posted
A week ago my hands suddenly started swelling, turning red, and I was in enough pain to cause uncontrollable screaming.
Went to ER and they said cellulitis, skin infection. Gave me an IV dose of some antibiotic (don't remember which), some pain meds, and discharged with instructions to return the next day.
Went back, saw a multitude of different doctors, and they determined that instead of cellulitis it was a reaction to my doxycycline, 200mg, 2x a day for about a month. They told me to stop taking it and my symptoms would go away in a day or so.
I stopped taking it and they haven't gone away. The rash is ONLY on my hands, and mostly on the left one. Still very red, not as swollen, very dry, with pustules of pus. The lowest joint of my index finger, where it is worst, has been slightly blue for about two days.
I noticed a relapse in my cognitive function and pain level after stopping my doxy., and after a week of no changes I figured it can't be a reaction to it and decided to start taking it again, starting this morning.
I have an appointment with my LLMD first thing Monday morning. Unfortunately this all happened while I was out of state.
Has anyone else had something similar happen? Could it be a reaction that just...lasts a very long time? I have pictures, should anyone be interested. And should I instead see a dermatologist? My LLMD doesn't participate with insurance and it's so, so expensive.
Posts: 17 | From Purcellville, VA | Registered: Mar 2012
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posted
Oh, and another thing. Further leading me to believe it isn't actually a reaction to the doxy., I have only gotten itchier as time goes on. Just pain at first, now extremely itchy. I've been taking Benadryl, to no avail.
Posts: 17 | From Purcellville, VA | Registered: Mar 2012
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Summer3
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35286
posted
I had this happen after a bee sting. I was also told it was cellulitis. I ended up in the ER. Yours sounds exactly the same as mine was. I was not on doxy or any medication at the time.
They gave me keflex which I became allergic to so I had to stop it after 2-3 days.
It got worse and worse day to day and it wasn't a normal reaction for me. I could not even move the affected limb. It was so swollen, with extreme throbbing and stabbing pain.
Mine started out bright red with intense pain and very hot and swollen. The pain stopped after a few days of keflex, but the coloration of my skin in the affected area turned purple and stayed like that for over 5 weeks.
With swelling, heat and intense pain, it sounds more like an infection to me. I'm not a doctor though. I would be surprised if it was a reaction to doxy. I would ask your LLMD.
posted
Wow, yea, that sounds just like what's going on! Thanks so much for the reply. Like I said I have the appointment on Monday morning.
Posts: 17 | From Purcellville, VA | Registered: Mar 2012
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I've had several severe reactions to doxycycline and would not feel safe to ever take that again - ever.
I had taken it years prior to this this problem - for 2 months at 600 mg. a day. Then not for years
Took a low dose for a short time just fine. But, then when starting another round one day:
Broke out in bright red, raised, hot, silver dollar sized round rashes that burned and itched severely. Bulls eyes? Could be satellite rashes and a lyme reaction.
Giant hives? Maybe. Who knows? I had no more money to follow up with a LL MD but did try
doxy again, several times, over time and the same bunch of circle rashes. Between 8 - 13, exactly in the same places, and it took weeks for them to subside, even having just taken ONE pill.
The rashes would pop out within a half hour. The burn and itch was so very severe I could barely stand it. I had to stop. But I tried again, 3 -4 times over months. Same reaction. Always.
I was very disappointed because doxy had been the only thing that helped to calm hyperacusis enough to be around others. Very sad.
I still have a grey scar from from those circle rashes. Most faded after a few months.
I know doxy is just not for me, whatever the reason, it's just off limits for me.
Minocycline might be the next thing to use instead. I just could not tolerate the vertigo that caused me. Not everyone reacts that way but many can.
If you take mino, be sure you have liver support on hand and that can help the ears better tolerate it. B-6, too - and Ginger Capsules.
I'm sure you'll be able to find other ways to clobber lyme. Good luck. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Just re-read and it sounds like you started taking doxy again and are reacting again.
Please - do not take any more doxy. Put a piece of tape over the bottle lid and mark: rash on that so that you remember down the road if you find this in a drawer.
It may never be safe for you to ever take doxy again. And that's okay. There are other options.
It's important to know that new allergic reactions could include some not previously encountered. And they could be much more severe.
Also good to know that one can develop an allergy to a drug that was previously tolerated.
Even if this is not an allergy, obviously, your body is having an adverse reaction and it's telling you: no more.
This could be borrelia or other infection reacting so I'm glad you are to see your LLMD on Monday.
Be safe. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I only re-started the doxy this morning and nothing has gotten worse than it has been. If anything does escalate I will absolutely stop immediately, as then it will be clear it's a reaction to that.
Posts: 17 | From Purcellville, VA | Registered: Mar 2012
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
quote:Originally posted by LWB: A week ago my hands suddenly started swelling, turning red, and I was in enough pain to cause uncontrollable screaming.
...after a week of no changes I figured it can't be a reaction to it and decided to start taking it again, starting this morning.
Ugh, don't take any more of the antibiotic.
This sounds like angioedema. Hives and angioedema are caused by triggers that produce a skin or tissue reaction by stimulating certain cells (mast cells) to release histamine and other chemicals into your bloodstream. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/hives_and_angioedema/page2_em.htm
posted
My hands do not look like any of the photos I saw, on any part of the body.
Posts: 17 | From Purcellville, VA | Registered: Mar 2012
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posted
I got really bad sunburn on my hands when I was on Doxycycline. It was just from driving the car....... my hands were in the sunshine as they were positioned on the wheel.
Posts: 250 | From canada | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
That's what we thought at first, and it would fit, except that my hands were not at all the only thing exposed to the sun. It really blew up when I went on a walk last Saturday, and my face, neck, and chest were far more exposed than my hands...and nothing.
Posts: 17 | From Purcellville, VA | Registered: Mar 2012
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- LWB,
I did not see photos on hands but the swollen tongue photo.
If your airway swells, that could be fatal. It's always best to not push it. As you are planning to see your LLMD in just two days, it's best to
not take any more doxy. IMO.
Even if your reaction does not match photos of allergy, that does not necessarily clear it from being a possible allergy reaction.
Can you take photos of the rash that you have now - then your LLMD can see the photos on Monday even if it starts to disappear. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I've taken pictures regularly since this started so he can see all the stages.
If anybody thinks it would help for me to post them here I am happy to do so.
Posts: 17 | From Purcellville, VA | Registered: Mar 2012
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Go for it. We're used to some pretty grizzly stuff around here.
It may help but, still, even if your photos do not spark similarities from others' past reactions, your experience is still of concern.
I sure hope you don't take any more doxy for now.
Also, be sure to check the date of that. It may have expired.
Then go to the manufacturers direct web site and pull up a photo for the dosage you have. Compare YOUR pills with the real deal. Be very careful to compare all aspects, shine, markings, exactly.
Counterfeit medicines can be strikingly close to the real ones.
I assume you've consider other exposures such as any spraying around your home, new clothes, food poisoning, etc. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
I'm having the same thing that you're describing (minus the uncontrollable screaming... as long as nobody touches my hands). Same super dark spot on the lowest knuckle of the index fingers.
Mine is sunburn. I've discontinued doxy, and my LLMD has switched me to a different (not tetracycline family) antibiotic.
Good luck to you. BTW So far the most soothing thing for my skin has been Banana Boat After Sun Aloe Lotion.
Posts: 7 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2012
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posted
It was only my hands and feet that got sunburned from the doxy. It was very painful and instant.
Posts: 253 | From CA | Registered: Jun 2011
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