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 30th
2009
9:36 AM
Yep, I had the same problems as everyone else...I had a sinus infection/ear infection and usually take amoxicillin but my doctor thought it would be good to try a new thing....um, that's never happening again..I have puked my guts out both with and without food in my stomach.....I am currently on hold for a doctor's appointment now! THIS DRUG NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET.
-- By sickgirl | Reply | Private Message me
September 15th
2009
9:35 AM
I was prescribed this medication for an infection I have. 100mg 2 times a day. About 30 minutes after I took it I was violently ill. I was dizzy and slightly delusional. I got sick for about 45minutes. Thanks good I only had water and ginger ale in my stomach. I felt like I was on fire. And I could not stop the feeling of having an anxiety attack. I have stopped taking it and am going back to see my doctor. I think this drug is useless.
-- By arybarski | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
August 26th
2009
9:35 PM
Has anyone experienced tremors and anxiety from taking this medicine? I was in perfect health before a dental procedure turned bad made it necessary for me to receive this medicine. I have been done with it for a few weeks and feel like I am falling apart.
-- By avon3883 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
July 15th
2009
9:21 AM
started this 7 days ago for a prostate infection... I thought i've been going crazy this week until i saw this post..im having a horrible reaction to this stuff..although it does seem to help my prostate...it leaves the rest of me in bad shape. First off ive been getting lightheaded like every other day to the point as i think im have a panic attack but heart isn't racing...I've gotten diarrhea 3-5 times a day i go now...i had a bagel the other day for breakfast..it was the hardest thing to eat as i felt sick to my stomach and knew i had to eat something so forced it in..today i had a banana and some grapes and 15 minutes later was throwing it all up. I just called my doctor and asked for a change in antibiotics as this thing has lead me to believe there was something wrong with me although my doctor seems to think these side effects don't generally happen...i come here and see they happen EXACTLY how i have been feeling and just hope this doesn't last much longer in my system!
-- By stmfdups | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
July 11th
2009
10:00 PM
After reading all these posts. I stopped taking this awful medication, if you want to call it this Yesterday morning to be exact. Today I still feel awful. Something has to be done. The slight headaches and sick stomach are still with me and the outburst of the chills. Of course i am so tired I still can't function. And to think all my Doctors certainly know the side effects of such a drug. For 6 weeks I have been sick with the worst headaches ever and now I feel like things are crawling all over my body. I pray i will get my life back.Can't even explain how upset my Husband is with me, thinking all this time, i was complaining for nothing. Whatever. I just hope my eyes will get some relief. Who knows at this point. Well getting so very tired again. I will keep you all posted, for sure.
-- By cheryl2727 | Reply | Private Message me
July 9th
2009
6:38 PM
It seems that everyone is having similar symptoms. I have been on Doxy for about 14 days now and I'm feeling worse every day. I am on it because i had been bitten by a tick and contracted Lyme disease. I don't know much about the disease but it has me freaked out. I started taking the antibiotic 2 weeks after being bitten; losing my balance and almost falling to the ground. I also had a couple of dizzy spells after eating. I seemed to feel a little bit better the first week of taking it but started feeling the side effects. It started out with the occasional dizzy spell then came the exhaustion, anxiety, depression, lower back aches, soreness in the back of my eyes, stiff neck, headache in the back of my head, flu like shivers, racing heart, and complete body aches. I also found out the hard way not to go out into the sun while on Doxy. Felt like the tops of my hands were being pricked with a million needles and burning. I wish I could stop taking the drug and be done, but I am already scared about the outcome of the Lyme disease. I hope I can feel normal again soon.
