My head feels like it is going to explode. None of my headache Rx's touch it.
Is this normal for Doxy or is this a reaction I am having to it? Should I keep taking it until I hear from the doc?
It seems that the drug works for you.
Good luck!
I've been off abx for five months. Symptoms seemed to have started to return. So doc gave me Doxy 100 mg 2x a day for 30 days to see how I reacted.
If all 30 days is like this, I don't see how I can make it.
Am I just being a big baby?
quote:
Originally posted by tabbytamer:
It seems kind of early for a herx, no?I've been off abx for five months. Symptoms seemed to have started to return. So doc gave me Doxy 100 mg 2x a day for 30 days to see how I reacted.
If all 30 days is like this, I don't see how I can make it.
Am I just being a big baby?
No, you are not a baby. The pain and inflammation you are experiencing is real.
I was herxing from DOXY severely by day 3, and did notice worsening of symptoms on day 1 even!
You probably just need to start slowly. I took 100 a day, then 200mg for a while, then went up to 400 (200 twice a day).
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Serously I know how miserable headaches are but fortunately I didn't get them with doxt. I have had nausea and other symptoms each time I start a new drug. It subsides once my body adjusts in 3 or 4 days.
I agree with Areneli, unless you're on a low dose it might be best to ramp up slowly.
Be sure to eat (preferably a whole meal) before taking doxy, drink lots of water and don't lay down for 30 mins after you take it. If you feel like crap, prop yourself upright with pillows.
Stay out of the sun. Doxy will make you super sun sensitive. Have a hat or cap on when ever you go outside or in a car. I have big cotton scarfs I can cover my neck and arms with in the warmer weather. Doxy gave me my name here!
Hoping you feel better soon.
hatsnscarfs
3 days on doxy; 2 days off;
3 days on biaxin; 2 days off; then start doy again....
From day 1, my right arm felt like it had been used as a punching bag! It felt this way for 7 months then the pains went elsewhere.
As stated, doxy & sun don't mix! My eyes always were SUPER SENSITIVE before where any light, glare, & reflections felt like I was looking directly at the sun. Now they are 200% more sensitive.
I ended up getting NOIR, no infrared/no UV sunglasses for this. You can read all about them at:
www.marshallprotocol.com and find EASY LINKS by Aussie Barb. She's grouped posts by category for easier finding!
If you call NOIR company, mention the marshall protocol and they will give you a discount! Find out how LONG the wait will be to get them. I lucked out & got my "free" replacement for broken bow or scratched plastic lense in 5 days!
bettyg
Bettyg: Did you still get headaches when pulsing the Doxy? I'm concerned as one of the side effects of Doxy can be Benign Intercranial Hypertension and the info says that if you get a severe headache to stop the med and call the doc.
On the other hand, I get pretty severe headaches just from the Lyme. But to take a new med and by the 2nd dose in the evening to have that exploding head pain--I don't remember that with my first herx in 2002, the head pain I got then was helped some by my Rx pain meds. The episode I had on Friday wasn't helped by the meds at all.
Anyway, I took Saturday off and today my head is okay. So thought I might try just one pill today.
My doc probably won't be in his office tomorrow, otherwise I would wait till tomorrow morning.
Yes, I went at least 14 years without proper diagnosis. So have the neuro stuff going on too. It's just we have to remember that not everything is a herx. So how do we decide what is and isn't?
I'm going to check to see if I have some ginko, if not will ask hubby to get some and yarrow tea.
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Tabby
Sure missed you while you were gone! sorry you're back to the ole abx....ugh. Me too....got another tick bite last month.
Yeah, you can herx after one pill...probably hit you harder since you'd never had Doxy before. It is supposed to be good at crossing the blood brain barrier....so hats off to your health!! 
I'm glad backing off the meds eased the headache...but do call the dr, OK?!
Cheers!
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oops!
Lymetutu
Sorry about your recent bite 
As far as me, I just don't think this will ever be gone for good. Felt pretty good after about a year on Bicillin injections. But suspected symptoms were returning at the four month point. I guess my reaction to doxy confirms it.
