A few interesting things to report this time.
Last week, if you recall, I was moaning (whining) about my leg hurting and wondering if it was Lyme, older age, or the weather – I may have my answer.
This week, I have very little – to no pain in that leg. Seriously, this was the leg that last week, wouldn’t work when I tried to go up or down stairs. My age and the weather hasn’t changed and so, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that it was the Lyme.
There is a reaction called a Herxheimer reaction that you sometimes get with infections. This reaction often happens when people get put on antibiotics for the first time or when medication gets switched.
The medication, in doing its job, attacks the offending cells or organisms and kills them en masse. By killing that many cells at once, a large amount of toxins are suddenly released into the host body. On the outside, it may look like you have gotten sicker (which is why a lot of people give up on antibiotics for Lyme – it makes them initially feel a lot worse.) The thing is that this reaction is (relatively) short lived and goes away once things have balanced themselves out.
It’s not pleasant, in fact at times, the reaction can be debilitating (basically every complaint is magnified) but if you stick with it, it usually resolves.
Many (myself included) believe that these Herx reactions are a sign that you are on the right path. A sort of “it hurts so good” scenario.
Last week before my leg acted up, I had added Grapefruit seed extract to my supplements. Not a big deal right? I just popped 2 with my meal.
Now, in reading Horowitz’s book (Why Can’t I get Better?) and through having discussions with other Lymies, I’ve discovered that Grapefruit seed extract (not Grape seed extract or oil) is supposed to be very effective at attacking the cyst form of the Lyme bacteria. In fact, I’ve found some who believe that Lyme cannot be properly treated *without* using Grapefruit seed extract.
In hind site, it *looks* like I may have had myself a little Herx reaction to the supplement. I got worse (increased leg pain and muscle twitches) and then I got better. *To me* it seems to indicate a pretty good case for Grapefruit seed being effective. (Although I realize that this is only one data point.)
Take it for what it’s worth, but I’m putting Grapefruit seed extract on my list of daily supplements.
This past week, I’ve also started a food cleanse (guess what? It’s very similar to the no gluten, dairy, sugar or alcohol diet I’m already on.) One of the things I do for the cleanse is drink water with half a lemon squeezed into it. Honestly, I must be down on my Vitamin C because that lemon water tastes SO GOOD. I drink it a few times a day (my liver must be loving me for this!)
I would suggest to anyone who has chronic illness (or who is alive) to try this drink. You’ll know if your body needs it.
The other thing to report is that I am, regrettably, human – to a fault. The better I feel, the less I am inclined to take my medication. Either I “forget” about it, or I convince myself that I’ll take it later. In the past week, I’ve missed 3 doses.
Part of it is that I don’t ever want to throw up again (did it just the other day) and part of it is because I’m feeling so much better that I think I don’t need meds – the incentive is just not there as it was when I started.
I know, I know, I’m behaving (exactly) like a child. I only have a few weeks left of meds, I promise to get back on the schedule.
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Thank you all for your comments and discussion. I read every single reply and find much value in your experiences.
Disclaimer, this is an account of my Lyme symptoms and treatment, it is not intended to be used in the treatment of anyone else’s condition. Please consult and work with your physician if you think you may have Lyme.
Let me know if you have any questions about my Lyme symptoms and/or treatment, if I don’t have the answer, I’ll find someone who does.
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Wendy Thomas writes about the lessons learned while raising children and chickens in New Hampshire. Contact her at [email protected]
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