My son just found out he has Lyme disease. He is outside working all day at his job and when he comes home he works outside on the farm until 8:30 or 9:00 at night.
He can't change jobs because this is too good of a job to lose.
He was tested by the Igenex lab for Lyme disease. He tested positive. His LLMD said he had a very light case of Lyme but it should be treated.
He just went to his LLMD and he prescribed Doxycycline. I'm not sure what strength it is.
When he had it filled the pharmacist told him not to be outside when he was taking this medicine.
I contacted his LLMD and asked him what to do. He said that there was another he could prescibe but he preferred to use the Doxycycline.
We just don't know what to do. Since he is outside so much I would think it would be better to treat it with something else in the summer and then maybe use the Doxycycline in the winter months. Does anyone have any suggestions for him.
sick
Posted by WhitneyS (Member # 25666) on :
Some people are fine taking doxy and being in the sun, its never been a problem for me. Id have him wear tons of sun screen and see how he does.
if its a problem you'll know right away.
Posted by Dekrator48 (Member # 18239) on :
Long sleeves and pants, hat, heavy duty sunscreen and see if he can tolerate that.
He will feel himself burning if that does not work.
I tried using an umbrella to shield the sun at a ballgame and I could feel the sun burning me intensely right through the umbrella.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
I would insist on another drug. Why set yourself up for skin cancer? The sun sensitivity develops quickly and you can burn in minutes even when lathered in sun screen. There are plenty of other drugs.
Posted by pooldog71 (Member # 21722) on :
My pharmacist told me that it was different for everyone. For me, I have to take full precautions with long sleeves, hat, sunglasses, and good sunscreen with zinc oxide. If I am out and facing the sun a lot, I can still start to burn on the face. He should be very careful at first and do some tests to find out how sensitive he is. Being outside all day sounds like it could be very difficult.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Remember that many sunscreens are toxic - so it takes a bit of detective work to find those that are not.
You'd also want one free of petroleum.
For a start, you might just copy and past this set for a web search. Several good links pop up:
Sunscreen, Environmental+Working+Group - and
Sunproof+clothing -
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
They usually want to start with doxy because it kills erlichia, so good to nip that erlichia in the bud in the beginning. Maybe he could take it for 3 weeks then switch to something else.
Posted by doglover (Member # 19374) on :
I took Doxycycline for years never worrying about sun exposure. I spent plenty of time outside with no sun screen protection and never had a problem.
I think it depends on the individual.
He should try it gradually to see how he does and wear sunscreen for added protection.
Posted by jackie51 (Member # 14233) on :
Minocycline is a good alternative to Doxy. High dose doxy will burn you in 5 minutes. It's a chemical burn, not a sun burn.
Posted by surprise (Member # 34987) on :
I got burned on Doxy through my car and it tooks a solid 6 weeks for it to go away, and it hurt.
Be very careful if he stays on it...
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Does mino hit erlicihia, like doxy does.
My friend is on doxy and it is killing her with nausea. She's so sick.
Any suggestions besides ginger for nausea that any have had luck with?
I agree doxy is a chemical burn and can produce a brutal sunburn in the sun. Your doctor should be able to prescribe a different ABX for you if you live in a hot sunny area and you have had enough to hit the erlicihia. I would talk it over with you doctor.
Posted by jackie51 (Member # 14233) on :
Make sure your friend is taking doxy on top of food. I know the bottle says empty stomach, but no way jose'. No dairy when taken either.
I don't think mino hits ehrlichia but I don't know for sure. One would think so as they are similar.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
She is taking it with food and no dairy. Thanks for your advice.
Yes, I know mino is similar but don't know if it hits erlichia and I've never taken it. Not sure if it has the same stomach issues. I know some say it's hard to tolerate but not sure in what way.
Posted by ESG (Member # 4816) on :
I burn in no time at all, including through the car window on a 20 minute drive
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i didnt read all but i had to work outsside too
i covered up with long pants and shirt-light weight but long-in summer and wore a BIG hat...i got made fun of but i worked
i forgot in car and ended up with burned forearms
Posted by sick (Member # 9143) on :
Abxnomore I had the same problem with doxy. I got so sick on it. Then I learned that if I eat, wait ten minutes then that one doxy, wait another ten minutes and then take the next doxy I never got sick. I think the clue is waiting for a while after you eat before you take the doxy.
sick
Posted by sick (Member # 9143) on :
What sunscreen have you guys found that works with the doxy?
Sixgoofykids is six weeks of doxy enough to kill the erlichia if you have never been treated for anything before?
I understand covering up with long sleeves and such but you could also get over heated working outside like that. It gets so hot here.
Would it work for him to start with something else now and then this next winter take the doxy or is it necassary to take the doxy first.
He has never taken anything yet as he just was tested for Lyme disease.
sick
erlichia
Posted by sick (Member # 9143) on :
Keebler Thank you. I will goggle that and see what comes up.
sick
Posted by fatherguido (Member # 25266) on :
Remember eye protection as well with good sunglasses.
