I am about to start Doxy again. The last time, I threw up every time I took it. The time before that, I got horrible burns on my hands from driving in the car- I was so careful about the sun- but it got me.
This time I am looking for ways to help with the stomache upset.
Also, are there alternatives to Doxy that work on lyme arthritis? I REALLY don't want to do IV abx. again...
Symptoms: -arthritis -atrophy -ataxia
Lyme since 2002, treatment since June '05. Previous neuro idiots diagnosed MS- was treated with IV steroids 4x and 1 mo. IV Copaxone for MS (all since 2002)
I am a runner, hiker, biker, roller-blader, Yoga guru but haven't been able to do anything for 2 years now. Now I can't even get the mail- help.
Thanks, VLSer
Posted by radiogirl (Member # 9202) on :
Hi, I have taken doxy at various doses for the last 2.5 years.First I do take it with food and then I take lots of probiotic thru out the day.I also buy kefir and drink it an hour or so before and after.Building up the stomach and intestines is crucial and when I got serious with that I turned the corner with the stomach issues.I bet others will wiegh in shortly with some more suggestions.Take Care RG
Posted by 5dana8 (Member # 7935) on :
HI VLSer
The only things I can suggest with the doxy is:
Take the doxy with a full meal. Not just some crackers..lots of food. Some people take it in the middle of a meal. And always wash it down with at least 8 oz's of water.
And then no matter how tired you get don't lay down for 2 hours. ( I nap laying up in bed) It can cause espohogial burn/reflux if you take it and then lay down.
And remember to take your probiotics/kefir/yogurt spaced 2-3 hours after the doxy. Otherwise it will kill off the good flora you are trying to replace.
Stay out of the sun with doxy. It will burn ya pretty bad.
Goodluck with it. Doxy has done me alot of good over the years and also in combination with other meds.
Posted by HEATHERKISS (Member # 6789) on :
Doxy and flagyl was a good combo for me. I'm going to wait for the winter to do that again.
Got off too soon I think becuase I wanted to be in the sun.
Posted by ksparks (Member # 8098) on :
I take prilosec-OTC with my minocycline ( I haven't been on doxy). I think this is the only over the counter acid reducer that doesn't interfere with the doxy. This helped with the general queasy feeling that I had all of the time.
Also, I started seeing and Oriental medicine doctor. She helped me with acupuncture and herbs to help with symptoms- especially nausea.
Zofran is also good for nausea- It doesn't knock me out like other anti-emetics.
Best, Kristen
Posted by cutie (Member # 8468) on :
How much doxy are you taking?
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Hi VLSer. All good advice here.
The only way I did not get nausea from Doxy was to eat a substantial meal before taking it (no dairy within two hours of Doxy). Do drink a full glass of water when you take it.
One thing that can help with nausea is papaya tablets. You can get them at a healthfood store. When you feel nauseous, chew on a couple of them.
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
Hi,
I guess I'm one of the few lucky ones that rarely had GI symptoms on Doxy - and I was on it for months.
Like the others who already posted, I too always took Doxy with a meal, avoided the calcium and other vitamins/minerals that can interfere by taking them later, and would prop myself up with pillows after my nighttime dose so I would be sitting up for at least one hour afterward.
A Lyme pal of mine was told by her naturopath to drink cabbage juice or eat sauerkraut, take slippery elm, etc. to prepare her GI tract for it.
Here's a possible new tip. I only use the brand name form of any oral medication, not the generic, because I have to be gluten-free and it's easier to check the gluten status of a major name pharmaceutical. One time I mistakenly accepted the generic Doxy and was sick the whole time. On the brand name, I sailed through treatment.
The starches and fillers of the generics can differ from those of the brand names. I presume you do not have gluten intolerance, but perhaps you can try one of the other brand name forms of Doxy or the time-release Doryx.
I use ginger for nausea - works like a charm.
