posted
I am currently taking new abx for a persistent lyme infection and believe to be experiencing a "herx"--muscle spasms, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, back ache, joint pain, tingling, etc.
For those who have had lymph node involvement:
Can you describe the pain? (Mine feels like a burning type of pain--sometimes achy)
Did all of the nodes/areas become swollen at once or did you experience a progression of lymph swelling/pain in different areas?
Did the swelling/pain persist all day, or was it worse at certain times?
What made them feel better?
Many thanks!
Posts: 29 | From Valley Forge, PA | Registered: Jan 2006
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Hey diddle diddle..
Too many questions for me tonight.. VERY tired .. sorry.
But.. a warm wet wash cloth (wet heating pad-but NOT electric) laid gently over the site of swollen nodes seems to help me. DON'T overdue it!!!
Drink a TON of water.. with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Hope others respond... and you feel better soon!!!
david1097
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3662
posted
In my initial treatment (iv) the lymph nodes on myhead where EXTREMELY PAINFUL. Even coming close to them with your hand would hurt. Could not even put my head on a pillow.
This lasted for about 4 days then slowly cleared up.
That was then.
Subsequent to that I have had periodically mildly painful lymph nodes along with fever. These would come and go on the symptom flare cycle. usually lasting a few days each cycle.
What helped in the past?.... Nothing.
At present this no longer happens .
Has your Dr considered bartonella infection? The lymph node thing is common with that co-infection, and also a cause of persistent Lyme.
Bascially the lymph nodes are clearing out the bacteria fragments that the anitibiotics are killing so it is a good sign.
Posts: 1184 | From north america | Registered: Feb 2003
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I did do 5 weeks of doxy but one side of my neck or rather the lymp node it driving me crazy.It will be terribly achy and I will be to the point of going to the doctor and then it will stop. Then start up again.
Aso am having night sweats.That could be my age ( 43 ) but I never had these before.
Does this sound familar? I was going to post this question myself.
-------------------- Trina Posts: 64 | From Mo. | Registered: May 2006
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lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
Trina,
The night sweats can definitely be a part of Lyme.
When I was still without a dx my gyn ran some tests and determined my night sweats were not due to hormone changes, so tried to pass it back my my endo, who completely dropped the ball.
At least my gyn believed I was physically ill. He was the only doc at the time that did.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
trina, that's exactly what i get. one sided (left), along my jaw, right in front of my ear and down the side of my neck. feels achy and heavy, and if i bounce on a chiropractic ball or trampoline, i can feel the edema that has gathered.
if it's really bad, i can feel it near my inner elbows (where other lymph nodes reside) or under the arm.
i've found the bouncing as well as lymph drainage massage helpful (if expensive) as well as herbs like red root and poke root (the latter is potentially toxic and must be used under a practitioner's care). lymph brushing with a soft bristle brush, in small circles, lightly, toward the heart helps get it moving too. if all else fails, i take a vicodin, which helps the pain.
oh and for those interested in lymph, here's a great diagram of how the lymph system operates:
I've been doing 15 minute sessions in our gym's dry sauna, as well as taking epsom salt soaks in the tub every few days.
Also, thanks to others' recommendations, I used a heating pad on the areas that hurt the most. If you're able to do some light excercise, that seems to help as well.
The lymph swelling has gone down considerably, and the pain almost vanished--except for the nagging jaw pain.
Posts: 29 | From Valley Forge, PA | Registered: Jan 2006
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Beverly
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 1271
posted
Hi bp,
After I was bitten in 2001, the lymph nodes in my arm pitts became very swollen, so bad I could not sleep on my side. (felt like rocks) I don't remember burning pain?
I had progression of lymph swelling and pain in different areas. It persist for a while, it got better for me with treatment.
I sometimes still get this but not nearly as bad as it was, hope this helps.
Posts: 6638 | From Michigan | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
I got a call from my sis who is a PA and she wants me to see an Infectious disease doctor as soon as possible.
