Keep reading...Herxing is explained in the Links to New LymeNEt members.

A herxheimer reaction happens as the bacteria dies off, thus actually making you feel worse before better. That way you CAN tell that it is working.

Oh, and BTW, if you are taking antibiotics, then, yes, it is working. If you were seeing an LLMD he or she would be neglect in not telling you this. They should tell you could and most probably have this reaction. I suppose your GP did not tell you about this reaction, huh?

Be sure and read and re-read the Links for new lymnet members that has been given to you, ok?

Another reason to be seeing someone who knows the complexities of this most complicated disease. Glad, though, that you do have an appt with one.

rosemary

Editing to add, that every one is different to their responses to abx...different bacteria load, different duration of having the disease, etc.

If you were bit at the exact same time (impossible) by the exact same tick as someone else and got treatment at the exact same time, you both can have a different response!!!

Why? One reason is that you both do not have the same immune system nor the same immune response. So, I don't believe that anyone should be telling anyone when they
will feel better....everyone is different.

Please hit that

Enter key, TWICE

every now and again so as to give us some white space making it easiey for us to read, thanks.

You can drink water , take baths ( if you can with the IV) to try to get the toxins out.

Herx=death of the spirochetes=toxins=inflammation=symptoms. OUCH

Massages, anything that helps.

Things can get pretty tough in the beginning of treatment.

Everything just seems to get weird.

You feel like you're going backwards, but you're really not.

That initial bacterial die-off is not fun.

You may have already researched this thoroughly, but if it's new information for you, I hope it will help make sense about some of your symptoms.

(Sorry if this is a repeat.)

Your meds Rocephin & Flagyl both affect the brain. They penetrate the blood brain barrier (BBB). The BBB usually keeps bacteria & other bad things from reaching the brain.

That's why symptoms feel 100 times more exaggerated. The meds hit those nerves & ouch. You feel everything intensify.

When you add Flagyl to the mix, it's especially hard on the nerves & liver too.

It affects the central nevous system so some folks get really achey on it.

Yes, it's a cyst buster, but it's also anti-fungal and anti-parasitic, so it alone packs a punch.

Rocephin penetrates the brain readily & Doxycycline penetrates the BBB in large enough doses.

Also, you mentioned difficulty swallowing...,

This is strictly my amateur opinion, but sounds like the meds are affecting your cranial nerves & making it diffult to swallow.

You'd have to verify that with your physician.

But from what I just read, difficulty swallowing can be affected by the 10th Cranial nerve (vagus nerve).

I hate to throw things at you to read when you feel bad, but you can print this article out & read it on a good day.

The article talks about how Lyme affects the cranial nerves in detail -----quite fascinating.

When to Suspect Lyme by John D. Bleiweiss,MD

http://cassia.org/essay.htm

I have neuro problems so this article was especially intriguing to me.

Another article-----really a symptom chart shows how Lyme affects every organ system of the body. It also lists citations.

I refer to this time & again.

It's in pdf file form so it's easiest to print out & have on hand to refer to later.

Click on the link. You'll need to scroll down the page to SYMPTOMS & click.

Lyme Disease Symptoms & Characteristics

http://www.lymeinfo.net/lymefiles.html

The last printout below was sent to all local support group members. Sorry, it doesn't show an author------I just hate that.

Disregard the title----it's for anyone with Lyme.

What it looks like to me is a handbook for new Lyme patients just starting treatment.

Be assured I do not agree with everything in the article.

Especially the part about pain.....heck, if I'm in pain, then I takek something for pain.

Anway, it's just some background reading; kind of encouragement for new patients & to let them know what to expect with treatment.

Also, disregard the medical advice, because that's simply between you & your physician.

I thought a lot of it was helpful------doesn't mean it's all technically correct though!

Patient Information

http://www.angelfire.com/me2/StarShar/Herx1.html

These 3 articles are not to overwhelm you while you're feeling horrible.

We just want to show in a tangible way that we are concerned for you & will try to help provide information, as you wish.

If you're having a tough day today-----just print it out on another day.

I think they're all good reference materials.

Hope you have a good day today.

Tell us how we can help.

Take Care,
Mama Jan from Texas

[This message has been edited by RECIPEGIRL (edited 22 September 2004).]