Can't take the Doxy. :( Anyone know corresponding dosage for other drugs should be???

Me again,
I got my doxycycline (200 mg twice/day for 4-6 weeks was recommended, although the doctor only gave me 21 days worth). However, I can't take it - I throw up even when I take it with gravol 1 hour ahead and food. This has happened twice, so I think I just can't handle the drug (I have had some trouble with other tetracycline drugs in the past). It's not an allergy, per se, but I cannot keep it down, no matter what I do.

So, does anyone know what the equivalent dosage of amoxycillin (or something like it) would be? I think I have to switch drugs at this point. I will be talking to the doctor tomorrow. Any advice?

Thanks!
Claire.

Some people have to take doxy in the middle of a meal to keep it down. Give that a try.

Dr B's guidelines has dosage recommendations for most ABX used for Lyme and co's.

I've taken mino at (1) 100 mg cap twice a day, and Tetra at (3) 250mg caps twice a day.

I too would vomit on Doxycycline. Only if I took it after a big meal was I okay.

For what it's worth, Minocycline is MUCH gentler on the stomach, but if this is to treat an initial infection, Girlie's amoxicillin suggestion is probably what I'd go with.

If you do decide to go with the amox, please remember that it needs to be paired with probenecid to keep it in the bloodstream long enough to be effective against these bacteria.

If you haven't yet, try "sandwiching" it in the meal -eat about half of your meal, then take the Doxy and then finish your meal. It might just be enough for you to finish up with the Doxy.

Best of luck!

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the advice again! I would have been totally lost without this forum! You are all wonderful and so supportive and helpful - I cannot thank you enough!

The good news is that earlier today, I was able to keep the single dose down with gravol and a poppyseed bagel from Kettleman's! :D So, that probably means that I am not allergic, just very sensitive to doxy.

Anyway, I bought some kefir and probiotics from the health food store and also some green tea, and hopefully that will help my tummy/system a bit during the next 6 weeks.

The other GREAT news is that I actually got in to see my own doctor today, and she BELIEVES ME about the lyme!!!! Hallelujah!!! So, she extended my medicine (doxy) to the full 6 weeks (thank the lord!), and told me to take 100 mg of gravol first (I took 50 mg of gravol before). So, I am pretty sure that should knock it out, since I caught it very early on (fingers crossed).

Then she said to try taking one doxy pill with food, and then wait an hour, and then take the second doxy pill (with food again, presumably). So, I am going to try that, which will keep it closer to the twice daily dose of 200 mg.

Girlie - if I do have to go back to 4X/day, then I am going to do what you suggested - thank you!

And, thanks again to all of you!

Claire

Yay - great news - re: your Dr. and also being able to keep it 'down'....

Hi Mustard Seed,

Thank you for the reminder.

I have been looking up foods without iron/calcium. Bagels (plain ones - no cream cheese on them, unfortunately) seem to work well for me, so far, in keeping the nausea at bay, and there is hardly any calcium in them (maybe a trace amount, but not much), and no iron, I believe. I also have soda crackers, peaches, etc., and will try to find some other things like that, as well.

If you folks have any particular doxy accompaniment food suggestions, I will add them to the list.

Claire.

Girlie said...
Magnesium is the other one you dont take with Doxy

Yes! I knew I was missing one.