LymeNet Flash: WWYD - ? Regarding whether or not to continue Doxycycline...

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Posted by corinne (Member # 7694) on :

Here's a brief history of my Lyme Disease. I was bit in June 2005 and diagnosed in July 2005. My symptoms were, neck stiffness, flu-like symptoms, ,swollen glands, bells palsy, tinlging hands and feet and pressure in my head.

I have just finished my fourth week of doxycycline and my Infectious Disease doctor is saying that he is open to continuing the antibiotics for another 4 weeks. My symptoms have dwindled and I have occasional tingling in my hands and feet and pressure in my head occasionally.

So my question is should all of my symptoms be completely gone before stopping the antibiotics? I am asking because I know that so many of you can speak from personal experience.

I have to make a decision today because my prescription runs out this evening.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Corinne

Posted by johnnyb (Member # 7645) on :

I would say that if you still have symptoms, you still need to treat them....

You are still within the window where you can probably wipe this bugger out completely if you treat it long enough, so if comes down to either taking ABX for a little longer now, or a LOT longer later, which would you prefer?

- JB

Posted by YorktownNL (Member # 7657) on :

Doxy is cheap and folks suggests its a good initial treatment because it penetrates the blood blain barrier. It sounds like its working for you, so if its working and you can stomach it go longer.

Meanwhile, is your ID duck an LLMD and able to guide your treatment based on clinical experience? If not, you might want to find one to lick this thing now, when its new, rather than when it comes back as an advanced chronic condition.

Posted by cbb (Member # 788) on :

It's great that you're seeing so much improvement, but don't stop the abx too soon.
To answer your question -
Yes, all your symptoms should be completely gone before stopping the abx.

Generally speaking, it's said that treatment should continue until all symptoms have been gone for about 2 months.

If you stop when you first seem to be over it, there could still be some spirochetes present. With time, they will multiply to the point that your LD will flare up again.
It it much more difficult to deal with then.

In my opinion, it's better to treat a little too long than to take a chance on not eradicating the disease when you have the opportunity.

Better to err on the side of caution.

What dose of Doxy are you taking per day?

Also, be sure you're taking an adequate amt of Acidophilus to replenish the good bacteria that is killed along with the bad bacteria.