I posted here a few months ago while waiting for my appointment with a Lyme doctor. I saw him two weeks ago and he said " no question I have Lyme".
OK ..I started Prevacid for one week and started the antibiotics (Cefuroxime 500mg) once a day five days ago. I was doing well until today. I know I am herxing and I thought I was prepared for this. I'm not.
I feel so sick. I am in so much pain, even my teeth hurt. I feel like I am in slow motion and am so sick to my stomach. What helps?
I can't imagine living a year like this. Next week I am supposed to double the antibiotics....I can't do this. My husband and I own a business and I need to be here and all I want to do is curl up in bed. I fear that my marriage and my business won't survive if I can't improve.
I need some wisdom from all of you that have been through this...please help. My doctors office is closed today, but I am planning on calling him tomorrow and see what he suggests I do. I really liked him and he was very positive when I saw him.
But, maybe I am an idiot, but I never expected to feel this bad. Is this normal? How do you all survive this?
Thanks to all.
Love Mindy
Posts: 12 | From Maine | Registered: Feb 2006
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Lotsa water and if you can bed, also take your probiotics and ibuprophen or I used hyrocodone = vicodin when it was real bad.
There pretty nasty sometimes just hang on.
Usually with me I would ache a couple of days then start really hurting for 2 or 3 more days then they slowly subside when it was real bad I would get the worst headcold symptoms ever {body trying to flush toxins}
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
dontlikeliver
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4749
posted
Dear Mindy,
Don't panic, it may subside quickly. I very much doubt this is how you'll feel for the next year.
I felt very very bad on Flagyl, but only for a few days, and on all my other treatment in the last 2 years, I would say my herxes have been mild. Perhaps I would not have been able to work through them, but they were tolerable.
It can be tough on relationships, the disease itself and the treatment, but hopefully you can get through it together. In this situation, you're damned if you do (herxing, having to rest, affecting relationship) and damned if you don't (sick, having to rest, affecting relationship). But, I'd go for sticking with the treatment. If it gets too unbearable call your LLMD, perhaps another abx can be tried or dose lowered temporarily.
DLL
Posts: 2824 | From The Back of Beyond | Registered: Oct 2003
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Sounds like a good herx you have going! It is really really awful at first, but hold on to the thought that it is only temporary. Herxing is a veritable roller coaster: the way you feel can literally change minute to minute. You will feel fine, then you will feel like you have terrible flu, then you will be in so much pain you can't move...and then you will be fine again! When you are really feeling bad, just remember that it is temporary and the pain and discomfort come from healing. Don't let the herx get unmanageable, but keep in mind that it is part of getting well. Get lots of rest, lots of water, take hot baths, and be good to yourself! It really does get better! Don't get discouraged if it isn't gone in 10 days. It is a journey and the herx is a speed bump along the way.
Good luck!
Posts: 393 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Jun 2005
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Nal
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6801
posted
Definately talk to your dr when you can this week. It totally sounds like you are herxing, but you definately want to make sure you are not having a bad reaction to the medication. Always check with the dr when in doubt!!
If you are herxing, he may suggest you cut down your meds for a while and then go back up again. I know my LMD does this. Hope you get to feeling better again real soon!
Nancy
-------------------- Life is 10% what happens to you, 90% how you respond to it!
-Chuck Swindoll Posts: 1594 | From Colorado | Registered: Jan 2005
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shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436
posted
You've gotten a lot of good advice, mindy. Tell your doc if you feel you can't step up the dosage yet. Drink plenty of water, get plenty of rest. Take your probiotics and vitamins.
The good news is, at least you know it's Lyme!
The better news is, many people report that subsequent herxes are not as bad as the first one. Hopefully, that will be true for you.
Regards, Shaz
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
hang in there, others have given great advice.
Call your llmd just to make sure, plus it will let him know you are herxing which means that you have lyme. he also might want you to decrease the dose.
Also ive been told the first month is the worst and i have to agree with that.
I was not expecting what i got during my first herx...it was tough, but i made it thru. You start developing good coping skills...and you do make it thru.
hang in there.
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
When I first started, my herxing was so bad and continuous that I cut the abx in half and herxed enough on that.
We're all different. Its good to kill the lyme but not to the point where you can't function.
You also might be able to pulse your meds (ask your LLMD) by taking a few days off for a much needed break and then get back on them. When I did that, the herxing wasn't as bad the next time.
-------------------- We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand... and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late. Posts: 221 | From the hills | Registered: Mar 2006
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Mindy, welcome to the board. Normally I post some newbie links, but yesterday I lost most of my programs including my wordperfect processing! disgusting.
So please go to TREEPATOL'S NEWBIE LINKS, print it all off to refer to reguarly. It should address herxing in there.
Also, go to Dr. B's 05 lyme treatment guidelines; print them off. Good luck; it's really tough.
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Thanks so much for the replies and the support. You all helped me so much. I thought I was in pain before...that was nothing compared to yesterday and last nite.
I feel slightly better this morning, but will call my doctor. Again thanks.
Love mindy
Posts: 12 | From Maine | Registered: Feb 2006
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