Helping a friend on Doxy for 4 years

Well, chappelle, you have a lot of history here on this site, and I am sure because of that you know way more about lyme and co than most people. If this man is asking for advice, you are well equipped to inform him or at least lead him in the right direction.

I would emphasize the Sapi studies that show that doxycycline induces spirochetes into their cyst form, without treating the cysts themselves. So it sounds like your friend is getting temporary relief from Doxy by eliminating the active forms, and forcing them into their inactive state. Then once he stops the medication, the bacteria sense that the terrain is more hospitable and come roaring back. It seems he has reached a comfort zone using doxy and doesnt want to change anything because at least it provides temporary relief and some measure of familiarity and certainty when facing such an uncertain disease. He may be afraid of making things worse. He should probably attempt to treat cysts with drugs like tinidazole or supplements like grapefruit seed extract.

You should suggest to him to use some buhner tinctures. Buhner explains how many of his herbs are actually antibiotic potentiators and work well synergystically with each other, especially japanese knotweed and doxy. If he begins to use some Buhner tinctures simply as a side therapy or complimentary therapy in conjuction with doxy, and he notices improvement, then that may take his focus off of doxy and help him to pursue other treatments.

I think information is power, so the best thing you can do is try to inform him of the dynamics of this disease as best you understand them. ( and again after 5 years and almost 3000 posts that is probably a pretty good understanding) You are probably right that monotherapy isnt the best way to deal with this. But he may not take your word.

He needs to be equipped with the right information to change his approach. From my experience the absolute best single source of comprehensive information about the dynamics of this disease, why it behaves the way it does, and how it should be addressed is in the first few chapters of Buhner's book Healing Lyme. I would encourage him to get a copy of this book and read it.

As far as long term doxy use, while it obviously hasnt worked for him, I dont think its quite as dangerous as some people believe. There are teenagers that take it daily from age 12 or 13 into adulthood for treating acne without problems. Just like the Lyme bacteria can adapt and withstand this drug after they have been exposed to it for a long time, so too can the human body. As long as his liver enzymes are stable he can probably continue to take it indefinitely. It is one of the most used antibiotics in the world, has an excellent safety rating, low adverse events percentage and one of the lowest incidences of colitis of any antibiotic. So I wouldnt try to scare him into not using it by exaggerating its dangers, instead just focus on the fact that there are better approaches and encourage him to step out of his comfort zone and try one of the other lyme drugs or lyme treatment methods, of which i know you are very familiar with. That is the best way to get off doxy or any drug you are dependent on. To learn by experience there are better alternatives. Once he achieves some success, he wont need doxy anymore.

The doxy itself is not so much the problem I think as is his ineffective treatment. I would remind him of Einstein's definition of insanity- repeating the same approach over and over while expecting different results. He seems to be mentally stuck and you should try to encourage him to get over that as best you can.

Hi, Chapelle:

If you think Dr. Bill Rawls' book "Unlocking Lyme" might help your friend, today is the last day to get it for only $3.95 to cover the shipping and handling.

1. Go to UnlockingLyme.com
2. Add "Unlocking Lyme" to your cart.
3. Enter the coupon code FREEBOOK and click "Apply."

- Offer expires tonight (Wednesday, May 15, 2019) at 11:59 PM Eastern.
- Limit one (1) book per household; U.S. shipping and handling fee is $3.95.

Of course, there are many other books and therapies. But, for only $3.95, I figured this was worth mentioning.

[Other than being a former customer, I have no affiliation with Dr. Rawls or VitalPlan.com.]

Best of luck to your friend,

Dude