I know there are numerous posts on this topic but my question is pretty specific...I've been on the minocycline for just over 2 weeks. I'm taking 100 mg's a day until I can tolerate 200mgs and then adding Rifampin. But my concern is that I'm tired almost all the time. I wake up tired and I'm tired all day..it's just worse at night. Often I'm so tired it's hard to think! Fatigue (and other neuro stuff) is the biggest symptom I normally have but it hasn't been this bad since before I started anti-biotics 8 months ago (a round of tetra and a round of biaxin). Is this the minocycline and it's going to stay like this the whole time I'm on it, is it a herx or is it just my body adjusting? I'm trying to figure out if I should switch it or not...any thoughts. Thanks, Nicole
Posted by northstar (Member # 7911) on :
Hi Nicolette, Yes, that was and is my reaction to it: empty, bag over the head, lethargy, spacey, brain numb.
I am pulsing now, M-W-F every few weeks (also using zith and tindamax), and the same thing occurs. It takes me about 48 hours before the light comes back on, in the brain.
I do not understand how people can take this for skin conditions, or perform up to par while working! I keep my slate "clear" when on it!
Northstar
Posted by mbroderick (Member # 5220) on :
My daughter has had this reaction, too, while on Minocycline. The fatigue may be a co-infection which hasn't been treated, though. She had been sleeping about 10-12 hours nightly, waking up tired, taking a nap several hours after waking, and going to bed early! She will be finishing a round of Biaxin, Mino, and Rifampin in a week or so and switching abx at that time. My suspician is that it's either a constant mini-herx or something is being left out of the treatment equation.
By the way, I had brain fog symptoms during the entire school year (Made teaching real fun!) until I added Rifampin. Pain that I'd had for a year went away, brain is beginning to clear up, and I have more energy than I've had in years! Symptoms aren't 100% gone but there's been a MAJOR improvement. Bartonella, I think, was to blame.
Posted by stella marie (Member # 7216) on :
Well go figure......
When I first took mino w/ ketek then added Tindamax at end of cycle, I felt much better! More energy, less brain fog.
Stella Marie
Posted by Lymelighter (Member # 5310) on :
I'm on that combo as well and it wiped me out, big time! I was feeling more energized then I started it and wham, hit me like a ton of bricks.
Don't forget to lather up the sunscreen while on Mino. I've got 50 spf and it's working well, albeit, haven't had much sun in Beantown. Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
Ahhh.....Thanks for posting this. I've been on mino since early May and have noticed quite a bit more fatigue as well.
The initial side effects of headache, dizzy spells and being sick to my stomach are mostly gone but the fatigue has been awful. Terry
Posted by johnnyb (Member # 7645) on :
Mino is like doxy regarging sun, huh? I didn't know.
- JB
Posted by mycoplasma1 (Member # 6377) on :
This is herxing. The fatigue will lift after a few months. Mine did and I felt great! Mino is VERY effective. Especially with Zith pulsed in eventually.
Keep going. Palliative antibiotics DO NOT WORK.
Be well,
Chris
Posted by Lisianthus (Member # 6631) on :
I got alot of extreme fatigue for the first 6 months while on Mino. It has gotten alot better.
Mino does NOT have the same effect as Doxy and sun issues. It may be more senstive for some people, but I get no reactions to the sun while on Mino, and I don't use any sunscreen. (I actually think suncreen does more harm then good, in my opinion.)
Lisi
Posted by Virginia of Yore (Member # 3269) on :
"Minocycline may increase your sensitivity to sunlight, resulting in more frequent sunburns or the development of rashes following sun exposure. It is therefore recommended that you apply sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) while outdoors or avoid prolonged exposure to the sun while taking minocycline. " http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/minocycline.asp
I'm on it, and use a 45 sunblock, with no problems. If I don't, even with light sun exposure, I tend to get brown blotchy areas like "pregnancy mask".
Posted by Foggy (Member # 1584) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lisianthus: (I actually think suncreen does more harm then good, in my opinion.) Lisi
I'll take the so-called "harm" from sunscreen anytime over a basel cell carcinoma and Mohs surgery.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)