LymeNet Flash: doxy side effects normal??

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Posted by dullchime (Member # 6024) on :

Im new to lyme and only been on doxy for 7days and the first 5 days I felt a little better then on the 6th day I got horrible stomach pain and diarrehea all day. I didnt eat to much when I took the doxy in the morn so I think thats all it was, yet I still have the diarrehea. Is this normal?? the anxiety is the worst. Ive never worried anything like this in my life.

Posted by Kara Tyson (Member # 939) on :

One of the hardest things for new Lyme patients is trying to decide if something:

1. Is a side effect to the drug

2. Is a herx

3. Is the Lyme itself

Eventually you will be able to tell the differance. To me this sounds like #2 on the list. If that is the case..it will pass.

I am severly allergic to Doxy. I am not able to breath or stand if I take it. It is possible to be allergic to the drug.

Posted by rosesisland2000 (Member # 2001) on :

Good morning and welcome to LymeNet.

The following post done by the one and only, lovely, Tincup has links that you WILL want to read, bookmark and study.

Tincup's Links for new LymeNet members It is a very good place for you to start learning about this very complicated disease and about this site.

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/009342.html

Good luck and stay around awhile, you'll be glad you did. This IS the absolute best place for support for patients with LD on the world wide web, period.

Rosemary

Posted by HaplyCarlessdave (Member # 413) on :

How long ago were you infected- do you know? What's happening to you may have to do with the growth cycle of the Lyme spirochetes. That is, it is a "herx", or herxheimer-like reactiion -the cause of this is toxins released from a "bloom" of lyme spirochetes that emerged into your doxycycline-loaded blood, and died. The problem with lyme is, the spirochetes are less susceptible to antibiotics in parts of this cycle, so the antibiotics must be continued for a long time. You may need several different successive combinations of antibiotics at a very high dose, or i.v., to eradicate the lyme.
Also, there are "co-infections" that many people get along with the lyme.
Many doctors don't know much about lyme, and the information that gets to them is often faulty. You would do well to get a "LLMD"; that is, a "lyme-literate" doctor, to treat you for lyme. A LLMD will be aware of the different approaches that might be needed to fight lyme etc. (lyme etc.= lyme disease and possible co-infections).
You can post in "seeking a doctor" section to find a LLMD near as possible to you.
I had to travel hundreds of miles- I hope you have better luck!
DaveS

Posted by lymemomtooo (Member # 5396) on :

Chime...It is the doxy. It tears your stomach, etc. up...Your Dr. should have told you this..You must take something to counter it's affects..Strong probiotics(like acidophillis) to protect the digestive tract..Also maybe milk thistle.

My daughte can't tolerate orals and now is having trouble even with IV doxy.lymemomtooo

Posted by FredStef (Member # 6028) on :

Hello:

I'm also new to Lyme, and have been on Doxy for three weeks. I'm curious (and know nothing) about what you are referring to as herx.

I've had the following pattern with Doxy: For about an hour or two after each dose, I get all sorts of reactions such as hot flashes, lightheadedness, fuzzy foggy feeling, mild nausea, etc....a general feeling that I've been "jolted" with each dose. To those of you in the know....does that sound like a "herx"?

thanks,
Fred

Posted by Lil (Member # 4853) on :

[QUOTE]Originally posted by lymemomtooo:
[B]Chime...It is the doxy. It tears your stomach, etc. up...Your Dr. should have told you this..You must take something to counter it's affects..Strong probiotics(like acidophillis) to protect the digestive tract..Also maybe milk thistle.

My daughte can't tolerate orals and now is having trouble even with IV doxy.lymemomtooo

I have been on Doxy for nearly 3 weeks and I am doing very well on it BUT I also developed nasty stomach pains after about 7 days on it but I knew this was a yeast problem developing because I have never really been able to get rid of Candida.

Therefore I took 1 Diflucan tablet which really helped and made sure I took 1 good Acidopholus tablet after every meal. In addition I have taken Pau D'Arco tea mixed with Cats Claw tea 3 times daily after each meal.

Ever since doing this I have no problems at all with my stomach or gut so I really can recommend it.

I really like the way Doxy makes me feel though it does cause a lot of sweating attacks and severe aching at times but it is all very bearable.

BTW I do a every other day protocol because I believe it can be more effective at getting at the cell wall deficient bacteria. After several months I will add in other abx.

Hope this helps but I definitely think it is a yeast issue

Posted by riversinger (Member # 4851) on :

Doxy can definitely cause stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea.

