I've been on doxy, 200mgs for about five weeks now.
Yesterday, I started taking 400mgs of doxy. At first it made me sick, then with the help of people on this board, I ate more when I took it and now I can handle it.
The reason I'm posting is because I am noticing a BIG difference today. Yesterday and today I have not felt as tired as I have in the past.
I do not want to go back to sleep at 10:00am and I don't feel the need to take a nap in the afternoon. Last night I actually stayed up until 9:30 and watched a movie all the way through! I can't remember the last time I did this.
I have felt so tired for so long that I can't remember ever not having to take a nap. I think that my last memory of not getting tired during the day was when I was about 11 years old (I'm 37 now).
Has anyone else experienced relief of the fatigue/tiredness when the dosage of doxy was doubled?
I'm so excited about my new energy but I'm kindof worried that it won't last or that the fatigue and tiredness will come back after my body gets used to the 400mgs.
I feel like I've been given some of my life back. I truly forgot what it was like to NOT feel so tired all of the time! I just hope it lasts.
Posts: 50 | From Virginia | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
I'm guessing that noone has felt better after taking 400mgs of doxy??
Posts: 50 | From Virginia | Registered: Jan 2006
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BostonLyme2005
Unregistered
posted
Hi,
Great news! I was on Doxy for six weeks, after I was sick for six weeks, I felt better too, only thing is, when the meds ended, the symptoms came back.
I am now taking Tetra 1500 mgs a day, I have had some good days over the past 100 days, but yes, the fatigue comes back with the pains as well...
This is herxing, and it will happen! Unless you have been ill for such a short time, maybe a few weeks or months....
you will herx like the rest of us....Some say they did not, mmmmmmmm, maybe so.....
Hang in there and get a lot more meds, high doses...
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posted
I'm so glad you're feeling better! Try to stay with that dosage for at least 6 weeks, I think it is the standard dosage for doxy. Keep taking it even if you continue to feel good. What's good about doxy is that it also treats erlichiosis, in case you have that too.
I also took doxy in the beginning and made some improvement, but it turned out I also had/have babesia and bartonella so needed to add other meds.
Let us know how you're doing.
P
Posts: 449 | From Vermont | Registered: Nov 2004
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Doxy for me has been a God send. I started on 100 mg and herxed so badly I literally watched my joints start swelling an hour after taking it.
I had the herx from hell on it. Could barely walk up stairs, sweating, shaking, heart attack feelings, couldn't swallow, insomnia...on and on.
Now I can take it at 400 mg combined with other abx's and it is tolerable.
I have always taken it with food.
I also took Mepron/Zith. for Babesia and I did have ehrlichia too (hme & hge) - so I am sure that helped that initial herx on it.
My LLMD's office likes Minocycline but I don't feel it has been as beneficial for me so I ask that I take doxy at high doses.
Glad it is working for you too! Posts: 655 | From NC, Exit 88 on the Deer SuperHighway | Registered: Dec 2004
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Hi SKbland! I'm so glad to hear you're getting an infusion of energy. It's amazing, isn't it? Like a gift you're afraid is about to get taken away!!!
I think I spent much of my six weeks of Doxycycline holding my aching head. Can't say I got a big load of energy till maybe post-Flagyl.. (much as I hate to utter that F-word.)
Looks like the 200 mg wasn't making much of a dent in it. I'm so glad you've upped your dose and are seeing results. Remember you might also see unpleasantness in the way of herxes, too, so don't let those dampen your confidence that you're making good progress.
Keep up the good work!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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I took doxy for a few years and also noticed that 200mg doxy did not do it for me. I needed at least 300mg per day. That extra dosage made all the difference in the world, including relief from tiredness which is what you also experienced.
As a word of warning, don't fiddle-dee-dee that sun sensitivity issue. There have been people burnt so bad they needed cosmetic surgery.
Cheers,
-------------------- Jack Posts: 385 | From South New Jersey, USA | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
Does Doxy dosage depend on the size of the person? For instance, I would imagine a 100 lb person would not need to take as much as a 250 lb person. Any opinions?
Posts: 187 | From Gaithersburg, Maryland | Registered: Feb 2006
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I started out on doxy 200mgs per day (split 100mg in am & 100mg in pm).
I stayed on this for about 5 weeks.
My dosage was increased about 6 days ago to 400mgs (split twice a day). I weigh 150 pounds, but I have not heard that the dosage goes by weight.
The "standard" treatment/protocol is to treat lyme with 200mgs of doxy for three weeks (per all emergency room doctors and regular physicians that I have seen).
My dosage was only increased when I saw an LLMD.
My repsonse to the increase has been great! I don't feel tired anymore at all during the day. This is a major difference in my life.
If your worried about the dosages and weight, I would ask your doctor about it.
Good luck to you.
Posts: 50 | From Virginia | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
The dermo that diagnosed me with Lyme (positive ELISA) prescribed 2 months doxy, I think 200 mg/day. I took Doryx, which is easier on the stomach.
I experienced no herxing, but could not believe my fatigue was gone after YEARS, and my mood was elevated, joint pain GONE.
Went to GP who gave me tetra, and almost immediately, old symptoms came back. A month and a half of that til I could get into LLMD.
I have been on IV Rocephin and 1500 mg/day Flagyl for 6 weeks. I am feeling no improvement, and much more depressed.
