April 12, 2005
Can you say " Herx "
Can You Say " HERX"
I'm Alive! Date: February 26, 2005. I don't even know where to begin so I will just let it flow. I remember back in October of 2004, thinking and anticipating to feel what a Herxheimer reaction felt like. For those who don't know, a 'herx' is when the lyme bacteria is killed off in areas that are infected therefore toxins are released into the blood system, the kidneys get overloaded, hence you have an onset of symptoms some worse than others. The good news is when one has a herx you just had a die off. Well needless to say I now know what it is like to experience this. I will start by saying, IT WAS THE MOST HORRIFIC MENTAL, PHYSICAL , EVERYTHING, EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER ENDURED OR IMAGINED. I can somehow explain it by referring to a movie, "One flew over the cuckoo's nest". I felt as if I was in an institution with a bathrobe on smoking a butt tightly clinched in between my fingers shaking as it entered my lips. I was mentally cooked! I recall my wife hugging me and we were both in tears. I was so pleased with notion of being taken to the afterlife, it all made sense to me, my life insurance would take care of my family, but what about my 3 young children? Oh, no problem, I will watch them and be with them in spirit. I was convinced. Never wanted to inflict harm to myself, just was dillusional and wanted just to be taken. WOW! During this herx I could not function physically, or mentally. Sleep, sleep, sleep. My Doctor's were notified of my situation and took immediate action. I needed to stop the oral Doxycyclene and just do the IV Rocephin. The doxy was killing too much. Woke up a couple days after and felt like I had just come out of a BAD dream. I was lucky to have an appointment with " the big guy " within days of the herx. He was pleased at the fact that I just had a significant die off. He put me on some more med's for my mind, such as Carbatrol, Provigil, and Diflucan for yeast. He knows how to combine medications to yield a different effect that also enhances the effect of each medication also. BRILLIANT. I was told that good times were ahead. Actually, the time period was 3 months of IV Rocephin and I should snap out of it. They hit it on the head. December 15, 2004 I remember sitting in my garage and upon gazing around the room I suddenly got up off my chair and much to my surprise, MY BRAIN WAS WORKING AGAIN! I was amazed! I kept thinking of things and focusing, unbelievable. I could feel happiness, excitement, LOVE, etc... ALL GOOD. As time passed I felt better and better. What a feeling it was to feel good, although my feeling good is a healthy person's feeling like crap. I have truly mastered the art of living one day at a time. Tomorrow didn't matter to me, what a great way to live. All good things come to an end as they say. February 12, 2005 back in the saddle again. I just don't' feel like I did. Can't get out of bed, head tingles,not happy, music in my head constantly, whacked out in the morning, can’t focus, just existing right now. Had a Lyme Dot urine test 2-24-05. This test will hopefully capture the bacteria in the urine due to the dead bacteria from a herx, and the fondness of the bladder for the lyme like some sort of community swimming pool for them. March 9, 2005 going to the big guy, results will be back from urine and next move will be determined. I would have fulfilled my six months of daily IV Rocephin. "To be, or not to be, that is the question." How much did they find? Was it alive? We shall see....................................................................Jamie ----- --------
Posted by Jamie on April 12, 2005 12:01 PM
Boy, can I relate to a nasty herx. It crazy, that feeling like death warmed over is a good thing! I know you badly want to feel that normal good feeling again and you will. Its a long hard process, hang in there Jamie. You have a wonderful supportive wife and you know Jesus loves you and will help you through and heal you.
Posted by: Lizzie at May 20, 2005 05:02 PM
I have Lyme disease too. First diagnosed June 2003, 1st PICC inserted then. Had babesia also.I had the entire course of tx and felt kinda good,but never really had a bad herx. THEN Nov. 2004 I had a relapse and another PICC inserted. And another course of tx inc. for babesia. I am now on Rocephin and pulses of brand name Flagyl. I am sooo tired of feeling exhausted all the time.I am very thankful that I had a great MD and good insurance and a fantastic family. To everyone with Lyme, I say Hang in there and keep praying!!
Posted by: Carole Lee at June 25, 2005 02:57 PM
I am currently being treated for chronic lyme through a picc line and am just beginning my four week iv therapy. i too have been in and out of doctors offices and hospitals for the past few months with numbness, hot flashes, cold sweats, migraines, and extreme and chronic allover body pain resonating from my back. hope the iv therapy worked for you and i hope it will do the same for me. i know how difficult it can be to get out of bed when the pain wont stop and no one understands or knows what to do, especially your first semester away at college! ok well have a great holiday season and say a little prayer for me please!!
Posted by: Anna at December 16, 2005 06:17 PM