-- By ceby2009 | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
June 25th
2009
3:55 PM
This medication is deadly! I was prescribed 100mg twice a day for 2 weeks for a supposed pelvic infection (don't know yet if that's actually what I have - personally I don't think so). I took it for 6 and a half days (equals 13 pills) and when I found this website and read people's experiences I immediately quit. I experienced some mild nausea the first few days but didn't relate it to the Doxycycline. Then I noticed I was having more bowel movements than normal (5 in one day). I thought maybe I was eating too much fiber as I had increased my intact recently. Then on the 6th evening everything fell apart. I was panicking for no apparent reason; it was just washing over me in waves. My heart was racing and felt like it was going to pound right out of my chest. I barely slept that night because every time I drifted off I startled awake with my heart racing. My body felt weird but I don't know how to explain it; my feet were tingly. The next morning I got hit with diarrhea (I'm usually constipated). Then that whole day I was sobbing on and off throughout the day. I felt like I had hit rock bottom. I wanted to die but was trying to fight these thoughts. I thought I was going to go crazy and start screaming. That was yesterday. I did not take my evening dose then and today have not taken my morning dose and will never take it again. I managed to sleep during the night although my whole body was super tense. Today I am doing better already but am very nauseous. My stomach & back hurt a bit but I am not sure if it is because of the Doxycycline or not, because I have been having a lot of health problems lately. Looking back on the last week, I can see the other side effects I was having which included being really cold (which is totally unlike me and it's summer), occasional ringing in my ears, burning in my abdomen, mild headaches, dry lips, trembling, my face feels hot...I can't remember everything. The panic & depression was the worst. Don't take anti-anxiety meds or antidepressants to combat this. I have been on them and they make things worse -- withdrawal can take months and is hell-like. Just get off the Doxycycline.
-- By smacky | Reply | Private Message me
June 21th
2009
8:38 PM
Last December I was also prescribed Doxycycline Hyclate 100mg for mild acne. I am 17. After a few weeks of taking it my acne appeared to have been getting better and I felt quite relieved. However, after about a month and a half of taking it, I woke up one morning with what felt like extreme heartburn. My stomach felt like there was a lump in it and in the middle of my chest where the esophagus and stomach connected, there was extreme pain whenever I swallowed anything. At first I thought this was just due to excessive acid in my stomach, but as it turned out it was the medicines reaction to a virus/cold I was getting -- the symptoms were nearly like an ulcer (which is what we initially thought). After stopping the medicine for about a month, I was fine and I started taking it again. Now it's been about the same duration of me taking it, and once again I feel as though I'm developing another case of what feels like extreme heartburn/an ulcer. Has anyone else had this problem?
-- By thesoxroxmaster | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
June 20th
2009
6:20 PM
I was on doxycycline for three months for chronic prostatitis. I had similar bad side effects start last week, nausia, pain in the stomach, weakness in the legs, exhaustion, dizziness, etc... But no depression "yet". I have been off the doxycycline for four days and still having bad symptoms. I read your posts --- Thank you! I have read that doxycyline depletes the body of B vitamins. Many of the symptoms described by many of the posts are similar to depletion of B vitamins. Have any of you been tested for B vitamin depletion?
-- By biofriend | Reply | Private Message me
June 20th
2009
5:43 PM
I was on doxycycline for three months for chronic prostatitis. I had similar bad side effects start last week, nausea, pain in the stomach, weakness in the legs, exhaustion, dizziness, etc... But no depression "yet". I have been off the doxycycline for four days and still having symptoms. I read your posts --- Thank you! I have read that doxycyline depletes the body of B vitamins at ****** Many of the symptoms described by many of the posts are similar to depletion of B vitamins. Have any of you been tested for B vitamin depletion?
-- By biofriend | Reply | Private Message me
June 2th
2009
1:40 PM
Hi there everyone. I started taking Doxy 8 days ago, and my side effects with it are......dizziness, headaches, anxiety, panic attacks, stomach upset really bad, I have to eat something before I take it. Really bad and scary feelings flash over me, eyes get blurry at times. Filling really tired, and exhausted. Prickly feelings in my hands, and sometimes in my arms. I don't want to take this anymore, I have called my doctor but no respond yet from them. She gave me 10 more days worth to take, I got a tick bite 15 days ago and this is why they gave it to me, they wanted to cover me for lyme disease or any other disease that I might get with tick bites. Thanks for reading. Take care
-- By kizzystar | Reply | Private Message me
May 24th
2009
6:30 PM
My son took it a while ago and has since this day major problems with his stomach and blood in his stool. While in college, he did not think about it being the medication. 2 months ago I told him to stop taking
Doxycycline, but his symptoms are still there. I guess, he already
destroyed some organ in his body with this dangerous pill. How can a company bring a pill on the market, with so many people having
problems with it and even getting depressed.
