Topic: IV Doxy & Sun Sensitivity--need to worry yet?
Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
I am now on IV Doxy 300 mg, as I got severe gallbladder problems from rocephin, plus I have Ehrlichia still. I hope to go up to 400 mg/day, but I have daily migraines/headaches at this dosage, which I have had in the past. (It increases intracranial hypertension). So I can't increase it until or unless the migraines from it go away.
I want a period of time on doxy to try and take care of the Ehrlichia, which is stubborn. I've had to put off the doxy for the Ehrlichia for a year for one reason or another I know that this time length may not get rid of it, but hopefully will at least make a dent in the Ehriicha (and Lyme) until the later fall.
But my skin burns very easily, and I don't want want to get sun sensitivity from the doxy. Nor do I want to become any more of a mole than I have been for years. I've been unable to go out much for years, due to this illness, living in a major city, and being careful with the sun, due to already having had skin cancer.
SO, do you think I could safely continue the doxy until the 2nd or 3rd week in June, if I don't go in the sun too much until then? I know it totally depends on the person. I just don't want to get the sun sensitivity reaction, as it sounds horrible. And sometimes it causes permanent damage, I hear. . How long after you stop the doxy does the sun sensitivity last? Thank you!
Posts: 3792 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
I am no expert, but I can tell you in my experience on 400mg oral doxy that I am completely sun sensitive. All it took was one sunny day and an hour long stroll. BIG mistake. My hands got so burned - face too. It hurt something fierce. It wasn't even April yet when that happened. Anyway, now, I wear sunscreen (the baby kind 45 spf) on any skin that is exposed if I am going to be out for more than 10 minutes. Today it was crazy hot and sunny and I just reapplied several times during an hour and a half walk. It worked! Keep in mind that it takes a while for the sunscreen to "kick in", so apply it a but before you head out.
PS I get migraines all of the time too!!! I don't know if it's just me or the Doxy because I've had migraines for as long as I can remember.
Posts: 12 | From NYC | Registered: Nov 2010
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I was on doxy last November, and even with that being a winter month, my hands and left side of face got burnt just from driving! (Twenty minutes out and twenty minutes right back driving someone to work and home.)
I learned to wear gloves while driving. Other than that, I had NO SUN at all.
So from my experience, I would say no sun! And I'll never take that in the summer!
It took me about a week and a half before I could go in the sun again.
But like you said, we are all different! Take care!
Posts: 60 | From MO | Registered: Jul 2010
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
Oh, boy, Dawn, that's what I was afraid of. Today was really warm and sunny, and I walked outside for 35 minutes, although only some of that time was in the sun. And I didn't get a reaction. I didn't have sunscreen on, because I had been in a rush to leave. But I wouldn't want to push my luck. I don't know if it's a fool's errand to stay on doxy now with the sun increasing. I've only been on it for about a week.
Posts: 3792 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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I was on 200mg oral doxy and was able to tolerate 1-2 hours in full winter sun in NJ, albeit with a red face.
Posts: 252 | From NJ USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
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Wear sunscreen! I have been on Doxy for a year and a half and everytime I have to be out in the sun for more than 10 minutes, I wear sunscreen.
When I went to the beach, I wore sunscreen and also a thin long sleeve shirt, and I never got burnt.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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