Hi Starla,

I wish I had an answer for you. I am new to this also, 8 months of minocycline. I have had some really good weeks and some not so good weeks but nothing even close to the week I first saw the doctor 8 months ago. I suspect you are having a big die off of mycoplasma, herx. I have had a lousy week too and am greatly affected by the weather. It brings out the worst in me:roll-laugh:

what I can tell you is don't be stingy on the advil or what ever you are taking for inflammation. Try those epsom salt baths as well and use the heating pad. I did that today and it did help.

What ever you do, don't let the arthritis “mind game” play tricks with your treatment decisions. You are on the right road back to good health and this treatment is the least toxic of all treatments offered so hang in there. It is said often that you take 2 steps forward, a one step back so I too am listening to that wisdom. Maybe the herx will be short lived, less that before. Also try to figure what food could trigger this or stressful situation. It's a lot to absorb but you will get to know how your body functions better than anyone else.

I am sending well wishes your way!

Happy days!

Patti

Hi Starla,

Everyone has offered some great things to consider with your most recent flare in symptoms. I don't know if this bears any relevance, but I also experienced a massive flare at about the six month mark after making consistant progress. It lasted for about 12 days…unrelenting. Then, I woke up one morning and all the symptoms had mysteriously disappeared…flaring, fatigue, depression…and I felt better than I had before it all started. Go figure.

Like you, too, I was also nervous about reporting this to my Lyme doc as he's kindly diverting from his usual Lyme strategy to let me try AP. I had some bloodwork due in the midst of all this, but I put it off till I was feeling better…and this bloodwork was the one where my anti-CCP had come down by 35%, as well as my immune complex by about 25% in just 2 short months! On the flipside, my cardio CRP had increased and RF by just 4 points, but I think it was the remnants of the herx I had just gone through. Since that 6 month point, I am having better days all the time. No fatigue, no depression and waking up with little pain and stiffness. A couple of mornings, I've felt I could probably do without my staple 2 Advils for the day.

Like Patti said, it's such a 2 step fwd, one step back dance all the way. You're improving well and then, suddenly, all hell breaks loose. It's scary and depressing. You should know if this is a herx (in retrospect), if you feel you've progressed a bit once it ends. Not fun going through it, but try to support your body by detoxing as much as you can…plenty of water, the epsom/peroxide baths that Lynnie shared, a good diet, lemon/olive oil detox drink, etc. And, to keep the inflammation down, you may want to increase your anti-inflammatories for a bit to let the antibiotics do their job.

Hope this passes for you soon!

Peace, Maz

Hi Lisa,

I saw your post before and was hoping somone might answer from their experience. As far as I know, though, some of the sclero folk do experience some worsening in the 'early' part of recovery…or what appears to be steps back in progress. This can vary between individuals, but you may want to do a search on the old board of Gay_G's posts. Her first year was a real challenge for her….and now she's hiking all over national parks! 

I'm sure one of the old timer sclero folks will pop by to answer your question soon. It really is such a mixed bag of how everyone does in the early days and takes masses of inner resolve and trust. Did you read the Woman's Day article about the lady with sclero in the spring? Six years after beginning mino, she was running marathons, but it took a few years to get to that point.

Hang in there….hoping someone will see your post!

Peace, Maz

Hi Maz Yes I did read the spring article ,Its very inspiring especially now.I just wasnit sure if herxing was typical for sd.
Dar ,That's encouraging! Hopefully its just a herx.Didn't know it could last so long. What dosage are you taking? Is it generic or brand?I'm thinking of switching to brand.

Hi,

I don't have time to read all of the posts you have here…we'd miss the bus…but I just wanted to tell you that this time of year, AUg-Sept is notoriously a tough month for us.  I see Dr T in Boston and he has said this to me before.  All of my friends with RA and Lupus are experiencing increased symptoms and swelling.  We have also have had a lot of storms.  This will effect you.  One night I felt like the thunder was in my hands, I was in agony.  This too shall pass…so keep up with your meds, move A LOT, exercise as much as you can and you will find your way to a better place. 

Ellen