You didn't tell me I was going to "get worse" before I was going to get better!

How do you recognize a Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction (JHR) and what should you do about it?

Starting a protocol that is targeting the root cause of your illness might make you feel worse before you get better.

If you feel worse after starting treatment, it may be a Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction (JHR) or as some people call a “healing-response” or “die-off effect”.

If patients aren’t warned this might happen, it can be a deep source of frustration, disappointment, and loss of hope.

It is hard to predict who will have a JHR.

It is very common in people treating Gut Dysbiosis, Chronic Infections (ie, Lyme, EBV)

But, the more chronic illnesses you have and the longer you have been ill, the more likely you will have a JHR.

Symptoms of a JHR might include:

• Symptoms of JHR can vary, and may include:

  • Fever and chills

  • Headache

  • Myalgias (muscle pain)

  • Intensification of skin rashes

  • Uterine contractions in pregnancy

  • Worsening liver and renal function

  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome

  • Myocardial injury

  • Hypotension

  • Meningitis

  • Alterations in consciousness, seizures, and strokes

  • Increased fatigue

  • Kidney pain

  • Flu-like symptoms

  • Sinus congestion

  • Diarrhea or constipation

  • Skin rashes

  • Dizziness and depression

The mechanism involved immune activation and inflammation activation, which are generally caused by mobilization.

The JHR is triggered by:

• Nonendotoxin pyrogens and spirochetal lipoproteins.

• Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 mediate the reaction, which is sometimes activated by the particles and debris of the toxic or microbe being eliminated.

• This can make the blood even more coagulable. Hypercoagulability can be present in almost every chronically ill patient. Herxheimer reactions can be related to a hypercoagulable response. Mobilizing stored toxins rapidly can stimulate this response, and many of the Herxheimer reactions involve people becoming hypercoagulable.

How to prevent JHR:

Ideally, discussion will take place and pre-screening for JHR reactions will take place before you go through primary treatments:

• Strategies for prevention of Herxheimer reactions:

  • Improve detoxification and elimination pathways. (I like Drainage therapies)

  • Drink lots of filtered water.

  • Improve liver function and kidney function through herbal medicines and nutrient supplementation.

If JHR is taking place, what to do:

First discuss with your provider whether to end treatment or persist with supportive therapies to reduce JHR symptoms such as:

Immediate Actions When Experiencing a Herxheimer Reaction after discussing with a provider :

• Halt or Reduce Killing Protocol: If the reaction becomes too strong, temporarily stop or cut back on the treatment causing the die-off. This pause allows the body to clear accumulated toxins.

• Restarting Treatment: After a 2-3 day break, restart the treatment at a lower dose and gradually increase it while monitoring your body's response.

Enhancing Detoxification and Elimination:

• Hydration: Drink plenty of filtered water to remove toxins through the kidneys.

• Liver Support:

  • To support liver cleansing and repair, use liver herbal supplements such as Turmeric, Schizandra Extract, Full Milk Thistle, and Dandelion Root.

  • Kidney Support: Use kidney/blood cleansing herbs like Parsley, Red Clover Blossom, and Dandelion Root.

• Sweating:

  • Engage in regular sweating using a far infrared sauna or other saunas.

  • Exercise is also an effective way to induce sweating; dress warmer to sweat more.

  • Increase water intake during and after sweating activities.

• Detoxification Teas: Drink 3-4 cups of red clover tea or other detoxification teas daily to help clear toxins from the blood.

Binding and Collecting Toxins:

• Toxin Binders: Natural compounds like apple pectin, bentonite powder, Cholacol II, and activated charcoal bind toxins in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and prevent their reabsorption.

Lifestyle and Additional Therapies:

• Movement: Avoid prolonged bed rest; take regular, short walks in fresh air to stimulate the lymphatic system and clear toxins.

• Address Hypercoagulability: Since Herxheimer reactions can be related to hypercoagulability, consider treatments that address this issue.

Medical Interventions and Considerations:.

• Monitor Vital Signs: In clinical settings, vital signs are closely monitored, and supportive care, including fluid administration, is provided.

Important Considerations:.

• Rare Complications: Although rare, be vigilant for potentially severe complications such as meningitis, pulmonary failure, liver and renal dysfunction, myocardial injury, premature uterine contractions, and neurological issues like strokes and seizures.

My experience:

Low and Slow Approach: When treating any chronic illness, if you have been sick for a long time or have several medical conditions, it is best to start with the low and slow approach. I suggest starting with dosing as if you are a pediatric patient and then build up.

By integrating these strategies, you can effectively manage Herxheimer reactions, reduce their intensity, and support the body's healing processes.

Source:

Butler, T. (2017). The Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction After Antibiotic Treatment of Spirochetal Infections: A Review of Recent Cases and Our Understanding of Pathogenesis. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 28077740. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28077740