Doxycycline Hyclate Severe Anxiety, Lyme Disease, Pounding Heart, Doxycycline, Lyme
Posted over a year ago
Please can anyone who has suffered anxiety/panic/depression/suicide on Doxy tell me how long after stopping taking it this went away???
Timblamo - I have been off of doxy for 10 days. The anxiety/depression has dissipated considerably, but I still get a wave of it at least once or twice per day. Hang in there! It will get better!
Antshop - Hang in there, I took it for one month and it took two months for things to start getting better!
Doxysc - I’ve never had Depression or any mental illness that is the confusing part!! I was subscribed Doxy for my acne in January . I totally lost it! Anxiety, paranoia Failing Grades, unable to deal with day to day life , irritated, and moody. I am a biology/chemistry student and I realized these symptoms began after the prescription was given but it took sometime for me to soul search this thru. I dream of becoming a psychiatrist and I would of never consumed the idea that maybe one day I would be the patient sitting on the couch answering the questions (During these questions I reveled I was on Doxicyclen for my acne). I was so scarred and afraid , it was a very BAD experience for me. After the doc prescribed the anti psychotics I begin to worry about taking the stuff. So I begin thinking about what else can I do besides taking this stuff it might make me more anxious or depressed, or scarred!! I begin to think about my Algebra professor Dr. Kaja 9 years ago saying to the class, holding a gallon of water “ I am on antibiotics so I’m feeling weird and in order for me to not feel weird I have to drink all this water” So I begin to thinking to my self that the body could be throw off its chemical balance let me give it some hydration. So I drank .5 gallons of water in 35 to 45 minutes to hydrate myself, (I also noticed before drinking the water that my lips were very dry, and semi chapped and I have never experienced this before) I felt 100 % better. I researched the medication and found this site, and begin to thank god that 1 I was not lone, 2 I am not crazy, and 3 I did not take any psych meds!! I almost filled the Xanax, and Zoloft because it was that bad!! I thank Dr, Kaja wherever he is today, and GOD for turning me to solution instead of getting hooked on Psyche Meds!! NEVER GIVE UP! . Not saying that they do not work, they do work for people who truly have a mental illness, not a water deficiency or side affect of another medication!! God Bless Miss C
FYI Please Consume Plenty of Water when taking any antibiotic especially DOXICYCLEN…
Antshop - How are you doing now? and what are you taking to get better? I to have bad side affects. Sorry you are going through this it is bad.
Hm65 - I have been prescribed doxycycline hyclate tabs for lyme disease I do not know what happend but after being on these 100mg tabs 2x's daily for a month, I think did not agree with me. The 1 st experience I had was severe anxiety @ bedtime nervous pounding heart,nerves twitching all over my body this is terrible it goes on every day can someome tell me if they have experienced this or am I crazy? And if it is the doxy how long does it take to stop? Please someone write back with info.
Staticmwp - just had the same symptoms with increased anxiety and couldnt sleep i was afraid i was going to have a panic attack in sleep... feeling fatiqued and confused and constant worrying bout my health i only took 3 pills at 100mg and starting feeling not right the 3rd day and stopped still dont feel up to par but getting better...does anyboyd know how long the side effects willl take to go away....?
Candra - This is so sad that we all have these symptoms! This anti should be taken off the damn MARKET!!!! I literally started seeing a therapist because I thought I was going mad. The night sweat, panic attacks, being rushed to the ER because of the anxiety attacks. The irritability, nervousness and stomach cramping throughout the day was HORRIBLE! I was prescribed 100mg 2x daily, and after reading these blogs decided that for my health it was better to stop. I am a single mother of two small children and had to have friends and family come stay with me because I was scared for my life; scared of having more heart palpitations and panic! I never experienced any type of side effects from any medication in my lifetime, so I never thought it was the Doxy... freakin amazing. I am almost back to normal after missing a day, but not quite back tot normal, still a bit nervous. THAT MED IS THE DEVILLLLLLL!!!!!!
Ashmcauliffe - I stopped taking Doxycycline 2 weeks ago. I was on it for 2 weeks. I took one 250mg tablet twice a day. 6 days after stopping i was overcome by severe anxiety. I am having terrible thoughts about harming my partner and i experience terrible panic attacks. I also have the ongoing dull pressure headache which came on after taking the Doxy. Is this ever going to go away? I am so scared.
Riley_tommy - I have been on Doxycycline for a little over a year due to chronic MRSA Staph infection in the leg - the first four months were OK, but I started having severe physical anxiety and almost panic attack levels on certain days. I thought it was due to some life issues that had come up as I had never really felt quite like this before (wanting to crawl out of my skin, heart pounding, unable to focus on anything other than the anxiety - with no real, or seemingly no real purpose behind the anxiety). Each time I tried to stop taking the antibiotic my leg would start swelling up, so I had to go back on it. However I only starting thinking about how this medication might be related to my anxiety over the last month or so. So I tried an experiment over the holidays - I stopped taking it. My leg started swelling up again, but my anxiety levels went way way down. Went in for an ultrasound and they said there was some fluid in my leg, but not enough to remove it (I didn't tell them I had stopped taking the antibiotic). Well, I started taking the antibiotic again because my thigh muscle was really hurting with the fluid pushing against it. It's better now, but the last few days the anxiety has been steadily increasing.
I guess it's time to talk to the doctor and tell them I really really believe that alot of my anxiety is being caused by doxycycline and see if there is something else I can try for a while.
Inneedofhelp - I doubt if you check this but are you feeling any better now? What did you do or how long did this last before you felt better? I've been experiencing anxiety and horrible thoughts for almost a month now and I have noticed that it is getting better, slowly, but I just want to know how much longer this lasts?
Timblamo - It probably lasted for about 6 weeks, although I felt better after 4 weeks. After 6 weeks, all of the symptoms went away and I've been fine since. I definitely will never take it again.
Stay_positive - I was on Doxycycline for 5 weeks (100mg/day) and one night suddenly experienced obsessive thoughts about suicide. Very unusual behaviour for me. I immediately stopped taking the drugs but the obsessive thoughts have taken over my life... I go through some days where it's manageable and other days where I seriously consider going to the hospital to be sedated. I have been off these meds for 4 weeks now and am wondering how much longer this should take... I feel like I'm losing it forever!!! Please, anyone who has been through this, tell me there is light at the end of the tunnel!!
Timblamo - It took about 6 weeks for it to really start going away. It came in waves for me. It should get better soon.
Djay3ja3 - @Stay_positive - I was only on it for 2 weeks and last wednesday i went crazy, extremely depressed, i was having visual "trips" seeing things. I officialy brought God into my life that night, started taking acidophylus (probiotic) and drank as much water as comfortable for the past few days. I keep as many people as possible around me and i try as hard as i can to keep my mind off of un-happy things. I have a few depression moments now but they have lessened up alot and theyre mostly from me overthinking. I am however still extremely fearful of my health and afraid to take anything. Also i stopped eating for 2 days, lost 10 lbs. And i had to force myself to eat again and my appetite is just now starting to come back. And i have to force myself to do certain things, but that is also going away. The best thing is to just relax and control your thoughts. Dont do anything you will regret. And replenish your body as much as you can of vitamins and minerals you have lost. I hope that i have helped you and i will be coming back to this site to help as much as i can because i understand how hard this is for you.
Stay_positive - @Timblamo - THE WAVES!!! It totally comes in waves. I will have days where I feel happy, normal and able to focus about 85% on whatever it is that I'm doing and not be overwhelmed by weird, disturbing thoughts. But, on other days, I'll go from feeling "normal" (I use that term loosely these days!) to being seriously overwhelmed by the dark thoughts and it starts to consume me and I find myself in a pit of depression (despite my best efforts to stay optimistic). I am also still experiencing serious difficulties sleeping. I wake up every 1-2 hours with my heart racing and body twitching, despite the fact that I'm not having nightmares (after months of not being able to remember my dreams I am slowly starting to get that back). I just practice deep, yoga breathing and tell myself that it is a chemical reaction happening that is out of my control and after about 10 minutes it usually slows down and I'm able to fall asleep for another hour before it starts up again. During the day I'm fine though. Thank you SO much for posting back - it means so much to me to hear back from people who have made it through all this HELL!