I called and found only one who is taking new patients.After she asked what my problem was and I told her... got lyme in may. Took 5 weeks of doxy and now I am extremly tired, feel real sick, swollen lymp nodes , night sweats, stiff neck ect.. she said well... their is only one doctor in the group taking new patients and the nurse will have to call you back.. nurse never called back.
You would think my money would be as good as the next persons wouldn't you? I mean we have good insurance and no outstanding medical bills.
What the heck is this all about? I will call back,
She said new patients take such a long time ! I could say the same about their office calls.
-------------------- Trina Posts: 64 | From Mo. | Registered: May 2006
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JimBoB
Unregistered
posted
quote:Originally posted by VEE VEE: Start working on detoxing and draining those lymph nodes.
And I will add do it POST HASTE>
I had severe swelling and pain, not burning, of my lymphs under the jaw last week, along with other more severe symptoms; because I took a VERY strong herb that I was not used to and was already on so many, that I had a gigantic over load of toxins.
I stopped the herb, Coptis, immediately. Then a couple days later stopped almost ALL my herbs, especially the anti spirochetal ones, and doubled up my Red Root tincture and kept taking the Milk Thistele too.
It is MORE important to CLEAR your Lymph system, which includes, your lymph nodes, liver, spleen, tonsils, etc., than taking the abx. THIS is true whether taking the abx OR herbs, or any other alternative that kills off Lyme and it's co-infections.
It is NOT good to herx HEAVY. Too hard on your system parts. The bugs didn't build up overnight, you won't get rid of all of them overnight, either. Go slow, cleanse, cleanse, cleanse, and keep your organs so you will have them yet when you get rid of the bad bugs.
Two popular lymph system cleansers are Red Root tincture and Milk Thistle.
I can see WHY you people who experience this are scared. I sure was, and I have been at this awhile now. Taught me a lesson to take it ALL more seriously. We MUST learn ALL we can to improve our health, AND live through the cures.
kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
Thanks, JimBob. So you believe the lymph swelling while on abx is a toxin overload? I'm going to have my daughter take a break for a couple of days and do nothing but cleanse.
She is good about doing something every day to keep things moving along, but we need to get rid of the droppings of the bacteria before we kill some more.
Her lymph glands have been swollen and painful and her stomach is a bit nauseated. She is sweating, sweating, sweating (not just a symptom of babs, bartonella is a big culprit), she is up all night peeing. So, I'm thinking her kidneys are overloaded.
Cleansing weekend coming up!
Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006
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GiGi
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 259
posted
Lymph stagnation is easily controlled with Lymphdiaral from Heel in NM that you can take by drops whenever necessary. It's super important to keep the lymph draining out the toxins and to support takeup of nutrients. Once you feel the bumps (swollen lymph glands), your body feels pretty sad. I took it throughout the whole disease.
Take care.
Posts: 9834 | From Washington State | Registered: Oct 2000
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
BUMP!
Lymph Drainage. Let's talk about it people.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Are there Herbs I can take?
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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lightparfait
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22022
posted
Recommend first: hydration with electrolytes(minerals and water)
Take the lymph drainage products from Heel or Pekana's Big Three detox.
Exercise...walk or rebounder.
Lymph massage and dry brushing pre shower.
Far Infrared Sauna
Then there is always liver support and binders to add if needed to remove what is being released.
Posts: 1009 | From NJ | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
The lymph nodes in my head and neck, and even my inner elbow and armpit, are on and off swollen and sore, have been from the beginning-varies throughout the day. Drinking lots of water seems to help. Then, a new one, some gland surrounding my voice box swelled up as well.
This worsened when I was on Augmentin brifely for treatment of a presumed lower respiratory infedtion
The good news-if lymph nodes are swollen but painful, that is rarely a sign of a cancer, but rather is almost always an infectious process-so don't let some non-LLMD convince you that it is probably a Hem-Onc issue!
I am relieved to hear that many others have experienced the gland swelling.
Forgot to mention-I also had a swollen lymph glad in my abdomen per a CT scan....now I am wondering if the rib pain many of us experience is related to swollen glands in our abdomen?
Posts: 283 | From where the ticks are! | Registered: Oct 2009
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