posted
First of all THANK YOU to everyone who has responded to my questions. What an invaluable service and community!
Long/short. I have a bone condition and have metal rods in my hips and femurs. About a month ago I went to the Orthopedist because I was having the WORST hip pain I have ever had. I was collapsing and couldn't walk. He did a blood test and my C-Reactive P was 22 (normal 0-4). With the other results he told me that I had Lyme. I have been on Doxy for about a week.
Anyhow, my hip pain has gotten worse (he was concerned that I may have an infection). Now I have a whole host of symptoms and I don't know if it's Lyme or herx.
buzzzzzzzzing in my head
ear infection that won't go away
it feels like someone is randomly sticking me with pins on various parts of my body
hard to take a deep breath
lightheadedness
thirsty!
feel like there's a film in my mouth.
heartburn
pain when I swallow food
I felt better when I was having yogurt, but I was told not to take dairy products with the Doxy.
Any advice for a very uncomfortable guy?
Thanks in advance.
Posts: 12 | From Spring Valley, NY | Registered: Feb 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Did you find a LLMD or is the doxy from your GP?
Are you on liver support such as Milk Thistle?
Magnesium, Fish oil and Turmeric/Curcumin?
These were probably mentioned in the set of links from your earlier postings - along with the Nutritional Supplement List from Burrascano. This set is invaluable in preventing and managing a herx.
I should have stated that the Doxy is from my Orthopedist. I have a LLMD appt on Wednesday. I have been taking most of Burrascano's supplements including fish oil (not all the brands he suggested but its a start).
Couldn't find magnesium, plus I'm on a water pill so I don't know if thats okay.
So is this a herx or the Doxy?
What is DGL?
Thanks,
TV
Posts: 12 | From Spring Valley, NY | Registered: Feb 2010
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posted
You don't have to totally stop dairy, just don't have it near when you take your Doxy. It slows / interfers with absorption of Doxy but Doxy is almost totally absorbed in the blood stream after 3-4 hours. You could take your Doxy in the morning and have yogurt at lunch.
Linda
[Source for Doxy absorption time: Welling et al. 1977. Bioavailablility of Tetracycline and Doxycycline in Fasted and Nonfasted Subjects. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy:11(3). 462-469.]
Posts: 24 | From New Jersey | Registered: Aug 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- On a "water pill" - you might read the Rx info. on that to be sure it does not contraindicated with doxy or visa versa - of if your doctor and pharmacist both knew you are taking both, that is helpful.
The water pill could also be dropping your blood volume, so be sure to still drink LOTS of water. You may actually have to drink more to replace the fluid being pulled out with the diuretic. More water is needed to help flush out the die-off from the lyme.
It's probably a herx, to be expected but still a rough ride. Anytime the lyme spirochetes are irritated they make more toxins and the die-off from those that are affected also over load the liver and kidneys.
Be sure to avoid vicodin if your ears ring. That is very toxic to ears. You did not say that you are taking it, but just in case. Tylenol is hard on the liver and Ibuprofen hard on the kidneys so I hope you can avoid those.
If you have some Tumeric in your spice jar in the kitchen, you might take out a little, mix with water and just drink it. Chase with clear water, then to rinse it all down. Follow with just a little food.
I'd say just 1/4 teaspoon at first and then talk to your LLMD on Wednesday.
Glad to see you've got an appt. set up soon. Take care. ------------
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice, also known as de-glycyrrhizinated licorice, or commonly referred to by the acronym DGL, is typically used as an herbal supplement in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers. It is made from licorice from which the glycyrrhizin has been removed.
The usual dosage is 760 mg, chewed, 20 minutes before a meal. Studies of DGL in humans and animals against placebos showed that DGL significantly reduced the size of gastric ulcers and hastened healing, with 44% of the subjects obtaining complete healing, as opposed to 6% of the control group.
DGL has also been found to be an effective treatment for duodenal ulcers. In another study a group of 40 patients who had duodenal ulcers for 4-12 years were treated with 3 grams of DGL a day for 8 weeks, or 4.5 grams a day for 12 weeks, with all subjects showing vast improvement, with the higher dosage being the most significant.
An additional study shows that DGL's therapeutic effect is equal to the effect of cimetidine (Tagamet). . . .