@Djay3ja3 - I, too, am on the water diet and taking multivitamins and B12. I'm also going to pick up some probiotics today. I have refused to take any anti-depressants, anti-psychotics or sleeping pills for fear of how much worse they would mess up my chemicals and health. Truth is: I know I'm not crazy/depressed, and if I was it certainly wouldn't have happened -magically - overnight!! My body has taken a serious hit as well; I've lost at least 10 lbs and have not had a normal night's sleep in over 1 month. My partner, family and friends have all come together to create an incredible support network for me. They take turns spending time with me so I don't have to be alone through this. I try to get outside as much as possible and breath in fresh air, walk around, feel like myself again... and there are days where I know I will get through this. It truly is a mental battle and I know that it will pass... I will NEVER do anything I will regret - I have so much to live for!!! Today is a good day for me and I am so thankful that you have decided to post. Please continue to do so for future sufferers (I hate that I even have to say that!) because this website has been the reason that I have been able to hang on for as long as I have!!! Class-action lawsuit, anyone?!
Djay3ja3 - I never got to the doctor that night so i didnt have to go on anything, but i wouldnt take them as i to know i am not crazy. I also lost 10 lbs (not knowing how much it has gone back up) and i know you will make it through this as i will too.
How long have you been off of the medication? How is your stomache doing with eating and such?
Stay_positive - @Djay3ja3 - I have been off the medication for 4 weeks (I was on it for 5 weeks). I am still experiencing intrusive thoughts, confusion and depression but I know that this will eventually subside.. The anxiety is still high in unusual situations (i.e. being alone, driving a car, etc.) and throughout the night, but I imagine that it, too, will subside. As for stomach stuff... certain days I have my appetite back and then other days it's completely gone, but FORCE YOURSELF TO EAT! Food, water and rest is SO important for recovery. I have spoken to a few people who have gone through this and they say that one day you'll just wake up and be back to your old self... seems impossible right now, doesn't it?! How are you feeling these days? Any more 'trips' since the initial one?
Djay3ja3 - @Stay_positive - yes it does.. and i eat as much as i can for i feel the same way. Im feeling alot better than i was, still some health fears and anxiety in situations much like yourself (but some much odder, like showering??). And no, thankfully i havnt. I think it was just the lack of everything in my body and the 12+ hrs playing the certain game that led to it. After the nights sleep though they stopped. Compared to how it was wednesday i feel significantly better, but i didnt take the medication as long as you.. and at night i just cant get to sleep but after a few hours of tv in my airmatress (placed next to my bed for the time being) i can randomly push myself to turn off the tv and pass out randomly. I am noticing i dont get tired as early in the day as i was before, now it comes around 9 instead of an hour or 2 after i wake up. Do you have any odd feelings against doing small things like sleeping in the dark or the shower thing that i mentioned earlier?
Stay_positive - @Djay2ja3 - Your anxiety does not seem bizarre to me AT ALL! I experienced the same fear of using the shower and I can't use the bathroom unless the door is open. I am slowly overcoming both. I also feel the need to sleep with a light on at night and usually rely on the tv to fall asleep. This is all stuff that has started since my "crazy" night as well. On my happy days I try to push myself to do some of the things that make me uncomfortable, for example taking a short walk by myself or driving around the block by myself. One day at a time, eh?
Luciusmommy - I am so relieved to see others having issues with this drug...not that i am happy for your suffering, i promise you i am not, but because now i know i am not imagining it. I have been taking Doxycycline for about a wk for a tick bite that turned nasty and i don't think i have slept more than a total of 12 hrs all week. I have suffered with depression for years so i take zoloft. Maybe i will be spared the mood swings and morbidity....?
Djay3ja3 - @Stay_positive - Good to hear im not an outcast! And same with me as well, with the bathroom door and the night. luckly i have an open bathroom in my house so that isnt a problem and i usually push myself to turn off my tv to sleep so i can get to sleep earlier...do know that if i layed in bed long afterwards however that i would be back up with my tv on almost right away. And yes, one at a time is how i have been doing it as well..seems to be working quite nicely. Would you happen to know why we are afraid of such things though? it puzzles me..
@Luciusmommy - i understand where your coming from and i reccomend what was stated above and try to drink a good amount of water and take a probiotic halfway in between doses of antibiotics. All of us hope that you do not have the problems as well and feel free to come on here any time
Stay_positive - It is AMAZING to be having this conversation with everyone!! It makes me feel so much better to wake up (urgh... even though I wake up about every hour) and read your posts! I hope that others that are suffering find us and join the conversation. I find support is one of my best motivators :)
@Djay3ja3 - I have NO idea why we suddenly fear these things. In normal conditions, I am super-independent and have no fears AT ALL. I've never been depressed, experienced anxiety, had problems sleeping/eating, etc. I also find that since this all started I can't think about anything else... I try to remember all the happy, random things I used to think about during the day/night and it never seems to work. All I know is that I'm consumed by this no matter how hard I try to think about positive stuff in my life. It's like this drug has triggered a severe obsessive-compulsive nature as well... Is anyone else finding that?
Djay3ja3 - Same here with the fears, sleeping, and eating.. I have noticed that if i let my mind go and concentrate on what is happening around me i can get my mind off of it for a bit to where i notice im not thinking of it. And i am finding the ocd issue as well, but once again i force it down into a manageable amount or i just do what it is i am obsessing over. I am finding that i have to hold myself back from getting overly angry at things.
Stay_positive - Wanted to let everyone know that I am making progress! Still not sleeping through the night... but the heart palps are getting weaker. I introduced a multivitamin and B12 supplement into my diet about one week ago and my mood has definitely stabilized and I feel much calmer about everything. I feel happy and optimistic that this will run its course and I'll be back to "normal". I'm finding that my independence is coming back in baby steps (i.e. went grocery shopping alone, walked around the block alone, drove across town alone, saw the doctor alone, etc.). I'm able to focus a LOT better than even just a few days ago. I spoke with a naturopath about what's happened to me and she thinks it is one of two things: 1) serotonin deficiency or 2) a microbe/parasite. Both situations are linked to the use of antibiotics because, in the case of serotonin deficiency, the Doxy kills off all your intestinal flora (bacteria) and leaves you vulnerable to vitamin, mineral, chemical, and neurotransmitter deficiencies (guess where 85% of serotonin is made? THE GUT!!). The reason she suspects it could be a microbe (in my case) is because my poor gut was completely void of its natural army when I was traveling through Cambodia & Vietnam leaving me susceptible to picking up a new 'friend', shall we call it. It all makes so much sense!! Read up about serotonin deficiency and you'll be surprised by how much of what we're experiencing is related to it (depression, anxiety, panic, ocd, insomnia, lack of appetite, etc.). These are the other things she recommended to me while I ride out this Doxy wave... 1) PROBIOTIC - at least 25 billion and lacto... + bifido... 2) Fish Oil (Omega 3's) 3) Magnesium (at least 600 mg. a day) 4) B complex supplement (up to 1000 mcg of b12 is tolerable) 5) Rubbing castor oil over the liver etc. etc. Essentially just restoring your body's supply of all the things it needs to make serotonin!! Let me know how you're doing :)
Anonymous - Wow, I too have been suffering from depression and anxiety after taking doxy. I was only on it for about a week when I had an allergic reaction to it and broke out in hives. Then I got put on prednisone for a few days. This was 2 months ago however and I am still experiencing waves of depression. Will this EVER fade?
Djay3ja3 - im actually noticing that im really relaxed now, about everything, always.. like im always stoned or something haha.. i dont know, kinda weird. But the depression is mostly gone and im back to normal again..just a little bit of stuff every now and then is all
Stay_positive - @Imagine28 - I'm sorry to hear you're suffering through the waves of depression... they are terrifying! I am still battling the waves myself but I am finding that the B complex vitamins are really helping, and there are more good days than bad! I suggest giving them a try (your body can easily handle up to 1000mcg) and let me know how you feel in a few more days. @Djay3ja3 - EXCELLENT NEWS!!! Glad to hear that you're feeling better. I have a had a few of those weird "stoned" days myself, and a few good days here and there, but I know I still have a while longer to go before I feel like myself again. Out of curiosity, what little stuff are you still dealing with?
Djay3ja3 - @stay positive - Just thoughts of fear, ocd i guess.. the extreme worrying about every little aspect of my health haha, but i can talk myself out of it. And im about to go out of town for 2 weeks and stay with my aunt and uncle and i was kinda freaking out this morning when i woke up about not being around my mom.. but i got over that
Stay_positive - I too find myself worrying about my health... to the point that I can't focus in the present. If I am talking to people I am usually able to focus a lot better but the minute it's me, alone, I find myself incredibly distracted. I, too, freak out if I wake up and no one is home. I'm just starting to do some activities to get over it - like for example - my boyfriend will leave for a 30 minute run so that I can deal with the "alone" issue... sigh.
