November 2th
2009
10:06 PM
I have been on doxy for 9 days for infantigo,my side effects have been-dizziness,headaches,stomach pain, nausea,and forgetfulness.I don't seem to have a problem with depression,thank God! It seems to be helping my skin issues,but I hope I don't have to take it very much longer.
-- By tweeny0926 | Reply | Private Message me
October 29th
2009
9:44 AM
I started taking Doxycycline Hyclate 100mg on oct 25,2009. I have had anxiety, its been something i have been battling with up until 2 years ago and since then i have had no anxiety attacks. When i started taking the doxycycline, i started to become anxious and starting having anxiety once again. I have also become very shaky, i have a hard time swallowing pills so i brake the capsule open and put it my cup, put just a little bit of water in there and mix it around. could this affect the way the medicine is suppose to work. i have no other option because i have to take it to clear my infection, but i don't want it to harm me. please email me at ****** if you can help.
-- By tinaxoxo | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 19th
2009
4:20 PM
I found this site 12 months after beginning Doxycycline for acne. A year ago I was the happiest person that I knew. I was a junior in high school and was very involved, liked sports, and had many friends. Me and my girlfriend were happy and to be honest, I had literally not felt happier.
A week ago I had come to the end of my rope. I literally decided to commit suicide. I finally reached out to God for help and I feel like he has saved me. About half an hour after praying for help from where I was I found this site. So, without further adieu, I am going to detail how horrific and absolutely from hell this drug is. ****PLEASE, I BEG YOU, IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, OR ANY OTHER SIDE EFFECTS DUE TO THIS DRUG, PLEASE CALL THE FDA SIDE EFFECT HOTLINE. THIS DRUG IS FROM HELL***
I broke up with my girlfriend because I would sit at home and think for over 12 hours at a time that she hated me. As a result of this racing thoughts, when I saw her or went on a date, I would have nauseating anxiety for literally no reason... This anxiety continued for about a year until I had almost lost every friend I have ever had. It wasn't their fault, just that no one else knew how to respond to this sudden change in me.
Racing thoughts were terrible. I couldn't sit in a room without thinking thousands and thousands and thousands of negative thoughts from hell. I would think of how my family, and my friends, and my girlfriend all hated me. Now, after discontinuing this medication, i realize that it is all a lie.
The depression was horrific. I would literally have rather had a serious physical disease for the past year instead of feeling like this. I wouldn't go to parties, I would sit home and cry. Mind you, NOTHING happened to make me feel like this. Absolutely nothing. I thought about suicide about once a week (at least). I honestly didn't know what to do.
Mood swings were awful. I would change life goals and life core beliefs within minutes. Everyday I would become a different person at least 10 times throughout the day. I would go from nice, to sad, to motivated to start my own business, to thinking about signing my soul to Satan all in one day. These are just a few of the horrific thoughts. Dark thoughts, thoughts from hell.
I can report no physical side effects, but honestly I have been through so much that I can't stand it with this drug. I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for helping me realize that this drug can absolutely ruin lives. I think everything happens for a reason, but people, hear me. I write with tears in my eyes right now and I look back on all of the lost time and all of the friends and all of the opportunities that have literally flown passed me. Just know that you are not alone. Stop taking this drug! And start raising awareness!
-- By andrewlca10 | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
October 12th
2009
5:31 PM
its been 3 months now since i quit the drug and i still have ringing in the ears that comes and goes. bouts of depression are still there and i have loose stools occasionally. i have lost a lot of weight. 5-6 KGs in 3 months. my appetite is back to normal but i still feel like i am not fully recovered strength wise. just started taking probiotics and multi-vitamins. totally changed my diet to natural fruits and vegetables and meat occasionally.
The brain-Fog was horrible. thank god it cleared in a month's time.
every doctor i go to and when i tell them about the brain-fog lasting for a month. they don't believe me.
anyone would like to add tips on recovery process. it will be much appreciated.
thanks all.
