~ definitions ~
Herxheimer Reactions
- refers to a worsening of symptoms & sometimes temporary new symptoms
- caused by the release of neurotoxins when the harmful microbes are killed (the chemistry of a living thing changes when it dies ~ when the bacteria, protozoa, virus, etc., dies in your body it becomes toxic)
- the body needs to get rid of the microbes mainly via the liver, kidneys, lymph system & skin ~ often Lyme sufferers already have damage to this detoxifying system due to the work of these critters (ie. i had damage to my liver a long time before my Lyme was treated ~ elevated liver enzymes, eye floaters, etc.) thus worsening the Herx reaction.