Lyme Disease Support Group

I'm new to this. Just got diagnosed Tuesday & started 825 mg. Augmentin 2 x day. Is it normal to feel worse?

Yes. My doctor told me that it was normal to feel worse first then better and that it was a good thing. Easy for him to say! but he did suggest burbur, parsley every 30 minutes and it helped so much in the start and I have to tell you burbur is the on thing I will not go without!

This is called a herx.

The Herxheimer reaction (also known as Jarisch-Herxheimer or Herx) occurs when large quantities of toxins released into the body as bacteria (typically Spirochetal bacteria) die, due to antibiotic treatment or rapid detoxification.

I also just started antibiotics (doxycycline) a few days ago. I immediately began to feel worse, and I figured out that it must have something to do with my body fighting. I never new exactly what the deal was until I read about it in this forum. Great to know that it's not unusual.

I felt the worst I have ever felt after starting my antibiotics. My first "herx" lasted two weeks. Yugh! My husband says the antibiotics must be doing something to make you feel so bad!

IM worried about this as I am due to start doxy in the next while.. maybe 6 weeks or so so Im trying to detox all i can naturally so when i do have the treatment my body is in a better state ....

Detoxing first is probably a good idea. In the weeks before my diagnosis - while I was still trying to figure out what was wrong - a naturepathic doctor that I was seeing put me on a detox diet. So I spent about 12 weeks detoxing. Lost weight and felt really great "inside". Even did a 28-day liver detox. I think that's why even though I feel crappy after starting antibiotics, I'm still pretty functional. I just feel really crappy. I can't imagine how bad I might feel if I hadn't detoxed.

Post edited by: quartermoon, at: 07/25/2009 04:13 PM

Yes, you should feel worse

You are herxing kiddo.

And that's a good thing.

Let me know how you are doing.

Virginia the "fudgelady"

Adwoman

Such a funny word. Sounds like something in a cartoon.

My partner has been back on her Doxy now for a week and she has been really sick... The doc only has her on 100mg of doxy once every other day... She started out on a higher dose a few months ago, but she got so sick the doc took her off it... She started back the begining of this week... She is tired (can't sleep, even with Ambien, xanax, flexeril and soma) and she throws up 3-4 times before she settles down... Starts feeling a little better and then its time to take more doxy...

I hope the doc reccommends admitting her to the hospital to due large amounts of Doxy via IV for a week or two, that way she can get what she needs, get sick "in a hospital environment" and come home to continue her meds... I hear it is tough to do that, but it gives you a little push as far as getting over the initial doxy...