Herxheimer Reaction and Pain

I'll start by trying to make a long story short:

Along with a range of other symptoms since 2013, I've had a sudden onset of severe lower back pain that has been getting worse since 2014. It's a deep pain that is also in my hips and horrible during sleep and waking up...but gets better thru day. I never associated it with Lyme until an Ortho ordered a Lyme test, which was reported as positive in July 2016. I was referred to an ID doc, who did not diagnose but at least started me on 100mg Doxy 2x/day for 30 days. Not much of a change during, but after finishing the abx, the cognitive and neuro issues really started.

3 weeks off abx, I went to LLMD who put me on 100mg Morgidox 2x/day. I am now on my 10th day of that and for the last 4 days have been experiencing severe back pain and stiffness that is way worse than ever. also, I've now developed swollen knuckle joints in some fingers and toes, and knee pain that started in right knee only and is now creeping into left. I say the pain has progressed to being felt in one spot of knee to a total feeling of soreness in entire knee in a matter of a few days. I feel like if this is a herx, it is ALL pain and stiffness, with some fatigue and brain fog and mild low grade evening fevers.

What I seem to read about Herxing is that it tends to be more "flu-like"? Just wondering if this would be considered a Herx, only through mostly increasing (and new) pain. I should note that this is the first time experiencing knee pain, even though I believe I was infected in 2013.

Thanks, forgive me if this is a redundant question, this is all new to me and every day is different.

Post Edited (njfillet) : 10/12/2016 3:26:20 PM (GMT-6)

Herxing is different for everyone. It can be an increase in your regular symptoms or something entirely different. This is why sometimes there is the question as to whether it's a herx or a reaction to an abx or herb. Also a herx isnt always immediate it can be felt days later after changing your protocol.

I hope this helps.

njfillet, also lyme is migrating aches and pains. And new pains can come along as your medicines chase the bugs. They find new places to try and hide.

All new pains are not necessarily herxes. Although I am a huge proponent of detoxing, eating healthy and getting good sleep.

We have to remember that just because we are taking medicine for lyme that does not mean that the symptoms will get better day by day.

Lyme does not work that way like other illnesses do. Lyme is bi-polar!!! One day you feel fine. The next day you feel you are really sick.

It is not necessarily a herx, it is just stupid dumb doo-doo lyme. There is no frickin rhyme or reason to lyme and if you think there is a pattern, just wait..... it will mess with you.

Just know that eventually - sometimes a long time and it seems it takes longer if you have had it longer - but eventually, it does get better and better, but do not hold out hope for less than a year.

I am sorry to be so very realistic, but lyme just takes some time.

Get tough, do the right thing and hunker down for the long marathon and NEVER GIVE UP!

I heard that herxing actually means poor treatment. detox is key. while taking your meds make sure you have very good diet. fruits, vegetable, eat raw. even with detoxing there will be some down sides. your body will be trying to get all of the bad out. but make it through those bad few days and you'll be good as new afterwards!

Thank you all for the responses.

3HumpedCamel - I have done some dry skin brushing and have been drinking cucumber water. For some reason lemon water has always had a strange effect on me. I've read that cucumber water can be detoxifying and also helps hydrate. I must say, after one day of cucumber water I noticed at least some of the mild head pain clear up and an overall more clearness...could have been placebo or something else altogether, but it seemed to help.

Navigator - I have not taken a VCS test, what is that?

Thank you Krimpet, PeteZa and Inspiredby3 - Very helpful to know that these things can vary day to day, person to person, etc. Especially when some doctors try to tell you your symptoms aren't even related to Lyme.

I came across these two links in relation to herxing that I found really helpful.
https://chronicillnessrecovery.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=161
http://www.selfcare4you.com/documents/Good-Foundation/Herxheimer-Reaction.pdf

You're welcome!

How are you feeling today?

I was carrying a bowl of popcorn with olive oil and nutritional yeast flakes into the family room and my hand just let go of the bowl - it went everywhere.

And that was my good hand (not the atrophied one)


What a mess!

njfillet, glad you are feeling somewhat better.

Girlie, you need to borrow my dogs for like 5 minutes. They would have had your mess cleaned up like new, hahahahahahahahaha

I made floor coffee again today. Forgot to put the pot under the maker, so it drained itself all over the counter and onto the floor... Monday...

I've read that there is no evidence of toxins released from bacteria die-off. Also, I've read:

Dr. Marty Ross said...
At the beginning of treatment or when antibiotics are changed the cytokines are made in even greater amounts causing a person to feel much worse. This is called a Herxheimer die­-off reaction.