How long until the medicine kicks in?

Are you detoxing Lees? The abx are killing off the bacteria, the die-off of these bacteria can cause a "Herx" (the full name is Jarrisch-Herxheimer Reaction"). This is a worsening of symptoms, or even new symptoms appearing.

The solution? Detoxing - as is covered (rather thoroughly) in the "New to Lyme?" thread at the top of the forum. There are a couple of different ways to detox that are described there.

Hi Lees!
Are you seeing a LLMD? I've been under some stress lately & my memory is getting a bit worse. I'm not real sure how I missed the dosage that you are taking, Lees. 200 mgs each day of Doxy is not enough.

In Dr. Joseph Burrascano's "Advanced Topics in Lyme Disease" paper (page 18), he states;

"Doxycycline- Adults; 200 mgs bid (twice a day) with food; doses of up to 600 mg daily are often needed, as doxycycline is only effective at high blood levels. Not for children or in pregnancy. If levels are too low at tolerated doses, give parenterally (by I.V.), or change to another drug."

If you look in the thread "New to Lyme?...Start here!" thread, you will find a link so that you can download a copy of Dr. Burrascano's paper for yourself - should you be interested.

Hope this helps some!

I had the same reaction as All seeing eye and I was on 50 mg twice a day. I lasted 8 days and stopped.

All Seeing Eye. any idea how long you will have to take the mino? what is the dose?

Hi everyone!

Thanks for all of the input...I truly do not think Doxy is working however my LLMD wants me to do the 100mg in the am and 100mg at night for 30 days...then I will go back and she may adjust or change. I cannot take it on an empty stomach...I tried and well I wanted to PUKE!!!! I have not detoxed...all I know is the pain has not subsided and the EXAUSTION I feel has gotten worse...Sunday I did not want to get out of bed...but like a good mommy I pushed myself and got up...though I felt like a slug...I have my good days and bad days...like us all.

Hi Lees!
Here is some great advice on Doxycycline do's & dont's;
(found in the "New to Lyme?" thread at the top of the forum) www.ehow.com/how_2165217_avoid-doxycycline-side-effects.html.

And believe it or not, there is a real possibility that your pain and even your exhaustion can be eased with the detoxing. Try taking a nice, relaxing 10 minute soak in a tub (with the peroxide & Epsom salts) - or even a foot soak in the evening. It may take a few days before you actually feel much difference.

When a person first starts abx treatment, it is expected that they will feel worse - it's kind of like stirring up a hornets nest. If you keep on the Doxy for the full month, it will have the opportunity to work on quite possibly all three forms of LD that are in your body.

Please do start detoxing, as it will help alleviate some of the symptoms you are experiencing. Drinking lots of water with a little bit of lemon juice is a good thing as well.

The abx are killing off the bacteria. As these bacteria die off, they release toxins in our bodies that usually increase our symptoms or can even bring about new symptoms. The thing is - we are usually still being exposed to everyday toxins as well - this is why the body gets so overwhelmed (IMO) with toxins & it becomes very necessary to detox, as our bodies begin to struggle just to function after a while.

You have my sympathies, as I do know what it's like trying to raise children when you are so ill with tick-borne infections. Hang in there. It would probably be a good idea for you to read through that "New to Lyme?" thread again, as it has so much great info.

Hang in there Lees.