Doxycycline causing anxiety & depression

Hi all,

I recently went on holiday to Africa and was prescribed doxycycline as a malaria prevention. I've been taking the tablets once a day for about 2 weeks now and the last 4-5 days I have become a mess. I keep waking up in the night and having a horrible feeling of anxiety as soon as I wake up in the morning. I keep having irrational fears and thoughts about my boyfriend not loving me anymore and my thinking people are being weird with me. I am a lively person and love doing things and spending time with friends but at the moment I don't want to do anything or even go outside.

My background story: at the moment I am on 50mg of Sertraline (Zoloft) a day which I started 6 months ago when my mum was diagnosed with cancer. I feel I should have gone long before this though as for a long time I had quite bad anxiety and slight depression at times. Since starting Sertraline I have been great - it made me feel normal again and I've been really getting my life on track with work and my relationship as well as helping my mum etc. So things were actually good considering the situation.

Since I've returned from my holiday I have (as I said before) become very, very unhappy with feelings of hopelessness. Today I cried for 5 hours straight and I am putting a lot of strain on the people around me.

I am so afraid and feel like I don't know what to do. I don't want to feel like this and it is so sudden and intense I can only think it must be linked with the doxycycline. After reading some of the previous threads I am more and more convinced it is affecting my depression and perhaps messing with my anti depressants. I never even thought it would because it's not listed as a side effect which I think is really dangerous because people might be suffering the same thing and just assuming that it's them when actually it's a chemical reaction or something.

This is my first time ever posting on a forum and i hope you guys can all share/spread light on what I'm going through because I feel like no one else will understand.

I too an taking doxycycline for an infection and the anxiety and depression is horrible today. I read somewhere that it may cause or increase the two and my physatrist agreed.

Hi Rose and welcome!

I am really sorry to hear this...but not suprised, as abx are known to be an anxiety catalyst for some.

It depends on the type, individual and circumstance...in other words, no single abx is to blame...and not everyone reacts the same way...

...so telling your doctor of your experience, and seeking another option could be a wise move.

I hope that you can get it all worked out and the solution that you need to comfortably and safely finishh your course of meds.

Post with us anytime for understanding and support!

Scaredy Cat

Oooh, yeah...three weeks? That is not going to work!

Hopefully you will get an alternative for the remainder of your treatment from your doctor tomorrow!

Good luck!

S.C.

Hi TN and welcome!

The OP has not returned recently to the forum, but I will try to help a little if possible.:)

Great job on coming so far in your recovery, and taking the amazing step to travel and see the world!

A/P during a trip abroad is not unusual, and as you mentioned could be due to the abx you were taking...

Hopefully this is a small detour along the journey, and you will continue on with no more issues.

We have some great self-help links in our Resources with ideas for stress reduction and panic help/prevention. Look at the top of the main forum page, 1st thread...

...or let me know you are interested, and I can pull them up and post directly for you!

Wishing you the best for the remainder of your trip and beyond.:)

Scaredy Cat

I am guessing that's what happened. ..

...and it will be the same for you! :)

Have a great remainder of your trip!

S.C.

Oh no! I'm so sorry.:(

Perhaps just to get checked out, and for peace of mind that would be a good choice.

Sending well wishes, and post anytime with us.

S.C.