posted
My doctor saw my EM rash and the swallen lymph gland and prescribed me Minocycline 100 mg. twice a day for 21 days. I started treatment last saturday and right away I had mild fever and general flu-like akes. Those lasted for 1 and 1/2 days. Then I always have this dizzines and lighhedeness that bothers me except when I'm sleeping. The results from the blood word -taken the 2nd day I noticed the rash- came back negative. Dr. told me to continue with treatment only for 2 weeks instead of 3. Should I or shouldn't I continue taking Minocycline for 21 days? Will this dizziness ever go away?
I made an appointment with LLMD, in October!! Is it safe to complete 21 days on Mino and wait 'till october for LLMD guidance?!? Thanks in advance
posted
The dizziness is very likely from the Mino!! That's what it did to me.
Doxy will cover ehrlichiosis and Lyme... you MAY have gotten ehrlichiosis along with Lyme. You also need to be checked for other coinfections such as bartonella and babesia. VERY IMPORTANT!
Therefore.. you need to find an LLMD. You DO NOT want this to go chronic by UNDERTREATING at the beginning. I have my doubts about the efficacy of treating only with minocycline for 2 wks.
posted
Mareada... Any chance you could edit the topic to read.. "NEW PATIENT ... Is minocycline OK?"
Go to the pencil/pad icon next to the date and when it opens up, go to the subject line (topic) and change it.
You are being missed by those who could offer you a lot of important information.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Yes, indeed the dizziness/vertigo is likely from the minocycline. It is known to cause vertigo and other inner ear/ balance effects. Some people do okay with it but, for many, they do better with a different medicine.
Vitamin B-6, NAC, GINGER CAPSULES and basic liver support may help. More about that in the thread below but you do need a lyme specialist, a Lyme Literate MD (LLMD).
You may need a different medicine. Be aware, though, that when on doxycycline you will need to avoid sunlight as doxy can cause sunburn very easily.
====================
Specifically for LYME patients - lots of details about ears and what can help:
3/4 of the way down page one, there are lots of LIVER Support Links:
Topic: TINNITUS: Ringing Between The Ears; Vestibular, Balance, Hearing with compiled links - including HYPERACUSIS -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- This explains WHY you need an ILADS-educated LLMD or LL ND (naturopathic doctor):
" . . .To treat Lyme disease for a comparable number of life cycles, treatment would need to last 30 weeks. . . ."
`` . . .Patients with Lyme disease almost always have negative results on standard blood screening tests and have no remarkable findings on physical exam, so they are frequently referred to mental-health professionals for evaluation.
". . . If all cases were detected and treated in the early stages of Lyme disease, the debate over the diagnosis and treatment of late-stage disease would not be an issue, and devastating rheumatologic, neurologic, and cardiac complications could be avoided. . . ."
. . . * Clinicians do not realize that the CDC has gone on record as saying the commercial Lyme tests are designed for epidemiologic rather than diagnostic purposes, and a diagnosis should be based on clinical presentation rather than serologic results. . . .
- Full article at link above, containing MUCH more detailed information.
Documentary: UNDER OUR SKIN - you can purchase the DVD or see if your local lyme support group has one you can borrow. It's very important to see to understand why it's so hard to find a good doctor.
-======================
Since you had the EM (rash), you do NOT need a lyme test. Still, this is good to have in your reference links:
IGENEX - one of the very few good testing labs for tick-borne infections
You will need to be assessed for other tick-borne infections, too, but best to FIRST see a LLMD.
========================
In addition to the usual coinfections from ticks (such as babesia, bartonella, ehrlichia, RMSF, etc.), there are some other chronic stealth infections that an excellent LLMD should know about:
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR LLMD VISIT -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- If you still have a rash take several good PHOTOS of it. Always keep one for yourself but you may need a photo for several doctors along the way.
You do not need a lyme test but you will need to be assessed for other tick-borne infections. A LLMD will guide you. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- In addition to information above about how and why to find a LLMD, here are some guidelines so you know how to take care of yourself.
Be sure to avoid ALL artificial ingredients in foods, gum and even cough drops. Aspartame and MSG can make thing much worse and even a trace needs to be avoided. You can search at Google for all the names they each hide under.
Also be sure to eat lots of leafy green vegetables and avoid all packaged or processed foods. If you need more detail, just ask but, for now, just keep it very healthy and you'll find out more about foods after the initial hit of information can be absorbed.
