pain

[gorbybelle]

two nights ago the pain in my right wrist was keeping me awake - no swelling - then yesterday I felt horrible with pain all up my right side then it moved to my head/neck then suddenly in the evening - I had terrible pain in my left /back rib cage - towards the bottom - I couldn't get to sleep for hours - no position would ease the pain - today it has eased a bit - I have had a lot of pain since tick bite [nearly 4 yrs. ago] - inc. costochondritis but this rib pain feels different.

any opinions please - [ I am on amoxicillin at present - third week]

gorbs

[JackieCalifornia]

You ask good questions -- it's the only way to figure stuff out!  Glad to help, as others help me too.  Take care.

[Kaydey]

Ahh  ok.. makes sense.    I can be so very dense at times.   But I am learning so very much at the same time!

Thanks

[JackieCalifornia]

yes, it's related to the medication.  the meds kill the bugs, and when the bugs die and release all their bits and pieces and chemicals into your system, it irritates your body, and while your body is doing clean up detail, you feel lousy.  

It's a normal thing to have happen, because it means the meds are effective.  But you don't want to over do it because of how it makes you feel.  It's why drs sometimes tell pts to step down the dose for a while.

[Kaydey]

umm, ok...so it has to do with medication?

[JackieCalifornia]

It's not a stupid question -- it's named after some poor old German doctor, Dr Herxheimer, from a century ago who noticed that when people are treated for an ailment, they can temporarily seem worse because their bodies are dealing with the die off of bacteria etc. caused by the treatment.  "Herx" for short.  There's usually a few days lag between the meds and the Herx.

If the Herxes are too intense, then drs will sometimes back off the dosage a bit so the die off is easier to take.  Everybody is different in how their bodies react, and in how their bugs react.

[Kaydey]

Umm, sounding stupid here.....   what is herx?

[JackieCalifornia]

Gorbs, I think you should call your doctor and ask those questions.  Hope you feel better soon.

[gorbybelle]

I have got almost 'unbearable' pain in my rib cage now - also pain shooting-up the left side of my neck into the base of my skull.

do you think it would be o.k. to stop abx. for a day or two?

I am going to take some anti-inflammatories [NSAIDS] - or should I take both abx.& nsaids. ?

thanks for your previous replies

gorbsx

[patsy10]

The last time I had herx symptoms I had very painful shooting and stabbing pains all over.

[JackieCalifornia]

Sorry to hear you're suffering yet more!

Patsy's probably right, it's herxing -- I get the oddest movable pains when the bugs are active or in their tiny, evil death throes.  Some last for hours or days and can be alarming.  

If it gets to that point, call your doctor and leave a message about the location and duration and severity of the pain, 'just in case.'  That's what the dr is there for.

Hope you feel better soon.  Have your tried a nice hot/warm bath with Epsom salts?  It's my favorite cure all.

  

[patsy10]

Could be part of a herx.  I have similar pains that keep me awake too.  I have one that runs from my hip down to my foot.  It only hurts when I lie down.