Stay_positive - Interesting... we are thinking about getting away and doing some camping for the next week or so. Maybe that will help me out too................ Also spoke to someone today about taking an Inositol supplement - he said it really helped him with the anxiety and depression. I'll keep you posted :)
Riley_tommy - Being on doxy for about 17 months now, I have tried a variety of vitamin suppliements (B Complex, Omega Fish Oil, Vitamin D (due to sensitivity with sunlight while on doxy), SAMe, Multivitamins, E, Magnesium, etc. etc.) - none of which have seemed to help with my excessive fatigue, extreme tiredness during the first hour of waking (I get to work late quite a bit now), and generalized anxiety. The only thing that has seemed to lessen somewhat over the last few months is the chest tightness sensations (I even went in for a detailed MRI check to rule heart issues out).
I wish I could stop taking doxy all together, but I have to live with it otherwise the staph in my leg starts to flare up.
I also take celexa to boost seritonin levels. Still have some depression and anxiety - it's been a tough ride.
Stay_positive - @Riley_tommy - Sorry to hear about your struggles - Doxy is a powerful little drug isn't she? I know that it's hell to live with the depression and anxiety, but the beauty is that you can always tell yourself that it's not you, it's the drug. I've heard of a few people who have this staph infection - is it always a life-long situation? Have you looked into any alternative ways of relieving those symptoms? Hang in there!!
Riley_tommy - Thanks for checking in Stay_positive - my MRSA staph is deep within my femur and entangled in my knee - I have not had any boils or outbreaks since my last operation in Jan '10 - I have tried garlic, apple cider vinager, tumeric, and a few other home remedies, but my leg always starts to swell up and I start to feel achy and feverish if I stop taking the doxy. My doctor thinks I may have to be on it indefinitly - I may go in for another operation, but last time I did this I was out of work for a month. I have tried other perscription antibiotics but I seem to be alergic to them all (at least the ones that are affective against staph). People who get topical staph outbreaks can recover from staph, sometimes fully, but they will always be increasingly susceptible to it in the future. People like me, who have it internally have a much harder time of ridding themselves of it, and sometimes have it for life. I have heard that staph now kills more people in the US than does AIDS, in a given year. I sometimes think about going on mid-long-term medical leave from work, but I just dont want to give up the fight!
Stay_positive - @Riley_tommy - Happy to hear you're boil/outbreak free since 2010! That's 18 months!!! I like your spirit and I don't think you're anywhere near giving up your fight!! But, it sounds like taking the Doxy is one of the few options you have at this point. I'm sure there's ways to keep the anxiety/depression manageable. Since antibiotics mess up your intestinal flora (and therefore serotonin) you could try taking a high-count, multi-strain probiotic so that your body has some good bacteria in the gut. Also, I'd recommend the B-complex vitamins (they've really helped bring back my good mood) and magnesium (it's really calmed my body down - the shaking and heart palpitations have stopped). If you haven't already spoken to a naturopath I highly recommend it! All the best :)
Stay_positive - @Riley_tommy - Happy to hear you're boil/outbreak free since 2010! That's 18 months!!! I like your spirit and I don't think you're anywhere near giving up your fight!! But, it sounds like taking the Doxy is one of the few options you have at this point. I'm sure there's ways to keep the anxiety/depression manageable. Since antibiotics mess up your intestinal flora (and therefore serotonin) you could try taking a high-count, multi-strain probiotic so that your body has some good bacteria in the gut. Also, I'd recommend the B-complex vitamins (they've really helped bring back my good mood) and magnesium (it's really calmed my body down - the shaking and heart palpitations have stopped). If you haven't already spoken to a naturopath I highly recommend it! All the best :)
Anonymous - So I went to the doctor because I have been having anxiety issues as well and he prescribed zoloft. Should I just take it or continue without? I have had these symptoms since late April and I don't know what to do.
Cupcake1973 - I was very close also to going to the doc and getting "special" meds, my family and I were so glad to find the posting about doxy. I took my last pill on june 10th (for lung infection) and have experienced no sleep/eat, heart palpation, anxiety, and fears for my health. I thought I was losing my freaking mind!!! I now sleep all night with the t.v. off, and the heart palps stopped 2 weeks ago, but the anxiety and fears continue at last twice a day, I still have half of an appetite. I called the walgreens pharmacy and told them about this and the pharmacist told me the drug leaves the system after 24 hrs of taking the last pill!! TOTAL B.S. Thanks to this site I think I am going to stick it out and never take doxy again.....
Stay_positive - @Djay3ja3 - Where you at my friend? Feeling any better these days? Sure hope so!
@Imagine 28 - Totally a personal decision. Only you know what is right for you. Some people take anti-anxiety meds to help them function while their body gets back to normal. In my case, my doctors and I agreed to wait and see if I started feeling better on my own... turns out, after two LONG months, things are getting considerably better. Hang in there - you'll beat this thing soon :)
@Cupcake 1973 - Glad you found us! I think we all breathed a sigh of relief when we found this page... I'm SO happy to hear the heart palps have stopped (they're horrible!) and your appetite will get better too. The anxiety/fears will slowly stop as well... each person is different so just give yourself the time you need and try to keep stress levels to an absolute minimum. You will be better soon :)
Cupcake1973 - @Stay_positive..thank you for the support, you are a life saver!!!! You have so much courage and hope, it inspires me. I hope for all of us that this horrible nightmare ends very, very soon. Please keep in touch. thanks again!!
Djay3ja3 - @Stay_Positive- i posted something a week ago but i guess it didnt clear... i feel really good (: my last big panic/depression attack was about 2 weeks ago, the day after the 4th. I have some small attacks every now and then but they are easy to stop compaired to the others. I have come off of all supplementary medications including the probiotics. However i cant say that i would go back and stop myself from taking them, they have changed my life and my outlook of the following. I am only 15 so that will benifit me in the future hopefully
Stay_positive - @Djay3ja3 - Glad to hear you're feeling better :) Please send me an e-mail at screw_doxy@hotmail.com so that I can contact you if I decide to take action against Pfizer in the future.
@Cupcake1973 - I'm sorry you're having a rough go - it does get better! Please e-mail me at screw_doxy@hotmail.com if you'd like to discuss your situation in more detail.
Luvlylady1981 - Hello everyone. I started taking this about 3 weeks and started having panic attacks and severe depression every single day since. It's been 3 days since I've been off. I've missed almost 2 weeks and scared I'm going crazy and never going to get my life back. I've dealt with depression and anxiety for 11 years and I was finally doing good and this caused it all to come back. I'm so scared!
Luvlylady1981 - I meant to say I've missed almost 2 weeks of work and I'm scared I will be fired if I keep this up but I don't know what to do.
Stay_positive - @Luvlylady1981 - You're not alone! You're not going crazy and your life will get better soon :) Get your doctor to write a note for your work so that you can take as much time off as you need to heal. There are lots of us going through this at the moment and slowly everyone is feeling better - hang in there! E-mail me at screw_doxy@hotmail.com if you want to connect more personally.
Luvlylady1981 - Thank you so much Stay_positive ! It's so nice that you are here being so supportive! It's so hard to find real support and understanding from anyone unless they have been through it themselves. I will email if I need to talk thanks. Today is the first day I am feeling somewhat normal. I can't believe with everything I have been through with panic attacks and depression over the years and how careful I have been to avoid it that this medication caused it all to come back.. and all just because I wanted to clear up my skin. It's not even worth it!! I just keep trying to stay positive and remember that nomatter how bad it gets it always gets better with support. I am glad I found this place and know I am not alone!
Bereft - With response to the thread on doxycycline and depression, I feel compelled to issue a serious warning to anyone who does not respond well to this drug. I will write in greater detail soon but for now just tell you that our beautiful 19 year old son committed suicide on the 6th day of a 100mg per day dose (which he was taking for a bit of perioral dermatitis). He was a happy and much adored young man from a very loving, solid family. He was very intelligent, athletic and laid back. He was not an A type personality, and had never suffered depression. On the morning of the 6th day this boy (with the strong friendships and 3 very close older brothers) ate a large breakfast, was searching for his cricket whites for the afternoon's game and then took an irreversible course of action quite contrary to who he was. The medication must have impacted detrimentally with fatal consequences. The coroner is investigating the matter.
Please trust your own instincts. This drug obviously has very bad side effects for some people.
Fabcan - I am so sorry for your extreme loss....as I have been researching into this in regards to my child I have came across that both my sons dermotogist and his general practitioner have no knowledge of these side effects...Please join me in contacting all Doctors involved so our children and young adults are safe.
Fabcan - Extreme depression, anxiety, deperate thoughts, outbursts of tears, feeling of lost and dream like state. It has been going on for weeks now in and out...we talk and stay up nights and cry together...again,,,,I am so sorry for your loss....What did the coroner say>?
