It's hard to say if it's a herx starting as everyone experiences this a little different. You'll get a good idea if it keeps getting worse before it gets better. The symptoms you describe are ones I have had the first week and longer after starting an antibiotic.
I can't really comment on the boils but the fact that you had the "best days" while on the med is encouraging.
Like patsy10 says, it's not easy to say. My Herxes usually start within 2 hours, but I know others say it can take days.
Since our symptoms can wax and wane on their own, and the Herx can often involve a worsening of existing symptoms, it may take awhile on the abx before you can tell if something outside of your regular variation is happening.
I agree with patsy10--this is encouraging. For me, the nastiness of Herxing is usually followed by a period of improvement. But I also pulse my antibiotics, (take different ones on different days), so I think that also influences the rhythm of my symptoms.
If the boil is isolated, it is tough to say if it is part of your illness or not. Either way, I hope it goes/stays away.
What is your ankle pain like? I get ankle pain, esp. when I am laying down, that gets very nasty. When I wake up, it can feel like there are pins going through my ankle, and turning my foot even slightly is excruciating. But if I massage them for awhile and slowly "start them up" I am ok. (So I don't exactly leap out of bed in the morning!) I usually get up at least once a night due to joint pain/stiffness, but only get the stabs in my ankles.
Good luck and keep us posted.
my ankle pain is not too bad - I have noticed more noises in my feet recently - esp. first thing.
have you tried 'JackieCalifornia's' epsom salts - foot baths?