October 11th
2009
3:50 AM
hello, guys.
after taking doxycycline ta hyclate i got a burning itch to my balls and penis
i stopped taken them and its taken about a week to be cleared from side effects what really helped me from the pain was barley green grass wheat grass and cucumber in a sliver bullet. if you guys are getting depressed brewers yeast,landmark education warnutoil help the brain, Tony Robinson is a motivational speaker and on one of his talk cds his got a great talk on acid alkaline concept of dieting called pure energy disk 4 get the edge. allot of quotes are from this book called Gods way ultimate health. and after reading that if you don't believe in YAHWAH GOD then read it again. peace
October 6th
2009
7:54 PM
i was diagnosed with Lyme disease and was prescribed doxycycl hyc 100mg for 30 days the doctor told me take with food so i take it with breakfast and dinner..one pill twice a day. the first two days i felt great everything was going away but on the third day everything was coming back dizziness,fatigue,tired,blurred vision,rapid heart beat..the doctor specifically told me to take with food or i will get severe stomach cramps and nausea with food and a large glass of water after i take it no nausea or cramping.. but I've been also getting a tingling feeling in my feet and hands has anyone else felt the same? he also said to stay out of the sun or u will burn easily..
-- By eric11 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
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
September 28th
2009
9:55 PM
I took doxy for 5 days then stopped because of side effects. It is 12 months later and I still have a very uncomfortable burning feeling on arms, chest, and back.
Has anyone had this prolonged side effect? Has anyone been able to get rid of it?
Thanks
-- By jeff001 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 19th
2009
9:56 PM
Took Doxy for 2 years for Lyme and Babesia. Never had a problem with it. I stopped taking it for 8 months, then the Lyme disease symptoms returned. So I started back up on it. I noticed migrating pain in all of my joints...even every toe. I stopped taking it for a week and the joint pain pretty much resolved. I started it up again and sure enough, joint pain returned mainly in my knees and hands. Constant cracking of my thumbs, knees, toes,elbows. It also caused my tendons to become very tight and sore in my right hand. Making it hard to hold my dog's leash or open a door knob. Whether it was a bad herxheimer reaction or just my body deciding it was sick of this drug......I may never know.
-- By fit2move | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
July 12th
2009
12:38 PM
I can't even get up to go to church. I feel so weak and so sick. I have been off this awful stuff for 2 days and still feel so ill, I can't function. i just want to throw up. I have no support and no help whatsoever. How can this be happening. Will I make it through this horrific feeling. I can't do anything, not even eat. My whole body feels like someone has punched it all over. I don't know if I can hang in there. Please post, post, post.
-- By cheryl2727 | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
July 9th
2009
6:43 PM
Can anybody tell me how long this lasts? I've been off it for a week and still no relief. The drug should be out of my system now. Any feedback would be appreciated.
-- By ratkos | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
July 4th
2009
1:12 PM
Today, I completed 10 days of taking 100 mg twice a day. It was prescribed to me by my dentist to prevent infection (took a tooth out). I had severe depression, nausea, dizziness, anxiety. I got to a point that I believed I needed psychological help. This is not me, so I begun research. Thanks to this site, I called my dentist and kaiser to told me to stop taking it since 10 is the maximum. The doctors do not believe it causes depression, but what do they know in my own personal experience with doctors with prescriptions they have put me through hell. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL...YOU WERE MY HELP...MY SANITY. GOD BLESS EVERYONE...I AM JUST HOPING NO MORE SIDE EFFECTS ON THE LONG RUN...AND TO BE BACK TO MY NORMAL POSITIVE, OPTIMISTIC AND FUNNY SELF. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
-- By stellacali5 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
July 1th
2009
10:30 AM
Depression is not the word ....if this stuff was biblical, it would be the devil.
i have never felt like life didn't matter, i have never felt like i wanted to give up, but over the last few days i have, and i know it is a direct result of doxycycline. I stopped taking yesterday (had for lyme dis).
sever headaches, nausea, chest pain, panic attacks, etc....
NO WONDER THIS IS A FREE PRESCRIPT....they get you on your second visit after your doc prescribes zoloft or something for you.
-- By joseph1915 | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
June 4th
2009
10:16 PM
I was taking doxycycline for a lesion on my face. I started to have tingling of my feet and fingers but did not associate it with the medication. I only used the doxycycline for two weeks. The tingling in my feet lasted for almost 5 weeks.
Several months later I went on Doxycycline because I thought I had lyme disease. After being on the Doxy for one week I started up with burning sensations of my hands and feet. Puffy, red hands...burning on different parts of my body. My Md said it was anxiety! An immunologist said it was peripheral nueropothy from drinking too much!!! I knew both diagnosis were bogis....then I started to research doxy and came upon this site...thank God. I finished the month of the Doxy. I have been off the med now for two months and the symptoms are finally starting to subside.
I can remember waking up one night and my entire chest felt like it was on fire. Wearing shoes was so painful that I wore slippers to work...I was a burning tingling mess and I am convinced it was the doxycyline.