Jt676 - I'm glad I saw this forum. I was on Doxycycline for 21 days for suspected Lyme. I was supposed to take it 28 days but on day 19 I began having extreme anxiety almost to the point of fainting. I tried to think of what I ate or did that could cause this but never considered the Doxy until I saw this forum. I happen to have Xanax available in a small dose as a nite time relaxer and sleep aid (.5mg). I found myself having to temporarily double this dose and spread it around evenly throughout the day just to survive going to work. This is the bizzarest thing I've ever been through but I have a strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and I know I'll get over this soon. It's been 7 full days now since I quit the Doxy and while I've seen some improvement with the anxiety, it's still nagging me. Did anyone say how long this could take to completely resolve itself? I hope it's soon because I want to taper off the Xanax as soon as possible. Thanks everyone for listening. I'll be praying for all of you who are suffering. God Bless.... JT
Anonfemale - I’m so sorry to hear about your loss….
I took doxy as an anti malarial and it gave me nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss (not surprising given the not eating and vomiting - I went from 55 to 50 kg in two weeks). More concerning however, were the heart palpitations and anxiety. The best method to describe it was like being high - like the time when i was 18 and tried amphetamines. It was horrible.
I took the doxy for about two weeks then decided i would rather get malaria then continue taking it. The side effects took about a week to subside after i stopped taking it. A few months later I got depression and took Lexapro for treatment. This was really out of character for me – no idea if this was related to the doxy though as I did not feel depressed when I was taking the doxy. I felt weird, very weird but not depressed.
Bug21 - I have been taking doxy for about 6 weeks now (for anti-malaria while deployed). I've had an anxiety disorder for a few years now and was doing quite well, so couldn't figure out why my symptoms were coming back so strongly. After reading this, now I know. I didn't take my pill today and would rather risk malaria than continue feeling like this. I'll try to keep everyone posted on how long it takes for me to get back to normal.
Hojo70 - I was only doxy for only about 11 to 12 days and lost it, my sanity that is. I became very depressed and hyper-anxious, felt very hot with pounding chest. I was afraid to be alone and cried profusely, felt like the "worst thing ever" was about to happen to me.I felt like I was in a nightmare I could not escape and could not break the negative pattern of thoughts that I was overcome with. Lost all interest ini everything including food, and did not eat or sleep for serveral days.
Bug21 - I took my last pill less than 48 hours ago, and I am already starting to feel better. I am very glad I found this page, otherwise I would not have known why the anxiety was acting-up so badly.
Luvlylady1981 - Just an update.. I've been off the Doxy for over 2 months now and I'm still not better. I finally had to take short term disability off work to try to get this under control. I've been working with my family doctor, psychiatrist and psychologist and I was out of work since August 8th and my first day back was September 19th. I am now trying anti depressants and anxiety meds, anything to get through this. Unfortunately, I am still not better since trying this. I also feel as if I'm in a nightmare I cannot wake up from.. :(
Luvlylady1981 - Oh, and by the way.. I've told atleast 4 doctors about my experience with the Doxy and they all brush it off as it could not possibly be the Doxy. I know my body and I know I was doing fine until I took this! SO frustrating!
Lloydcarroll - I too experience extreme depression, anxiety, and had thoughts of suicide. The last few days have been so hard. I just spontaneously cry and can't sleep and I get easily upset. I feel like I'm just stuck in this state of worthlessness and I just can't get out of it. I have gotten more open with someone so important to me and these last few days, I've been so upset, I know I hurt her. It's really hard for me. I hope I haven't ruined anything with her. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me.
Jt676 - Well, it's been 17 days since I've stopped the Doxy and I can tell you the anxiety has let up quite a bit. I feel I'm getting better and better everyday as far as that goes.
The symptoms that caused me to take the doxy in the first place are still there, but not as much as before. I'll know more soon at my next doctor's appointment. But I'm just grateful to the good Lord that a least the horrible side effects of this doxy (there are others too besides the anxiety/depression) are starting to disppear. I hope this post gives others hope that the side effects will go away in time.
Backtoindia - I'm so sorry to hear about all your horrible experiences, especially the loss of your sun...i wish you so much strength..
i have been on doxy for two months for supposed lymedisease.i had severe anxiety because of the lyme(never before) and it all dissapeared when I started to take doxy...so just the other way around...the heartpalpetations, seisures and anxiety dissapeared and for the first time I could go shopping etc...However, after 2 onths of doxy I started to get severe pains all hrough my body...I had no more doxy and had to stop anyway.After stopping than, about 2 days later, the heartpalpetation and anxiety started again....Now i must say that I did have nightmairs after starting doxy...and i am sure these pharmaceuticals are very bad for us..much better to find natural ways of healing...but lyme is very persistant and hart to fight....So i do not know if the anxiety that started after stopping with doxycycline is related to the use before and a chemical inbalance in the brain...(?)
Stay_positive - Hi everybody. I am extremely upset to hear about everyone's suffering. I know... it's pure and utter hell. All that being said - I want you to know that it DOES get better :) I have been off the Doxy for over four months now and I am feeling GREAT! Anxiety has practically disappeared, no panic, no palpitations, appetite is back, weight has come back on, crazy thoughts, depression, weird fuzziness to life, inability to concentrate, blah blah blah and all that other "fun" are GONE! Given how surreal the whole experience was I do think about it a lot but I'm able to feel 'normal' again, and I know that each and every one of you will soon too. Please hang in there for yourselves, your loved ones and all the other great people you will continue to meet in your lifetime. If you can survive the Doxy hell you can certainly survive anything else. I wish each and every one of you the strength and patience you need to push through the next few months. Keep your closest friends and family nearby because you will lean on them heavily for support and guidance. Trust your instincts and know that this is NOT you and that you are stronger than the bizarre force that has taken over your mind. If you are reading this today than you know that you're stronger than it - start believing it and you'll slowly see yourself getting better. Hang in there :)
Sophiae - Hello everyone. I started taking doxycycline hyclate for a weird rash I developed on my chest after having my beautiful baby girl. Anyway, I developed Post Partum Anxiety about a month after having her. I was prescribed Lexapro and it worked wonders! :) I have been feeling so good for a couple months now. I went to the dermatologist last week and he gave me this horrible drug 100mg a day to try and clear up these bumps. I had one of the worst relapse, I went to be on Saturday evening at 11:30 and started feeling REALLY nervous, horrible thoughts, bad heart palpitations and was shaky. I did not finally fall asleep till 5:15 in the morning. After 2 OTC sleeping pills and Ativan (which is like a tranquilizer) it was horrible and my poor husband thought I was going to start going through this all over again. Saturday was the last day I took this and I am still experiencing nervousness, but it is getting better.
The worst part is when my doctor called me back and I told him about this; it was almost like he did not believe me. He said that he has never heard of this side affect. That almost made me feel worse and I thought that I WAS having a relapse, I was scared. I found this web thread and it made me feel so much better!
We do need to get it out that this drug DOES cause this horrible side affect!
Fabcan - Hi everyone......our doctors too brushed us off ..saying that there is no way that it is the Doxy......I printed out information and negative reports and started faxing to all of our doctors and now I am faxing to any and all doctors I have numbers for....fax your doctors office any information you can...even print out pages of this and fax....we need to get the word out there....
Stay_positive - I agree with both of you! I have sent letters to many local doctors, hospitals, pharmacists, etc. In fact, one of the largest hospitals in Toronto, Ontario is writing a report about what happened to me (and obviously many others!). It is especially important that those of us who had no prior mental health issues speak out about it as there will be little dispute surrounding the cause of the anxiety, depression, negative thoughts, etc. I am so proud of each and every one of you for pushing through it all and trying to reach out and help others - this is the beauty of humankind :)
Sophiae - Yes, I was thinking that the doctors Definitely need to know. This made me feel like I was going crazy! I felt a lot better when I saw that others had bone through what I had. Maybe just print up this thread and fax to doctors that you know?
Djay3ja3 - Hey everyone, its great to be hearing the good news and for those just now coming off of the drug it does get better. I have been off for about four months now and it does feel 95% back to normal.
However i was just told to try singular by my ent specialist and after taking the first dose i read the side effects wich included the symptoms we have been facing.. Should i be worried?
Sophiae - I would for sure talk with a dr. And tell them the side affects you had on Doxy and then see what they say about the new drug. You may be sensitive to something that certain drugs have and I am sure you do not want to go through that again!
Djay3ja3 - I most certainly do not haha, thanks for the help.
