September 26th
2009
8:19 PM
I've been prescribed 100 mg. of Doxycycline Hyclate twice a day for 21 days for Lyme Disease. I was tested to rule that and rheumatoid arthritis out because of hand pain - and I don't know who was more surprised when I tested positive - my doctor or me. Any symptoms I had, including the hand pain, I attributed to the aging process (51/female).
Took the first pill in the later evening on a Friday and waited the 30 minutes before going to bed (instructions said not to lay down for 30 min.). I woke up in the middle of the night with terrible acid reflux, which I've never had. I found it difficult to time taking pill after not eating for 2 hours and waiting 1 hour afterward - never realized how often I ate small snacks. Same thing the next two nights - I also had heartburn, which is rare for me.
I realized it would be far easier if I took the pill immediately after rising and as soon as I came home from work. That has greatly reduced the heartburn and eliminated the acid reflux.
I am fully committed to taking the pill to have the best results in eliminating the bacteria from Lyme Disease, so I'm taking it exactly as prescribed on an empty stomach. This is causing some stomach upset and nausea, which is the worst in the hour after I take the pill while I wait until I can eat - especially in the last 15 minutes, when I feel on the verge of vomiting. I try to keep myself busy, but even without looking a clock, I can tell where I am in the hour. I am hopeful that by taking the meds on an empty stomach, I'll get maximum absorption - but it's been a struggle for me.
One other discovery I've made is that the nausea is less the rest of the day if I eat - and carbs seem to be what is most appealing. I'm far more easily nauseated during the entire day, some days more than others. I feel some fatigue, but nothing that is so severe I'm not able to function and go to work. I feel bloated and my stomach just vaguely hurts, so I'm trying to wear loose clothing.
I'm finding this drug therapy a bit difficult, as I felt pretty well beforehand. My doctor has recommended I give this my best effort, as it is the "go to" drug for Lyme Disease, but has said if I can't handle it, she will give me an alternative. I am trying to stick this out, partly out of determination and silly pride, but also because I am allergic to a lot of drugs and since I seem to be able to tolerate it, albeit with some discomfort, I figure I should suck it up. I have a little bit of the tingling, am occasionally feeling a little flushed - usually when I'm highly nauseated (which is a typical reaction for me), but nothing horribly bothersome.
I'm hoping I don't develop the sleeplessness, anxiety or depression that many of you have reported, as I feel terrible for you. That would become a deal breaker for me.
Unless it's my imagination, my hand pain is reducing and some achiness I just figured was normal has been lessening. If this was the result of Lyme Disease and I can get rid of that, this (hopefully) temporary discomfort will be worth it. Good luck to all.
-- By lyndyb | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 6th
2009
11:24 PM
I took one 100 mg tablet one night just before bedtime with a little water for my acne, bad idea! I should have taken it with a lot of water and should not have lain down for at least 30 minutes after.
I felt as if something was stuck in the middle of my chest and wouldn't go down no matter how much water,or ginger ale I drank. I could not go to sleep that night, and the feeling of having something stuck in my chest lasted for about 2 days, although to a lesser degree than the first night.
I took pepcid the next day because I thought I had acid reflux or heartburn even though I have never had this feeling before. Doxy makes me dizzy if taken on an empty stomach or not enough liquid. Always take with lots of fluids and make sure you do not take it on an empty stomach.
August 30th
2008
2:45 PM
I have been having many of the same symptoms while taking Doxycycline for Rosacea. Sweating excessively during the day and night sweats. Aching stomach whether taken on empty stomach or with food. Tightness in chest and feeling of anxiety and very emotional. I think it's the Doxy, I have been tested for hyperthyroid, because the symptoms are similar. This med. makes me feel like I'm going crazy. Has anyone stopped and how long does it take for all symptoms to go away. Has anyone switched to Tetracycline and had no side effects.