May 6th
2009
2:14 PM
I have been on doxy for seven days- I have gained five pounds in those seven days- I have a constant headache and am tired. after reading the other postings I am convinced that this drug causes or ENHANCES depression..has anyone else experienced the weight gain or am I going insane????
-- By skygirl | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
February 28th
2009
8:43 AM
DO NOT TAKE DOXYCYCLINE IF YOU HAVE ANY HISTORY OF DEPRESSION!!!
I do and doxy has sent me over the edge for about a month AFTER i stopped taking it.
I was given doxy by my doctor for a sinus infection for a week and stopped taking it just under a month ago. This past month has been absolute hell for me.
The day I stopped taking it I went from feeling fine into a 5 hour crying fit with suicidal thoughts in less than 30 minutes. During the fit I became convinced that this was how my life always is, that I was depressed, that I had always been depressed and that I needed anti depressant as I spend all my time crying. That was on 2nd Feb.
The next day I was shaky and felt very up and downy but went back to feeling normal pretty quickly and after I did some internet research on Doxycycline (the only change in my diet/lifestyle) assumed it was that. I read some pretty bad stuff on the internet about other people’s experiences which were very similar to the one I had had and I thought that must be it.
So I decided to drink lots of water and have been taking Milk Thistle to cleanse my liver.
Then this Saturday past I had exactly the same thing. I had another one of these 5 hour crying fits and more suicidal thoughts and I became convinced I was bipolar. This time was much worse in a lot of ways.
I felt it again felt like a panic attack and to me the change in my physiology was really noticeable. The noticeable dip in my mood – very sudden from feeling fine to feeling a little bit irritable and then withdrawn with some anxiety – and wanting to be reassured but also being a little aggressive in communication almost like trying to find a fight, then a change in breathing and heart rate and then plunge into dark thoughts and sobbing.
When I went to see the doctor on Monday my mood was still swinging up and down and I just felt crazy so I mentioend to him the doxy and he dismissed this without even asking a question about when or how much I'd taken.
I ask to be referred to a psychiatrist as I do get that I may have underlying issues and these mood swings were so bad and so strong and so by the time Wednesday came with my in and out moods I had convinced myself it was probably to do with my childhood and the difficult heart stuff and repressing how I really feel
Whilst I do have my fair share of childhood stuff and issues of the heart I think I’ve become so self aware and so careful with myself and I think I talk to my inner child so much and check that I am okay with things and I deal with things really well. so this has all come as a bit of nasty shock as I thought I was okay with everything. In fact I know I’m okay with everything as I write this.
But during these mood swings I am definitely not okay. I do not feel like myself. I become convinced that I have been lying to myself about being okay, that I have never been okay that I am mentally ill and that is why I am having mood swings and I start really analyzing everything and linking everything back to the past and trying to make links with things that are happening today and things that happened in the past. I haven’t had any change in my heart situation that this could be a reaction to, its remained the same for a number of months and I don’t have a problem with it but when I have this mood swing I blame that situation and my childhood together. I start wanting to blame people. I start thinking I have two personalities and I just start trying to find reasons and I have no idea what I feel, who I am or what I want, if I’m telling the truth of if I’ve ever told the truth. I start doubting everything and everyone. My head hurts, I get in a state of confusion and I become a little mean to people. I start trying to blame events and situations, anything I can find. It’s an absolute nightmare. Then I get confused about what I have and haven’t said and agitated that I need to say more to make myself understood. I might be stable for hours or even a day but it happens very suddenly and it’s a really physical sensation, first the dip in mood, the irritability, the breathing will change, I will feel anxious and can really feel my heart beating, like when you are really scared about something – that fight or flight feelings. I then get a really strong sense of insecurity and nervousness and will become really awkward at communication and almost aggressive and rude in my communications and then rueful.
The crazy thing is my mood is just absolutely all over the place in a way it has never ever been before, even in my days of deepest darkest moments when everything in life sucked and people were horrid to me. I don’t understand why I would, after all my years of learning how to deal with this and cope with this be even worse when my situation is so much better. It just doesn’t feel like its actually real. I don’t feel like anything I’ve said when I’ve been in these moods is actually a true reflection of how I feel when I am out of the swing.
Then I come back to feeling more like a version of myself but not quite and then I swing again very quickly and go from very hyper and laughing to almost the polar opposite in a very short space of time.
