Eye Infection from Herxing????

[carrie235]

I don't want to blame everything on Lyme disease and I doubt that my recent eye thing is a result of herxing, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask.

I believe I was herxing badly yesterday (Saturday).  I wasn't feeling well on Friday night and went to bed at 930pm.  I didn't get out of bed until 10am yesterday.  My husband even came in to check on me to make sure I was okay.  I got out of bed feeling still very tired and looked in the mirror and saw that my right eye is swollen and red in the corner.  I also think I might have swollen lymph node gland in my neck just under my jaw on the right side because it hurts even when I chew my food.

I took two benadryl after getting up yesterday thinking it would reduce the swelling in my eye but they made me feel worse.  Back to bed I went just after lunch time for another three hours.  Got up and then back to bed at 9pm until 7am this morning.  I felt horrible.  Also, I noticed yesterday that the tip of my tongue was numb.  Haven't had that happen before.

Today, I'm feeling much better as far as the fatigue goes and my tongue isn't numb but my eye still looks horrible and this lymph node (if that's what it is) still hurts.

I just wonder how I could possibly have any type of infection in my eye given all the antibiotics I'm on!!!????

Jackie:  Have you heard anyone report problems like this related to Lyme?

Thanks!

Carrie

[frustratedexchronicfatiguevictum310]

Every problem I have ever had now looking back has been realed to lyme...everything..so ..yes you can blame it on lyme.

[carrie235]

Hi Everyone:

Thanks for all the great info.  My eye as completely healed now...but that sure was weird!

Carrie

[nutrinut_bob]

Though a compress, as Jackie says will work, I think you'll be better off taking it internally.  A couple caps every 4hrs or so.  It contains some anti-inflammatory compounds that will give you some relief, in areas beyond your eye.  It's widely used as such in Europe.  I'll have to find out if there are any native to here.

[JackieCalifornia]

Re eyebright, my regular doc recommended it to me too, and said that since I'm really sensitive to meds, I could make an eye compress out of it, opening the capsule and dissolving the powder in warm water, then dipping a cloth in to put over my eyes for a while.  I've not tried it, tho.  Good thought, Bob.

[nutrinut_bob]

You might try some herbal eyebright capsules, the vitamin power brand is very cheap on ebay.

[wonko]

I've experienced eye inflammation as well, and for a long time I would develop bloodshot eyes through the course of the day.  I would experience a drilling-like pain behind my eyes, and my eyes would hurt when I moved them.  I also saw an opthamologist, who saw some general inflammation but ruled out optic neuritis.  This was pre-diagnosis for me, so I was used to non-answers for my problems by then.

My eye issues are better and I get bloodshot less often and only rarely have eye pain, but I still see flashing lights when I move my eyes.  I only notice this in dim light or dark.  My vision also worsens when I get too hot, it will blur a bit but only temporarily.

So yes, unfortunately Lyme and Co. can affect the eyes, but as noted (and as you did) it's always safe to get it checked out to be sure.  When my eye problems began I was really worried and although it was frustrating that the eye doctor couldn't explain it, it was good to know that my retinas were not detaching or anything serious like that!  Hope you feel better.

[JackieCalifornia]

Glad to hear what the eye doc said.  I would have approached the situation exactly as you did and gone to see the kind of doc you did.  I'm not medically trained, and so I don't want to appear to be giving medical advice ... on a website, no less ... when something could be really really wrong!  

It doesn't take much inflammation or sludge either one to fill up the little spaces in one's head, I would think ... so given what you're going through medically, having these 'effects' is not really surprising in the bigger picture, y' know?  But very glad you got it checked.

As you will be the mother of the bride, I would entirely expect you to be all puffy-eyed and weepy ... so if the bugz don't cooperate on your daughter's wedding day, just blame it on emotion.  Everybody will buy that absolutely ... 'cause it will also have the virtue of being true!

You sound like you are holding up really well.  I had a FNAB (fine needle aspiration biopsy) for a thyroid nodule a few years ago, and it was nothing.  Getting my teeth cleaned is *much* more stressful.  Take care!  J.

[carrie235]

Hi and thanks Jackie:  I went to the eye doctor and they just said it was "inflamed"...no antibiotics required.  It is looking MUCH better as the day goes on.

I am sure I was herxing yesterday because I don't think I've ever been so fatigued in my life and the numb tongue issue was a new symptom too.

I don't see my LLMD for another three weeks and I really hate to call because I don't like to "bother" my doctors.  Just my personality.  I tend to just try to self diagnose unfortunately.  

I go for my thyroid biopsy on next Monday.  I'm falling apart.  I think my husband needs to trade me in for a younger model.  ha ha

I was feeling great but combined with yesterday and one other day last week, I had a few set-backs.  Three steps forward, one back, four steps forward, one back...you know the drill, I'm sure.

I just need to get myself better because my oldest daughter is getting married in August and I want to feel/look my best.  After all, I am the MOTHER OF THE BRIDE!!!!  Can't be walking around with swollen/yucky eyes for crying out loud!  ha ha

Take care....

Carrie

[JackieCalifornia]

I just noticed in rereading your post that you took Benedryl to reduce the swelling in your eye area.  I think Benedryl would help only if it were an *allergy*-type reason for the swelling, not if it were inflammation from an infection (such as Lyme) or sludge from Lyme die-off.  You might get some action from a *decongestant* like Sudafed, which would relieve swelling and maybe let the sludge flow on its way.  

Just a thought.  In the bigger picture, it could be something more than simple inflammation or sludge die-off, which is what the doc's office is for.  Sorry you're hurting!

[JackieCalifornia]

Sorry, just saw this message.

All kinds of odd things happen with Lyme and with treatment.  It could be you are indeed Herxing -- like in the fall when (back East, at least) the leaves fall, the rains come, and the dead leaves block the curb outlets for the rainwater, and it all gets backed up.  

Not all antibiotics treat all kinds of bacteria, so it's possible you could have an infection that doesn't respond to what you are on for Lyme.  When in doubt, call the doc.  That's what they're there for.  

I haven't had symptoms like yours, but everyone IS different in this Lyme thing.  Hope you feel better soon!