Unbelievable ! I am so glad I found this forum, this has to stop!
Does anybody has any experience how long the pain will stay after not taking Doxycycline????? We checked his blood and some of the results are not ok - a result of taking this dangerous pill. And the company makes a fortune out of it! Do not care about the health of young adults!
May 24th
2009
6:24 PM
Hello, my son was on Doxycycline to treat his acne. What a horrible
medication. It damages everything in a teenager. I do not understand,
that a doctor is allowed to just give it away and do not even make further
test later again, at least some bloodwork!
My son has major problems with his stomach, blood in his stool and
headaches . He was checked for plenty of other things, until I found this
website. Thank you !!! Somebody needs to stop this company by making a profit from these horrible pills. This cannot continue this way!
Does anybody know, when the pain stops? He is not on this pill anymore since 2 months and his symptoms are still there. I will contact the company as well in this matter, but they may not even know.
May 14th
2009
12:53 PM
My daughter was prescribed Doryx for mild acne- 150mg a day. At Track Meets she is complaining that she is dizzy (seeing black spots) after races. Now she says she has tingling in her hands and lips. They feel like they are on fire also. I had her stop the meds immediately and am waiting for the dermatologist to call back. If anyone had these symptoms how long does it take for them to go away?? email me: ******
-- By rdwolf5 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
March 9th
2009
10:40 AM
I'm so glad I found this site. I was prescribed doxy for a rash I got in the Dominican that they thought lead to some sort of infection. The first couple days were fine but one night I took the medication before bed and was up all night with the worst chest pains. I have been nervous ever since that when ever I take the pills I'm going to get the same reaction. I have had chest pains the past couple days and I've been really careful with what I take them with and have been making sure I drink at least two bottles of water with each pill. But today I feel so weak. The last week on the medication I've been so tired I want to take naps when I get home from work which is unusual for me. Today my head feels heavy and my leg feels like it's about to twitch but it doesn't. I've felt some tingling in my left leg and my left arm. I thought this was from whatever infection I had since the rash was on my left ankle, but I think it's from the doxy instead. I've also been feeling a dull pain in my thigh every once in a while. I normally have some anxiety but a couple days after I started the doxy I put myself into a panic and spent the entire day at work researching tropical diseases on the internet because I thought I had one from the rash. I've also had some shortness of breath. I have asthma but it feels nothing like that. Also the doxy made my birth control stop working and I started my period. I thought I just had bad cramps but I'm starting to think they were more stomach aches from the doxy. I've had diarrhea also. And I feel so light headed that I'm going to pass out but I don't. I'm definitely calling my doctor today to get a different antibiotic. Thanks everyone for your posts!
-- By brooklynnv | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
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
January 10th
2009
1:03 PM
I have taken 3 doses of an 8 dose course of doxy for a sinus infection. in the past i've been prescribed amoxicillin and had a little bit of dizziness on the first day but nothing severe. So when I took my first dose of doxy and felt a bit dizzy and woozy I figured it was nothing out of the ordinary. Day 2 however this got much worse with nausea and sweats and I spent most of last night trying not to throw up. This morning I woke up with no nausea and was thinking, today will be fine, the worst part is over. I wasn't due to take another dose until 6pm but at around 3pm I ate a bagel and before I had even finished it my stomach was turning over and over. That was 3 hours ago. My head is spinning, my stomach is still upset and I'm having cramps now. I've also started needing to pee like a racehorse. Suffice to say, there is no freakin way I'm taking another one of those things. I'm baffled as to why my doctor even prescribed it in the first place. I'm working on my masters right now and have an assignment due in 4 days so i have no choice but to stop the course and hope my sinus infections goes away itself. There are studies to suggest this drug is 3 times more likely to cause stomach upset than other antibiotics. Why do doctors not seem aware of this?
-- By kellieireland | Reply | Private Message me
December 1th
2008
5:23 PM
Thank you so much for this site and your posts. I am on my 4th day of doxy. and I had a panic attack today and anxiety--I was doing fine until now. I would consider myself a calm person so this caught me out of the blue. I called the pharmacist who thought I was nuts, I'm sure. She said it was not a side effect of the drug!! I also noticed some nerve pain over my body. But my infection is lots better so I don't want to stop, but I don't want to have panic, either or get sicker.