. . . There are no known drug interactions with drugs used to treat ulcers. In Europe, South Africa, and Canada, DGL is marketed in a medicinal preparation called Caved-S. In the U.S., DGL is marketed as a herbal supplement.
DGL has also been reported to help treat aphthous ulcers (canker sores).[1]
WHAT IT DOES: Licorice root is sweet in taste and cooling in action. It detoxifies poisons from the blood and liver, and reduces general inflammation and pain.
It moistens and heals the lungs and digestive tract.
Excerpt:
. . . Almost 50 years ago, a scientist by the name of Revers reported that licorice paste reduced abdominal symptoms and caused radiographic evidence of ulcer healing.
However, about 20% of patients developed edema, headache and other symptoms due to overdose, leading to a loss of enthusiasm (Schambelan, 1994).
This led to the development of DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice), a form of licorice that does not contain the agents responsible for the side effects such as electrolyte changes.
The de-acidified DGL tablet or capsule form used in Europe and America is therefore devoid of any major side effects, and is effective for healing the intestinal membranes. . . .
- Full chapter at link above.
-=============
Just is just one of several similar products out there. DGL has saved the life of my stomach and can stop reflux within a minute.
A list of various brands of DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice) - many are chewable so they will soothe the esophagus and cool reflux. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Excerpt: . . . "I was taking Tylenol like I was supposed to, by the label," he said. A few days later the then 37-year-old Benedi was in a coma and in desperate need of a liver transplant. . . .
Now, I understand that you may need certain meds to control your comfort level. If you have some that work for you, discuss with your LLMD as to how that can fit in with lyme treatement AND be safe for your liver and kidneys.
There is always a way - it may take some thought and trials - so be sure to ask what all can be done to help your comfort level.
Good luck. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
Shixiao San, Jin Lingzi San, Liang Fu Wan, and Baishao Gancao Tang
by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon
excerpt:
. . . Corydalis is added "to increase the pain-relieving effects of this prescription."
To compare Shixiao San and Jin Lingzi San, it is helpful to examine two of the main ingredients. Yang Yifan (9) compares corydalis to trogopterus (wulingzhi):
Corydalis and trogopterus enter the liver and spleen meridians. Both are able to promote blood circulation and remove congealed blood. They are very effective for relieving pain.
This is an excellent formula, intended for use before going to bed (follow instructions and caution with driving until you get used to it. Do not mix with sedative or alcohol).
Ingredients; Corydalis root, jujube seeds and Schisandra fruit.
Jujube is also called zizyphus. Schisandra is also spelled schizandra. Both can be searched at PubMed and at The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook ( http://oneearthherbs.squarespace.com )
=====================
As many sleep meds are hard on the liver (and that will make a herx worse), here are some suggestions:
The Herxheimer reaction (also known as Jarisch-Herxheimer or Herx) occurs when large quantities of toxins are released into the body as bacteria (typically Spirochetal bacteria) die, due to antibiotic treatment or rapid detoxification.
Typically the death of these bacteria and the associated release of endotoxins occurs faster than the body can remove the toxins via the natural detoxification process performed by the kidneys and liver.
It is manifested by fever, chills, headache, myalgia (muscle pain), and exacerbation of skin lesions.
Duration in syphilis is normally only a few hours but can be much longer, up to months or years, for other diseases, especially Lyme Disease. The intensity of the reaction reflects the intensity of inflammation present.
The Herxheimer reaction has shown an increase in inflammatory cytokines during the period of exacerbation, including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8.[1][2]
The reaction is also seen in other diseases, such as borreliosis (Lyme disease[3][4] and tick-borne relapsing fever[5]), bartonellosis, brucellosis, typhoid fever, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and trichinellosis, Q fever, and cat scratch disease.[6][7]
Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Always get copies of test results and pics of any rashes. When you start killing the bugs you will lose cells and need to replace electrolytes. They make mixes for things like vomiting and diarrhea.
At the same time preventing yeast. Most take either Nystatin or Diflucan.
And like already said, something to keep the bowels in check. Many take either prescription pro-biotic or over the counter. Whichever you and your LLMD prefer.
Many take B12IM for nerves as well as soaks in Epsom salts to help pull poisons and relieve pains.
There are several treatment guidelines and helpful hints in them.
Clearly your pain is not being controlled and that may be a problem you can manage better to prevent liver damage.
Prayers for a easier road.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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