Yeah, i think i will tell him when i go back because i had a minor anxiety attack about an hour and a half after taking it.. wich could have been from the medication or from the idea of going through that again. and thank you, i am as well, and good to hear the same for you :)
Johnman - I took doxy earlier this year and was very depressed. I ignored the symptom until I was just prescribed it again this week. I couldn't sleep tonight because I felt like my world had ended like I had screwed it all up and there was no way I could fix it. Im a normal guy with a normal life so these thoughts coming from me are crazy not normal for me and are as a result of an outside source. The only difference in my environment has been the doxy. I'm going to drink a lot of water and eat some yogurt and make sure I'm with good people till I'm off in 2 days.
Lloydcarroll - Ok, so I've been off for about 2 weeks. I also starting taking Melatonin lozenges which not only helped me sleep, but also helped me remain moderately level. The emotional pain I felt went down a lot. Not completely, and still tries to perk up, but for the most part, doing MUCH better.
Sophiae - I am so sorry you two. This medication is so HORRIBLE! I have been off now for 7 days and I am feeling much better! Like you said, it still tries to perk up once in a while, but I can control it knowing what it is. I went to a dr. and showed them all of these posts and they finally listened. Here's to hoping something is done. But, I think that we all should do something so that the words out there. If one person does it, it's not enough!
Sandrawall - Doxycycline Hyclate is anti-bacterial drug, it is used for treating bacterial infections and not anxiety and depression. You can find the details at [link removed]
Fabcan - @sandrawall, yes....I know that it is a anti bacterial drug....the anxiety and depression are the severe side affects that accompany it....if you are taking the drug and you do not have these side affects I am very happy for you, but if you are seeing any signs of depression or severe anxiety, it is from the drug..
Raisa88 - so i was going to start this medication tomorrow only now i'm scared after reading of how all of you have been suffering from depression. I already suffer from mild depression and i have recently been doing really well with it. I'm scared to start this medication and have suicide thoughts as some of you have written. What do you guys sugest i do?!?!?! I'm so nervous now.
Hello30 - My son is 7 years old and he took dozy 2 months ago to treat a tick bite. He took it for 4good days. He has been acting very strange every since he came off the med...excessive crying, feeling scared, stomach aches, and he seems depressed. He's seeing a psychologist but he isn't getting better. He gets so frustrated that he fights with pillows. He also asks for help! Does anybody else have children going through this?
Oonalee - Hello. I took doxycycline quite some time ago for acne. I may have been warned by the doctor that it could cause depression... but what I experienced was something it has actually taken years to come to terms with. I was so so very close to committing suicide on this drug. The worst part of it is that rather than making the connection with the drug and my psychotic episode, the drug caused me to enter a mind state where current experiences and situations in my life seemed to be the cause of my unhappiness, so that I didn't make the connection. The word unhappiness is a severe understatement. The thoughts that I had about other people and myself throughout this time are still difficult for me to forgive myself over. I treated wonderful and loving people like absolute rubbish because I my ability to rationalize and to be positive was completely abolished. My mother was ringing me daily to make sure I was not doing anything stupid. The anguish she went through! and without knowing I was on a course of antibiotics for my skin - as I didn't think it important to mention. I have since listened to a talk-back radio show with parents calling in who have lost their children to this drug, and it makes me incredibly sad and angry that better monitoring and warnings are not in place to prevent such senseless and unnecessary losses of lives. Like I said, I was this close to killing myself... and I have everything to live for!!!!
Oonalee - @hello30... someone made a post above (long time ago) about the benefits of drinking a lot of water to counter the nasty effects of the drug... making sure your son is really well hydrated sounds like a good idea. I feel very sad for him... it is a horrible, horrible experience. It took quite a while for all the nasty thoughts and feelings to subside. Apart from water, I can only suggests lots of hugs. Good luck! After what I went through, I wouldn't even consider taking that drug as a last resort. People should be warned!!!
Fabcan - @oonalee.......I am so crazy over this.....there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnell....everyone is saying how they are so depressed even after quiting the drug...how long were you off it before you started feeling better?....did you feel like that while on the drug?
Oonalee - @Fabcan - Yes I felt awful whilst taking the drugs, but it took a number of months, if I recall correctly, to feel consistently positive for any length of time. I was working night shifts also, so that probably didn't help with the recovery. I was left with all sorts of self esteem and shame issues resulting from the way I had thought about and acted towards people while in that state, which also contributed to my ongoing depression. Doxysc made a comment above about drinking LOTS of water, which I didn't do... but I wouldn't be surprised if that made a big difference - I know dehydration is responsible for all sorts of ill feelings.. particularly to do with mood. I hope my comment hasn't made you despair. I am now feeling very happy and well!
However, I am very very concerned for all these people being prescribed this medication for (often) quite minor health complaints with such a horrible and ongoing side-effects. Doctors certainly need to know and to warn their patients - not just that it causes depression, because for anyone who has not experienced this severity of depression, the word depression simply means a bad mood. This is irrational, psychotic, suicidal depression which by its nature seems to prevent the person from making the connection with the medication. I had a friend who also took the doxy and ended up locking herself in the bathroom and screaming and crying. I tried to convince her that it was the antibiotics, but she wouldn't believe me. She felt so convinced that the things that she was attributing her anguish to were the real cause. THAT is the real danger... that even with a warning, AND someone pointing it out to you, that the drugs effects feel so REAL. Once she stopped taking the drugs, she agreed that they were the cause. This side effect appears to be scarily common, and needs to be monitored. Furthermore, I feel that it is far too widely prescribed for minor ailments. A few pimples, in my case, was not worth risking my life over.. and I certainly would not have done so if I had been properly informed.
Oonalee - @Fabcan - Yes I felt awful whilst taking the drugs, but it took a number of months, if I recall correctly, to feel consistently positive for any length of time. I was working night shifts also, so that probably didn't help with the recovery. I was left with all sorts of self esteem and shame issues resulting from the way I had thought about and acted towards people while in that state, which also contributed to my ongoing depression. Doxysc made a comment above about drinking LOTS of water, which I didn't do... but I wouldn't be surprised if that made a big difference - I know dehydration is responsible for all sorts of ill feelings.. particularly to do with mood. I hope my comment hasn't made you despair. I am now feeling very happy and well!
However, I am very very concerned for all these people being prescribed this medication for (often) quite minor health complaints with such a horrible and ongoing side-effects. Doctors certainly need to know and to warn their patients - not just that it causes depression, because for anyone who has not experienced this severity of depression, the word depression simply means a bad mood. This is irrational, psychotic, suicidal depression which by its nature seems to prevent the person from making the connection with the medication. I had a friend who also took the doxy and ended up locking herself in the bathroom and screaming and crying. I tried to convince her that it was the antibiotics, but she wouldn't believe me. She felt so convinced that the things that she was attributing her anguish to were the real cause. THAT is the real danger... that even with a warning, AND someone pointing it out to you, that the drugs effects feel so REAL. Once she stopped taking the drugs, she agreed that they were the cause. This side effect appears to be scarily common, and needs to be monitored. Furthermore, I feel that it is far too widely prescribed for minor ailments. A few pimples, in my case, was not worth risking my life over.. and I certainly would not have done so if I had been properly informed.
Backtoindia - to hello 30> i couldn't reply to your post when i scrolled up. i hope this message will be accepted.in this case i am very, very concerned and alarmed about your sun having had a tickbite.i have lymedisease.listen...you may never stop medications after four days once he is infected...Lyme is one of the most horrible diseases.i have it.i also was not treated the correct eay.dear mother, within 24 hourse it moves from the blood to the heart and nervoussystem, that';s where it feels comfortable..It is invading cells and causing true disaster, panic attacks, irregular heartbeat and pain everywhere.it is very dangerous. all over the world this is not addressed the correct way yet.many peopleare on combination antibiotics for many years and still suffer...some get intravenous treatments....Your sun is so sick now because you took him of the drugg after 4 days!!!Now the bacteria is goingcrazy and it will be too much for your little one, it might even be fatal.TYou must treat him!!!!go see al ymespecialist, but do not waist time.if he can not stand the horrible doxycycline than please put him on herbal antimicrobials until the lymespecialist has given medicine.I take samento from nutramedix.ith elps me , although doxy also took a lot of the bacteria away.Pharmaceuticals are rubbish but in the case of lymedisease, it is even better than doing nothing for it might disable your kid for the rest of his life.please mum, if you want to stop his anxiety and nervous complaints, start treating this the correct way.Not a two weeks or one month cause is appropreate.if he has just been bitten he must take three months of antibiotics or herbal antimicrobials!!!!!
