posted
Can supplements cause herxing? A few days ago I started taking the supplements recommended by my LLMD and last night I woke up drenched in sweat,my eyes hurting like someone was trying to push them out from the inside, body aches, and severe headache.
I have not yet started my antibiotic treatment so I'm not familiar with herxing. Does this sound like what could be happening?
-------------------- My comments on this site are not intended to be taken as medical advice as I'm not a physician. Posts: 206 | From Georgia | Registered: Dec 2008
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Yes depending on the supplements. What supplements are you taking?
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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I'm taking the following: CoenzymeQ10 Alpha Lipoic Acid N Acetyl L Cysteine Glutamine Paleomeal Probiotic
I added them slowly over a few days until I was eventually taking them all. I have been taking them all for 3 days now.
-------------------- My comments on this site are not intended to be taken as medical advice as I'm not a physician. Posts: 206 | From Georgia | Registered: Dec 2008
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
ugagal, Several things that you are taking could be causing die-off and/or cleansing reactions.
The paleomeal is a whey powder. According to the info on paleomeal, it is an antifungal and boosts the immune system. Whey has also been shown to increase glutathione. Glutathione can increase detoxification. Many with chronic lyme probably have depleted glutathione so once your body gets it, detoxification of long held toxins may be initiated.
NAC boosts glutathione. Alpha lipoic acid is a metal chelator but does a lot of other things too. You may need something on board to bind heavy metals since both NAC and ALA may chelate them.
Probiotics will help re-balance your gut flora. If they are out of whack (and they often are in people who are sick), you may have a die off of the bad bacteria which can make you feel sick.
You may need to back down on dosage if you get really sick from the supplements but you should call your doctor and ask for advice.
Terry I'm not a doctor
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Did you start these all at once, at the max dose?
Many lyme patients are very sensitive and - through trial and error - have found that it's best to begin a supplement alone - at low dose and then wait a day or several before introducing another one.
NAC can cause some "die-off" reactions but it is probably the most important supplement from the standpoint of its ability to protect the liver from meds you will taking soon.
Glutamine can be very tricky. Just the right amount can coat the stomach. But too much can create anxiety as it can convert to glutamic acid and too much for lyme patients can cause neuro over-excitability. You might cut down on that and see if that helps.
CoQ 10 can also be a bit stimulating.
I hope by backing up and taking it slowly that this will work out for you. Good luck.
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You can read more about some of these support measures in this book, by an ILADS member LLMD:
posted
Thanks Terry and Keebler for the information and advice. My LLMD just told me to start taking them but he did not give me a specific schedule to follow regarding ramping up or when to start each one.
I did try to start slowly by introducing one or two per day until I was taking all of them daily. I think I will back off a bit and try again as I'm not sure my body is doing a good job of handling all the supplements at once. (as evidenced by the terrible eye pain/pressure and body aches I'm experiencing)
Terry mentioned possibly adding something which binds heavy metals....any suggestions? I realize that you all are not doctors but I also realize that many of you have very valuable experiences from which I can learn. This is all so new to me.
-------------------- My comments on this site are not intended to be taken as medical advice as I'm not a physician. Posts: 206 | From Georgia | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
I ordered the Lyme Disease Solution Book Keebler! Thanks for the recommendation.
-------------------- My comments on this site are not intended to be taken as medical advice as I'm not a physician. Posts: 206 | From Georgia | Registered: Dec 2008
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luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
ugagal,
When I first began NAC, I followed the instructions on the bottle which was 3 a day. That was 1800mg and I herxed badly. My doctor said "too much detox. back down to 1 a day" I did and things calmed down.
I also take chlorella now which binds the metals in the gut and carries them on out the body. Chlorella added to your regime should help.
When you first begin supplements, you may have big reactions and they can feel like things are getting worse, but really the body is beginning to expel the offenders. You do need to be careful not to approach it to strong.
Slow and steady over a long period of time (did I mention l-o-n-g) is much better than Fast and Furious which can get you into a heap of trouble.
Good luck.
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
Thanks Luvs@ride. I think you are right and my approach to starting the supplements was toooo aggressive for my system! I will check with my LLMD and see if he thinks it would be ok to add chlorella to the supplement plan.
I have had days in the past where the Lyme would make me feel bad, but this feeling is different. The supplements seem to be making me feel like I've been run over by a mack truck.
-------------------- My comments on this site are not intended to be taken as medical advice as I'm not a physician. Posts: 206 | From Georgia | Registered: Dec 2008
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