Just started taking antibiotics - spooked about breathing

I wasn't formally diagnosed with Lymes, but I went to the doctor because of body aches, including a 6 day headache that was so bad I had nausea, I've gained 20 pounds in the past month, extreme fatigue, head became scabby, the feeling of bugs crawling on my skin, extreme indigestion, etc. I've also become really irritable. I'm in the high tech field, and even when my head was feeling ok at the moment, everytime I really had to concentrate, my headache would return. I work outside in rural Oklahoma many weekends during the year, and I get a lot of ticks. I'd say I've had 2-1/2 dozen or so the past month that were attached to me. We have both deer ticks and lone star ticks. Maybe others, but these at least. I'll spray Off with DEET on my clothes, but thanks to my mom I sweat profusely and seem to wash off the repellant. I'd say the symptoms have only been going on less than two months. I don't like to go into the doctor, but I couldn't take anymore and finally gave in. My doctor said there was a good chance it was Lyme that she'd just prescribe an antibiotic given the tests for Lyme are unreliable and doxycycline is cheap.

I don't know if this is a symptom, but it's spooking me and need it to go away. I've awakened and can't breathe. I'll get a little gasp here and there, and after 30 seconds, I'll start belching. I'm not given to burping, so this is new. I feel as if I'm about to pass out before this happens, and I don't even feel the need to belch when I wake up. I believe my stomach is full of air to the point my lungs can't take in air. I've not seen this listed as a symptom, but I'm afraid something really bad may happen if I do pass out before I can belch. I just started doxycycline a couple days ago, and I'm hoping this will go away. Anyone else experience this?

Last thing... I was given two weeks of doxycycline and was told I could get another week of the antibiotic if I'm not feeling well. I'm heading to Alaska the first of August, so if I do get another week, I'll be wrapping this up about the time we're heading up there. I'm a small business owner, and this is my first real vacation in 15 years. I'm glad this was caught when it was, but I want to feel as good as possible before we leave. Any suggestions? I don't want a relapse, and I am taking probiotics.

Thanks for any and all input.

Hi Baskervi -

Welcome to the forum. I'm glad you found us - please read the "New to Lyme?" thread at the top of the page - it has valuable information for those just starting on this journey.

I'm glad you're on doxy and have an MD who seems proactive and willing to work with you. But as you'll learn when you start reading up on Lyme, a few week's worth of doxy is likely not going to be adequate and under-treating Lyme and whatever else you probably have, given the frequency of your interaction with ticks. Ticks RARELY carry "just one" microbe like Lyme. Most Lymees are infected with other coinfections, which also need to be treated.

ETA: the breathing issues could be a Lyme issue but very likely due to another infection - babesia causes some weird breathing issues as do a few other infections.

I suggest a couple of actions:

Check out this symptom list, which might help you determine if/what other coinfections you might be carrying and you can share this with your MD - the testing for coinfections is also pretty inaccurate:

Jernigan's symptom list:
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=3673749&g=3673789#m3673789

I would try to stay on doxy as long as possible, and you probably should be taking 200mg TWICE per day. Most MDs prescribe only half that.

At some point, you might hit a wall with your MD's willingness or ability to continue to treat you (either beyond the standard IDSA treatment protocols, which are woefully inadequate and antiquated) or just doesn't know what to do.

The benefit of reading and learning as much as you can about Lyme & co diagnosis and treatment is because most of us reach the limitations of western medicine to help us very quickly and are still quite symptomatic or ill. It becomes necessary to find a Lyme-literate specialist. We can help you with that - please send Girlie an email and she can help find practitioners near you.

This is also the reason why people often turn to herbal protocols. Although many of us are using a hybrid treatment that includes both antibiotics and herbs.

The one thing you can do right now before working out the next details of your treatment is to start with some detoxing that will help your body process the toxins from the infections and help support treatment, which can also be hard on the body. For many of us, detoxing is AS important as the antimicrobial treatment. There is a lot of good info about detoxing in that thread but you can also do a search for conversations.

Also, I'll suggest that you really do need to take care of yourself and give your body the chance to heal. Your vacation sounds absolutely wonderful - but I truly hope you don't have a lot of physical activities planned, as your body is maxed out dealing with the infection load(s) and the treatment (as evidenced by your numerous symptoms). The quickest way to relapse is to overdo it, not only ruining your expensive trip, but prolonging recovery and treatment.

Please do read through that intro thread and let us know if you have any other questions or issues. And let us know how you are doing.

-p

Post Edited (Pirouette) : 7/16/2017 9:57:15 AM (GMT-6)

Hi Baskervi - welcome!


You will need more than the three weeks of doxycycline. You have symptoms so must treat until symptom free..plus several more weeks.
You don't want this to be a long-term battle...so do what you can to get more antibiotics.

The dosage for doxy should really be 200 mg twice daily.

My advice is for you to see a LLMD - and have an appointment scheduled...that way you have a back-up plan if you can't get more abx from your Dr....and/or if your symptoms don't abate on the short-term treatment.

To find a Dr. near you - just start a new thread: 'Looking for LLMD in/near___" and fill in the blank.

In addition to members recommendations - you can email me and I will check my list of LLMD's and send you the names of ones near you.

Hi Baskervi

I hate to hear that you're sick but glad you have a Dr that recognized Lyme and treated. It's likely that your doc can only offer the 3 weeks of doxy because of the limitations placed on them for longer term abx that are needed.

I was infected by ticks on a ranch in south Okla. It took years to find a diagnosis and we were lucky that we have an LLMD in Denton that I was able to get into for help.

I still have some breathing problems mostly the 'air hunger' like I'm holding my own breath but never the belching you're having.

Your vacation- if it's been 15 years since your last vaca I say GO, but like someone else said don't plan on any strenuous things like hiking or kayaking or whatever. You'll fade hard and fast and end up in bed or on the couch.

Take along something that will help you detox like a bottle of Chlorella tablets and drink lots of lemon water. I know there are more choices for a trip but I can't think of them right off I'm sure someone else will.

I wish you the best in your healing.

VCL

Your home grown kale and blueberries have me salivating.

I had to go to a wedding when I had full blown, I'm going to die, symptoms. I had the mother of all headaches.

I did the most horrible thing I could think of - I drank a glass of wine. I actually felt better. I kept taking my tinctures too.

I don't suggest this to anyone as a treatment. I was so desperate for anything to help my head pain. I made it through the wedding. I don't know if the wine helped or not. Maybe it was all psychological. Maybe I relaxed?

I think your are smart to get to that doc in Dallas and get more meds before you go.

Have a wonderful trip. It sounds glorious!