Backtoindia - to hello 30> i couldn't reply to your post when i scrolled up. i hope this message will be accepted.in this case i am very, very concerned and alarmed about your sun having had a tickbite.i have lymedisease.listen...you may never stop medications after four days once he is infected...Lyme is one of the most horrible diseases.i have it.i also was not treated the correct eay.dear mother, within 24 hourse it moves from the blood to the heart and nervoussystem, that';s where it feels comfortable..It is invading cells and causing true disaster, panic attacks, irregular heartbeat and pain everywhere.it is very dangerous. all over the world this is not addressed the correct way yet.many peopleare on combination antibiotics for many years and still suffer...some get intravenous treatments....Your sun is so sick now because you took him of the drugg after 4 days!!!Now the bacteria is goingcrazy and it will be too much for your little one, it might even be fatal.TYou must treat him!!!!go see al ymespecialist, but do not waist time.if he can not stand the horrible doxycycline than please put him on herbal antimicrobials until the lymespecialist has given medicine.I take samento from nutramedix.ith elps me , although doxy also took a lot of the bacteria away.Pharmaceuticals are rubbish but in the case of lymedisease, it is even better than doing nothing for it might disable your kid for the rest of his life.please mum, if you want to stop his anxiety and nervous complaints, start treating this the correct way.Not a two weeks or one month cause is appropreate.if he has just been bitten he must take three months of antibiotics or herbal antimicrobials!!!!!
Backtoindia - i just placed the upper answer for hello 30:I can not stress this enough. put your child on immedeate medications for the tickbite, immedeate, do not waist time , not even a vieuw days!!!!!!!!!
Hello30 - @ backtoindia. I took him off BC the doc gave him 4 days of med. He said that was all he needed.
Bereft - bereft to Oonalee Our family would dearly love to hear a podcast of the radio program where parents of children who had committed suicide on this drug had phoned in. Would you remember the name of the station and the date and time? Anything that can help us track it. I am in Australia - where are you?
Jpando1 - jpando- I am 16 years old and I was diagnosed with Lyme disease this past July. I felt an out of body experience that I couldn't explain when I was first bit, but no depression or sadness just a weird feeling. Towards the end of July I was prescribed Doxycycline and once I started that, my out of body Lyme symptoms went away, but I began to feel super depressed, anxious, and my OCD became so bad that I considered therapy. I have never experienced any type of depression, I have never had a suicidal thought and I have no kind of mental illness. I am a perfectly normal, happy young woman and taking Doxycycline literally changed my life. I felt suicidal, scared, alone, horrible. I couldn't function, couldn't do my school work and couldn't remember or concentrate on anything. I felt so fuzzy in my head and I felt a sense of fogginess like I was in a dream but it was more like a nightmare because I was petrified. I never got to the point where i really considered suicide but not a day passed on doxy that i wasn't depressed or thinking suicidal, sick or negative thoughts. This is nothing like me, I am a happy go lucky kid and i never have a bad thought. I was so overwhelmed and I still am, but I'm beginning to feel a sense of hope and relief now that i found this site. I never connected doxycycline with my depression, I had myself convinced that i was simply losing my mind. But then i thought deeper into it and realized there is absolutely no reason for me to be depressed. I've never experienced something traumatic, I have a very solid, happy and loving family. I have a great education and a very stable life. I was never warned about depression being a side effect of Doxycycline, but something brought me to look it up. That's when I found this website, I am so grateful and overjoyed. This website saved me and I just got rid of my bottle of Doxycycline. I know that in time I will get better and I have so much faith and hope. Already my negative and suicidal thoughts are disappearing from just skimming over some of these stories. I think it is so necessary to get the word out about this horrible medication. It certaintly messed around with all of our lives and it is no joke. I would hate to see this happen to one more person. I'm so glad I have people to share my story with who can relate to me and understand what it is that I'm going through. Thank you everyone!
Jpando1 - jpando- I am 16 years old and I was diagnosed with Lyme disease this past July. I felt an out of body experience that I couldn't explain when I was first bit, but no depression or sadness just a weird feeling. Towards the end of July I was prescribed Doxycycline and once I started that, my out of body Lyme symptoms went away, but I began to feel super depressed, anxious, and my OCD became so bad that I considered therapy. I have never experienced any type of depression, I have never had a suicidal thought and I have no kind of mental illness. I am a perfectly normal, happy young woman and taking Doxycycline literally changed my life. I felt suicidal, scared, alone, horrible. I couldn't function, couldn't do my school work and couldn't remember or concentrate on anything. I felt so fuzzy in my head and I felt a sense of fogginess like I was in a dream but it was more like a nightmare because I was petrified. I never got to the point where i really considered suicide but not a day passed on doxy that i wasn't depressed or thinking suicidal, sick or negative thoughts. This is nothing like me, I am a happy go lucky kid and i never have a bad thought. I was so overwhelmed and I still am, but I'm beginning to feel a sense of hope and relief now that i found this site. I never connected doxycycline with my depression, I had myself convinced that i was simply losing my mind. But then i thought deeper into it and realized there is absolutely no reason for me to be depressed. I've never experienced something traumatic, I have a very solid, happy and loving family. I have a great education and a very stable life. I was never warned about depression being a side effect of Doxycycline, but something brought me to look it up. That's when I found this website, I am so grateful and overjoyed. This website saved me and I just got rid of my bottle of Doxycycline. I know that in time I will get better and I have so much faith and hope. Already my negative and suicidal thoughts are disappearing from just skimming over some of these stories. I think it is so necessary to get the word out about this horrible medication. It certaintly messed around with all of our lives and it is no joke. I would hate to see this happen to one more person. I'm so glad I have people to share my story with who can relate to me and understand what it is that I'm going through. Thank you everyone!
Oonalee - @ bereft - Hello, sorry for the late reply... I have been away from the computer. I am also in Australia. The radio program was on a good number of years ago. I'm fairly sure it was on Radio National. I'm afraid I can't remember the day of the week, nor the time - it was during the day. I had borrowed my mother's car, and very seldom listen to the radio, so I was quite impressed by the coincidence. Hmmm I don't suppose this is a huge amount of help. I guess Radio National would be able to tell you if they ran such a program. It may have been up to five years ago. Good luck, I will write again if I can remember any more details.
Iwillbehappy - hello, i also took doxy, and after about 6 days, i couldnt take deep breaths and my heart would beat faster than usual. ive been off for about 5 days and its still kind of there, has anyone felt this before? please reply..
Jpando1 - Yep, I felt the same way. I had heart palpitations and shortness of breath but it went away about 2 weeks after I got off the doxy and only comes once a day now. It will get better in time
Bereft - -Jpando1 Thank you for posting your response to taking doxycycline. It may help save others who thankfully stumble upon this site as ypu did. What you felt is exactly what we have concluded our son/brother must have felt. (A happy, intelligent 19 year old with no depression whatsoever who is texting for a mate to bring cricket whites for him to the game and 17 minutes later has taken his own life - we presume after that morning's medicine suddenly kicked in.) It seems the drug reaches some critical level in the blood on about day 6 - with dehydration being a contributing factor. For young people like our son, who have never experienced a really difficult or dark moment in their lives, the depression and suicidal thoughts must feel so 'real' (and if the connection to the drug is not made, the consequence potentially fatal).
Jpando1 - I am so sorry for the loss of your son/brother. I really wish that the connection could have been made sooner because his life as well as many others could have been saved. It is my pleausre to come onto this site and blog with others who have experienced this first hand or watched family and friends go through it. I am so grateful to have found this website and I log onto it everyday just to assure myself that it is the medication and not me because I still get a wave of the depression a couple times of day. I am very thankful that you responded and again I am beyond sorry for your loss. It is mind-blowing what a medication can do to your mind and body and doctor's need to give much more of a warning to the patients that are prescribed antibiotics like this. If you or your family ever want to speak about anything on this topic I'm always on this blog at least once a day to talk. Thank you and I'm truly sorry.
Bereft - -Jpando1 - I really pray you are feeling like your old self by now. I know how extreme the reaction must be to have affected such a stable boy as ours.
Could anyone living in Australia who has experienced adverse side effects to Doxycycline please report them to the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration). Quite a number of people have told me of their reactions to this drug but none have written to the TGA. If a warning accompanied this medication perhaps none of us would be blogging here.
Cid404 - I did a 10-day course of Doxy nearly 2 weeks ago, and I'm still having anxiety/depression, facial flushing and trouble staying asleep.
This stuff is a beast! I hope it ends soon, its made me miserable and my family more so, having to experience my malady with it.
Cid404 - I did a 10-day course of Doxy nearly 2 weeks ago, and I'm still having anxiety/depression, facial flushing and trouble staying asleep.
This stuff is a beast! I hope it ends soon, its made me miserable and my family more so, having to experience my malady with it.