-- By mknunes | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
July 1th
2008
10:32 AM
I have been taking 100 mg Doxy for about 4 weeks, with 2 weeks left to go. I have experienced the sunburn, even with 50 SPF sunblock! I also have had the tingling feeling when I sweat or am exposed to water. I think this tingling is caused by sun exposure, though. I may not look burned but feel it. Right now I feel like I have acid reflux, almost constantly, like there is a tickle in my throat right under my sternum. No heartburn, just a little queasiness. I found out from this website that you shouldn't take it before you go to bed, which I have been doing, so I'll stop that. I've also been trying to take it without food but it causes my stomach to get upset. Is there any food anyone recommends for dealing with this? Does alcohol affect this?
-- By pletchsr | Reply | Private Message me
May 22th
2008
8:19 PM
What I am experiencing may or may not be the result of the doxycycline hyclate, but I suspect that it is after reading all of these posts. I took a 100MG doxycycline capsule about a week ago late at night ( to prevent Malaria), laid down, and I woke up to discover a sensation of something being stuck in my throat. That was about a week ago...since then it has progressively become harder to swallow and eat. I have experienced some tingling in my fingers, occasional bouts of nausea and discomfort/pressure in my chest that is very noticeable in my chest when I lie down. Also had severe chronic constipation subsequent to taking the pill, but this may not be related to the doxy, not sure.
I went to the doctor today-the PA ran all kind of tests-EKG, throat x-rays, blood, and urine and didn't see anything abnormal. I hope to find out what the problem is soon.
-- By dmgates | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
February 26th
2008
9:49 AM
The drug insert for Doxycycline says to take the medicine with a full glass of water, and it warns not to lie down for a half hour after taking the drug. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. Doxycycline, along with a number of other drugs, is quite corrosive.
I was on doxy for about a week when I woke up with the feeling of something caught in my throat. I had taken it with a full glass of water, but I had laid down immediately. I guess the pill had found its way back up to my throat. That night, I went to the hospital, did a barium swallow, and I eventually had an endoscopy to check out the damage. Thankfully it subsided after a couple weeks, but I had horrible pill-induced Esophagitis. I couldn't even drink water without pain and a feeling that I was choking. I didn't eat solids for 2 weeks, took double-dose Nexium, and I had to sleep SITTING UP because I also have silent acid-reflux, but when this happened, I could feel it intensely. I was lucky it wasn't perforated.
Anyway, lesson learned. Always follow the instructions. This can also happen with NSAIDs like Advil, btw.
-- By sarie8712 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
August 22th
2007
1:21 PM
Acid reflux,heart burn - Terrible heart burn. Definitely do NOT lay down for at least an hour after taking doxy. It felt like the 100mg capsule was stuck in my throat and trying to come back up. The painful burning just wouldn't stop. I honestly thought the capsule got stuck while I was sleeping and burned a hole in my throat. With such horribly painful and easily preventable side effects, why didn't anyone tell me?
-- By heartbrun_in_orlando | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
April 9th
2007
8:51 PM
I was prescribed doxycycline for possible lyme disease as a precautionary measure after a tick bite followed by a rash and fever. I took only two doses, and since, have been so completely nauseous, it's difficult to function. I've had terrible acid reflux and get the shakes and horrible stomach pain if I don't eat immediately when I feel hungry. My stomach aches constantly and I haven't had a bowel movement for a week. It has been 5 days since I took the last dose.
-- By megg0829 | Reply | Private Message me
March 26th
2007
5:24 PM
I've been taking doxycycline for a couple od years for rosacea with no ill side effects other than sun sensitivity.But last week I woke up in the middle of the night with acid reflux-like symptoms that have gotten worse by the day. Now I have sharp pains in my chest every few minutes, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision. 2 different doctors suspect doxycycline, saying its notorious for esophagusitis. It is too painful to eat or drink. Has anyone else had such serious and painful side effects?
-- By pwolny123 | Reply | Private Message me
December 6th
2006
7:11 AM
I was taking doxycycline for about a month and one night experienced really bad indegestion (or thats what it felt like). After that it got worse. It casued me to have such bad acid reflux that it had begun to destroy my esophogus. I couldn't eat anything with any type of acid or texture and finally had to go to the doctor and get on medication. Now I am having to have an upper GI done to look for ulcers that were created, and I still am not able to eat reguarly.
