Topic: Doxy questions... Herx or what ? Feel real bad !
lymetwister
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19590
posted
Hey Everyone..
So, I'm a week or so into the Doxycycline now at 100mg 2 x day.
My question is am I hitting the Lyme or something else. Just your thoughts as no one can say for sure or certainty.
Some things I'm experiencing new:
-Freezing cold all day long -Skin feels sunburned even areas that arn't getting sun. Just the sun going through my T-shirt feels way too hot, like a burning. -I did burn my hands from cutting the grass for 1 hr. in the 70 degree weather. - I'm aching all over, major muscle groups, but in my finger joints now. I've never had Joint pain in all of this. No swelling noted in fingers. - Lots of Fatigue from nothing, comes from nowhere and it's the type where you need toothpicks to keep your eyes open - My tongue is very Soar for no reason. Feels like I burnt my tongue from hot food or something, but I didn't. - No crying like I do on Mepron, but my mood could be better - Heel pain is exacerbating - Anxiety still an issue - I had terrible Heartburn 10 min. after am dose today w crazy off the wall nausea and severe reflux burning in the chest as I didn't eat enough food. - Oh yeah, I got crazy out of breath from doing nothing but 10 min. after dosing this a.m.
My shortness of breath is not your "Air hunger", but I can tell it's me being overstimulated from my Nervous system.
So, all this time I thought Babs was causing my issues and it still may be a player and only god knows why the Mepron makes me so nuts, but it appears the Doxy is more what I need.
I don't think going higher right now would be wise as I'm getting my but kicked at this dose. Alot of what I'm feeling is more in line with what others have reported as a "Herx". I still don't feel normal and having Brain fog, which I usually don't have so bad. But, again, I'm wiped out from doing nothing, yet I feel like I can get out and do more.. Very strange and contradictory.
I still need tons of Xanax, Benadryl, etc. for my CNS overstimulation.
Thanks for all the needed support lately...
Gary
[ 05-20-2012, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: lymetwister ]
Posts: 1227 | From District of Columbia | Registered: Mar 2009
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Summer3
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35286
posted
I am getting a lot of the same symptoms that you describe. I'm on the same dose of doxy and I started it about 5 weeks ago. The first week was bad, then the 2nd week back to "normal" level of symptoms. This is the 2nd time I've taken doxy and it was much worse this time than initially back in October.
By the 3rd week I had added Mepron and I got really bad again and that has continued. I had a blistering rash on my hands which has gotten a little better but I feel that burning sensation as well even in areas that are not exposed to the sun.
I'm also extremely weak and for MANY days I could not eat anything. I just got my appetite back (actually an over-appetite) after adding zithromax this week.
I'm afraid to up doxy also. So far I have never felt this bad from anything. The good thing is that my liver enzymes which had been going up despite trying EVERYTHING to lower them have lowered since beginning doxy. My LLMD thinks that I may have had Erlichia causing the liver issues. At least I can continue to treat now.........
I would say that what you are experiencing is a herx. That's what my LLMD told me. I wish that it would last less time though. The last time I had this happen it was less severe and I was on Mepron. It lasted for many weeks.
posted
would it be possible to slowly switch over to a slower dissolving benzo like valium? or even time release xanax? it'll help with the overstimulation sensation.
xanax wear-off happens within a couple hrs especially if you've been taking it a while and is extra hard on an already depleted adrenal system. it may also level your emotions out.
Posts: 147 | From youngstown | Registered: Oct 2011
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I can't answer your question specifically- but, I can offer a bit of comfort- I was a tad concerned going into my Doxy 100mg/twice a day as well. I did have an increase in symptoms, a few new symptoms, my utter exhaustion turned back into sheer "malaise"....
I will admit that I was a tad skeptical regarding "herxing"...read quite a bit- know "Yale" trained physicians, etc....(reaction to antibiotic-but they are personally open to looking at other options)-however- in retrospect- I now believe there may indeed be something to it- I am happy to report- as difficult as it was- even ending up in ER- that about the 6th week or so- I actually began to see a bit of light- I was able to "walk" for the first time without ending up in bed for a week- my shortness of breath that was increasingly getting worse in the month prior to Doxy- actually has not returned- and- it actually subsided about the 2nd-3rd week on Doxy...
Our bodies are different, our systems are different- but- I am hopeful- I am hopeful for you as well. I know it's tough- and- I can't say "stick it out"- because- we all know our own body better than anyone- but- do listen to your body- I pray that it helps your mental clarity a bit- as it has helped mine.
I wear sunscreen and cover up- if you still have the energy to mow the lawn- I would say that is a blessing!!! Gloves??? I felt the very odd/strange contradiction as well...
I begin Omnicef today- so- needless to say- now that I am at a plateau- I am quite scared-
Hang in, stay strong, and- from my experience- best not to overdo it- enjoy the extra skip- even if it's simply sitting on the porch or by the pool with a newfound vision.....
Peace, Love, Light and Healing...
Posts: 61 | From NC | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
I'm wondering the same thing, on doxy 200 twice a day. Also Biaxin, Plaquenil, and Nystatin.
My LLMD told me that first we were going to hit Lyme, then Bart, then Babs, and then Bart again. She equated it a three-headed beast, you cut off one head, and the next infection becomes dominant and is then treated next.
I don't pretend to understand the science behind it, but I can say that I am definitely cycling through infection-specific symptoms (some that astoundingly I've never had before like finger pain, strong shin pain and migratory joint pain instead of my usual 'always' joint pain, mood swings and anxiety) and can pretty clearly tell what's being hit when. It's actually kind of fascinating, and has given me tremendous confidence in my LLMD and this treatment.
At one month in, I believe I've been hitting Lyme and Bart in an alternating way. It seems to go in short 5 to 7 day stages, which I know sounds more like Babesia, but I don't seem to be getting those symptoms yet. I am actually starting to wonder if Bart was reallythebig problem all along. I think I've had Lyme for a long time, and the Bart just activated it.
One week is still early. You may also be getting at mostly Lyme with beginning to touch on Bart too. Sounds like you're killing something, so stick with it.
Posts: 63 | From Catskills, NY | Registered: Mar 2012
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Maya12
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 36392
posted
Hey slowi sounds like you and I have the same llmd , I am on the same meds as you and have had the exact same experience that it seems Bart is now coming out more.
I am currently treating Lyme and have been on the meds about the same time as you. It's crazy cause I am also now noticing more Bart specific sx morons too like the shin pain and finger pain that I never had much of before
Is your anxiety worse now too that seems to have flared more as well
Posts: 1632 | From Canada | Registered: Feb 2012
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Maya12
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 36392
posted
Not morons symptoms ugh this stupid auto correct on my iPhone drives me nutts
Posts: 1632 | From Canada | Registered: Feb 2012
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I am happy to report- as difficult as it was- even ending up in ER- that about the 6th week or so- I actually began to see a bit of light- I was able to "walk" for the first time without ending up in bed for a week- my shortness of breath that was increasingly getting worse in the month prior to Doxy- actually has not returned- and- it actually subsided about the 2nd-3rd week on Doxy... 
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