Jpando1 - @Bereft- I appreciate it very much, I am starting to feel a lot better and like my old self. Again I am so sorry for your loss and I wish someone knew about this medications side effects sooner so that you and your family could have been warned because this is beyond unfair to you all. You are in my prayers, and I will do everything I can to get the word out about this awful antibiotic.
@Cid404- I am sorry that you had to go through that experience on the medication. I was on and off of doxycycline for three months and it took me about two months to get back to nrmal. You will feel better soon. Have faith and try your best not to think about it, one day you will wake up and feel completely fine. Everything will get better !
Sbmom2one - HI all. I want to lend some help. I wrote on another thread about my daughter having these wierd thoughts/anxiety/panic attacks along with physical white stool/diareah/cramping/vomiting/weight loss about 2 weeks AFTER finishing 28 days on docycycline 100mg twice a day for lyme disease. OK - I want to echo what STAY_POSITIVE above said about the probitics. When I took my daughter to the doctor he po-poo'd these blogs but did say she might have IBS - and that that can cause depression and to take a good probiotic - he suggested Culturelle - that is a very high quality one. You just need to take one small pill a day - and I can see a difference. My daughter is probably 80% better now - and 50% better just since the probiotic. She is on week 6 and so the medicine may just be flushing out but today in the Wall Street Journal was a article that substantiates this theory. READ THIS ARTICLE - it makes alot of sense. All the bacteria in the body was killed by the doxycycline and wasn't replaced. It is called GUT FLORA - it creates 95% of your seratonin which affect amoods/depression etc.. And my daughter took yogurt every day she was on the DOXY but when she got off it she didn't see the need to eat yogurt and this is why she didn't get this side effect until after she stopped the yogurt (about 1 1/2 weeks after she came off the DOXY! ) . Read it - it will makes some scientific sense of what the heck is going on. Get a GOOD probiotic as I suggested above. And all the best to all of you. This is the scariest/weirdest thing our family has ever gone thru. Just put this into your browser and you'll get the article. [link removed]. Good luck to all on this forum - and my daughter is another source of hope - it does get better - you are not going crazy. We promise.
Sbmom2one - Shoot - I see it removed the link. OK - search for 'A GUT CHECK FOR MANY AILMENTS' by Shirley S. Wang. It was Jan 17, 2012 in the Wall Street Journal. Thanks again.
Sugarpop8 - Wow, I'm very relieved to have found these posts! I took doxycycline as an anti-malaria medication while I was studying abroad last year. I was abroad for 4 months and was taking the medication during that whole time period. A few weeks into taking the medication, I woke up one night feeling EXTREME emotions of confusion, anxiety, and depression. My thoughts were racing, I felt so trapped! I have never felt something so horrible. At the time, I had no idea the doxy could be to blame. My feelings of anxiety continued for weeks, I seriously contemplated going home...and studying abroad was my dream! Eventually, the side effects slowly subsided but I still did not feel 100% myself but I contributed it to homesickness. A few days before I left to return home to the US, the feelings reemerged!.... I would never wish that kind of pain and torture on anyone! It is truly terrible. I was prescribed to take the medication for 30 days after I returned to the US in addition to the 4 months I was taking it abroad. I continued to take the medication for a few weeks after I got back until I found this blog last May...I randomly checked back to the site today after reading a newspaper article about suicide...a family whose 19 year old son unexpectedly took his own life...the article explained how the parents were searching for answers on why their normally happy son would do this...their son was on an acne medication(not sure if it was doxy) but it brought me back to this site! I can't believe there is a drug out there like this...I am feeling better now but in the months I returned home, I was miserable and there was no reason I should have been...I was reunited with my friends and family and had just graduated from college. After reading all these posts, I am convinced it is this terrible drug which caused me all this turmoul! I sincerely hope all you others are doing okay!!
Sbmom2one - Hi Sugarpop8 - I am glad that you are feeling better. I want you to know that i have been investigating this myself and a new site has just been created that has all the side effects reported to the FDA (but aren't on the label) - it is called Adverseevents . com . OMG - Finally some real medical/FDA data on these horrible side effects of this drug. I paid the $10 subscription fee to see ALL the reports - and although they don't include the verbage we get here - it lists the symptoms of depression, anxiety, Abnormal feeling, attempted suicide, Completed suicide. The percentage isn't high of these cases but there are a number of people that for some reason have this side effect and it needs to be documented, acknowledged and prevented or treated ! ! We/you shouldn't feel like freaks.
I was so happy to find this site. I encourage everyone on this board to submit there adverse side effects to the FDA.
Doctors should be encouraged to tell anyone on this to take probiotics and drink lots of water to avoid this side effect. Good luck to everyone. Hang in there - it does get better every day! ! !
Amberf - AmberF--@Luvlylady1981-I too, am so frustrated with this drug! My daughter, who has also suffered from multiple anxiety disorders and depression over the years and who was finally stable and happy, was prescribed doxycycline for some acne. She was on the medicine for almost 2 months before the doctor finally took her off of it. I saw the spiral down pretty early on, but she never could recognize that it was causing her anxiety and OCD to come back and refused to go off of it until the doctor told her to. But now she has been off of doxycycline for a month and has been trying to heal with probiotics and vitamins and minerals, but I haven't seen much improvement in her. She has sunk into such a state of hopelessness that I'm afraid for her. She has already made some pretty rash decisions while "detoxing" and I am just hoping the process speeds up. She still doesn't believe it's the medicine and just thinks it because she's gone "crazy" again and because life is just overall, terrible. If she could handle anti anxiety meds, I would encourage her to take them until she stabilizes, but they have never worked well for her. So I feel stuck and totally helpless. Please tell me this will end. For someone who is already prone to anxiety disorders, will there be an end in sight? And how long might it take?
Sbmom2one - amberf - most on this board have been thru this. It takes at least 2 months to really start wearing off. week 5/6 seems to be the worst. Please convince her it is the meds and that she will feel better in time. Best thing is to take 3 grams a day of good fish oil. That works just was well as a anti-depressant(studies show). Also a good probiotic and for anxiety - l-glutimine or L-Theanine(green tea derivitive). This is all natural and will only make her feel better. Keep busy with board games or puzzles and stay positive. The L-glutimine and L-Theanine work really well for anxiety. All the best to you both. Show her these blogs or read them to her so she knows it is real.
My daughter who never had a issue in life had a horrible time with this drug and she saw a therapist and the therapist knew all about this ! She had treated another client who had a response from a different anti-biotic as well as a fellow therapist who had a bad response too. The word is getting around but most medical doctors dismiss it still. Your daughter isn't crazy - find a good councelor who will reinforce that. All my best.
Riley_tommy - I'll chime in again - it's been a while. I've been on Doxy going on 2 years now. And most of the side effects have ceased (finally). I still have to take it daily for chronic MRSA infection, but it's doing the job against the staph, and my anxiety, while not completely gone is managable. My fatigue has lifted recently as well, but I think that is because the staph is dormant and I have been taking some anti-depression medications as well. So things are looking up for me. A little hope for those of us who are on Doxy indefinitly.
Amberf - Thank you for your encouragement. This past week has been the worst by far, and we just started week 5 a couple of days ago! I hope that she is one of the luckier ones and that the worst is already behind her. I don't know how much more she can handle. I hope the supplements help--she's been taking probiotics for about 2 1/2 weeks. and in the past she's taken both fish oil and L-Theanine. But I have a feeling she hasn't taken them for awhile, though. She doesn't live at home and so I have a hard time monitoring those kinds of things. And when she's in denial like this,and thinks nothing helps, it makes it even harder to convince her. It's crazy that so many people have such awful reactions.I just wish this nightmare would end!
Stay_positive - Hello everyone!! Like Riley_tommy, I felt that I should chime in again to give hope and faith to all of you out there who are suffering. I remember how much this forum helped me through those dark, dark days. Remember: THINGS WILL GET BETTER :) Look at me - I'm alive, I'm well, I'm functioning, I've put my weight back on, I sleep just like I used to, my life is back to normal (working, studying, socializing, etc.) Do I still have bizarre thoughts from time to time? Absolutely. Has the Doxy permanently messed me up? I doubt it. Like many other Doxy victims, I've spent the last few months trying to work through what the hell happened to me for 8-ish months (I'm done with trying to understand it!). I'm sure all of you can relate to how extremely traumatic this experience is and If you ever need to chat - you know where to find me - screw_doxy@hotmail.com
Jpando1 - Haven't been on here in a while but just wanted to check in with everyone and let you all know that I've been off Doxy for 3 months today and I feel 100% better! There are, of course some days where I get reminded of the trauma and feel anxiety and sadness but those are the days that I come onto this website and read all of your stories. I am beyond grateful to have found this site and to be able to have several people to relate to about this. It is so difficult to talk to family and friends about it because they will never understand the terror and discomfort that I, as well as many of you and your loved ones have suffered from. My advice to anyone who is going through this situation or is a parent/relative/friend of someone who is going through it would be to have faith!!! That's what got me through. Things will get better and that is a promise. I never thought I would wake up feeling normal again and I thankfully am totally back to how I was before I took this awful medication. If anyone wants to talk further about this my email is x0jennyyx0@aim.com..I will gladly talk you through it! I hope everyone is well :-)
Amberf - What fantastic news that this roller coaster ride really does end! It really gives me hope that my daughter will be still be able to realize her dreams and not have this be her future!
