Hello, I was recently diagnosed w/ Lyme w/ a coinfection of Bartonella. I started rifampin last week (w/ several supplements) and all was fine. This past Wed I started doxycline and plaquenil. Late Wed night I started to vomit (threw up all night --every 20 mins until 7am the next morning). I didn't take anything (was too sick). Today I am feeling better and spoke to the dr. and the new plan will be to start back on the Rifampin tomorrow and instead of doxy to take amoycillin (starting Mon) and hold off on Plaquenil for a few more days
Anyone have any input on doxy vs. amoxy in terms of effectiveness and how you tolerate it?
Thank you!
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I took Doryx, which is a form of doxy that is easier on your stomach.
Amoxy is also hard on the stomach and has to be taken in high (very high) doses.
Both are effective, though doxy reaches other infections in addition to the Lyme.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
They are both good but everyone responds differently. See how it makes you feel. What Sixgoffy said is correct. Doxy hits some co infections such as erlichia and with amox you need to take higher doses.
But if you can handle the amox better than you have you answer for the time being.
Posted by keepsmiling2010 (Member # 29789) on :
So Doxy helps treat coinfections too?
Do you know which ones?
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
Doxy may have mild activity against Bart. If I had my druthers, I would use high-dose Amoxy for Lyme. High-dose Amoxy with probenecid to keep blood levels up is a good choice. See Dr. B's guidelines.
Good luck.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Doxy is used for Erlichia and I think, could be wrong, mycoplasma.
Posted by lorinda (Member # 28480) on :
Curious where you are in NY? I'm in WNY and looking for others that are in my area.
Posted by AnnaOD20 (Member # 29942) on :
I am outside of Albany NY just recently diagnosed and trying with Lyme and co-infection of Bartonella. The diagnosis was a surprise and I am trying to learn as much as I can.
I am also on Rifampin (for the Bartonella). I will start the amoxy on Monday (too scared to do doxy right now) and then I guess we will add the Plaquenil back in (not exactly sure what that is for).
Posted by 365SunnyDays (Member # 29969) on :
I found that Amoxicillin was very easy on my stomach -- I could take it entirely on an empty stomach with no issues (and my pharmacist indicated that 90% of people are the same). The Amox gave me more energy -- helped right away, but I never had a herx and sort of plateaued.
I've now started Doxy at a low dose and it has already given me light herxes. (Zithro and Biaxin gave me wicked herxes.) So the Amoxicillin did not really get at the bacterial load that I clearly still have in my body. However, the Doxy is very hard on my stomach -- even with food it seems to be eating up my stomach. Hard to imagine getting up to the necessary dose.
So, for me (and for others that have posted here), the Doxy seems stronger than the Amoxycillin, but Doxy is wreaking havoc with my gut. I am likely to go back to the Amox with Zithro or Biaxin (despite the incredible herxes).
Hope this is helpful in your decision.
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
Doxycycline definetly better than Amoxicillian. Doxy works on so many different infections. I heard that Amoxy hardly works on anything anymore.
If you take Doxy you MUST take it in the middle of a large meal. I have been on Doxy for over a year and as long as I take it with plenty of food, my stomach is fine.
If your stomach is in bad shape, you might want to take a break from antibiotics and work on getting your stomach in better shape.
Be sure and take plenty of probiotics!
Posted by Ali444 (Member # 28539) on :
The Plaquenil raises the PH of the cells making them more amenble to other abx
Posted by AnnaOD20 (Member # 29942) on :
Very good info. I have only just begun treatment (only diagnosed at the end of Dec). I think I will just start w/ the amoxy and then be re-evaluated in a few weeks and then if needed start the doxy. Good to know though that you find it to be better/stronger and also good to know about the plaquenil. So glad I found this site! I have so much to learn.