I had the infamous "Doxy Knuckles" from driving, as well as burns on my face, neck, chest and fingers from being on Doxy in the sun despite high SPF sunblock and wearing long-sleeved clothes. I bought the clothing with SPF built in from the Sun Precautions catalog/website, including their SPF gloves. It was horrible being that hot and covered up in the midst of summer, but I had no choice.
Good luck! Jill
Posted by johnnyb (Member # 7645) on :
Agree with opinions here, and I've had unpleasantries with every abx I've tried. LLMD won't even give doxy in warmer months due to sun risk, and do NOT lie down for 2 hours after taking it. Take with nice size meal. Also important to take large quantities of good probiotics at least an hour or two apart from the time you take the doxy.
Upside to doxy is it crosses the BBB and should help with your neuro symptoms. It is also good against one or more co-infections.
Posted by VLSer (Member # 8189) on :
Excellent suggestions. I also heard from a member who has been on doxi. for 3 years who said NO citrus- it only makes the sun symptoms worse.
Great suggestion about generics- I do have Celiac Disease so I will avoid generics!!
I am starting off with 100mg. 2x a day and my LLMD suggested I break the 100 mg. tablets up to begin with so my body can get use to it. But when will I take probiotics and/or sleep? Ugh, I hate Lyme.
Posted by gardenoflyme (Member # 9261) on :
i was on doxy for a good 18 months of my treatment and there are 2 forms of generic--tablets and capsules. I found the tablets irritated my stomach terribly but i had NO problems with the capsules. The same held true for my daughter.
Be sure to remember those probiotics too like the other said
Posted by johnnyb (Member # 7645) on :
VLSer, what some people do is take the probiotics right before bed with a full glass of water (and, of course, 2 hours or so after your last abx dose). That way, they can work all night before your next abx dose in the morning.
And, Heather, you definitely DESERVE some fun in the sun, so don't feel guilty about it. It makes you feel more alive, and cooler weather will be here soon enough. We had a nice trip to Cape May for a few days (baby's first trip!)and even with the lyme crap going on, it still makes you feel better. Just take it slow.
- JB
Posted by VLSer (Member # 8189) on :
Thank you Johnny B. Congrats on the baby, my own 2 kids are the only thing that keeps me going on some days.
Question: What probiotic, and how much?
VLSer
Posted by johnnyb (Member # 7645) on :
quote:Originally posted by VLSer: Thank you Johnny B. Congrats on the baby, my own 2 kids are the only thing that keeps me going on some days.
We are on the same page! Without the baby I figure I would have given up long ago.
quote:Question: What probiotic, and how much?
VLSer
Any good quality will do. One example is primal defense. Just try to find one that covers multiple strains of good bacteria and can tolerate stomach acids.
Take at least the recommended dose on the bottle. Some people here suggest loading doses to start- large doses (3 to 5 times the normal) 1 hour before breakfast and lunch, if you can schedule it with all the other supplements and meals (I can't because I get hypoglycemic and waiting an hour after I get up to eat while the probiotics work will really mess me up. For me, 15 minutes will have to do).
Hope this helps.
- JB
Posted by VLSer (Member # 8189) on :
It does, thank you and good luck on a speedy recovery!
Posted by liz28 (Member # 4946) on :
You probably won't get sick if you eat a full meal at least a half hour before taking the doxy. You can get close to 100% UVA/UVB sunblock protection from any sunscreen with 3% mexoryl. Try Ombrelle at www.canadapharmacy.com. Ombrelle with mexoryl is only available from Canadian pharmacies. You might be able to find a mexoryl product called Anthelios in the U.S., but it'll be twice the price.
Posted by 5dana8 (Member # 7935) on :
I know some people have had luck with primal denfense but it didn't work for me as a probiotic
Take care
Posted by julier (Member # 9527) on :
I love this forum!
Yesterday, my daughter (13) had an absolutely horrendous reaction to being at the beach. She's been put on Doxy for a month and had just started taking it Sunday. Wow - the warning label was not kidding. The sun did a number on her.
So of course I came here and searched for "Doxy and sun" and came up with this thread with the recommendation for Ombrelle. Thank you so much!! I just ordered it and I hope this takes care of the problem.
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