Doxycycline Hyclate and panic attacks

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!

I have been through hell with this drug, well i'm sure it was this drug, I have had minor anxiety in the past, but the anxiety i had the day after taking this was off the scale, I couldn't sleep, eat, or function in my life at all. I started to become very depressed and go into despair. I even had suicidal thoughts which freaked me out and is not like me at all. I was even taken to A and E at hospital it was that bad. I finished on Sunday and seen a bit of improvement, I was not as anxious and irritable. Today it has came back a little, I seem to have some mental confusion and memory problems also. It has been a long dark road, and I entered some scary dark places that felt horrible. Im usually so upbeat and busy. It was so not like me. I took this medication for 11 days at 100mg twice a day. Like I said i finished on Sunday, I still feel very unreal (dreamworld) depressed at times, no appetite yet and struggling to relax.

How long will this take to pass? please help I feel im going crazy

My side effects are now going to be posted. severe to absolute mind boggling head aches, so bad couldn't even function. Burning eyes, depression. Racing heart, Panic attacks, insomnia. Burning skin especially on face around eyes, and i was given this awful drug, for my eyes. tired all the time. emotional to no end , and then again those constant headaches. I was given this nasty med to take for 2-3 months. Whatever. After finding this site, and coming to the conclusion that this deadly med has to be causing me so many problems, i am done and thinking about suing the drug company , that approved this.Please e-mail me at ****** I will give you ant information I get from all this. oh yes, lots more side effects, but we will start here.

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.

I was prescribed this for Epididymitis (sp?) about 4 weeks ago (100mg 2x a day). After a week or so on the meds, I began to have a striking number of the symptoms that everyone else has listed previously: Chest/Ab cramping, feelings of swelling in random places, loss of appetite, dramatic mood swings, a high level of anxiety, crying for no reason, confusion and panic attacks...I called my GP today for a psych referral, and when he calls me back I'm going to ask to be taken off the Doxy. Thanks to everyone who posted, it helped me for sure!

I was prescribed a 14 day course on the 9th March, I experienced headache, burning of the throat when taking the tablets. But now am concerned because I have missed a period and just feel very tired, anxious and feel very low, not my normal self. Can anyone advise if they have had experience of missed periods and how long before your cycle goes back to normal.

Thanks for your help

Kind regards
M.

i think all you people are just mental cases, this is all of your minds ways to try to rationalize being insane. Panic attacks on an antibiotic!! Come on, really do u all think its the dox?? Even the doctors don't believe u. Funny that its not on any of the common or less common side effects anywhere on the internet!!!

My dosage stopped 2 days ago and the panic attacks have stopped as far as I know. Never again do I want to go through that. I am telling my doctor to put doxycycline on my "allergic to" list.

Hello Again,

This is my second post and was just wondering; How long has everyone been on doxycycline and how many mgs? How long have they been OFF it and has the depression/anxiety been better? PLEASE HELP!