This is the first time in a week that I’ve felt like I am completely normal again. Right now I feel very calm and grounded and rational like I have been feeling for a very long time and I feel very clear in my head that I am completely fine and this is a reaction to some chemicals in my body affecting my mood rather than a psychological issue.
I am fully prepared for another full scale attack of mood swings and totally losing the plot again though.
I am lucky in that I have a good friend who called a doctor friend of his in the US and the first thing the doctor friend said when asked about Doxycline was 'don't tell me, you know someone who's had anxiety attacks and suicidal reactions'. According to this doctor this is VERY common and very well documented. There should be no lasting effects or permanent damage and now the doxy is out of my system I should not be experiencing these moods swings.
HOWEVER - he thins that because I have a history of depression due to my childhood issues the doxy has basically destabilised me and driven me to the edge again.
I did some really lengthy research because I really feel like this is a brain chemistry issue rather than a psychology issue and knowing I've dealt with everything and I just don't get why these issues would re-arise. I'm going to go get some therapy no matter what but I just wanted to know the brain chemistry.
Obviously if my GP doesnt even recognise that doxy can have this affect there is going to be no interest in helping me figure this out so I will figure it out myself.
From what I can understand Doxy decreases some amino acids in the brain which is important as simply put, amino acids get converted into neurotransmitters which play a critical role in your brain. Neurotransmitters are the chemicals which help your brain cells 'talk' to each other. Low levels of certain neurotransmitters have been associated with depression and anxiety.
I feel like I am 'back' from the Doxy but to be honest, I have no idea what it has done to my brain and I doubt there has been that much research into it...if so why on earth would they prescribe a drug that does this to people?
Particularly people who have a history of depression.
I am going to try taking amino acids to see if that helps - it can't hurt.
If anyone else is going through the same thing please get in touch and let me know!
This site totally helped me!! Thank you everyone who has posted on it. It really makes a huge difference to know that there are other people out there going through the same thing. I have felt like I am absolutely crazy! Thank you so much :-)
February 20th
2009
9:40 PM
Thank God for you all that posted! :) I don't feel all alone. I'm usually a healthy, strong guy that rarely complains. I've been on a 100mg 2x a day dose of doxy. The first week was ok. just minor stomach nausea. Then i noticed chest tightness, mood changes ( and on the norm im a really passive guy, in a good mood) dizziness, very scary panic attacks(mind racing with negative thoughts), headaches.. Its my 2nd day off of it. Still feeling nausea.. sharp abdomen pains, in and out of depression. I truly hope this thing goes away asap. Never again will i take this med. Very scary times.
-- By sityofsteel | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
December 21th
2008
8:07 PM
Hey there,
I have been taking Doxy now for almost 10 days for Erlichia. (a form of lyme disease) It is a strong drug! I take 100mg twice a day. I get terrible diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea. Starting yesterday after being on it for nine days I started getting really bad heartburn, indigestion. I only got heartburn when I was pregnant so I know it's the Doxy. I didn't eat anything out of the ordinary, It kept me up all last night. Thank god tomorrow I take my last pill. I read a lot of posts and feel so sorry for the people having panic attacks and depression. It really makes it difficult for us to take something that is suppose to make us better, but can is actually making us feel sicker!!
December 2th
2008
2:41 PM
After taking another medicine for an std I went to get rechecked and my doctor told me I still had it....so she prescribed Doxycycilne and the side effects i'm having from it are unbearable, nausea, cronic headaches, my chest feels tight and its often hard to breath....I only have one more pill left.....Thank god! i hate this medicine its horrible if your doctor prescribes it ask for something else....
-- By jean1990 | Reply | Private Message me
December 1th
2008
10:19 PM
I was put on 100mg 2x daily for a sinus infection and now I still have the infection plus other problems. I am a heavy eater and have not had a appetite for 3 days. I have some general stress and anxiety but this stuff has made it terrible. I have racing thoughts,panic attacks,confusion and mood swings. I will never take this crap again. I still have 4 days left. This stuff really is the DEVIL. Please do not take this drug its scary! Thank the Lord for this site. God bless. Jerry.
-- By texas78 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
November 24th
2008
12:24 PM
I will never take this medication again! I read all the side effects on the pharmacy print-out and didn't see any of the same effects I have been experiencing.
I am hypothyroid and I also take medication for depression so I thought perhaps my meds were not intermingling nicely together. It was a relief to see that I wasn't alone.
I began to panic this weekend, knowing that Thanksgiving is this Wednesday, wondering HOW the heck I was going to muster the energy to pull it off. Plus the mere thought of food makes me more nauseous than I already am.
