Been taking flagyl for over a week and doxy for over a month now.
I've been prescribed 1000 mg flagyl per day (2 doses), and 300 mg doxy per day (2-3 doses). I'm having a hard time working up to the full dose of either drug.
Currently I'm hovering around 500 mg of flagyl per day, and 100 to 200 mg of doxy.
Nausea, anxiety, lack of appetite, dizziness, and fatigue are what's keeping me from going up to the full dose.
On the plus side, I have noticed that my good days are even better since starting the flagyl. I have more energy and motivation, feel more clear, my body feels calmer, and I'm getting more work done. Bad days are still bad though.
I'm curious what others' experiences have been with ramping up to a full dose, how long it took, anything that helped you get there sooner, etc.
Is it okay to just take it slow and steady? I upped the flagyl today and I already feel mild shooting aches in my arms and legs, more dizzy, more sleepy.
Any and all feedback will be appreciated.
Thanks all.
-------------------- Symptoms since age 4 IGM positive Western Blot (Bb) PCR positive Spiro Stat (Anaplasma) Suspect babs and bart Posts: 226 | From Currently in Los Angeles, originally from Malvern, PA. | Registered: Feb 2010
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posted
If it were me, I would go for increasing the doxy first. That is the one you need to kill the Bb. The flagyl works on the cyst form of the Bb. Personally, 500mg was about all I could ever handle of the flagyl. I may have made it to 750mg once .. can't remember.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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karenl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17753
posted
I never was prescribed more than 200 mg of doxy a day. Had a very hard time to get to 200 mg of doxy, took me months.
But I tolerated 1,500 flagyl a day after short time and did feel better on flagyl - as you report. More energy and overall better. If you feel so much better on flagyl you might also look into parasite treatment.
Posts: 1834 | From US | Registered: Oct 2008
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I hope you are taking the doxy in the middle of a meal. Otherwise, the nausea will only get worse, become reflux, heartburn, etc.
Eat half of your meal, take the doxy, and then finish the meal. That's the best way to avoid the nausea side effect.
A little snack with the doxy won't do the trick.
Also, as we get to the summer season, most doctors stop prescribing doxy because you can't go out in the sun while taking it. If you do, you risk getting a serious medication burn. It is so nasty you can't believe it. Sunscreen doesn't prevent this burn. You must stay out of the sun.
So, your doc soon may switch you to high dose amoxicillin. If you can stay on the doxy for 1 month, that generally will get rid of ehrlichia if you have it. So, many docs start out with 30 days of doxy for that reason.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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Thanks so much, everyone, for the helpful replies!
Lymetoo -- I think you make a good point and I am going to try increasing the doxy while staying at my current lower flagyl dose. I think that's a good idea. I'll see how I do over the next day or so.
karen -- Isn't it weird that the doxy can be so difficult for some to tolerate!? You would think flagyl would be harder, but that doesn't quite seem to be the case for me. The flagyl seems to make me herx more (or something), but the doxy makes me feel more pukey and wound up/anxious.
TF -- I am indeed taking my doxy in the middle of a large meal, thanks to Lymenet! Nausea has been one of my worst Lyme & Co symptoms. What's interesting is that the nausea is NOT worse after I take my doxy, rather I am experiencing an overall increase in general, 'round the clock "ambient nausea," ha!
As far as the sun issue goes, thankfully I seem to be one of those people who does not have major tetracycline related sun sensitivity. I'm not going to mess around with it -- I'll still be careful -- but so far I have been just fine outside (for reasonable amounts of time, wearing reasonable clothing/protection). My mom is the same way -- she always did fine with both mino and doxy in the sun. I am thankful for this since I live in southern California!
I will probably ask to be put on something else for the summer regardless, but amox isn't an option for me. I have many abx allergies. I may ask for biaxin, as I know I tolerate that okay.
Anyway thanks again, glad to hear that others have had this same problem with ramping up the abx and were still able to make good progress.
-------------------- Symptoms since age 4 IGM positive Western Blot (Bb) PCR positive Spiro Stat (Anaplasma) Suspect babs and bart Posts: 226 | From Currently in Los Angeles, originally from Malvern, PA. | Registered: Feb 2010
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Nausea has been one of my worst Lyme & Co symptoms. What's interesting is that the nausea is NOT worse after I take my doxy, rather I am experiencing an overall increase in general, 'round the clock "ambient nausea," ha! 
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