You need to be sure to take it with a good meal, to buffer your stomach. No dairy or antacids or mineral supplements within two hours, or you will inhibit absorption.

You should be careful not to lie down for an hour after taking it, because doxy is very caustic and can burn the esophagus if you have reflux.

Probiotics MUST be taken to maintain the flora of your GI tract. Take them two hours after taking the doxy so they have time to establish before the next round of antibiotics.

If you are good with the probiotics, you shouldn't have too much trouble with ongoing diarrhea.

The stomach pain and diarrhea CAN also be a herx.For that matter, so can the anxiety. Lyme affects your brain, and all kinds of emotions can be caused by herxing.

Finally, if the pain and diarrhea don't stop, or are very extreme, be sure to contact your doctor. Some people are not able to handle doxy, so that should always be taken into account.

Posted by pippy (Member # 6005) on :

Hi
I have been on doxy (oral) for 5 days now and yesterday I didn't have food before I took it. I vomited for 1/2 an hour! It is really hard on the stomach! My LLMD recommended "Throat Coat Tea" from the health food store between doses because it can coat the stomach. I am herxing big time and have symptoms I never had before. I think an allergic reaction is different from a herx. Your pharmacist or LLMD would know what symptoms an allergic reaction.
Good luck!
Praying for you and understand what you are going through! Right there with you!
Pippy

Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :

Make sure that your taking acidophilis at least 2 hrs before or after taking any abx's.Yes doxy can be rough on the stomach eat some yougurt also low sugar.

Posted by dullchime (Member # 6024) on :

thanks for all the great replies, Im feeling soo much better due to the meds and the mental relief-- thanks again everyone

Posted by christier66 (Member # 6038) on :

Although mental health is nice, it also helps if your meds aren't making you sick, so here's what I have to say. I was on doxy for a few days and was throwing up the entire time. Couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, nothing. My LLMD put me on Doryx which is a coated form of doxy. There are a few side effects, but as long as you eat with the pill, you should be fine as far as your stomach goes. Ask your doc.

Posted by amyb (Member # 5520) on :

dullchime,

i have been on Doxy for about 4 months now.

sorry if i repeat did not read all the replies. there are some days i have the worst anxiety from it...steer clear of any caffine.

YOU MUST eat with doxy and drink A BUNCH of water, it is hard on the stomach.

Do you have an LLMD?

Posted by cmichaelo (Member # 5873) on :

Hi,

I'm new to Lyme too, and also on Doxy. 400mg/day for 4 weeks. 2 1/2 week into treatment. Here's my progress.

After 1-2 days, I started feeling worse. Had to lie down and cold sweated. After one day though, this went away but I kept experiencing my original symptoms of fainting fits, shortness of breath, and foggyheaded.

After about 7 days I started developing numbness in arms and feet. And then came joint pain in knees, wrists and fingers.

After 14 days nearly all symptoms went away for 1 1/2 day. Then on the 16th day, they came back just like that at 11:40am.

So seems like something's happening to me roughly once every week. I'm not trying to make sense of it. I understand that everyone reacts, or doesn't react, differently. So I don't know if I'm getting better, if I'm herxing or if I'm not getting better. All I know is that I DON'T FEEL better at this point. And my gutt tells me that the Doxy is not up for the job. But Dr.C wants me to wait it out.

I have sort of accepted that the healing process to a large extent is a waiting game. So it helps to be patient. Avoid stressful situation, if at all possible.

Michael

Posted by dullchime (Member # 6024) on :

michael, your symptoms sound close to mine, did you have any fevers with that on a steady basis???

Posted by pippy (Member # 6005) on :

dullchime,
Hi, I have been on doxy now for 2 weeks (I think) and I am getting fevers and chills. I normally have low body temp (typical of lyme).

The stomach upset has gotten much better. Developed photosens. to sun. got burned. be sure to wear sunscreen of high spf. Depression and anxiety are worst symptoms for me on this. Neuro stuff also

I also have the once a week or every 6 days cycle it seems like. mini herxing then major herx every 6 days.

If you are getting fevers your immune system is kicking in to fight this...it takes a long time...which really gets me mad and frustrated....today I cried for no reason and felt better (like emotional tension building up) This sucks, I know!

Hang in there and don't give up! You are going to beat this and so am I!
Pip

Posted by dullchime (Member # 6024) on :

thanks for the reply- I think I have a handle on the doxy at this point and Im feeling better but no where near 100%-- My vision still sucks, and of course the fatigue- there is no way I can stay awake past 8:30 at night, and even after a short walk around the mall I was dead tired after that. Oh well, Trying to make the best of it. chime