Please save all these links to your computer file for easy reference. I hope this helps.
** Nutritional Supplements in Disseminated Lyme Disease **
J.J. Burrascano, Jr., MD (2008) - Four pages
=======================
It's very important to have this book as a reference tool for self-care and support measures. It answers so many questions in detail that is impossible here on the forum.
posted
Mino is great! I am postive for lyme, Ehrilichia, and Bart. I take Mino, and it acculty is clearing up my rashes from Bartonella. Take the Mino as prescirbed.
Yes, ask for the Doxy! Especially if you might have gotten Ehrilichia. IF it wasbt for the Doxy I got, my kidneys would have both shut down. Doxy saved my life in the beginning!
-------------------- Stephanie, University Student.
Ehrlichia [POSITIVE] IGG/IGM AB [H] 1.49 indexLyme AB interp. EIA [A] POSITIVE IGG P93 AB [PRESENT] IGG P41 AB [PRESENT] IGM P41 AB [PRESENT] IGM P23 AB [PRESENT] Lyme IGM WB interp. [A] [PRESENT] Posts: 145 | From Idaho | Registered: Feb 2010
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Well after over a year of taking an array of antibiotics at large and moderate dosing, I ended up on Doxycyline. My doc decided to give me low dose doxy over a period of at least 2 or more years(low does/longterm). I have been on it for a little over a year now and I have to say that Doxy has helped me the most!
I did take Minocycline at one point in my treatment, but the most improvement I have seen has come from the Doxy.
With an antibiotic like Doxy you have to be in it for the long haul. Its not like Zith or Biaxin or some of the others that are usually prescribed short term. Due to the manner in which it works it is a long term treatment.
Oops......I just re-read your post and it looks like you may have started treatment immediately after being bitten. If that is the case than forget what I said about longterm treatment.
If you started treatment within a couple of days of tick bite, you can nip it in the bud. However, if it were me, 2 weeks would not be satisfactory treatment. I would ask for 30 days. Better safe than sorry!
My aunt was bitten by a tick, and started treatment within 2 or 3 days and was cured within 3 weeks. She was fine and completely back to normal for a whole year. Then she got bitten again recently, started antibiotics immediately with the same results. If you catch it early you can get well quickly. But 2 weeks would not give me peace of mind. I still think 30 days to be safe. However 3 weeks did work for my aunt.
You might be able to talk your doctor into giving you 2 more weeks worth, or if not, go to a walk in clinic and see if you can score 2 more weeks of Mino.
I would still keep appt with LLMD, just in case. By Oct you should know if you are better or not.
Good luck!!!
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
Got it: 400mg/day for 6 weeks. right? I'll try to get them from my Dr before my appointment with LLMD. Can I switch from Mino to Doxi like that?
Thanks
Posts: 7 | From NJ | Registered: Aug 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Q was if you could switch from Mino to Doxi like that?
Yes. But know that when on Doxycycline you will need to TOTALLY avoid sun exposure to your skin. I'm not sure if sun screen will work but some of that is very toxic and add to the load your body has to process. There are some non-toxic sunscreens but, again, not sure if they are enough with doxy.
Certain kinds of clothes, hats and special sun umbrellas can help but be aware, too, of reflective sun rays. They can burn.
Even through a car window, you need to protect skin from sunlight. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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janet thomas
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7122
posted
Blood work will not become positive for several weeks after a tick bite. And testing for Lyme is unnecessary if you have a bullseye rash.
You should continue antibiotics until you see the Lyme doc.
Not everyone who takes doxy has sensitivity to the sun. I don't.
I sent you a personal message.
-------------------- I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice but only my personal experience and opinion. Posts: 2001 | From NJ | Registered: Mar 2005
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Ditto to Janet's note:
" testing for Lyme is unnecessary if you have a bullseye rash" however, your LLMD should assess for other tick-borne infections.
If you have not yet, get some photos of that rash. It will help your LLMD.
Some lucky ones have done well with a few weeks of a single antibiotic. But that is not always the case. Some get very ill with such a short course. Much depends on the strain and many other factors. So, be sure to keep that LLMD appointment.
" . . .To treat Lyme disease for a comparable number of life cycles, treatment would need to last 30 weeks. . . ." -
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