I have herxed once for 2 days after 2 weeks. Felt like I had the worst flu, ached all over and temp was 102.
Now I have terrible bronchitis and sinus infection and feel horrible....don't think this is a herx. The only thing I notice is every time I take my meds, I can really feel the numbness in my face coming out.
Funny this came up, cuz I was actually considering asking my LLMD to put me back on Doxy, it was so nice to feel like a human being again.
So, I guess I don't know if the meds I am on are working or not. Anyone?
Posts: 203 | From Jacksonville, FLorida | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
I'm getting off-topic here with a non-doxy response, but wanted to reply to Jillybean....
I think your flu-like symptoms were a herx, when I herx that's how I feel, and I know it's not the actual flu.
Also, when I was on rocephin, I was extremely depressed. I don't know if it was because of the catheter and the IV infusions (which I never got used to), the rocephin, or if it was a psychological herx. What I do know is that after 7 weeks of rocephin, and 2 months of being catheter-free, that I have not been depressed again. Even though the rocephin didn't seem to help my physical symptoms. So maybe it actually did help me?
A couple of weeks ago I had the worst sinus headache. I never get those. It lasted a couple of days, and now I wake up with some sinus pressure that goes away by late morning. Don't know what that's about, but it has replaced my usual weird burning headache behind my forehead.
So maybe our sinus problems is just more herxing...
P
Posts: 449 | From Vermont | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
I was started out on 200mg doxy two weeks ago. Every day is different, but when the herx is bad, I know I can't take increasing the dose right now.
I've been sick for years. Don't know for sure how long, but I'm guessing 16 or 17 years, with recent re-exposures.
I go back to see the LMD in two more weeks. I don't know for sure what his next step will be.
My theory on the sinus headaches is that the bacteria is in the nerves in my nose and face. The ABX is working there, thus the increased pain, mucus, sneezing, pressure, etc.
The ringing in my ears has been fluctuating--some days it's almost more than I can bear. Again--NERVES.
I have a history of pollen allergies, but I knew something was different with the sinus problems I've been having the past three years or so.
Then when the allergy duck started me on shots--it about killed me. When my ears started to writhe on my head, and turned bright red and painful, I had to start looking for another answer.
So far the doxy has made the twitching and pain in my face that much worse. As I said, I just don't think I could live with any higher dose right now, even if this dose is lower than the experts now recommend.
Also, my "bad" knee has been aching after a long time of being pain-free. Sure wish the five or six doctors I saw eight years ago, and then again four years ago would have listened to me when I suggested Lyme Disease as a cause for the swelling and stiffness.
I'm pretty sure I'm in for a long fight. That's Lyme, though, isn't it?
Posts: 353 | From Florida boonies | Registered: Nov 2005
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5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
I would also up your pro-biotics too. And make sure to take them at least 2 hours a part from the abx.
Take care and keep on feeling better.
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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JimBoB
Unregistered
posted
Nebula:
Get OFF the abx for a week or so, but take Herbs, recommended by Buhner's Healing Lyme book.
THEN just watch the difference in HOW you feel. You will think you are a totally different person. I do.
THIS is no BS. I can certainly attest to this. I will never go back on abx IF I have MY way.
If the herbs are acting as antibiotics, which they need to do, right? then don't you still have a herx reaction?
I haven't ruled out herbs. And I certainly do believe you, that you're feeling better. Never argue with success!
I'll do what this doctor says unless he says I'm cured and I disagree. I see this coming.
He's supposed to be LL, but I don't entirely trust anyone but myself. Sad, but true.
Posts: 353 | From Florida boonies | Registered: Nov 2005
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JimBoB
Unregistered
posted
Nebula:
NO, they do NOT act LIKE antibiotics. They build you up, MOST antibiotics destroy one way or the other.
The herbs are part of our NATURAL system of things.
SOME of the herbs are antiSpirochetal, but some help you in other ways, too.
The main reason for herxing is because of the spirochetal dieoff and clogging up your system.
IF you clean out your system, you will have fewer and milder herxes.
In other words, clean your blood. Clean your Lymph system and that includes your liver.
Therefore, IF you add Sarsaparilla, Milk Thistle and Red Root to your herbal protocol, you will feel MUCH better, because you will have rid your body of the unwanted toxins. WHY would anyone WANT to suffer so much?
Unless of course they are Masochistic.
We NEED to get our systems "cleaned up" and help out our immune systems to fight off any inbalance we have in our bodies.
Nothing works better than our God-given immune systems, IF we are up to par.
Remember, that too long on abx will put our systems into off-balance. We do NOT need that.
posted
Has anyone experienced sever upper back and shoulder pain when taking Dioxy after first dose.....Taking 100 mg 2x's daily
Posts: 3 | From Phila. Pa. | Registered: Aug 2006
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I saw your other post too. Glad to hear that you are feeling that you may be responding to doxy with a herx.
Yes, I ached everywhere...my entire body writhed in pain but my chest pain literally felt like I was having a heart attack. I had multiple herxes like that for about six months until the reactions became less and less.
Hang in there and stick with the therapy if you feel you are responding.
Take care!
-------------------- �Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right.� - Ezre Taft Benson Posts: 655 | From NC, Exit 88 on the Deer SuperHighway | Registered: Dec 2004
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