/chills. Some parts of the day I feel ok but mostly, I feel horrendous! I've never been this sick before. I've missed a whole week of work!
At first I thought it could be a herx from the artemsia....but wouldn't that be done by now? This just continues on and on and on! If I even think about taking an antibiotic right now I feel like puking! I can hardly stand to take these drugs anymore. Is this herxing and how do I know? My doctor said it is but I can hardly believe it can continue for so long.
** edited to remove dosages, please see Loub's thread at the top of medical questions for terms of use **
-------------------- Ang Posts: 16 | From iowa | Registered: Nov 2010
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
In most cases treatment needs to continue until symptoms are resolved and then for a few months after that otherwise a relapse is likely. I've seen it many many times over the years that I've been here.
I don't know your full history and can't begin to guess whether your response is reasonable. That would be a question for your doctor.
I can tell you that I herxed non-stop for the first 2 years of treatment. I still have a lot of symptoms but continue to improve. When I go off treatment, symptoms start to come back. I had and still have a high pathogen load because I was sick for a long time before treatment.
The meds you are on seem typical for a chronic lyme patient.
Your best bet is to go to the newbie section and start reading so that you can have a better understanding of the issues.
From what I've seen, it is unusual to only need a few months of treatment. Most need long term treatment with multiple drugs and supplements. Not what I wanted to hear when I was researchng this either but that does seem to be the norm for most people.
Terry I'm not a doctor
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
I'm like Terry.. I herxed for AT LEAST a year and I would truthfully say two years. Day after day. It just got worse every 3-5 wk cycle but was bad every day.
If you just began treatment I sure wouldn't stop now. You're killing the keets!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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lululymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26405
posted
Did you introduce the meds one at a time? It's always best to do that to see if you have any drug reaction.
Bartonella henselae 1:100 Posts: 2027 | From British Columbia | Registered: Jun 2010
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BoxerMom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25251
posted
Your symptoms sound like a classic herx. Most people don't herx at that level for very long. And most feel symptom relief after a big herx like that.
Please keep going. I know it's scary. But you will not regret it when you feel good every day. It just takes a while to get there.
posted
Yes, I did introduce one at a time for a couple weeks per med. I just don't know how much longer this can go on! Last night my fever was 101 again and I was just miserable all night and didn't sleep. Sweats/chills etc. I start to worry that my immune system is having some weird reaction. This has been 7 days in a row! I can't imagine doing this for 2 years! I was less sick before I started this--at least I could go to work! I hope something eases up soon cuz I have 4 young kids and just really haven't been able to parent all week.
-------------------- Ang Posts: 16 | From iowa | Registered: Nov 2010
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posted
Ang, maybe you should call your doctor and ask if yu can reduce yourdosage? Also, it is VERY important to work on your detox and liver support!
Posts: 723 | From Montreal | Registered: Oct 2010
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