posted
Hi! I've been treating Lyme (we don't know when I got it, but saw in blood test that I had it at some point) for almost a year now. For the first two months, I was just on Zithromax. The next cycle, also about 2 months, we added Rifampin and Plaquenil -- the Rifampin made me really sick so I stopped it and just did the Zithromax and Plaquenil. This time, I'm on Zithromax, Plaquenil, and Doxycycline. It's not nearly as bad as the Rifampin, but I'm SO tired. It feels like it's impossible for me to get enough sleep and in classes I can barely think. Anyone have any ideas for how to help with this? I'm not sure if it's just a side effect from the Doxy or if it could be a herx reaction...
Let me know what y'all think.
Thanks!
Posts: 5 | From New York, NY | Registered: May 2016
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Welcome, Caroline
[hope you are not using your real last name due to privacy issues and, with your city listed.]
I hope you will find here good help to solve all your puzzles - or most, anyway.
The first think of is the liver & kidneys support. Your plan there might need some adjustment to make it suit your body better.
GLUTEN? A gluten-free diet is a good help to many for various reasons. And be sure you are getting enough real foods, often enough. Food additives can drag down the best of us, too.
Topic: NATURAL SLEEP & ADRENAL SUPPORT -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- You say you are having trouble in "class" - whether high school, college or if it's your job, can you get some assistance through your school's support system?
If a STUDENT: You might consider declaring a "disability" with a chronic health condition so as to get some academic help . . . or some physical help with practical matters of shopping, cleaning, etc. so you have energy for your studies / academic work.
If a student, especially at a college, this is likely going to be much easier. Still, whether with family / friends / volunteers, try to become the planner as to HOW to orchestrate a team to help you.
If you work at a school, this advice would be a bit different. There are cautions with your employer, etc. Yet, there are ways.
I know a lot of this is dreaming to have a "helper team" yet it's a very real fact that this condition is a harsh task master.
Those with cancer are so much more showered with help and understanding than those with chronic tick borne infections. So do consider the fact that your body needs as much help as others with more socially accepted diagnoses.
Prioritize as best you can and ask for help.
Rest when you can during the day, however that is possible with a safe nap room, etc.
Is it possible to take some time off? Do consider what you need and if your body just needs that - we can list other suggestions in that direction.
Avoid scents and following vehicles too closely on the road as all that bad air can drag you down, too.
GREEN TEA might also help. -
[ 05-03-2016, 03:09 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- You may already know all of this yet, there may be a tidbit here that serves to solve part of your puzzle.
Doxycycline cautions:
1. Even autumn or winter sun, even early morning or late afternoon sun can burn. "Doxy burns" can be very rough.
avoid sunlight on your skin (even "bounced" sun - or through a window) even for weeks after stopping doxycycline if you go onto a different antibiotic.
2. Food with doxy is vital to protect stomach. But no dairy. Do not take with any multi minerals, either. The food minerals will lessen the medicine level and make it not as effective.
A substantial meal, in the middle with some food before and after the doxycycline really matters.
Protect stomach but do not take a PPI - proton pump inhibitor (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
Avoiding gluten can help with the stomach, too.
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.
PROTECT EARS / HEARING - when taking certain Rx, the ears need protection. Ear plugs with a hair dryer . . . decibel rated muffs with a blender, vacuum, lawn equipment, etc.
Careful around loud music and best to avoid in the ear pods. There is a link in the Liver Support thread that explains why.
LIVER & KIDNEY SUPPORT & and several HERXHEIMER support links, too.
EAR / HEARING PROTECTION note of vital importance, too.
PROBIOTICS also vital, take a couple hours away from antibiotic (both clock directions) -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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posted
- Oh, I just went to your details and see that you are a student. So, then, at your school, there should be some kind of department for student support.
If a college - Can you identify what that is for your school and make an appointment with someone there?
Do you live in a dorm? Communal shower (as scents from others' shampoos, etc. can cause fatigue).
If high school, best to talk to your parents or guardians about how they can help you figure this out. You might want to be careful about who you let know specifics with treatment if you are a minor.
If high school, let us know as others have been through this and will offer ideas.
An ADVOCATE from your local or state lyme support group might be something to explore. Do connect with them. -
[ 05-03-2016, 04:00 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Thanks Keebler! The links are very informative. My doc informed me of the sun risks so I am very well protected every day! I think I am getting a lot of toxins from the air (smokers, vehicles, etc) in Manhattan. But good news, I am moving in a few weeks. I'm in college but about to graduate so just trying to get through finals.
