posted
I see a lot of people going on and on about antibiotic side effects. Starting 400mg Doxy a month ago, I had horrific head pressure from it. If I were to take advice on these forums, I would have quit it due to "intracranial pressure" fear. My LLMD told me to follow through citing this as a symptom of the disease, not an antibiotic side effect.
Thankfully I stuck with it, the head pressure not only cleared up but so have a lot of other brain fog issues and mental problems these bugs have caused me.
Side effects are a zero factor for me compared to the benefits they can provide or what this disease does unchecked.
Posts: 501 | From Cleveland Ohio | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
After being on many different abx for 20 months my digestive system had enough. Now off abx for 5 months it seems to have at least partially recovered.
I'm not sure if my body can take them in high doses anymore or what my next steps will be... maybe rife?
-------------------- "His faithful love endures forever." Psalm 136 Posts: 189 | From MN | Registered: Dec 2007
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lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
You are fortunate. Most of us are only telling our experiences.
A good friend of mine that had head pressure on the Tetra's made her go blind. Thankfully, admitted into to a hospital they had to do lumbar punctures for days to relieve the fluid build up and she regained her sight miraculously.
The side effects are very real and everyone doing these drugs should be well aware of them because they occur. Not only that, herxing and side effects are VERY difficult to tell apart.
I have another friend who assumed she was herxing, when in fact Rifampin was destroying her liver. Her doctor caught it and she couldn't treat for a year after that.
Many LLMd's advise not to go to forums because of the knowledge-base - you can hear many stories, none which may apply to you. Forums aren't for everyone.
As most of us would admit, we aren't doctor's and it is always best to consult w/your LLMd.
posted
I believe I was one of the posters who wrote about Doxy and intracranial pressure.
I am glad that your head pressure was NOT a side effect of the Doxy.
But for some, such as myself, the side effects can be serious and there needs to be some level of awareness around them.
The head pressure I had from DOxy was indeed raised ICP. While this is a very rare side effect of Doxy it is a side effect. I also have Chiari Malformation with restricted CSF flow so that put me in a high risk category.
While some of the side effects are no more then a side bar, there are some side effects that do mirror a lyme herx but are not always a lyme herx.
Of course the benign side effects are something that goes along with the territory, however, I am glad I read into my head pressure because it was something serious. TG
Posts: 376 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jun 2009
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You did the right thing. When it is a question of side effects versus herxing -- your own doc who can order bloodwork or tests and see you in person should always be consulted.
But I agree with everyone else also -- talk to others on the med, read the package insert or PDR , talk to a pharmacist -- all are good sources of info.
But as hubby's doc always says -- the patient knows best. In my opinion trusting your intuition just makes sense. You know your body better than anyone.
And if you are taking multiple meds -- there is very little actual research done on drug combos beyond a few obvious interactions.
I don't obsess over hubby's meds, but when you are taking 6 or 8 or 10 prescription meds then it always makes sense to take a little extra time to research and be aware of possible complications.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Bea and Toppers are both right.... there's just got to be a balance and we are often the ones who have to figure out what is right for US.
(not saying anyone here is "wrong" either)
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
I'm pretty sure if I continued Doxy another week I would've been in the ER due to pressure. Then the problem starts. You've got these renegade LLMDs Rxing meds and saying push push push sometimes when they live 5 states away. The ER shuns you as you have zero support locally and that LLMD is nowhere to be seen. That's where patient self-guessing has to come into play. I'm glad it worked out postively for you.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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