I also get the stomach queasiness when taking a dose and always eat a slice of bread with it. I have noticed a worsening of reflux and I make sure to sit upright for at least an hour after taking the medication.
-- By jendreb | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
November 28th
2008
3:35 PM
It feels so great to have seen that other people are experiencing the same unlisted side effects. I am on 100mg of doxy twice a day for 20 weeks. I've only been taking it a few days but holy crap. I have been so depressed lately. All I do is cry. And I can't explain why or what I'm thinking that triggers it. I do have things in my life going on that are upsetting me, but nothing that should get me to this point. I have random thoughts of suicide, which is getting me even more down. I have always been such a fun loving, care free person. But now everyone is always asking what's wrong me. I didn't suspect the drug, but getting off and calling my derm ASAP. Other than the depression I've spent a few days throwing up after taking the antibiotic, but I hadn't had too much to eat that day.
-- By jenmarie727 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
November 27th
2008
1:15 AM
Man oh man. This is the worst experience of my life to this date. I'm 20 years old. An awesome person in my own opinion, but really just fell off the cliff. I just wrote an entire page of how I have been feeling lately to my mother and father with no intentions of giving it to them. Its basically explaining that if I do not wake up tomorrow that its because of this drug (doxy). It has made me so depressed that I cannot bare it any longer and I refuse to take any more of this. I can handle depression but actually sitting here and physically writing a letter is not something I would every do healthy.
I feel exhausted and I don't want to do anything. my stomach is fine but I have gotten sores on my tongue and a blister. I thought I may had picked up an STD from the only girl I have ever been with for my first time about 2 1/2 months ago but everything came back negative after I had already been taking the drug for 5 days. Now I have no clue whats wrong with me and this drug isn't curing my symptoms, its only adding on and making me feel terrible. I do not fear of doing anything to myself but I cant get over the fact that Im going to spontaneously pass in my sleep or something messed up. In fact writing this entire thing is completely unlike me. Depression is a powerful thing.
I will cause no harm to myself, but I think that anyone less educated about depression would. I really feel like if I didn't know everything was normal I would be ready for something to end my life. So I hope other people who are as severely depressed as I am will read this an know that its not the end and you just have to sort everything out.
-- By decline20 | Reply | (3) replies | 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
October 2th
2008
11:53 AM
Ok....I just took this pill 100mg this morning with a cup of coffee and sure enough, 25-30 min later....I got dizzy and extremely nauseated!! I even ate a slice of toast to try to calm my stomach, but nope, still felt sick and I chucked it all up!! Now last night around 9:30 and after dinner I took my first pill and felt absolutely fine?? Im still feeling a little weird right now so not sure if Im gonna continue or not??
-- By mizmisquez | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
September 19th
2008
12:26 PM
Well, I have just started taking Doxy for a couple of days now and so far have noticed a change in bowel movements, appetite, a bit of nausea, my stomach has been feeling a bit bubbly and weird here and there. Also, it makes me feel high after taking it. And i know this sound funny but it makes my bottom itchy. Which is all really weird but over all I don't really care about the side effects as long as they dont become too extreme. I think as long as I take the medicine on terms that are best for me I will be just fine. I am just very glad to be getting rid of an infection that was causing me a lot more pain and discomfort than this med and will be glad when this is over. The biggest issue I have with the pills is getting them down my throat...I'm not a good pill taker and they make me gag. I can't imagine having to take them and deal with side effects for months at a time as some of you are doing so good luck to everyone!! And I also agree that doctors really do need to address the more serious side effects on this med! After coming to this site I will definitely take precautions.
-- By miz_strawberry | Reply | Private Message me
September 16th
2008
6:52 PM
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.
-- By awcire67 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
September 12th
2008
10:50 AM
Diagnosed with staff infection, took one pill last night two hours after eating, sat up in bed reading and went to sleep no problem. Today, ate two cereal bard at 6:30 a.m., and then took the pill at 9:00 with water. I became extremely hot and nauseated about 10 minutes later and drinking water did not help. The nausea was so bad that I could hardly keep vomiting and it has not subsided. I do not have a weak stomach and have never experienced this degree of nausea with any antibiotic.