Sbmom2one - jpando1 - thank-you for the update ! I am so happy for you and it is so encouraging to those still suffering. My daughter is getting better each week. She is about 80% now and it has been 2 1/2 months. It is just the craziest thing our family has ever lived thru and I truly believe that this horrible experieince will only make us all stronger. I do believe you have to have faith in GOD and believe yourself you will get better. You must take very good care of yourself and get a councelor if that will help you. But this is a medical issue which caused a mental side effect. Very best to everyone and thank-you for paying it forward. I want to stay involved in this board as well to offer encouragement to those suffering. All my best to you all. Stay strong and focused on recovery : )
Derrickb - Hello everyone, i just prayed for us all, not only do i have anxiety attacks, but i get chills, chest pains, and dehydration during my short, sleepless nights. I really do hate the young kids got to go through this. Really isnt fair to them. I love you all, and remember, this world is what we need to protect ourselves from, because its the devil's playground. I appreciate all these supportive posts. I have 4 more days of prescription to complete, and this section gives me the courage to get through it. One more thing, dont laugh, but i went to the emergency room, and had the ambulance come out the next day. When i told them about the medication of doxy, both references said it was anxiety. So its evident that they know about this in the medical field. I drink lots of water, and keep positive thoughts. Havent experience to much suicidle thoughts or tendecies, besides telling my sister and lady that i wasnt going to.be living for long, but that's only because i thought i was catching a heart disease. For the ones who experienced loosing a family member or a loved one, im truly sadden by it. For us that survive this, we must let the ones know who are suffering, that we will make this through. From what i've read, some have already done just that. Love you all. LoveGod, and if you havent found God, please do. Its a strong bond that bettet than no other. It wipes away most fears, if not all, and keeps you walking the right path more than choosing the wrong path. Love all.
Dinkydoo - Julz, My goodess how glad I am that I found this site, I too was prescribed doxycycline for a chest infection, I took 100 mg 200 mg on the first day to load up and then 100mg daily for five days, I had a complete psychotic episode, I was taking knives to bed with me in case people broke into my house and I would be able to kill myself before they hurt me. I begged my family to take me to hospital to be sedated I was absolutly frantic and paranoid. I saw my GP who was very angry that I had been prescribed this drug as I already had a history of mental health problems, he gave me valium and prozac and they have helped but it has taken a week to get anywhere near, and I am still expecting a relapse at any moment, I have issues still that I believe I have been targeted and no one can tell me otherwise I think I will have to live with the thoughts this drug had left imprinted on my brain, I have been damaged by it, My heart goes out to those people who have suffered because their loved ones have committed suicide, I was not far from that situation, at least my GP confirmed to me that this drug should not be being prescribed for chest infections, it helped me to know for certain that the drug is very dangerous
Dameinsmom - My 13 year old committed suicide after taking doxy for a year. Please read sign and Share.
[link removed]
Dameinsmom - My 13 year old committed suicide after taking doxy for a year. Please read sign and Share.
[link removed]
Dameinsmom - My 13 year old committed suicide after taking doxy for a year, please read sign and share. go to
change.org
search-doxycycline
Thanks
Doxy_sux - Dameinsmom - I'm so sorry for your loss. This drug is terrible. I'm a 25YO male with no history of anxiety/depression. I've been on the doxy for nearly 8 weeks and it has been the hardest 8 weeks of my life. I feel what everyone here has mentioned, constantly anxious and worried about nothing, trouble finding happy thoughts despite my best efforts, a sort of diziness/brain fog (i feel disconnected from what is happening). Has anyone else noticed this? Luckily my girlfriend/family have been so supportive and since finding this site everytime I feel like Sh%# I just tell me self that it's the drug. I go back tomorrow and hopefully am ready to come off it. I feel for everyone here, especially those who have lost loved ones. HOW CAN THIS NOT BE A RECORDED SIDE EFFECT!!!!
Bereft - I noticed my son's eyes were ringed with a sort of tobacco colour the night before he died. It was nothing like a bag or dark smudge under the eyes one would get if tired. Just the skin surrounding his eyes were ringed with pale brown. I had never seen anything like it before, and I commented to my husband that it worried me. I now wonder if it was a sign of toxicity. Has anyone noticed anything similar?
Bereft - To Damiensmom I can only say I am so deeply sad for you. I understand your pain, and feel sick for you at the thought of your loss. From one grieving mother to another I send my love.
Doxy_sux - Everyone who has experienced this please visit change. org and sign the petition as started by Dameinsmom. It's easy, just search for 'doxycycline' and the petition comes straight up.
Djay3ja3 - 10 months later almost on the dot and I feel about 90% better. I still have those thoughts, which seem to be increasing as i near that time of year and those memories become more vivid again. However, overall, I would have to say I feel that its not the worst thing that could have happened to me. I enjoy my life more for what it is, and i dont miss a second. Other than my mom insisting it was because i was using illegal drugs, and refusing to say anything to my doctor. Having to pull myself through that alone was hell. And hopefully we can get this passed so no one has to live what we all have.
Sbmom2one - Has anyone on this board been tested for high levels of ammonia? I read a very interesting article about the bad bacteria in the GUT and the treatment that cured her. Many people on this board developed physical stomach gut issues and OCD type behavior. Here is a piece of the article. Appreciate input. .. " As part of this woman's gut cleanup, I gave her a new treatment pioneered by Dr. Mark Pimentel, of the University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine.7 A nonabsorbed antibiotic called Xifaxan clears out abnormal bacteria in the small bowel. I expected her bloating and even some of her inflammatory symptoms to clear up by fixing her gut. But I was surprised by what she told me after she took the antibiotic.
Overnight her OCD disappeared; after years of unsuccessful treatment with psychotherapy and psychiatric medications, she was suddenly able to clean her entire house and pick up everything off the floor. The lights in her brain had come on for the first time in ten years.
A high level of ammonia in her blood caused her OCD. Ammonia is a neurotoxin that excites and damages brain cells and the mitochondria (the site of energy production in all cells). Bacteria in the gut produce ammonia, and when the liver can't detoxify it or there is just too much, it causes brain damage.
Every physician knows this because since the 1960s doctors have been treating a condition known as "hepatic encephalopathy,"8 a form of temporary insanity common in patients with liver failure. The brain dysfunction results from too much ammonia and is cured by clearing out the ammonia-producing bacteria in the gut with antibiotics. So this idea shouldn't seem strange to most doctors.
But it occurs in many patients–not just those with liver failure.
When we rechecked her ammonia level after treatment, it had returned to normal. After a few months, the bacteria came back and so did her OCD symptoms and her high ammonia level, and once again treating the bacteria cured her OCD. The link was clear. "
If you want to learn more about how to overcome the symptoms of OCD and other "psychiatric" illnesses, see Dr. Hyman's new book, The UltraMind Solution.
Truckerwife2012 - I was just prescribed Doxy 100mg on Monday for a tick bite, and let me tell you, it's the worst antibiotic I have ever taken in my life!!! I was nauseated, had horrible headaches, and my anxiety levels are off the charts. I feel like my upper lip is twitching, my heart is racing so fast, and I can't breathe. I stopped taking it because I am not going through these symptoms every day. I am so depressed and usually the one that makes everyone smile. There is no way I will ever take that antibiotic again, and if anyone does a class action lawsuit, count me in!!!! I don't think it should even be on the market! It's horrible to feel this way!!! I hope I get back to normal soon. I've only taken 5 pills and already feel this way. I'm done with Doxycycline!
Doxy_sux - Truckerwife2012 hang in there!! I know exactly what you mean and it is the most horrible experience of my life without a doubt. I'm 4 weeks off it tomorrow after taking an 8 week course!! Depression/Anxiety is getting better but it's still there!! It obviously takes a long time to feel 100% again so just know that it will get better with time. I wish i never took it as well!
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