LymeNet Flash: Doxy and sun exposure?

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Posted by servo2 (Member # 6383) on :

Hello all,

I have been taking Doxy 300 mg/day since November. I am scheduled to go on a cruise to the Caribbean in about 3 weeks, and I'm very concerned about sun sensitivity.

Would it be better to stop the Doxy altogether until after the trip? Or should I just wear SPF 50 at all times and just try to stay out of the sun as much as possible? Has anyone else had experience with visiting tropical areas while being on abx?

Also, if I do stop taking the Doxy, how long before the trip should I stop in order to let the sun-sensitivity effects to "get out of my system"?

FWIW, I have pretty fair skin--I can be out in the sun (unprotected) for an hour or so before I start to burn.

Thanks in advance,
Rachael

Posted by Kara Tyson (Member # 939) on :

You should get sunscreen that meets the Australian standard. This is a much higher standard that US brands. You can purchase some here:
http://www.crownlaboratories.com

Just click on the blue lizard.

Posted by tikbit (Member # 6629) on :

I can't speak for the doxy specifically, although I have taken it.

Several years ago, I took Norpramin, an antidepressant that caused sun sensitivity. I didn't take it serious enough since I had never in my life had a serious sunburn.

I laid out for 15 minutes in the middle of the day, and came back in.

By that night I was starting to blister and I continued to burn, meaning the burn actually got worse for three days.

I'm not kidding. I got redder and hotter, for 3 days. It was awful. Since then if it said sun sensitive, I paid attention.

SPF 50 is an excellent idea.

P.S. don't let the sun thing or Lyme cheat you out of a good time.

If you do that means it won. Go and have fun, just use your sunscreen and make sure it waterproof.

Posted by ShelleyA (Member # 49) on :

I tried spf 40 or 45 and went on a long slow bike ride in the summer while on doxy(and not always in the sun)......I did not burn as in a sunburn(no redness)....but the skin reacted as if it was burned............I will not take doxy and go in the sun.........just my experience.

Posted by vanmc (Member # 6903) on :

I was recnetly in Puerto Rico for a week long vacation. At the time I was taking Doxi for the beginning of my treatment.

I definately experienced some problems with the sun. I frequent the beach in the summer time and I am a real outdoor person and I have never experienced a reaction like this.

Basically I did get sun burn wearing hi SPF but that wasn't the worst part. For some reason when lying out in the sun the heat litterally mad my sking feel like it was burning. I have been to the carribean many times and I have never had this happen. It made being in the sun intolerable.

My wife and I actually cam home 4 days early because of how i was feeling.

I would check with your doctor and see if you can discontinue taking the doxi for a bit for your trip. I wish i had not been on it last month when i was in Puerto Rico. I didn't think I had an option. Best of luck and sory for all the spelling errors. The brain is not working to well these days.

Posted by bg (Member # 46416) on :

Hi, I'm doxy & NOT gone anywhere on vacation, but here's my personal experience:

do a search on "NOIR sunglasses" ... no infrared/UV sunglasses thread here on medical

see www.noir.com

or is it .net ; shucks I'm on to many different websites to do them by "memory"...LOL

Call their 1-800 no. found online and talk to Kate. Tell her about needing them in 2 wks. for your vacation trip. That way she can see if they have ENOUGH in stock to send you promptly. My replacement arrived in 5 days.

Check out the 901 and 907, wraparound AMBER sunglasses which fit over your existing glasses.

If you don't wear glasses, check the other frames available.

They were $25 and $48 online. Mention THE MARSHALL PROTOCOL and you could get 20-25% OFF. These are plastic, but they will replace FREE if they are scratche or the bows break off.

You need a lighter shade for inside while on computer, watching tv, etc. They won't work for me while I read. I also have these at nighttime after you get out of town, and that makes the headlights coming at you soft candlelight vs. that harsh, bright light.

DARK shade letting in just a little light is wonderful for outdoors

It is also recommended that you have LONG light colored blouse/slacks on plus a hat to cover your face, ears, & neckline!

I don't know how long doxy remains in the system; ask the dr. or pharmicist.

Good luck and have fun using these precautions.

Betty G., Iowa

Posted by Coyotecrazy (Member # 6707) on :

I'm on doxy and I burn even on very cloudy days. I would definitely get the Australian sunblock AND wear long sleeves and long pants (very light, white cotton), a big-brimmed sunhat and sunglasses. I do this even here, in Alabama, in the winter !! (we do have some very bright sun even in the winter). I don't know how long doxy stays in your system but I'd be afraid to take a chance. The burn can be fast an brutal.

Posted by sarahjane (Member # 6517) on :

Hi Rachael,
I also went to Puerto Rico in Jan while on Doxy- I thought that I'd be alright lying in the shade reading my book- but not so- the reaction for me was part burning sensation/part hive sensation- just cover up as much as possible and be aware of reflected light-
Have a great time regardless!

Sarah

Posted by servo2 (Member # 6383) on :

Thanks all for the input--looks like I'm gonna cover up as much as possible and use my total sunblock early and often. (Thanks for the note about the blue lizard stuff--I thought sunblock was sunblock!)

Going to see my LLMD next week, and I'll ask about stopping the Doxy, but I agree--can't be sure I'm "safe" and I definitely don't want to find out the hard way! :-(

Rachael

Posted by mjbucuk (Member # 843) on :

My son got sunpoisoning on doxy while using spf45 every 1/2 hr. It is a photosensitivity. He could feel himself getting burned thru the car window... I would recommend taking a break from the doxy... perhaps you can try a different antibiotic while away... My other son was on minocycline, which is supposed to be less photosensitizing. He got sunpoisoning on his nose & tops of ears at the beach as the sunscreen possibly washed away.

Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :

Rachael,
TravelSmith.com sells clothing that has built in sunblock.

Here is a sample: http://www.travelsmith.com/ts/ts_search_result.jsp?Description=sunblock&x=14&y=7

(sorry if this stretches the page)

Hope this helps.
Carol

Posted by bpeck (Member # 3235) on :

In my opinion you should stop Doxy at least 10 day before your cruise.

I was on Doxy, and eventually got the photosensitivity reaction, and sunblock didn't work.. Sunblock only blocks 2 wave lenghths of light anyway (the tanning and burning rays)..
the other wavelenghts will make your skin feel like it's on fire once the reaction starts.

Barb

Posted by Kara Tyson (Member # 939) on :

Bpeck,

The australian standard requires that 4 wavelengths be covered.

Posted by marks (Member # 6965) on :

I was just diagnosed a week ago and put on Doxy. We are also going on a cruise to the Caribbean in 3 weeks. My dr. told me to just not take it that week while I was gone.
Hope he was right.
I have still been getting in the tanning bed though. Is that not a good idea? I haven't burned at all.