Lyme Disease The Age of Chronic Illness Lyme disease and tick borne diseases are complicated illnesses and because of that, treatment can be complex. Patients who've gone through treatment will often say your symptoms get worse before they get better. Feeling worse before you feel better? It might be a Herx. Also called a Jarisch Herxheimer reaction, herxing happens when Lyme microbes are killed off and release toxins into your system, sparking a Herxes Lyme Disease What To Do If You're Feeling Worse