Right now for my stomach, I take the doxy with a little bit of food -- the pharmacist says that the closer I can get to an empty stomach, the better, for proper absorption, but to eat something if I get nauseous (which I do, hence the small amount of food, usually toast and peanut butter). And I definitely stay upright!!
I've been really good with probiotics as the first time I went on antibiotics I kept getting sick because the antibiotics were basically wiping out my immune system. This time I've been all good so far...
I'm going to add turmeric to my daily routine and look into magnesium as well. My Lyme doctor also has me on a b100 and b-1 in addition to my multivitamin. (I also take b12 because I'm vegan)
Thanks again!
Posts: 5 | From New York, NY | Registered: May 2016
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bluelyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 47170
posted
Plaquinil can build up levels and can reduce immune function hence why rhuemys love it...can you get another cyst buster ,tinidazole or alinia?
-------------------- Blue Posts: 1539 | From southwest | Registered: Dec 2015
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Dekrator48
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18239
posted
Caroline,
Doxy is the only antibiotic on which I can say I definitely herxed.
I also experienced extreme fatigue. For me, it lasted about 2 solid weeks and then got better, but everyone would be different depending on bacterial load, genetics and other factors.
Detoxing is very important such as getting your lymph moving, sweating, drinking lots of water with fresh lemon etc.
The inability to think well may be from circulating cytokines and other toxins.
I can't imagine taking doxy with just a little food. I had to take it 1/2-3/4 of the way through a big meal and even then I got nauseated a lot.
Strangely, after taking it for many months, the nausea stopped as long as I took it with a big meal.
I was unable to take doxy in the summers because the sun sensitivity was so strong and staying home or inside all the time was not an option.
-------------------- The fibromyalgia I've had for 32 years was an undiagnosed Lyme symptom.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". -Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 6076 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
I am taking Doxy right now and I get very tired in the middle of the day and need to take a nap.
Posts: 653 | From Northern Virginia | Registered: Oct 2014
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- You need food in your stomach to protect it. Not just a little but a decent size meal. This is vital. If you are nauseated, thinking will be so much harder.
GINGER CAPSULES can help calm stomach. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Do you think your fatigue was part of the herxing? Hoping mine is and might go away soon...
Keebler,
Good idea. I actually like crystallized ginger on its own so maybe I will pick some up today... probably cheaper than capsules.
Posts: 5 | From New York, NY | Registered: May 2016
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Caroline,
The crystalized ginger is full of sugar, though, and when on antibiotics, that sugar can cause candida to go wild.
Sorry. Just be sure to consider that. Ginger may have some degree of antifungal action but I'm not sure.
If you do have some, at least be sure it's not alone and can mix with other foods so as to minimize it's glycemic effect.
Good luck. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Also, be sure to contact a professor, instructor or student support staff person if you need help with your finals in any way.
My senior year I had a horrible time and did not know to ask for help even at the near to last minute. Well, I knew, sort of - from doing it so many times before but a new Rx I had been given threw me off with blurred vision and fatigue and
I was just too embarrassed because it was like I procrastinated being so tired all the time and such - but I just could not do the work and was ashamed. So I nearly failed due to one late paper and one blown final exam. I should have asked for help, even at the last minute.
There may be a way to take an incomplete, even close to time, due to health issues. Just keep it in mind. Take care. Nurture yourself as most wisely possible. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Good call on the sugar. Going to look for some dried but not sugared ginger.
ohioperson22,
For the 24-hour breaks, did you have to discuss with your doctor first? Did you feel better during those breaks or did it seem to take longer for the doxy to leave your system? I think I might want to take a break for my graduation day... going to be a long ceremony and activities with family after. But I'm not sure if I'll get my energy back that quickly!
Posts: 5 | From New York, NY | Registered: May 2016
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Dekrator48
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18239
posted
Caroline,
Yes, I do think that the fatigue I experienced when starting doxy was part of the herx.
Even though I had low energy, I did not normally have a flu-like fatigue like I did when starting doxy.
I had trouble even getting off the couch for 2 weeks.
The fatigue began 2 weeks after I started doxy and lasted for 2 weeks, but of course we are all different.
-------------------- The fibromyalgia I've had for 32 years was an undiagnosed Lyme symptom.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". -Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 6076 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
Caroline: I did not discuss the breaks with my doctor (and I advise anyone SHOULD!).
Doxy has a medium half-life, so figured it wouldn't leave my system.
A study found doxycycline reduced cortisol production by ~50%. That is a recipe for extreme fatigue.
Posts: 200 | From Ohio | Registered: Apr 2016
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