I am suspected of having tularemia (rabbit fever). Both my cats are quite sick with it (from eating a wild bunny), and it can be passed to humans, and I have all the symptoms (now for 5 days). Doc prescribed 100 mg of doxy, for 2 weeks, twice a day, which it the typical protocol for tularemia.
My concern is that the doxy will stir up my Chronic Lyme (26 years now) and bring it out in force, and 2 weeks worth will not be enough to subdue it once more. I have no interest in treating my chronic lyme with long courses of doxy or any other antibiotic. But tularemia can be fatal, and cause liver damage, so I also don't want to be stupid by NOT taking the doxy. Blood tests for tularemia is based on antibody titer count so a blood draw would do no good for another week and a half. so, I COULD just have a weird flu with the same symptoms, and I AM slowly improving, although far from well. But I don't want to take the chance of setting off a bomb with my Lyme either by taking "not enough" doxy.
It's complicated. Any advice? I understand that taking a short course of doxy can just make a massive flare up happen with herxing and detoxing and general misery. Lol. As my Lyme and I have an agreement of sorts right now, I would hate to piss it off!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Actually, a short course of doxycycline might not cause a flair at all. I'd say that's a 50-50 chance. But it could still cause lyme spirochetes to go into cyst form.
And, if a flare might be in the cards, LIVER SUPPORT can prevent or help minimize that. Often the "flare" is due to the liver stress.
Indeed, if you have (or strongly assess) an acute "right now" serious infection that requires treatment - do that treatment.
I'm glad people are getting the message that monotherapy (with just one antibiotic) can cause lyme to go into the cyst form that requires different Rx. But there are ways to work with it.
You have another serious matter at hand. So you must treat that. And then cover the bases.
As for how else you might approach this, if you don't have a doctor who could also prescribe flagyl or similar, you might take GSE (grapefruit seed extract) capsules . . . but AWAY from the doxycycline by at least a couple hours both clock directions.
GSE may have similar effect to flagyl. As with grapefruit juice, it can pull medicine out of the body a bit fast so that's why it has to be taken hours away.
Some herbs that I've studied (as an amateur) that read to me as possible helpers as having some antiprotozoal action might be ALLICIN, ANDROGRAPHIS, BERBERINE.
I suggest also following up with one such herb for at least a couple months, or a full herbal protocol.
The allicin, though, is best from HEPAPRO or the one that Dr. K recommends. There are only a couple or a few really good ones out there.
Whole garlic cloves, small to medium, just barely crush it with your teeth before swallowing, could be helpful. Best in the middle of a good meal first to see how your stomach does with this. Do not crush the clove too much -
- as you don't want to bring out too much of the oil in your mouth or esophagus (it can burn) but it does have to be crushed ever so slightly to get the action going after swallowed.
Hope others have some suggestions, too. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
LIVER & KIDNEY SUPPORT & and several HERXHEIMER support links, too.
Doxycycline cautions:
1. avoid sunlight on your skin (even "bounced" sun) even for weeks after course is done;
[If minocycline might work against tularemia, I'd ask for that instead if you need to be in the sun at all]
2. Food with doxy. But no dairy. Do not take with any multi minerals, either.
Protect stomach but do not take a PPI (they have some negative effects). take doxy with a substantial snack or meal - in the middle so you've got some food before and after
3. keep torso as close to upright as possible for at least 30 minutes after doxycycline taken so as to help protect esophagus from the irritation it can cause if lying down.
Depending upon the angle of the particular chair, the most upright position of a recliner MIGHT be okay if you must rest your head or put your feet up, just don't slink down.
4. Protect HEARING by keeping noise coming into your ears at a lower level. See detail in the Liver support thread. -
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Sorry to hear!! I would just make sure to take good care of myself... take probiotics, eat right, do anything healthy that I could think of.
Detox .. like Keebler said .. keep the liver happy.
Good luck .. hope you do just fine! (and your kitties as well!) Posted by pagonut (Member # 45795) on :
Thanks to everyone for the great information! I have fortunately been improving so am continuing to hold off on the doxy. If it is tularemia, my immune system is dealing with it. If it is a flu with the same symptoms, I am also combatting it. Cats are greatly improved on the antibiotics. Appreciate all the support. Glad I found this site. Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
I cant believe youre not taking that little bit of doxy with that exposure and dx
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I was on IV Rocephin for a kidney infection a few years ago and didn't have any problems. I hadn't had Lyme symptoms at all for a few years at the time though.
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