posted
I've been on Doxy for almost five months at the full dose, and have herxed several times from it. My doctor thinks that I should go off it now, since it's getting to be summer time, and I have a 15 minute sunlit walk to the train to and from work. I've had several severe burns from the Doxy, despite zinc suntan lotion, clothing, and hats (my hands were burned so badly that my fingernails have started to separate from the nail beds).
My co-infections are Bartonella and Mycoplasma, and the only other abx I'm on is Biaxin. I know the Macrolide/Tetracycline combination can be really important. I'm just wondering if I should go off of the Doxy just because of sun toxicity.
I'm just looking for thoughts on whether it seems more beneficial to continue the doxy and suck it up regarding the sunburns, or discontinue the doxy due to the phototoxicity.
I would appreciate any help! Thanks.
Posts: 20 | From Chicago, IL | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
I always think it is a good idea to switch antibiotics periodically. Keeps the keets on their toes. If you want something similar to doxy but without the sun efffects, try minocyline.
For me personally, the benefits of the sun outweighs the benefits of doxy, but that doesn't mean its right for everyone. Good luck. Hiker
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 10179 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
Tetracycline was more effective for me than doxy and while it made me sun sensitive, it wasn't as severe as doxy. My LLMD takes all of us of tetra for the summer. I started Plaquenil & Biaxin tonight. I'll still where a hat & scarf though. I say get off doxy for the summer. The burns can be severe. hats
Posts: 956 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2004
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lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
For all of those people that I was complaining about the sun and doxy.
I started using sunblock and have been in the sun for 20 minutes at a time the past couple days.
Probabbly an hour total exposure each day.
I have no reactions to the sun now. My face get a little hot and thats it.
My hands did get red and itch the first time I went in the sun but now they dont.
I am taking currentlly 200 mg a day. 1 in the morning.
I think that with the first couple exposures my ressistance became increased.
I do have some more color butr it seems my wrinkles increased (blah) maybee just a sign of getting older.
So Im playing safe with the sunblock but at the same time watching my sun, watching for any funny reactions too.
Best wishes
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
It has been reported that when going off and then on again the phototoxicity is less severe.
If I were you, I would ask the doctor to go off for now and get some color, then see if you can go on it in a couple of months or so.
See how this fares
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Thanks everyone! This really helps. I'm so sick of being holed up indoors. I feel like a hobbit. That's good advice, LymeHerx, about going off, getting some color, and going on again. Any idea if this will decrease the effect of the Doxy, though?
bsm
Posts: 20 | From Chicago, IL | Registered: Mar 2006
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lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
If anything the cycts will open and perhaps give you some power in hitting them again with the doxy.
There are also different camps on how to administer anti-biotics for lyme.
Some say go long and hard.
Some say go hard but not long if the herx is too much.
Some say pulse and reduce when the herx starts.
Some just keep adding more and more.
Some go IV
etc. get the picture. It seems there really is no right way to treat with anti-biotics or shall we say a standard.
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
No sun today, its raining here in CT.
So Im free to take more DOXY!!!! '
woo hoo
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Since I am going off it, I, obviously, suggest going off it. There are other antibiotics you can take for Lyme.
I had the opposite experience as LymeHerx describes, I had no trouble for two months but wore sunscreen everyday, and then suddenly I burned my nose and mouth so badly they were infected 2 weeks later. I couldn't eat because the smell of my face was so nasty. And I had to stop Doxy and go on Omnicef to clear the infection.
Now I go outside and in five minutes my nose is red.
I don't think stopping and starting antibiotics is a good idea, and I don't believe that if I didn't take it today I could go out in the sun. I think it might take a couple days to get out of my system.
I think it is better to take another antibiotic, if you are going to be in the sun.
Posts: 243 | From chicago | Registered: Dec 2005
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HEATHERKISS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6789
posted
I can't what to go off doryx!!!! I have to wait until june. Each monthly visit I ask if I can switch.
I'm so paraniod about the sun. I'm ready to bake in the sun again. Can't wait to go off doryx.
-------------------- HEATHER
Posts: 1974 | From ABERDEEN, NJ 07747 | Registered: Jan 2005
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posted
Thanks again for all these answers. I think I'm going to go off and then restart in the fall, if my doc thinks that's a good idea. I am so sick of being burned. I've been in FL staying with my parents for four months so that they can help me with everything. The FL sun is so intense--every time I go in the car to physical therapy or acupuncture, I get fried, despite every possible precaution. My nose is clown-like. Can't wait to go off!
Posts: 20 | From Chicago, IL | Registered: Mar 2006
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