I'm calling the doc in the morning just in case he is in tomorrow.
Hugs,
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Tabby
[This message has been edited by tabbytamer (edited 29 May 2005).]
Try to stick with it as long as you can. Remember to be nice to your stomach and intestines. It will do the job.
yes, call your dr.
bettyg
I missed you!
My first abx was doxy, I started at 200 mg and went up to 400 mg in 1 month. The headaches were horrid, but headaches were also one of my first-worse Lyme symptoms.
At the time I was also on zithro, then mepron-art was added to the combo and it was until then that the headaches came down (on the third month of doxy-zithro-mepron-art).
However, when the mepron-art were added, the headaches got even worse than before, I FELT LIKE MY BRAIN DIDN'T FIT INTO MY SKULL.
I was only able to tolerate doxy for 6 months, then I start to have tummy issues (vomiting every time I took doxy), at this time the doxy got switched to omnicef.
I was also never able to handle more that 100 mg at once, so I took 4 doses p/day. FUN!, FUN!, FUN!
TAKE THE DOXY WITH FOOD, but not dairy, watch out the sun and even artificial light and never lie down after taking it, burns your eshopagus (sp).
IF YOU START TO VOMIT THE DOXY, PLEASE STOP RIGHT AWAY, THIS THING BURNS YOUR INSIDES IN THE WAY OUT, IT'S HORRIBLE. Happened to me and I let it go to long. Incredible pain.
-400 mg of doxy was definetly more that:
100 mg of doxy for every 50 pounds of body weight; on my case was like double this, but it was what my LLMD prescribed
Lots of hugs, take care
Lymster
Overall I wouldn't say doxy has bothered me. I try to always take it with food and water and I since I'm already fair skinned I make an even bigger effort to stay out of the sun.
I get occasional headaches that are severe but I take two advil and a extra strenth tylenol and it goes away after about 45 minutes. I didn't think the headaches were a result of the doxy though until reading your post. I used to get migrane level headaches years ago.
At first I was only taking ceftin with monthly shots of bicillin and rocephin. Switched doctors and the new one added the doxy and took away the shots. I seem to be feeling much better with the doxy added in. Only occasional stomach aches.
I also take two probiotic pills, milk thistle and cats claw in between meals.
Good luck on the doxy. Its so hard to figure out what medication works. Its seems what works for one person doesn't for the next.
I got in touch with my doc's office this morning. They caught him while he was walking down the hall from one exam room to the next to ask for me. Regarding the headache he said "No, it's not from the doxycycline--keep taking it."
So I guess I'll go take my doxy like a good little girl. Feel free to throw a pity party in my honor, okay?
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Tabby
quote:
Originally posted by tabbytamer:
"No, it's not from the doxycycline--keep taking it."
Tabby - I started doxy 400 mg per day with probenicid. Of course, I think that I have only been sick for @ 9 months now. So maybe your reaction is diff because you've had it for longer?
My experience: Felt horrible the instant I took it - nauseous - held it down, kept busy drank lots of water ate a protein meal beforehand even though I was so grossed out by the thought of any food let alone a steak. But it did help.
No milk products!!! No vitamins/supplements 2 hours before or after. Tons of water to wash down.
Headache from Hades w/in 3 days and bad herx. I thought my brain was bursting. Made myself eat protein and raw veggies and drink lots of water.
Took two excedrin migraines - although LLMD didn't like the caffiene - but it helped tremendously!
Second headache 1 1/2 days later - same. Got through it and had a fabulous weekend!
I figured I am not going to let this get me. LLMD said take it as long as I can. You will get through - I feel great right now - just can't wait for the next herx!
Plus I was detoxing from nutri-sweet so that might have something to do with headache, too.
Everyone is very right about sun - I went out yest. and my skin felt like it was on fire! I felt like it was raining fire - my skin kept tingling like drops were falling on me.
Feeling much better today 
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Tabby
