I had been on doxy for a couple weeks when, 2 weeks ago, I developed some really bad blisters on my knuckles and fingers after a 5-hour drive. I had been being careful outside with sunblock, hat, etc, but had not covered up hands for the drive...I normally handle sun just fine and had not thought it an issue, especially thru windshield. Wrong.
Called llmd, who told me to halt doxycyline. I had just started a couple weeks prior, due to lyme sympt appearing to take over from babs/bart. Was already on levaquin (also halted now) and septra...so I think it may have been all 3 together that set the stage.
Anway I am bummed for many reasons, I live at 6000 ft elevation in desert climate, and I live to be outside, run, hike, camp, am missing the best xc ski season in years, high altitude camping and fishing awaits...and I fear months of living like a mole.
I have been switched to minocycline with the premise that it is less photosensitive, just started, feel like hell, not sure why.
Question: have any of you used both doxy and 'mino', and if so, was the mino any less photosensitive? And more important, was it as effective?
Thanks lm
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I got the blisters from doxy through my windshield with sunscreen on. I did not have the same problem with mino at all. I was careful with the mino, but did not have to hide from the sun like with the doxy.
Mino is very effective and crosses the bbb better than the doxy. I took it with Levaquin (and other drugs).
You could be herxing from the Mino .... that happens even though it's very similar to doxy, it's not the exact same thing.
Posted by groovy2 (Member # 6304) on :
HI LM-
I had Photo Toxic reaction when on Doxi - even the light from my computer screen would burn my skin--
I googled Photo Toxic and found out that Citrus - Even Small amounts can cause this reaction to be Much worse --
Cut ANY Citrus out from your diet - even lemon in your tea is enough to cause this bad reaction-- Cranberries will cause this too -
After I Cut citrus from my diet - my photo toxic reaction slowly went away in a few months - not to return --Jay--
PS I was drinking a gallon of lemonade every day for years --Ouch --
Posted by onthemend (Member # 13454) on :
yes Local, I had this happen on doxy thru window, while driving, also hyper-careful with sunblocks, etc. I am incredibly hyper photo-sensitive on doxy.
I spent basically one year out of the sun, period.
I've asked my LLMD to try something else - I just can't hide anymore - & I'll be changing to mino at next appt (early May). Cannot wait! No more walking the dog at midnight & having no fun with my 10 year old boy! I'll even get to watch him pitch this summer.
I understand you still have to be careful on mino, it's just not as bad as doxy.
Let us know how it all goes, I am right behind you.
otm
Posted by LocalMan (Member # 11648) on :
Thanks...I do worry that I'm now missing the benefits of doxy, and now I've got a whole new set of (I hope) Minocycline herx bs going on....my hands look like burn ward material, but seem to be recovering.
Sticking with the thought that Minocycline is a good alternative...
LM
Posted by dbourne (Member # 13833) on :
I pulled weeds in the sunshine this weekend and have major burns on my hands. I covered up my body and face but didn't think about my hands.
I am on 400mg of doxy and must get off of it. I can't hide this summer. I have a two year old daughter who loves to play outside.
Not sure of the purpose of my post...sometimes it just feels good to get it off your chest.
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