I just called my doctor because I noticed the pills said '1 refill' on them. Thank God he told me I didn't need to refill them. I promptly told him I wouldn't have anyway, and why I wouldn't. He didn't seemed surprised. I just wish he had let me know this could happen.
2 weeks ago I was happy and full of energy...today, I'm at work wondering how the heck I got here...and how am I going to explain to my husband that, once again, I am going to bed as soon as I get home.
Oh yeah....I almost forgot the headaches . The headaches are doozies...the kind that make you grab on to your head and wait for the pain to subside. I seriously began thinking I may have tumors . This medication is awful... and it makes you feel like a hypochondriac because there are no warnings and the effects don't make any sense at the time.
Thanks to all who posted here!!! You saved me from myself. At least I now know this too shall pass. :)
-- By haizey | Reply | Private Message me
October 28th
2008
3:40 PM
Thank God for this site. I thought it was just my sensitivity and exaggeration. I've been on Doxy for 2 1/2 weeks for IBS. Immediately I was nauseated. The instructions were firm in saying to take on an empty stomach, otherwise it wouldn't absorb correctly. None of the side effects websites mention dizziness and extreme exhaustion. I thought it was just me, as I've been so lightheaded and so tired I can hardly function. I want to sleep all the time, but when I try to, it's off and on. I'm up during the night. But when I get up in the morning I feel like I haven't had any sleep. Afternoon naps don't help at all. Nothing, and I mean, nothing, looks or tastes good. I feel like throwing up all the time. I can't stand the sight of certain foods, and don't want to cook because it will make me woozy. I think it's making my already diarrhea worse. I mustn't forget the abdominal cramping.
-- By addyde62 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
August 12th
2008
12:50 PM
I am happy i found this site. Uhh what shall i say, i used doxy a year ago i had nausea, temper and many others but i was happy soon there was not a single pimple and i stopped after sometime pimple again started and again i used. This was the time i would never like to remember time and again i had greatest nausea of all if i don't take with food and if i take with food i had to run toilet for every 30 seconds. i m better with these pimples.dog save the queen god save the pimple!!!!
-- By anantaadhikari | Reply | Private Message me
May 26th
2008
9:07 PM
I took Doxy last summer for cystic acne. It worked fine and I didn't have any problems, and my skin cleared up nicely. I had some left over (bad, bad, I know but it hasn't yet expired!) so I started taking it again about 4 days ago. I noticed, almost immediately, severe tingling and burning in my fingers and hands and up into my arms when I am out in the sun and for hours afterwards. Also water (like washing my hands) makes the tingly feeling much worse. Weird, right? My two index fingers are bright red and any touch burns.
It's weird because last summer when I was on it I was out in the sun all the time with no problems at all.
-- By shayrizzle | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
May 16th
2008
2:29 PM
I have been taking Doxycycline for 10 days. I noticed on about the 4th day that any sun exposure was painful and also the hands tingling and even burning. But the weirdest of all is the effect water has on my hands. It will cause them to burn and will even turn red on the knuckles. This is painful.This scared me as the doctor didn't go over this with me and I am new to Doxycycline. Thank God today is my last day.
-- By willpat99 | Reply | Private Message me
December 14th
2007
11:00 PM
Thanks so much for your advise on how to deal with the side effects of DOXY. I still have about 9 days to go for this drug and I really feel like want to stop it right now. The pill results my stomach bloating (which is why I was on this antibiotics at the first place) and fullness of my stomach, I was on and Somac at the same time, just finished Metrogyl treatment yesterday and still have about a month for Somac. I normally takes Doxy at least 3-5 hours before i sleep to prevent the upset stomach however it still affects my sleep, always wakes up very early in the morning, couldn't sleep well and feels like need to breath harder. I would like to take it in the morning but I can't because my first dose was at around evening and I can't miss that evening dose and take it the next morning instead. 9 days to go and now I am worrying about the continuous of side effects or causes other problem(upper back pain & reflux which I am experiencing now) after the treatment finished. Hopefully I m just worrying too much. God bless.
-- By alan26 | Reply | Private Message me
November 6th
2009
7:40 AM
I am on day 13 of doxycycline for suspected Lyme. The headache is unbearable and constant. Only relief is lying down. Decision day today whether to go the last 7 days (I will be in hospital) on Doxy or stop in hopes that I can return to decent health. Any ideas appreciated. I am worried
-- By podonnell | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me