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Putting off antibiotic treatment?

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Posted 9/30/2012 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
I am a 20yo male who has been going through debilitating symptoms for at least the past 1-2 years, including extreme mental fatigue, brain fog, hormonal dysfunction and heart issues. I was only just diagnosed with Lyme after getting Igenex testing done. My PCP started me on 4 weeks of doxycycline at 200mg/day, and I scheduled an appointment to see a well-known LLMD in mid-November, although I am hoping that he will have a cancellation so that I can see him sooner.

I want to try the doxycycline now, even though I don't know what the LLMD will tell me to do when I see him. However, I have only gotten the Initial Lyme Panel from Igenex, and have not yet gotten tested for co-infections.

If I start the doxy now, is there any chance that this will mess up the results of whatever more extensive testing the LLMD orders when I see him, such as testing for co-inefections?

Also, is it possible that starting the doxy now will reduce the long-term effectiveness of my treatment if it is too low a dose or the wrong antibiotic? For example, I didn't know if going on 200mg/day of doxy would cause me to develop some antibiotic resistance if this is too low a dose.

I really want to start the doxy now to see if it can help me, as I need to get my life back. However, I also don't want to reduce the chance of fully eradicating the Lyme by starting treatment before seeing my LLMD. What do you think I should do?

Thank you.
Posted 9/30/2012 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
Brainfogged: I will be anxious to see what others say, but I believe I would recommend following your PCP's orders. I am no Dr or professional, but might round about suggest you consider upping that doxy some while you wait for the LLMD. If you do have co-infections, I believe it may be possible to begin easing yourself into treatment which could possibly ease bigger herxes yet to come.

I cannot think of any reason this would mess up your co-infection tests. Do you think it would be possible to call your upcoming LLMD's office and tell them about your script and ask what they think about any interferance w/up coming co-infection tests?

They say that Lyme cannot get better while we have co-infections. However, I still believe that it is the Lyme that causes the co's to become chronic, because occurring w/o Lyme, they GENERALLY do not become chronic, to my knowledge.

At the very least, doxy treats RMSF and that is one mean one. You could probably use that doxy at least til mid-Nov, at least as a preventative. I don't think your dose is quite high enough, tho.

Again, I hope that others will contribute here -- I used to research this stuff day in and day out and it has been quite awhile since I have actively researched. I just don't think I would pass up the Doxy opportunity while waiting for the LLMD, esp since prescribed by a Dr after a positive IGENEX test.

And again, I think it would be fair and wise to call your new LLMD and tell him what has occurred and been prescribed. Surely he/she or someone in that office could at least advise you in the meantime. Afterall, you are now officially a patient, just not seen yet.
Posted 9/30/2012 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Brainfogged!
Welcome to our site!! I'm glad you found us!

If you haven't yet, I would encourage you to read through our "New to Lyme? Start here!" thread, as it's packed full of important information, informative links, symptom lists and more! It a great place to start your education about these infections!

+Lyme had a good suggestion since you already are scheduled to see a LLMD. Call and ask what that office prefers you to do.

Also, +Lyme was correct in saying that 200 mgs of Doxy is quite low. You will need 400 mgs to 600 mgs of Doxy a day to actually kill off the bacteria. At 200 mgs you are only keeping it from replicating.

Lots of LLMD's like to have their patients on abx treatment for a month or so (depending on who you talk to) in order to help the body mount an immune attack on the bacteria. The most commonly used tests look for anti-bodies that are produced when the immune system tries to fight the infection off. The really good LLMD's won't base whether or not to treat you on those tests, as there are many false negatives with them, but they can be useful.

I would also suggest that you start detoxing. There is a great post about detoxing in the "New to Lyme?" thread. Be sure to use all the ways to detox, dry skin brushing, drinking lemon water, using either the foot or full bath detox methods, exercise as tolerated, and eating as healthy as you can.
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