Thank You

February 22nd
2009
My side effects (Charles Clark)
3:00pm

It started with diarrhea after a couple days treatment. Then my hand muscles starting to contract on there own. Then I started having high blood pressure up to 212/118 and high heart rate and anxiety beginning to set in. My wife wanted to take me to the hospital but I refused to go (I wish I had. They might have taken me off Doxy then, but no, I was still taking it). I then started having problems breathing (like something was stopping me. Not like hyperventilating). My wife called the doctor and she said to stop the Doxy and come in. At the visit, she gave me meds for high blood pressure and ordered a heart monitor and stress test as she believed my problem was more likely with my heart. I didn't start the blood pressure medications as I needed to have the tests done in a week and a half. I had a panic attack before the stress test. There was a patient there who stated her granddaughter had developed panic attacks after she had taken Doxy for Lymes disease. What a coincidence. That weekend my blood pressure and anxiety increased and my wife called the doctor. They convinced me to start the blood pressure medicine as all of this might be caused by High Blood Pressure. I returned to the doctor 4 days later and she took more blood work as well as tested for Lymes disease again. Everything was normal and NO lymes disease. So what was causing all of these problems. That night when I came home from the Doctors I started feeling like someone just sprayed me like you spray a wasp/bee. I started to shake and twitch inside like I was dying I could feel my stomach convulsing and getting cold. Now at this point I had been off Doxycycline for a few days. My wife called the doctors emergency line and they called in a prescription for Xanex. I took it and it put be out. I woke up the next day feeling like I was on a bad rollercoaster ride going over the edge and trying to climbing out of my skin. I was unable to even take care of myself at this point. I started getting muscle twitches all over my body. I could not control my thoughts and had a hard time talking; my skin was so hypersensitive to the touch or movement. The only way I could deal with it was just lay down and not move. I felt like was going to die. More symptoms came: my middle finger on my left hand went numb; I was so nauseated I had a hard time eating; depression set in with sever panic attacks/anxiety, ears ringing, slight pain in my chest like I was having a heart attack and was becoming bed ridden and afraid of everything at this point. That next week I returned to the doctor and she noted how it seemed a struggle for me to walk into the office. She felt that I should begin meds to decrease the anxiety that was paralyzing me. She suggested seeing a psychiatrist and stated that if I got worse my wife should take me to the emergency and be admitted to the mental health program. So I began to take Paxil as well (I hate medications, but I was desperate). I was terrified that I might have side affects from these meds and I couldn't be alone and I was afraid to go anywhere, afraid I would have an attack or worse, stop breathing all together. I was terrified and my family was getting very worried about me and unsure what to do. Thanks to my best friend, my wife, and my family for taking care of me. If it were not for them, I would not know what to do. My dear mom even came in from Virginia to help take care of me. I can not express my thanks enough to my family! I have been off the drug now for almost seven weeks now and all my side effects are slowly, very slowly, dissipating. How come the Doctors don't know about this? Thank GOD for this site and the ones that took the time to post there experience with this drug! THANKS EVERYONE GOD BLESS YOU!

P.S. please reply on what you did to get rid of the side effects, how long did it take for them to go away and did your Doctor believe that the Doxycycline caused them. because I can't find a Doctor that thinks the Doxycycline can have these side effects.

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.

I was on Doxy for about a week, and everything seemed ok. I was getting a little sick of the uncomfortable feeling from the prostatitis, but everything seemed ok. During that time, I started taking Celexa for obsessive tendencies and general anxiety. That seemed not to work at all because of side effects, and I quit after one dose. However, as the days wore on, the symptoms of nausea and diarrhea set in, and that triggered major, debilitating panic attacks. I called a pharmacist thinking it was Celexa, and she said it was the Doxy, though she said the panic was something else. I quit it, but is am in a tailspin. The panic, which triggered after the nausea, is still around and seemingly worse. I don't even know how I made it through work today. I am really hoping I am reacting to the things others are experiencing on this site because this is as scary as anything I have ever encountered.

I took doxycycline for a little acne on my back I would get when I worked out.
I am a fit healthy man of 48 years. People tell me I look late twenties early thirties. I have to tell you all my experience with this antibiotic has been a nightmare for me.

Stomach queasiness, severe stomach pain, dizziness, headaches, lower back pain, from no acne on face to small blisters and acne. Depression and panic attacks.

I went to my doctor and demanded my blood get checked for everything
from STD's to HIV. Everything came back negative and no answers other than I had a severe allergic reaction to the medication.

I took this medication for a month twice a day. I have been off for two months now and I am just now feeling better I can eat without feeling stomach queasiness. My face is getting better but still hoping it will return to normal.

I started taking Primadophlius and Ester-c to help build my immune system.

I haven't exercise yet because I am afraid to weaken my body. This drug really scared me. I sincerely hope all of you get better:-)

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!!

