Re: Herx - need help

September 24, 2000

Dear , My heart goes out to your son. I have been on the AP for right

under one year now and doing soooo well. But my last herx was just a herx

from hell. It was so bad that it scared me into thinking I was getting

worse instead of better. Could not lift a glass of water without using two

hands because of the severe pain. One of the members told me to get

Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C powder) and drink a heaping teaspoon in juice. For

my own body, that was too much and gave me diarrhea but sure did take care

of flushing the toxins on through and easing the pain. The point is take as

much of it to take you to the edge of diarrhea but not get it. Also, I was

told to sprinkle the ascorbic acid on my meals, every meal, just a little.

I began doing that yesterday and we will see how that works. Your son needs

to force enough water that he has at least three bowel movements every day.

If he is not doing that, the toxins will stay in there. He must flush them

on through. He must be strong and remember the three steps forward, two

backwards, and know that this herx may last a long time but it will end. I

don't remember what the dosage of doxy was which was prescribed and I don't

know doxy. I take the minocin so I am not the one to give advice there. I

am sure you will hear from someone who can offer suggestions there. Best of

luck to you both.

Borland wrote:

>

> Hi everyone,

> Finally, all the tests are done and my son has started antibiotics.

> Trouble is he started herxing immediately. He's sero-negative,

> HLA-B27 positive. Nothing in his hands to indicate RA, nothing in

> his back to indicate AS. No indication of Reiters or Lymes.

> Rheumatologist diagnosed him as having " some form of spondylitis. "

> The swelling is all in his lower half--knees, ankles, and feet.

>

> We asked for an antibiotic and the doc prescribed Doxy 100mg 2x

> daily. He's young, 21, and otherwise healthy. Also, symptoms are

> fairly new, so he's supposed to be able to handle the high dose.

> Doxy instead of Minocin because cost is a consideration (no insurance,

> no job).

>

> The Herx is pretty strong, he's in a lot of pain. Tried the

> peroxide/epsum salt bath yesterday and it helped a little. I'm

> worried because the swelling is spreading into new areas. He's a

> tough soldier, but I hate to see him going through this, and I know

> the spread is causing him some fear. I know you have to be patient

> with this, but I'm wondering about the high dose. If he cuts back to

> every other day what will happen? Does the herx go on twice as long

> but at a lower intensity?

>

> Also, I've read here that some people have had luck with Vitamin C

> megadoses to relieve pain and swelling. Does this work while you're

> going through herx? He's taking 2 grams of Relafen per day and I

> told him to add Tylenol with codine if he needs it (he hasn't taken

> any yet,)but these do nothing for swelling. What works to bring it

> down?

>

> Thanks for your help.

>

> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

September 24, 2000

Hi ,

The fact that your son has had a herxheimer reaction is a very good sign

that the infection is there and the antibiotic is working. However, the

dose is too high, too soon. Dr. Brown always introduced the antibiotic

gradually to avoid this reaction. You lose nothing by the lower dose and

it's better to start on only about 50mg Mon Wed and Fri the first week,

building up slowly by 50mg per week until your son is on 100mg MWF. If all

OK he can go up to 200mg MWF or 200mg Monday to Friday with weekends off.

The trick is to take enough antibiotic to attack the disease, but no so

much that the herx is more than he can tolerate. If you reduce the dose,

the herx will ease.

Chris.