HERX - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Updated: Oct 22
DID YOU JUST START TREATMENT OR ADD SOMETHING NEW? DO YOU FEEL HORRIBLE?
I hope these ideas help you feel better. I know how horrible it feels and how badly you want to escape that feeling. I always felt like it was a form of torture.
Short on time or energy? A quick-view graphic with the key points is at the bottom of this post.
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KEYS FOR ME
- Binders
- Glutathione
- A pH-balancing supplement
- I drank a lot of lemon water during that time
- Warm Epsom baths
- My sauna mat
- Increasing my Pekana kit and Burbur-Pinella
(Always check with your doctor before adding anything, and tell your doctor about any new or worsening symptoms. Always seek medical attention if a herx seems severe. Better to have peace of mind.)
NEW TO HERXING? START HERE
To learn what herxing is, see my education post:
An easy-to-watch herxing video:
5 STEPS TO CONSIDER AT A GLANCE
Step 1: pH-balancing supplement
Step 2: Binders
Step 3: Glutathione and NAC
Step 4: Detox
Step 5: Know when to take a break
STEP 1: pH-BALANCING SUPPLEMENT
A well-known herx recipe, adapted from Dr. Richard Horowitz:
- 1500 mg liposomal glutathione
- Juice of 1 lemon
- A pH-balancing supplement
- 8 ounces of water
The pH-balancing supplement I use is Bi-Carb. Follow the label or your doctor's directions.
Buy here, Bi-Carb Formula by Klaire Labs:
I was told I could also use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in water (NOT baking powder).
STEP 2: BINDERS
They are called binders because they bind toxins in your body so they can be eliminated.
Not everyone can tolerate binders, people tolerate different ones, and not everyone needs them. But I would say the majority of members I talk to do use them in their protocols. My doctor always had me use them. They always made a difference for me.
Here is what I was taught:
- Take binders away from food, supplements, herbals and medication. My doctor has me take them 2 hours away, before or after. 3 hours is even better.
- Most binders can be taken at the same time. I always used 2 binders together twice a day.
- Take them with plenty of water. Binders can be constipating.
- Go slow when adding anything new. You can detox too fast.
The most common binders used by the Lyme community:
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL (my favorite when a herx is bad, but not meant for everyday use for years)
Buy here, Activated Charcoal by Integrative Therapeutics:
BENTONITE
CHLORELLA (my favorite)
Buy here, Medi-Chlorella-FX by Premier Research Labs:
PECTASOL-C (my other favorite)
Buy here, PectaSol by EcoNugenics:
ZEOLITE
Popular mention, a binder blend:
Buy here, G.I. Detox+ by Biocidin Botanicals:
See full binders education here:
STEP 3: GLUTATHIONE AND NAC
GLUTATHIONE: I feel it is one of the most important things to take.
Buy here, Tri-Fortify Liposomal Glutathione by Researched Nutritionals:
NAC: a precursor to glutathione, often given when people cannot tolerate glutathione.
Buy here, NAC by Xymogen:
GLUTATHIONE ALTERNATIVES (when you don't tolerate either one):
STEP 4: DETOX
Detox is vital when treating. Oftentimes you must increase it during herxing. The body detoxes through breathing, sweating and elimination.
Key tips from my detox post:
- Drink plenty of water. You cannot detox without enough fluids.
- Stay regular. Proper elimination is vital to detox. I have had this drilled into my head by two doctors.
Buy here, Kiwi Kleanse by Priority One:
- Epsom salt bath in warm water, never hot. Recipe here:
- Far infrared sauna or sauna mat, if you have access to one. Always start slowly with just a few minutes at a time. My sauna mat post:
- Gentle movement such as walking, only as you can tolerate.
- Lymphatic drainage, dry brushing and deep breathing.
For many more detox ideas, see my full detox post:
Two more I have used:
BURBUR-PINELLA: I used this for about 10 years.
PEKANA: slow and steady when starting.
STEP 5: KNOW WHEN TO TAKE A BREAK
Sometimes a herx is too much, even with all of the steps above. What I was taught:
- We are meant to tolerate treatment, not be tortured by it.
- If a herx feels like too much, talk to your doctor about adjusting or taking a short break.
- A 2 to 3 day break helped me, and I did better at restart.
- My doctor says a herx lasting over 2 weeks is too long.
I will be adding more products in the future to help you with the headache of trying to narrow down what to choose.
RELATED RISE ABOVE LYME POSTS
CYTOKINE - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
PAIN / INFLAMMATION - POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
HAVING A HARD DAY
SOURCES
Dr. Richard Horowitz, How Can I Get Better? (2017, book, older source, still worth reading). The herx recipe is adapted from his guidance.
Disclaimer: Rise Above Lyme makes no claims about any possible benefit of using any product mentioned within this site. Always consult with your doctor before adding anything. The information shared is based on personal experience, years of accumulated researched resources from Lyme Literate doctors and polls conducted within Lyme groups from actual patient experience using these solution ideas.
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