-- By mcorry | Reply | Private Message me
August 14th
2008
12:45 AM
i have been taking doxy for a uti i took 100mg a total of 4 times i stopped taking it because i have been feeling horrible my stomach is tied in a knot i am exhausted my throat feels like something is constantly stuck in it i have been vomiting sweaty palms loss of appetite dizziness and it taste like crap to smoke a cigarette anyone else experiencing these side effects?
-- By push | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
August 2th
2008
2:05 PM
I started Doxycycline Hyclate several days ago (100 mg 2x daily) as part of 3 week regimen to treat Lyme Disease. I have had some stomach upset, a generally reduced appetite, and cottonmouth... but by far and large the biggest effect has been this overwhelming exhaustion.
Went to bad at 9:30 last night and woke up at 9:00 am this morning but could not drag myself outta bed until almost noon. Its now the middle of the afternoon and I feel like a complete zombie. Spacy and unmotivated, my head might as well be made of wood and can't pull it together to even take a shower yet.
I am a real outdoors guy and keep up a busy routine of work and exercise. Another 2 and a half weeks of this is gonna drive me nuts. I guess it is better than having Lyme, but does it get any easier?
July 19th
2008
3:07 PM
Am on my second 3-week course of doxycycline for Lyme disease since the first go round didn't eradicate the infection. Have all the classic side effects mentioned, however the stomach ailments are GREATLY alleviated by taking a strong (70 billion parts per capsule) probiotic. Take it half way between the 2 doxycycline doses and although it isn't magic it does make a difference.
Although I have no appetite, I try to graze lightly on foods that appeal to me throughout the day and that seems to help with many of the horrific side effects.
Also, my MD suggested I take Aleve and NOT Ibuprofen for headaches since the Ibuprofen can cause a "headache" kickback (and causes stomach pain). Don't know if that's true, but the Aleve seems to help a little.
Worst side effects for me are utter exhaustion, dizziness, stomach pain, sore throat, and a head that hurts feels like it is filled with wet cotton. Also heart palpitations which may be part of the Lyme disease.
Hope some of this helps.
July 14th
2008
9:58 PM
I've been taking Doxy for only about a week now but since I've been taking it I have been experiencing a burning feeling in my stomach and extreme nausea. I came to this site today after throwing up my breakfast. Reading all these posts only to realize that Doxy not only caused my Nausea problem but problems in my relationship with my boyfriend! I had to apologize to him yesterday after blowing up (several times) crying for stupid reason and being extremely depressed. He thought I was unhappy with him and was about to break up but I told him that I thought my hormones were just not in synch. Now I realized that this drug caued my depression...eeesh! I am relieved to find out I am not crazy. I just got off the phone with him and he's relieved too. I'm going to continue my prescription because I only have a few more days left of it. I feel bad for those of you that were prescribed it for such a long period of time.
-- By heidi4rmcali | Reply | 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
June 16th
2008
1:28 PM
I'm not a person who usually has bad reactions to antibiotics but I've never been so miserable as I was taking this drug. I felt excruciating pain in my stomach all day, every day, while taking this medicine. I stopped taking it almost a week ago and I still feel like I have a big lump in my throat making it very painful to swallow. And the worst part is that it was prescribed to me "just in case", so I didn't even have to be taking it. Luckily as soon as my bloodwork came back negative for any bacterial infection things, they let me stop taking it, but like I said, I still feel ill and my throat is killing me.
-- By miss_hell | Reply | Private Message me
April 18th
2008
3:34 PM
I have had the worst period of my life and a headache still, after being off of it for over a week. my stomach is also still messed up. how long does the side effects last?
-- By matchboxgrrl | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
April 13th
2008
6:27 PM
Wow, I thought I was crazy and even thought I was pregnan! The symptoms of this stuff will drive anyone nuts. I have the gas, bloating, dizziness, nausea, lower abdominal cramps, EXTREME exhaustion, difficulty breathing, foggy in the head, pressure in the head/mild, constant headache, lack of interest in anything, loss of appetite, feeling sad and depressed, and an over-all feeling of not knowing myself. All this started on the beginning of the 3rd week of treatment. I really want my Acne to be gone because I am 41 and not loving the pizza face, but this stuff iss making me crazy! I'm drinking alot of herbal teas and juices to try and keep something in my stomach at all times because I don't eat much anymore. I hope that by the end of my 1st bottle, the weirdness, pains, and the feeling of having a vice grip on my head, will go away. If not, I'm calling it quits with this drug! Good luck all.
