LymeNet Flash: Lyme Question/Antibiotics

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Posted by dzeb (Member # 4426) on :

I was wondering if any one has a similar situation or am I just going crazy from this disease?
I have had Lyme don't reallly know for how long manily just affects the vision. My MD put me on ATBX Doxy 100mg BID, I was doing great on that but then my work schedule got a little crazy and I started taking my Doxy at the same time so instead of taking it BID I was taking 2 pills at once. I called My MD because I started feeling horrible again she told me to stop taking the DOXY for 2-3 days and then resume ate the original prescribed dose. That was 3 weeks ago and my eyes still feel horrible they actually feel worse. I have had this terrible ringing in my ears, a stiff neck for 3 days and woke up the last 5 days in a pool of sweat. I am also losing my hair when I get out of the shower. Can these be symtpoms that the Lyme is back?
I called my MD office on Friday but she was off and I got he service no one called me back I was wondering if I should follow up with her first thing on Monday since both of my eye MD's are out of town on an eye convention is New Orleans and the first thing they are going to want ot do is put me back on steriods.
Any help would be appreciated.

Posted by lkpod (Member # 6187) on :

I'm not an expert and I've never been on doxy. I would think however that only 200 mg a day isn't very much but even so it sounds like you are herxing.

A herx is a worsening of current or other Lyme symptoms. Many people herx around 3-4 weeks after treatment starts.

Just thought I'd let you know you're not crazy. I'm sure someone else will be along shortly eith more advice or support.

And I'd call the doc tomorrow anyhow just to make sure.

And please try to stay off of the steroids if at all possible. They only decrease the immune systems ability to fight these bad bugs.

Posted by lookin4answers (Member # 4974) on :

Hello Dzeb!

Just an alert!!!! ****** STEROIDS ARE HORRIBLE FOR LYMIES!!!! *******

If you even think you have lyme, do not let anyone give you steroids.

Have you ever seen a Lyme Literate MD? I would start looking in that direction for sure.
Yes, these could all be lyme symptoms popping up and I totally agree with Pod that the mg on doxy sounds very low.

I was taking 400mg daily, but this was just my experience.
I am sure someone will give you some more opinions.

Take care, Amanda

Posted by dzeb (Member # 4426) on :

[QUOTE]Originally posted by lookin4answers:
Hello Dzeb!
Just an alert!!!! ****** STEROIDS ARE HORRIBLE FOR LYMIES!!!! *******
If you even think you have lyme, do not let anyone give you steroids.
Have you ever seen a Lyme Literate MD? I would start looking in that direction for sure.
Yes, these could all be lyme symptoms popping up and I totally agree with Pod that the mg on doxy sounds very low.
I was taking 400mg daily, but this was just my experience.
I am sure someone will give you some more opinions.

Take care, Amanda[/QUOTE

I have offically been diagnosed with Lyme and see a LLMD she is really wonderful, it is the eye MD's that want the steriods.
Thanks for your reply.

Posted by lookin4answers (Member # 4974) on :

Dzeb, that is good to know. You are definatley headed in the right direction.

I do believe that many have had the same experiences you have talked of, not sure where they are right now, but, if I am correct in saying the eye thing is usually a co-infection of lyme.

Babes or Bartonella I get them confused for some reason. Is your LLMD treating you on any co-infections or have you been tested for them?

Posted by AZURE WISH (Member # 804) on :

please avoid the steriods

I am NOT a dr. but 200 mg a day seems a low dose to me... are you sure you have a llmd because sometimes they say they understand lyme and they may even have research grants for it but they dont know diddly.

i guess what im saying is dont take the drs word.

I am only saying this because i went to a dr...who claimed to be very knowledgable about lyme he had even been given grants for research but i ended up sicker after 4-5 months with him than I had been in the first place.... I really believe that had i been treated adequately then I would not be sick today....

my guess is that when you took 200 mg at once you killed off alot of lyme bacteria and you was herxing I would really think this if you felt better the 2-3 days u did not take antibiotics.

a herx can be new symptoms, old symptoms, and or ur current symptoms becoming more intense or severe.

best wishes

Posted by gonecrazy81 (Member # 6421) on :

Hi DZEB,
I was losing my eye sight when I was finally diagnosed with lyme. The doctor put me on a very high dosage of Zithromax and Metronidazole, and my eye sight was much better within a couple of months. My eye doctor was amazed. Doxy. is definitely used to treat lyme, but I agree with everyone else.....the dosage is really low. The other symptoms could definitely be a Herx reaction. I experienced the most intense pain when I finally started the treatments. A LLMD would be your best bet. I was misdiagnosed for 16 years before going to a LLMD. Good luck!

Posted by cbb (Member # 788) on :

Hi dzeb,
So sorry you're having such a difficult time.

The questions that popped into my mind were:

1) Has your dr tested you for Co-Infections, especially Babesiosis & Bartonella?

2) Which labs does she use?

3) How were you diagnosed?
test results, clinical diagnosis?

4) About how many Lyme patients has your dr treated?

5) Where are you located? Sounds as if you may be in, or near, Louisiana.

6) Are you taking acidophilus to replenish the good bacteria in your body?

Don't mean to sound nosey, but more info would help people form opinions & make suggestions. Answers are not mandatory.