-- By alenakp | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
March 12th
2006
3:33 PM
I'm currently taking Doxy and I'm in pain. I must have the esophageal irritation and I have acid reflux. It hurts to swallow anything and feels like I have golf balls in my throat and esophagus. Any suggestions to alleviate these symptoms??
-- By eccence | Reply | Private Message me
March 7th
2006
11:37 AM
I was perscribed this medication for a bacterial infection. I have only been on doxycycline for 3 days (1 dose of 100 mg in the AM and another in the PM) and each morning with or without food I am nausiated until late afternoon. I have also experienced a loss of appetite, headaches, acid reflux, and severe hot flashes. The doc says to keep taking as perscribed unless my side effects get much worse. I can't wait until I am normal again!
-- By xxdubblebubblexx | Reply | Private Message me
January 3th
2006
10:04 PM
I was placed on Doxycylcine for Epididymitis, which is an inflammation or infection of the epididymis, a convoluted duct that lies on the posterior surface of the testicle. I took Doxycycline for one week. 100 mg twice daily. I ate a meal with every pill. I did not experience nausea or vomiting like I see many did. I did however have fatigue, loss of appetite, diarreha, increased anxiety (I have anxiety and panic attacks), depression, agitation, pains shooting down the back of my quadriceps, abdominal pain and some acid reflux type symptoms towards the 4 th day of taking this drug. It has been a little over a week since I finsihed this drug and I am still having pains down my right leg in in different places, when I sit or lay down is when it is most painful. The doctor can only describe it as a possible slipped disc. How? I was bed ridden for a week! The pain in my leg is not severe but very annoying! Like others here my doctor says that he does not see how Doxcycline could cause this. I will never take this drug again! I will from now on request Zithromax. I have had to use Zithromax quite a few times in my life and have had no problems with it.
-- By walnut187 | Reply | Private Message me
December 18th
2005
3:25 PM
My son was prescribed doxycycline, 100mg, 1xday for acne. Within 3 days he began to have severe nausea and vomiting. The only change in his life has been this medication. We even saw a specialist and they never asked us about medication he was on. They just tested him for acid reflux-inconclusive results. He has also had headaches, blurry vision, itching, and chest pain.
-- By 3126sjb | Reply | Private Message me
September 20th
2005
7:37 PM
My son got acid Refulx Disease due to damage to the valve to the stomach from taking doxycycline. He is a senior in high school and now his doctor has said he will need to take whatever drugs are necessary for the rest of his life to mitigate the effects of acid reflux. The drug cmpanies now have him hooked on one of their drugs the rest of his life.
-- By jgura | Reply | Private Message me
January 26th
2005
3:12 PM
I have been on the drug for a month now I feel burning in my throat and now have this acid/metal taste everytime I eat. Went to the Drs. they told me I have Acid Reflux I think it's this medicine. stopped taken Doxy today to see what happens.
Anyone else experience this?
September 30th
2009
9:57 PM
I've now taken 12 days of 21 day course of treatment. After struggling with acid reflux, nausea, etc., I thought I'd share some things that I found that helped me tolerate it better in hopes it may help others.
I take a pill as soon as I get up and then another as soon as I get home from work - 5:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. I drink a good 4-6 oz. before I take the pill and another 8-10 after swallowing the pill. I try not to eat any later than 2 hours before going to bed, which has dramatically reduced and mostly eliminated the acid reflux.
I've been following the instructions to the letter - not eating 2 hours before or 1 hour after taking the pill and no dairy for 2 hours in hopes it would give maximum absorption to get rid of the Lyme Disease. However, I've found that by keeping something on my stomach during the times I can eat, my nausea has also been lessened. I was really struggling with nausea about 45 minutes after taking the pill, but have found increasing the water to the levels indicated above helped reduce the nausea.
All that said, I'm feeling some fatigue, am a bit lightheaded and my stomach is bloated and a bit tender. Still, it's not nearly as bad as some of you are reporting and while I wondered at Day 4 if I could complete all 21, I'm now hopeful I'll be able to make it. I will, however, be doing a happy dance when I take the last of the pills next Friday. Good luck to all - hope maybe something I've suggested may help someone!
-- By lyndyb | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me