-- By dejajemi | Reply | Private Message me
April 8th
2008
3:45 AM
i am amazed that doxycycline has given the SAME EXACT problems to other people. i never had side effects to any medication i ever took up until this point. I was on them for a week and on the 2 final nights I too took them right before sleeping and developed a case of esophigitis. I cant eat or sleep because it feels like i'm swallowing lumps that land in my stomach and burn. Even breathing ends up as burping that feels like its on fire. My throat feels swollen and eating solids is torture. Ive been so depressed over this, it makes me want to cry and not go to work because my head feels like i'm in a cloud. Past 24 hours i developed a fever and pain in the jaw/temple area but that might just be a flu going around. So i called the doctor who prescribed them to me for adult acne and says "you weren't supposed to take them before bed, sounds like you have esophagitis". Nice of him to tell me this prior to starting this medication. Im so worried these have caused permanent damage to my stomach that i'm going to suffer with forever. Have these symptoms gone away for anyone, and what helped you get through it if it has? also, how long? Maalox, Pepcid, and over the counter heartburn remedies dont seem to help. all i know is, doxycycline is the wrost drug ever and needs to be retired ASAP!
-- By ellas11103 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
March 20th
2008
4:01 PM
I have been taking doxycycline for about 4 days now. Last night I took it right before bed, with water, and upon waking at about 1 am I felt that the pill was stuck in my esophagus. And then my stomach starting burning and acid started coming up. I still feel like the pill is lodged in there, and it is very uncomfortable. Along with this issue, I have felt rather depressed, dizzy, yeast infection, and am extremely tired. I don't really know what to do at this point. I was prescribed it for pneumonia and a double ear infection. My chest is still killing me from the pneumonia and still have trouble breathing. My doctors have not been helpful what so ever through this process. I had to actually go to the hospital for the proper diagnosis. I don't even know if it is even working for me, but I don't have health insurance and have been out of work for over a week. Can any one give me ANY advice PLEASE???!!!!!
-- By makahfili | Reply | (11) replies | Private Message me
March 12th
2008
5:28 PM
I was prescribed doxycycline for bronchitis/pneumonia and an ear infection. I've been taking 100mg twice a day for four days now. The heartburn started last night, and though I've had mild cases before, this is unbearable. I cough and feel like I'm going to throw up. I drink water, I feel like I'm going to gag. I can stand, I can sit, I can lay down, doesn't matter... feels like I have a rock lodged at the back of my throat and my throat feels scratchy all the way to my sternum. The headaches come and go all day and I feel like I'm in a constant fog. I was told it was not an allergic reaction, but it is a "normal" reaction. I won't take this med again. It isn't worth it.
-- By crickey | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
February 13th
2008
8:38 PM
I was so glad to see this website and see that I was not alone. My Dr told me to take the Doxy with lots of liquid (not milk) before breakfast and dinner and said I had to eat. He said under no circumstances take it before bed. So he must have known about some of the problems. But like so many others I had heartburn real bad and a couple times burped up burning liquid. I've had constant pain just below my rib cage and in my back at the same location and real bad migraines. I thought maybe it was a sinus infection and thats why I looked it up to see if this antibiotic treated sinus infections to rule this out to decide if it was migraines or not. Usually if I get a migraine its for two days max and this has been a week. Oh and I also had swollen feet, ankles, and calfs but thought I maybe just ate too much salt or something. I've been feeling miserable with all this going on. After reading these entries on this wonderful site and seeing that all these symptoms fit as side effects I stopped taking it right then and there. It's been 3 days and my head, stomach, and back are still killing me but the swelling is gone and heartburn much better. I sure hope this gets out of my system soon. No depression or mood issues here.
