posted
Every time I start a new ABX - especially when I start one of the big guns - I dread the herx reaction. And, although the reactions can be bad, I'm noticing something: the reactions are always accompanied by a feeling of being more "normal", healthy, and getting better.
So, while they suck, I always look back to before the reactions and say "wow, I was really bad off, I'm so much better now." Anyway, maybe a word of encouragement for some of you!
:-)
Posts: 641 | From Nevada | Registered: May 2009
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BoxerMom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25251
posted
I feel the exact same way. When I'm ramping up a new program of antibiotics, I'm always feeling kind of blah. When I hit my "cruising altitude" of full doses, I'm herxing, but I feel pretty good underneath the herx.
posted
The interesting question is - when at "cruising altitude" is the antibiotic still doing anything good or has its goodness already been used up? In a few of the books I've read, I think "Top 10 lyme Treatments" it says that antibiotics lose their effectiveness after the herx is over.
Posts: 641 | From Nevada | Registered: May 2009
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BoxerMom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25251
posted
My "cruising altitude" is when I've ramped up to all my meds at the dosages I can handle. That happens pretty quickly after a med change. I herx at crusing altitude, but I also feel weirdly better, and many of my symptoms even improve. (The ones that don't get worse, that is.)
I call the time when I'm no longer herxing on a combo a "plateau." That's when I change meds. I feel good, but I'm no longer herxing.
For me, I need to feel the antibiotics working, and that means herxing. For some, they would rather just feel better. There are endless debates about bacteriostatic vs. bacteriocidal levels of abx. "Low and slow" vs. "going nuclear." And everything in between.
But the fact is, everyone is different. Some do better with lower doses, some with pulsing, some with frequent changes...
Knowing how your body responds and how you make progress is key to getting well.
posted
Every time I herx, I just tell myself that the antibiotics are doing their job and killing off the little buggies.
Good stuff!
I just up my fluid/lemon juice intake, watch my carbs, eliminate as much sugar as I can (tests have proven that bacteria breed faster in a glucose rich environment)do as much as I can to detox and hang on for dear life knowing that this too shall pass.
Each time I herx, it is a little less "painful".
Seems logical that the bacteria are being killed off more with each emergence cycle.
I followed this course until I stopped herxing.
It took over a year but I did get there.
Hang in there.
We all know what you are going through and know how you are suffering with the herxing.
You are not alone.
-------------------- Why don't they make Front Line for humans? Think about it! Posts: 78 | From North Eastern Missouri | Registered: Oct 2009
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fflutterby
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28081
posted
I love this post, it is so encouraging. Thank you dan67, BoxerMom and Nemo. I am pushing through this to get to the other side. I am already nine months into this. Been through some rough herxing that I survived and I will get through this one too. One step closer to feeling good !
-------------------- Psalm 46 1 God is our refuge and strength Posts: 1367 | From North Jersey | Registered: Sep 2010
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posted
It is hard to imagine these bugs are so strong. I mean, strep throat dies in 5 days of one antibiotics but Lyme and company keeps going after months of combos. I keep herxing and it feels like it will never end. I am hoping for the end.
On that note one thing I've seen that DOES NOT work is to stay on a combo once you feel good and stop herxing. While you might think you are better, and enjoy life a bit, really, if you aren't herxing, its a waste of time. Every time I do this I end up back sliding and losing time. My motto now is similar to boxermom - I switch ABX when I plateau. Herxing must be happening or I'm moving on. Of course when all the bugs are gone then no herxing - my point is simply that if any combo DOES make you herx, you should be on that combo not something that doesn't. Just my 2 cents.
Posts: 641 | From Nevada | Registered: May 2009
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fflutterby
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28081
posted
I agree with you Dan
-------------------- Psalm 46 1 God is our refuge and strength Posts: 1367 | From North Jersey | Registered: Sep 2010
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