When I first started treatment, every day felt like I was herxing for months. Then as I started to feel better and would herx every few weeks it would be for days or weeks at a time. I don't recall it being a few hours. But everyone is different.

What exactly is herxing? I hear the term but I'm not sure what everyone is talking about.

After thinking about the "herxing" syndrome throuth the days I never do really go without symptoms and when the cycle begins all the areas that are affected cycle so much worse all at the same time. I have had a very few periods of time that I might be getting better. Thanks, I needed to know if this antibiotic was working on the bacteria or if it was the bacteria working on ME!!!

Hi Sharron. Some people herx more than others. I think it depends on many factors such as how long you have been sick, the bacteria load that is present, if you have co-infections etc.

It sounds like the Doxy is working which is good, but I know it is difficult to feel so crummy.

Hang in there okay?

Hi Cheppie.

Herx is short for Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction. Often, when people who have Lyme take antibiotics, their symptoms become worse or they get new ones. When the antibiotics kill the bacteria, toxins are released making them feel sicker. It can be very scary when it happens, but it is a good sign the antibiotics are working. Although it can vary individually, many people experience this at the beginning of treatment and every three to four weeks.

You can read about the herx at:

http://www.angelfire.com/biz/romarkaraoke/Herx.html What is a Herxheimer Reaction?

http://www.angelfire.com/me2/StarShar/Herx1.html What To Expect While Herxing

It is a good idea to document your symptoms daily. One way to do this is to list the three main symptoms you have each day and a numerical rating of their severity, from 1-10. Over time when you review this, you can see when your herxes occur and how you are responding to the meds.

Hi sharron, my herx experiance was awfull. All I did was get worse the first time until dr.joe pulled treatment and gave me a week or two to have a break. Then when I started up again it was bad but more tolerable.

Hi Sharron! Just started my Doxy treatments. I am herxing for hours at a time. Still don't know how long I have been infected. Hang in there!

Chelsea is sick all the time and after 2 hours of oral malarone 250 mg she gets bad pains in her body and i have to get her from school. So I was going to try and give her it when she comes home from school instead of in the morning before she goes to school. Not sure if she is going to make it tomorrow . She crys alot.

Thanks Lymebytes. I read both those articles and they are very helpful about the cycles. I had been charting but not daily and understanding why. I will now.

Hi Cheppie. I am glad the articles helped :)

Thank you Lymebytes. I too am back on antibiotics. So the articles were very informative.

Hi HonestGuy. I am glad they helped!

Remind me, what dose you are taking?