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How Long on Low Dose Doxy...

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Posted 1/5/2017 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
...before it stops working?

I was positive for Lyme, Tularemia and LLMD says Bartonella as well. I was on 100mg 2x per day for two months, then LLMD increased dose by 50mg, for a total of 250mg per day for the last 45 days or so. At what point does it become ineffective. I realize this is a marathon, but I am concerned that I might be doing more harm than good. I'm having a hard time with continuing and new symptoms that seem to fall under the Bart umbrella.

I believe I was first infected in 2013, so would this protocol even work for me?

I know detoxing is a big part, but would this med at this low of a dose and for this long even be killing anything in the first place? Everyone in my office has shared a severe head cold over the past month, as they do every year...yet I have not had a cold in years, so I'm wondering if my immune system is even working. I would think that catching a cold would be a good sign that things are starting to work?
Posted 1/5/2017 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
One of the LLMD's popular in my State recommends giving any treatment 4 weeks to see if there is no improvement or a plateau.

I think that's a fair time to assess.

You should be increasing to 400 mg a day to reach a fully effective dosage.


But as you're realizing, mono treatment is rarely effective unless caught at nearly day one. I would, if I were you, look into adding an herbal protocol, or other treatment of your choice, but I can't advise you to stop your abx treatment and switch. I'd overlap them.

Other's might.

Post Edited (julymorning) : 1/5/2017 12:43:33 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/5/2017 7:44 PM (GMT 0)

njfillet said...
...before it stops working?

I was positive for Lyme, Tularemia and LLMD says Bartonella as well. I was on 100mg 2x per day for two months, then LLMD increased dose by 50mg, for a total of 250mg per day for the last 45 days or so. At what point does it become ineffective. I realize this is a marathon, but I am concerned that I might be doing more harm than good. I'm having a hard time with continuing and new symptoms that seem to fall under the Bart umbrella.

I believe I was first infected in 2013, so would this protocol even work for me?

I know detoxing is a big part, but would this med at this low of a dose and for this long even be killing anything in the first place? Everyone in my office has shared a severe head cold over the past month, as they do every year...yet I have not had a cold in years, so I'm wondering if my immune system is even working. I would think that catching a cold would be a good sign that things are starting to work?

Low dose doxy isn't effective. and mono therapy isn't recommended unless it is an infection caught right away.

You should be on 200 mg twice daily, and adding a second antibiotic.

If Bartonella is suspected...then adding in something to target bart is a good idea. You could try Bactrim (if you don't have an allergy to sulfa drugs)...for awhile...
Rifampin is one of the more often prescribed abx for bartonella...you can pair that with the doxy...or switch to minocycline...or biaxin...or azithromycin...
Posted 1/5/2017 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Girlie and julymorning. I've been somewhat complacent because I seem to be very sensitive to vitamins/herbs, in a mostly negative way, in general.

While I'm not bedridden, I increasingly experience extreme ups and downs - physically and mentally - and I'm having a hard time most days with getting through the obligations of life. My Dr keeps saying its herxing and I need to detox, but I'm not so sure.

Part of the reason I'm asking is that I'm thinking of making an appointment with another LLMD, possibly Dr. Jemsek, who I hear is very aggressive in treatment, but at the same time is thorough with respect to physical, neurological and psychological manifestations. I'm a "need to know why and how things work" kind of person, but I don't think my current doc is the one for that.

My profession is very demanding, and while they've been helpful and supportive, I constantly feel like I have to hurry up and get better. I know that's not the case, but that's how I feel. This long, slow and low treatment might prohibit me from making progress, so maybe a more intense treatment might get me back to more stability more quickly...also, I feel like I need more specific guidance on this from a holistic perspective, including abx, detox, sleep, eliminating stress, etc. from an LLMD, to make the changes I need to make, and also to reassure me with more time and flexibility/options with respect to work.

I also wanted to mention this increasing, but continuous feeling of disconnection, emotionally. This is something that started a a few months ago, but has become more of a regular state for me. For some reason I don't think this would be part of a herx...but I could be wrong. I would call it apathy, but it's a little more complex...

Post Edited (njfillet) : 1/5/2017 1:39:22 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/5/2017 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, I understand the work pressure. I haven't worked for over 3 years now...and I will have to be retrained for about 5 weeks. partly because I don't remember it all, and also because the job has changed that much...processes and the technology.

There's no way I could go back if I'm only part way to being well.
Posted 1/5/2017 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry you're having a bad day Girlie...and I can say that I know how you feel with the retraining...I'm starting to feel detached from changes at work happening even while I'm still here! Every time a new policy comes out, or new program we have to deal with, I just feel so left behind...
Posted 1/5/2017 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
hi njfillet -

i started on doxy 100mg twice a day, then in 4 weeks went to 100mg three times a day then in 4 weeks went to 200mg two times a day.

it's not that doxy 100mg twice a day isn't effective, it is doing some work, you just definitely need to continue to titrate up. I always recommend to people to start off low and slowly increase. that is how my doctor handled me and it worked great. also, bear in mind, some people, like myself, cannot handle doxy 400mg a day - it was too toxic for me and i started experiencing negative side effects. This is another reason to titrate up every couple of weeks. And as girlie said, most need to add a second or even a third antibiotic, but only after the first antibiotic is reached at it maximum dose.

good luck - keep us posted!

the emotional detachment is understandable - we all go thru that, it isn't a symptom of a lyme, but a result of having lyme - unfortunately, but once you start to improve, you will feel better emotionally. It takes time, and I am so sorry you are feeling this way
Posted 1/5/2017 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
There are many psychologically symptoms as well.

The feeling of disconnection, apathy can certainly be a symptom of lyme.

(as well as anxiety, depression, rage, psychosis to name a few more)
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