Increasing Doxy - any tips?

Hi there,

I am finally getting proper treatment for Lyme Disease, having seen a specialist at last. I have spent a month on 200mg Doxycycline/day, and had some problems with an upset stomach. I found that eating before taking the tablets was helpful and the problems also seemed to resolve over time.

I have had a gap of a few weeks with no antibiotics and am about to start 200mg twice a day for 3 months to start with. Does anyone have advice about how to manage this level of antibiotics? Does taking it at particular times day help e.g. should the two doses be as equally spaced as possible? Also, how can I manage reflux symptoms, as I gather heartburn remedies can inhibit uptake of the active chemicals in antibiotics. Are symptoms in general liable to get better over time as before, or are new symptoms likely over time? I did notice that I was starting to get itchy skin after a while previously.

Any tips or advice would be most gratefully recieved.

Thanks,

Kirsty

Hi worrypot,

Doxy can be pretty hard on one's system and unfortunately for some, isn't as well absorbed when taken with food. But without food-- lots of it-- it always upset my stomach.

Do not injest anything with calcium (milk, cheese, tums, etc.) within two hours before or two hours after taking the doxy. Calcium absolutely inhibits Doxy absorption.

Always drink a full glass of water with it..... and don't take right before bed. When you lie down, the Doxy can dissolve in the esophagus and cause it to burn. So take it when you're up and around.

I would most definitely space doses evenly so you always have the Doxy at a consistent level.

I always found the itchy skin sensation to be a sign of healing--- much like how the scab on a cut gets itchy when its healing. Even my muscles got itchy...right before they started to be less painful. So maybe 'itchy' is a good thing!

Best of luck on the Doxy! Hopefully you'll do fine and see great results without too many problems.

Thanks folks, useful advice!

Spent a few days on 200, up to 300 yesterday and 400 today. Got sore stomach, headache, more tired again and all sorts of shooting aches and pains all over (arms, chest, legs...). Hard to remember this is making me 'better'! How long is this likely to last?

My Doxy tablets say can be taken with food or a glass of milk if upset stomach. Everywhere else I have read not to take dairy at the same time. Are there different types of Doxy???

Let battle commence...

It's better not to take Doxy with any dairy, as dairy does interfere with absorption.

We have a really great link just for those taking Doxy in the thread titled New to Lyme? Start Here!" .
Here's the link - www.ehow.com/how_2165217_avoid-doxycycline-side-effects.html

As far as your exhaustion, aches and pains - are you detoxing? It is crucial to detox!! Abx kill the bacteria, and as the bacteria dies off, it releases toxins. It's these toxins that are causing your symptoms!! There is no need to suffer through this.

Once again, info on detoxing is in the thread "New to Lyme?Start here!". It's the third post down from the top. Please read through that post, as it is necessary for us to help our bodies keep up with getting rid of these toxins!!!

I hope this helps some...
Trav

Good news - I have been having baths, eating more when taking my tablets, body brushing and feel so so much better!!!

At my worst on Sunday I had to crawl up the stairs to the bathroom. I had shifting pains all over, a fever, shaking and dizziness - thought I was dying and cried for hours on end (Lyme craziness!!!).

Now I am just getting a bit of nausea and sweating when I take my tablets. Just shows what a week can do :o)

My LLMD told me to take the doxy with breakfast and dinner, and to take a probiotic at lunch. I take a multi, calcium Vit C and magnesium at lunch too.

She also has me pulsing Flagyl and recently said that this would heal my reflux too.

Hope this helps.

Feeling better worrypot?