My 11 year old (70 lbs.) son got home from a 2 day camp out/field trip with his class.
I tried really hard not to freak out, but found a very engorged, embedded tick at the nape of his neck. Pulled it out, it's on its way to Igenex for an LD test. After 5 years of being very ill myself and 3 years into still battling chronic-neuro Lyme, currently with a PICC line, I am leaving no stone unturned.
I did a quick search and am wondering proper dosage of doxy for an 11 year old. I understand if he were an adult, 200 mg. 2 x daily....but, couldn't find anything (at least not quickly) regarding a kid. Can anyone help me where I can find this info? What's your experience? It's the weekend so can't call my LLMD until Monday. My good friend who is a ND and Lyme friendly (she's watched me), but not literate rx'd the doxy for me. I have enough for 21 days at 100 mg 2x daily, but I can up the dose, if needed, until I hear from the lab. And my friend will rx more if I need it...like I said, don't want to overreact, but also don't want to undertreat right now if, in fact it come back pos for LD. Igenex said it will take about 7-10 days from the time they receive the tick to call me with results.
Of course, I am praying the test shows clean. But until I know from them, I want to treat during this crucial window with a strong enough dosage, but don't want to overdose the poor little guy. It's midnight and I can't sleep over this. Thanks loads. I hate ticks....but wait, we don't have ticks in WA State, especially NOT with LD...aaaaahhhhh...it makes me crazy. TS
[ 04-23-2011, 12:44 PM: Message edited by: tickssuck ]
Posted by lajamur (Member # 24593) on :
Hi there,
So sorry to hear about your son! Hopefully that tick wasn't carrying anything nasty. I remember reading about doxy dosage being dependent on weight, so I looked it up and found this:
"In children ages eight or older, your healthcare provider will prescribe a doxycycline dosage based on a weight chart, usually about 1 to 2 mg per pound of body weight per day. The dose is divided and taken for 7 to 14 days. Children should generally be limited to 200 mg or less of doxycycline per day."
Of course I'm always one to err on the side of caution -- if I were you I think I would just wait it out until Monday, or else go with a VERY VERY low dose over the weekend if you feel you absolutely must get him started on something. (I'm not a doctor!)
Curious what others will say as I'm sure there are plenty here whose kids have taken doxy.
Posted by arenele (Member # 29360) on :
Doxy should not be given to anyone younger than 12.
Use some other abx, please.
Posted by tickssuck (Member # 15388) on :
Up. Anyone else? I already gave him 1 dose of a 100 mg pill last night.
I really appreciate input and will also see what else I can find online. Thanks. TS
Posted by tickssuck (Member # 15388) on :
Oh I was just so hoping I would hear from more of you. I just pray and pray the tick test comes out not full of bacteria.
I guess I have to wait until Monday to consult with my LLMD as I am having a really hard time finding pediatric dosing info after a tick bite or even for confirmed LD. I just pulled it off yesterday, but waiting until Monday seems awful. Maybe I'll just continue with the doxy, but cut the pill in half and only give him 50 mg 2 x daily? I don't want to do nothing, yet don't really know what to do.
I do know amoxy is often used in kids. However, when reading about doxy, sounded to me like contraindication was for kids under 8 and he is 11.....if anyone has words of wisdom or other sites I can check....PLEASE tell me.
I will review Dr. B's Guidelines again. But from what I recall, I just don't remember him getting specific about pediatric dosing....maybe I'm wrong and don't remember....I'll read through that right now. If any others can give me any input....I would so much appreciate it. As always...many thanks. TS
Posted by LymeXtu (Member # 24590) on :
My son was 11 when started on Doxy.
The reason Doxy should not be used on kids long term is because it can discolor the teeth but after consulting with his dentist he said not to worry because all his adult teeth were formed by that time.
I am pretty sure the 100 mg 2X day is ok as this was prescribed for my son.
I will try to look up what he weighed at that time and report back.
Posted by momintexas (Member # 23391) on :
Does your LLMD have an after hours number?
I'd call and listen to their recording to see if they have one.
200 mg for a 70lb child seems too high to me, I would definitely check with your Dr first.
Posted by LymeXtu (Member # 24590) on :
Sent earlier PM
Posted by momlyme (Member # 27775) on :
I wish they gave my son doxy when he first was diagnosed. He was 11 years old and 85 pounds when he got sick. I BEGGED for 100 mg doxy 2 times a day!
They gave him Amoxy - I forget the dosage.
In my opinion, in my experience and in lots of the research I have done... Amoxy is not strong enough to knock out Lyme disease.
100mg of doxy 2 times a day is the right dosage.
Have him take it in the MIDDLE of the meal so he doesn't get sick. You probably know that. Hate to see kids get tummy troubles if it can be avoided.
We never saw a tick. If I did, I probably wouldn't have been too worried. Up until my son got sick I thought Lyme disease was rare & easily gotten rid of with antibiotics.
I hope he never gets a symptom.
Sorry you are going through this.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Call a pharmacist ...??
I would go LOW dose until you find out the correct dosage and whether or not it's SAFE to give him any at all.
Do not rely on tick testing. Been there, done that. Mine came back negative when the tick DID leave me some goodies.
Posted by philly78 (Member # 31069) on :
I would wait it out until Monday...jmo. But since you asked about dosage, it would be 4.4mg/kg of body weight for children weighing less than 100lbs. That would be rounded to 140mg. That one dose would be divided into 2 doses of 70mg each on the first day, but you would continue with 70mg once daily. LINK
That is just a general guide and It did also say that for more severe infections the upper limit....the 140mg dose could be given.
Again...I don't think it will be too big of a problem to wait until Monday. It isn't really that far away. JMO but as someone else mentioned, I tend to err on the side of caution too.
Posted by sometimesdilly (Member # 9982) on :
FROM EVERY LYME-LITERATE SOURCE WORTH LISTENING TO:
NO DOXY FOR KIDS, NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
Please calm down. A few days won't make or break your child's health, and you really shouldn't start treating without adequate, professional guidance.
If you have a LLMD who knows anything about treating kids (no guarantee of that), you need to WAIT to hear from that doc. If your doc doesn't routinely treat kids, call Dr. J in CT.
PS- My (younger than yours ) son healed just fine without it..
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
