The Herxheimer reaction

So, in the last few days I have been surprisingly reminded of how bad I could feel. In fact, I had made significant progress over the past few months since having my mercury amalgam fillings removed. I was on the road to recovery and enjoyed the benefits. I could do activities that once were too much for me to even think about. That was until today! Boy, what a rude awakening. Last night I went to sleep with a headache. I could hardly think or do anything. I was watching a movie, not really looking at it, like I was hypnotized. I couldn’t function. My head ached and I was very tired. I fell asleep right when I went to bed that night. During the night I would wake up 5 or 6 times to go to the bathroom. Every time my head ached, I was dizzy and parched. I probably drank 1/4 gallon alone at night. He was cotton mouthed like you couldn’t believe it. I felt my heart pound out of my chest. Just walking to the bathroom took my breath away. Every time I woke up I found myself covered in sweat with a muffled roar of nausea. Several times I swear I was about to blow up. I was drifting in and out of my weird sleep state every 2 hours or so. It was horrible. I had the craziest dreams/nightmares, and not just one, but a few. It was weird. The next morning I woke up with a massive headache and a feeling of dizziness. I did my daily routine and started eating breakfast. Halfway through I got nauseous and stopped eating. I felt sick. I headed to work. When I walked in I was breathing like I had just run a marathon. During the morning I urinated almost 6 times. I did not do any work. It was hell on earth once again. Back to my old ways.

I began to think “what could have triggered such a sudden onset of feeling so bad?” So then I fallen in reason. I had just started a regiment of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and grapefruit seed extract (GSE) 3 days prior to improve my skin and clear up some of the Candida that I had let take over while cutting back on my low carb diet. diet (I love potatoes). “Uhh…” I thought. I was having a herxheimer reaction, death or herx. And it was that it was a bad one. I haven’t had one in a long, long time, so I guess it was due. I started taking too much MSM (0 grams a day to 2 grams a day). I didn’t even think about going gradually. I got a little arrogant I guess. Anyway, I’m writing this to share the burnout effects and the symptoms they produce, so you know what to expect when introducing new natural supplements into your daily regimen.

The Herxheimer reaction is the release of endotoxins after the death of a large number of bacterial, fungal, or parasitic organisms. During a herx the amount of endotoxins released far exceeds the detoxification capabilities of the body, resulting in “fever, chills, chills, hypotension, headache, tachycardia, hyperventilation, vasodilation with hot flashes, myalgia (muscle pain), and exacerbation of skin lesions.” This sounds so familiar, especially the tachycardia which was really freaking me out. My heart was probably at 120 BPM while I was sleeping!

When you start to experience a herx. reaction should immediately begin a detoxification protocol. Actually, if you plan correctly, you may be able to completely eliminate the herx. reaction of your healing process. If you start to detox before adding a new supplement, that could kill off a whole host of pathogens, which may be safe from a herx. reaction. If you gradually increase the dosage of your new supplement, you too can be safe from a herx. Personally, I feel that herx feeling. sometimes it’s a good thing, reminding you that the new supplement is actually doing what it’s supposed to. It’s a blessing in disguise.

You can expect a herx. To last from a couple of days to a few weeks. They should not be felt for more than 2 weeks, however in some extreme cases this can happen. I have only had a few that last longer than 3 days. Usually, when you start to feel an extinction reaction, you should decrease the dose to a lower amount until the symptoms are more manageable. Once the symptoms start to subside, you can increase the anti and take more of the supplement, eventually reaching your desired dosage.

A good way to help your body flush out endotoxins is sweat, water, and vitamin c. Be sure to drink about a gallon of water a day. Take a detox bath at night before bed. This bath includes 2 cups of Epsom salt and 1 cup of baking soda. You can add a bit of lemon or lavender if you feel the need for a bit of aromatherapy (always helps). Don’t make it too hot because this will add more load to your body. Soak in this solution for 30 minutes. When you go out, drink plenty of fluids and then go straight to bed. In most cases, you will be so tired that it will be difficult for you to get to bed. Also, be sure to take plenty of vitamin C and antioxidants throughout the day. Taking 1 gram of vitamin C every few hours is a good idea. This will help your liver to eliminate toxins. Don’t forget to take your daily dose of milk thistle to help your natural biological filters. Remember to eat healthy and avoid sugars and caffeine. Get plenty of fresh, natural air. Go for a walk; try to keep your mind off the symptoms. Thinking about it only makes it worse. I would not suggest pain relievers or over the counter medications during a herx. These just cover up your natural detoxes and make things worse.

In general, a Herx reaction can be very painful and discouraging, especially if it comes out of nowhere like the last one did. It can make you feel very bad for several days and affect your emotions and mental progress. Keep in mind that it is only temporary and there is light at the end of the tunnel. When you get there, the bluest of blue skies will be revealed. You will feel clearer and pain free. It’s a nice surprise. Your energy will improve, your brain fog will calm down, and your general sense of well-being will be greatly improved.