Posted by momintexas (Member # 23391) on :
Ocean Potion makes a product called Faces that comes in a little jar and it's clear zinc oxide.
It works very well for me and I am very fair skinned.
Water babies sunblock works well too but it leaves a white residue on skin.
Don't forget lip protection too.
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
His LLMD calls it a "light case" of Lyme? What the HECK is a "light case"? Is it "disseminated" Lyme? (i.e: late-stage?) More specifically, are the + test results from IgeneX "consistent w/ late-stage Lyme disease"?
BTW, What strength doxycycline dosing is he on? Many LLMDs prescribe more than the 100mg b.i.d., even for early Lyme, so you have to be Xtra careful w/ sun exposure. He might want to shop around for clothing used by "white-skinned" touirists in the tropics... a wide hat, and light (breathable-fabric), long sleeve shirts. Maybe even work gloves w/ extended wrists.
I would have him ask his doc (for sure) whether he can switch over to, say, amoxicillun after a few weeks. Certain bad co-infections that "doxy" addresses are killed off by then. And "amoxy" won't make ya sun-sensitive. Posted by sick (Member # 9143) on :
Bless all of you for your help. I really appreciate it. sick
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Excellent catch by "Kete-tracker"
Any doctor who says such a thing as
"a light case of lyme" may not be a LLMD, at all.
Is this doctor ILADS-educated and is he considering combination treatment, rotation, etc.
Will all forms of spirochetes AND biofilm be addressed?
Have other tick-borne infections been assessed?
Now, that "light case" may have been just the way that doctor talks when someone is not terribly ill but it is, a huge RED FLAG indicating the doctor's skill set needs to be clarified.
There really is no such thing as a "light case" of borrelia. There are different levels at which people may be affected but it not at all like a light case of the flu. Way different pathology. -
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
sounds like being a "little pregnant"...
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
i, too, got a bad sunburn through the car window when on doxy. hurt like the dickens and took forever to go away.
if i ever have to take it again, i'm staying home!!
Posted by jackie51 (Member # 14233) on :
I would think Ceftin is an acceptable alternative to doxy. My daughter only had lyme and used Ceftin and Biaxin the last 6 months of treatment. She is all better and has been off abx for 1 month.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Something like this might be an option for you son:
Men's Regular Long Sleeve Half-zip Mockneck Rash Guard:
It would be a lightweight and breathable shirt with UPF 50 to protect him from the sun. It is meant to be worn in the summer as a cover up for water sports so it should work well for regular outdoor work activities too.
Posted by sick (Member # 9143) on :
Kete-tracker Gee everyone is so quick to judge everything that is not worded quite right. I wasn't in with him when he seen his doctor but what he told me was that---------I had lyme disease for over 40 years before I found out what was wrong with me. So I was really sick with many symtoms. My son however has not been having problems for very long. I just noticed that he was starting to forget and was so tired all the time so I finally convinced him to be tested.
The Igenex test did come back positive. I don't know how his doctor worded it but he indicated that my son was not near as sick as I was when I diagnosed.
And yes his LLMD has been trained to treat Lyme disease. It is probably me that don't word things quite right as I have terrible memory problems from so many years of being sick and not treated.
As far as wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants---we live in the midwest where the temperatures are already in the upper 70's some days. If you wear that type of clothing outside in this heat then the next thing you are going to do is become over heated and that is the last thing someone needs that has to work outside in the heat all day.
He was just tested and has not taken any meds for it yet. My question was if he could take something instead of the Doxy now in the summer and then change back to Doxy for the winter months.
sick
Posted by burnsjw (Member # 11819) on :
You could try some Paba.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Sick, yes there many other antibiotics he can take. Speak to your doctor about it and ask him to change the doxy.
There is an entire range of antibiotics, often prescribed in combinations, that are used to treat lyme and co- infections.
As was mentioned above doxy kills both lyme and erlichia, so it's a good one to start with but if his situation doesnt' allow him to take it than see what your doctor says. Also mentioned above is that minocycline is similar to doxy but I dont' know if it has the same sun sensitivity issues. High dose amoxicilian does not and is effective, but not against erlichia.
There are many herbal products that are effective, as well and can be combined with antibiotics.
The best thing is to talk with your doctor for other suggestions besides doxy.
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
Re: "light case": We may have jumped the gun there then.
Anyhow, I'd stick w/ the doxycycline for atLEAST a couple months (thru mid May). "Doxy" can go places & do stuff (knock out certain TBDs) that many other "abx" can't, or can't do as well.
THEN you can decide w/ the doc as to what antibiotic(s) to switch to. The first 2 I'd consider are amoxicillun or clarithromycin (Biaxin), with a little Diflucan & Plaquenil added to each, respectively.
I'll tell you ONE thing, though... If he works outside all day at his job, he ain't gonna have the Energy to "work on a farm until 8:30 or 9 at night" once he's on the abx! No Way! He'd better be prepared for that.
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