Well, ive been off the doxy for about 5 days now, and im still experiencing the side effects, noticeably, the depression...and weakness....and still don't have a strong appetite. From what im reading, it will take several weeks for these symptoms to go away....I told my doctor about the side effects, and he did not at all seem concerned or surprised, except to say that he would not put me on doxy anymore....i will never take this drug again....thank heavens for this site, because I at least I know what all this is caused by. Just a quick recap of all the side effects I have suffered....Ringing in the ears, loss of appetite, major gas, weight loss, depression, headaches, lethargy, loose stool, chest pains, back pains, and burning eyes.

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.

Hi there - I made a post around 6 weeks ago concerning my brother's symptoms on Doxy and the fact he ended up killing himself. In short, if you experience depression, anxiety or panic attacks on this drug you must inform whatever government body in your country regulates these type of drugs. If your in the US that will be the FDA. If you don't tell them, they don't know there is a problem. For the sake of others, please do this as posting your problems on this site will not make them look into the drug.

I was on Doxy for a month and a half due to mild acne. For the first month, I felt fine, however when I went to refill, things became awful. Although I did not notice the nausea or tiredness (because I took it before going to bed), I began to feel episodes of dizziness, confusion, inability to concentrate, and anxiety. I continued taking it because I had not been informed that these might be side effects. Eventually I had 2 panic attacks where my legs shook uncontrollably, I felt I could not breath, became really cold and sweaty, had racing thoughts that I might die, and felt incredibly confused. The attacks really scared me to the point where I was afraid of having another one. When I went to the doctor, they ran blood tests, told me everything was alright, diagnosed me with panic disorder, and gave me medication. Even though I told them I was taking this medication, no one ever told me this might be side effects. I have never had any mental problems and am an upbeat, happy person. While taking this, I had severe anxiety and bouts of depression where I felt like crying for no reason. I was afraid to be alone, I was afraid to workout, and afraid to leave the house. I could not study and thought my entire life was spinning out of control. I've been off it for 2 days and am feeling much better. Anxiety has decreased and depressive episodes are also decreasing. There should be better research on these drugs to inform consumers!

I took Doxy for about 2 weeks as a remedy for a bump on my eyelid. This first exposure to Doxy seemed only to cause a little skin sensitivity and burning in my fingers, no big deal.

When my eye problem didn't go away, my eye doctor prescribed Doxy for a second time a month later. This time my side effects were much different. Within a couple hours of taking my first pill I felt a bit off, I felt anxious and unsettled. I Continued on the medication for a total of five days. During this time my side effects progressively worsened. The first few days I had very abstract thoughts, and began feeling strangely claustrophobic. By day three I was beginning to feel paranoid and fearful over just simple everyday things. Day five is when it all hit the fan. I started having difficulty breathing and feeling extreme tightness in my chest. My feelings of claustrophobia had also worsened to the point where I began having panic attacks, like I was trapped inside my own body. It was at this point I made a desperate attempt to search the internet for a possible cause, in hopes it might be the Doxy medication I was on. I was somewhat relieved to find this website and read that others had similar symptoms, maybe I wasn't losing my mind. I immediately quit taking the medication, but unfortunately the symptoms didn't go away for several more days. That night I was unable to sleep, I had mild nausea, and would wake up in the middle of the night in a panic and would shake uncontrollably. Lovely huh. It gets worse. I began to feel extreme fear and paranoia like I was going to die, or lose my kids and family. I began to feel if this didn't go away, I would not be able to go on. Thank God it did, and by day eight the extreme thoughts began to subside. I continued to have the breathing difficulty and mild depression for several days after, but the worst was over. Within a month I was back to normal.

I write this as a warning to those who are taking this med and feel anything close to this... stop taking it! I am a healthy, normal, 40 year old male, that has no history of mental issues, other than a "blue" day from time to time, and within six days I was entertaining thoughts of suicide. The psychological side effects of this drug NEED to be addressed. This is very serious stuff!!!!!!! Though it may be a small percentage of people that are susceptible, for those who are, it is a deep dark hole.