I got bitten about three weeks ago. Erythema migrans rash appeared two weeks in, which was last weekend (solid, no bulls eye). I started taking doxy within one day of the first rash appearing, which would be about two weeks after the bite,
Now 5 days later and my rash is still there, gets lighter some days and back darker some days. Still solid, no bull's eye. Initial Lyme test came back decidedly negative, but they say it's too early and I need to wait to do another test in a couple of weeks.
But yesterday I felt more fluish and fatigued than ever. I seem to be feeling worse, 5 days in.
My question is - how long does it take to know that the doxy is actually working?
Thanks.
Posted by lymenotlite (Member # 33166) on :
Congratulations on catching it so early, something that could spare you years of illness. Don't forget to take probiotics two hours after doxycycline. I have acidophilus written in my notes but you might check on something more current and its usage is to avoid intestinal issues from the antibiotics.
Posted by Garz (Member # 52095) on :
Hard to give timescales with such an unusual bug as Lyme, and every person is different too. But stick at it. Feeling worse is not necessarily a bad sign as often killing the bugs causes more symptoms. As above - catching it early is a huge point in your favor.
Posted by ddps (Member # 52127) on :
Thank you all! I do have to say that, after seven days on doxycycline, these episodes where I feel poorly seem to be reduced. It does appear that the doxycycline killing the virus possibly causes the body to react the way that it does. My hope is that getting it this early will be of great value. Thank you all again for the support and for the helpful information!
Posted by tickbite666 (Member # 43399) on :
I too had the EM rash and caught it early with Doxy for 30 days. BUT 200mg dose of just doxy is too low and may just put Lyme in a dormant cyst mode only to come back later to spread. And Doxy does not treat Babs or Bart that always come with the tick bite.
See if you can get Doxy up to 400mg per day and get something like Tindamax or Flagyl to bust up the Lyme cysts... better safe that sorry. I was asymptomatic for three years before my Lyme symptoms exploded.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I agree with tickbite that you will do much better with a higher dosage of doxy. You DO NOT want this to come back on you.
Here are a ton of links with info you need to see:
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