posted
Hello, Im very new to all of this, and im still learning so much about the disease and about this awesome website.
I have had the disease as far as i know since the first week of may. On june 13th i started taking 100mg of doxycycline. The next day i started feeling so much better. I felt normal again and thought i was over all of this. With 2 days left of my 3 week prescription i started getting my symptoms back, and the last day i was in full blown relapse land. Since my prescription ended, the following 3 days i felt better until i started back up on the doxycyline, now im feeling the symptoms again. Could i be experiencing a herxheimer reaction? I am trying to find a llmd to go to, because although the doctor im seeing now is more than helpful he is still no expert.
Sincerely, Tom
Posts: 42 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Jul 2006
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NP40
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6711
posted
Tom, that certainly could be a herx reaction. I doubt 100mg p-day of doxy would take care of a sneeze much less lyme. Knowledgeable doc's will give 400-600mg p-day to really knock it out.
Having acute lyme you have an excellent chance of getting rid of this. Maybe, your doc will prescribe some additional doxy, say 60 days worth ?
Even early disseminated lyme can be tricky to deal with so getting a good lyme doc would be the key. Post over in the "Seeking a Doctor" section of the forum and someone will send you a Private Message with doctor contact info. Welcome to the board !
Posts: 1632 | From Northern Wisconsin | Registered: Jan 2005
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Look through these guidelines for treatment if you haven't already. They're very informative and helpful as you navigate (and, unfortunately, negotiate) through your medical care.
-------------------- Getting older is when we would rather not have a good time than have to get over it. - Oscar Wilde Posts: 386 | From Radnor, PA - where the ticks run free | Registered: May 2006
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Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
Hi Tom. As was stated, 100 mg of Doxy is not strong enough for Lyme. I believe the recommeded dose is 300-600 mg daily.
Three weeks of treatment is not long enough. From what I understand, an infection caught within two weeks of the bite should be treated with a minimum of six weeks of the proper dose antibiotic. The antibiotics kill the bacteria when they are reproducing, which is estimated at four weeks. Six weeks of treatment will cover one growth cycle. If symptoms are still present, further treatment is warranted. A longer infection needs longer treatment.
It is very important to see a knowledgeable doctor. Many doctors do not understand Lyme and treat with outdated protocols. Besides Lyme, ticks can transmit several co-infections including Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis (HME & HGE), Bartonella, and Mycoplasma. Many people who have Lyme are co-infected, and it may affect treatment choice and progress. It is important to be tested for these by a Lyme reputable lab such as IgeneX in Palo Alto, CA. Were you tested for these?
Do you need a doctor recommendation?
Posts: 4681 | Registered: Oct 2000
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Tom, the descriptions you gave were great! It really allows me to tell that you do infact have Lyme, definate Lyme.
So, diagnosis clinched. The next phase of this treatment is to get a knowledgable physican, you are at the stage which can be reliably treated with great success if the illness is managed appropriatly.
So, while you describe what classically sounds like a herx or borrelia flare, it could also be a co-infection. There are several co-infections for which doxycycline does not work.
See the seeking a doctor section, and get thee to a LLMD soon. You have a high chance for a full recovery.
Be glad that you came looking for answers here early, you probally just saved yourself from long term dissability.
Congradulations! I envy your early diagnosis and your excellent intuition by asking questions early, rather than waiting years before questioning your Primary care physican regarind Lyme Disease.
Good luck, and Godspeed.
Posts: 559 | From Cary, NC | Registered: May 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Mr. Tom: With 2 days left of my 3 week prescription i started getting my symptoms back, and the last day i was in full blown relapse land. Since my prescription ended, the following 3 days i felt better until i started back up on the doxycyline, now im feeling the symptoms again. Could i be experiencing a herxheimer reaction?
Absolutely! We herx sometimes with new meds, and most especially every 3-5 wks. Your "relapse" was really a herx, in my opinion...and I should know since I've had hundreds of them!
Keep up your search for a good LLMD. You do NOT want this to become chronic.
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