I am just finishing my seventh week on Doxy--along with several supplements, including Vitamin C, Magnesium, Probiotics, Vitamins B6 and B12, and Nistatin. I have also adjusted my diet to greatly reduce sugar, wheat and dairy (for me, this is the hardest part so far).
Just as a reminder, I have probably had Lyme for over twenty years. I tested positive for Lyme through Igenex in May. No co-infections were identified (although IgG Band 58 came back positive). I also have numerous food allergies, including wheat and dairy. Thankfully, I have been pretty functional with all of my symptoms--however, they are obviously concerning (tingling, joint aches, fatigue, vertigo, twitching...)
So far, I haven't noticed any improvement. I'm just wondering if it is too early to expect improvement--or is Doxy not working? I am scheduled to see my LLMD again in August.
Also, what kind of risks are associated with IV antibiotics?
Thanks for your input!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
There are plenty of other abx you could take. Most LLMD's will stop a med when you reach a plateau.
IV's have plenty of risks. As long as you have good care of the PICC line site, you should do fine, however.
I got completely well on oral abx....it just takes longer.
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
Have you been herxing from the doxy? Not everyone herxes, but if you do, it's a sign that it's working, even if overall you are not feeling improvement.
If you've been ill that long it will take a while before you notice improvement, in most cases.
Are you on any other abx besides doxy? Usually LLMD's will put you on more than one at a time to hit the different forms of Lyme.
When I first started treatment I was on Ketek, Omnicef, and then Plaquenil. I noticed marked improvement within a few months.
When I switched to Levaquin in February my health declined and I've just now stopped it. I know it was working, though because I had really strong herxes.
Rather than thinking about IV I would be asking your LLMD about adding other abx to your protocol. Just something to think about.
Posted by Hiawatha922 (Member # 10796) on :
I have not been herxing at all--at least I don't think so. My symptoms have definitely continued but I don't think they have been any more intense or persistent than in the past.
What if I don't notice anything in the first few months (herx or any improvement)?
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I have had Lyme for 35 years and am getting better on orals alone. I started Jan. 20th and was about 15% of normal at the time. I could hardly get out of bed.
Now I'm at 75% and still improving.
It took a lot longer than 7 weeks for me to see significant improvement. Even now, improvement is slow and I only notice the small stuff, but I keep getting better.
If you are improving at all on abx, that's important. In the beginning I was so ill that herxes didn't seem any different than the "normal" bad I felt.
Now, I have a herx like clockwork, and even those are getting less severe. During the early ones, I could not walk without assistance as I was too weak and dizzy.
Now I can even go to the kitchen to feed myself during a herx. So, even that's getting better.
My LLMD uses more than one abx at a time. I was clinically diagnosed with babs, and it's my understanding that it's important to treat coinfections first.
We're treating the babs and borrelia at the same time. I'm on two abx for the two forms of Lyme that abx treats. I'm on Plaquenil for the cyst form. I'm on Mepron and Artemisia for the babs (Biaxin is one of my abx).
It takes time. Doxy is a good Lyme treatment. I was on it for a while (till I wouldn't stay out of the sun LOL).
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
i just sent you a private message; check it ok! Posted by groovy2 (Member # 6304) on :
Hi Hawatha
Make Sure that you dont take vitamins minerals anticids Dairy -
These things combine with Doxi and will make the Doxi Useless --
Read the paper that comes with the doxi- Fallow carefully --
Nystatin --OK to take -
I have had Lyme and Babs for 20 yrs-- 17 teen not treated--
3 years into good treatment the light at the end of the tunnel is perty darn Bright -- Jay --
Ps -when I first started taking Doxi I would take it with Yogurt --OuCH
Waste of about 300 doxi pills and time
Posted by cidanu (Member # 12503) on :
I just started treatment with Doxycyline. In the accompanying pamphlet it says not to take it within a few hours of eating dairy, but is it ok ok to eat dairy at other times of the day?
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