-- By dalmatiangirl | Reply | Private Message me
February 3th
2008
10:47 AM
I am a 70 years copd patient. due repeated exacerbation first i took augmenting 650mg along with Prednisolone the next day i had temp i started Levofloxacin + Prednisolone for one week. i had temp soon after i completed the course. then started Doxycycline 100 mg 1st day 200 mg then 100mg per day today is my 4th day. i don't have temp right now. i have to see after completing the course of 5days. i think i should take along with meals to avoid stomach upset.
-- By faseehuddin | Reply | Private Message me
January 31th
2008
4:51 PM
My son was taking this medication for about a month and had horrible headaches after taking it. Felt like he was in a fog and vision problems, couldn't concentrate, had to quit driving and going to work. After many visits to the emergency room and many doctors. we found it had burned his stomach. Now he is on Nexium and it is amazing the difference. His headaches are maybe 80% gone. It seems that this medication is bad on the GI track. He took it with food but it just is hard on the body. If your symptoms stay have an endoscopy to see if it has done any harm to your GI track.
-- By lin | Reply | Private Message me
January 29th
2008
3:03 PM
I have been having Doxy since last June (about 6 mo. ago) and still taking it. Its effects on my acne problem has just gotten apparent about one month ago. (Yep. For 5 months, I kept my faith and it is beginning to pay off.) I was determined to take the stuff as long as I need to. However, I just noticed that my stomach is bloating and I got tired very easily. I could play several games of rigorous racquetball before but no longer. My breathing has gotten harder and felt like something was obstructing my breathe just below the rib cage (in the middle).
I will see my derm to see if there is any long term problem with this side effect. He once told me I have to take this drug at least 2 months after all the major "bums" have disappeared. I hope that is within the next few weeks.
-- By windycity_guy | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
January 23th
2008
3:18 PM
I vomited twice while taking it in the morning on an empty stomach...when I took it right after eating I had no nausea. The night I took the last dose I woke up with severe heartburn, I have never had heartburn before. It lasted a whole day with out letting up its been about three days and now it comes and goes. I can hardly eat because it burns every time I swallow anything. does anyone have some suggestions as to some relief of the heart burn and how long it lasts...I just want to get back to normal
-- By cdiggy23 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
January 22th
2008
5:38 PM
Have been on Doxycycline Hyclate on and off for the last 6 months for acne treatment. I hadn't been enjoying the way the pills made me feel so I had neglected to use my last bottle of sixty (100mg 2Xdaily) until my acne flared up this past holiday season. On Friday the 18th of January I went to workout, came home and cooked myself a big breakfast, and then decided to lie down for a nap an hour later. The bottle was next to my bed and I hadn't taken my dose for the day, but I had just eaten a big meal so I wasn't too worried. I took the pill w/o water and lied down. BIG MISTAKE. I woke from my nap about 90 minutes later with the most intense burning sensation I've ever felt. It was just below my rip cage in the center of my body (I think it's the flap between the esophagus and the stomach) and now it's Tue. the 22nd of January and it still hurts every time I swallow and especially when I eat food. It sounds like I'm not alone with this problem and I would love to hear from somebody if this is temporary or what their Doctor told them to do. Thanks for your help.
-- By nharpham | Reply | Private Message me
December 27th
2007
4:59 PM
I took 1 pill (100mg) Doxycycline HCl, went to bed, slept very groggy, exhausted. Next day, second pill, 1 hr later feeling nauseated, then severe migraine headache, thew up, felt like in a severe fever. This lasted about 5 hours then reduced to exhaustion, dizziness with some heartburn. It was intolerable. I also felt very depressed and negative.
One website describing a patent for a different formulation of Doxycycline reported that 31% of patients taking this experience nausea and vomiting.
Why is this drug so frequently prescribed?
Stop taking this drug if you have side effects.
After doing a little research it seems that the "Hyclate" formulation has many side effect problems. The other formulations (monohydrate or carrageenan) may be better. The Hyclate formulation is very rapidly absorbed and is acidic and can cause local damage to the stomach or esophagus. Some report these symptoms on this website. Also it seems foolish for this to be in capsule form, since this increases the rapidity of dissolving and probably also local damage. The drug is 'good' in that it stays in your system a long time and brings your body to a high amount of antibiotic rapidly.
I have never had a bad reaction to an antibiotic before. I'm glad this website allows for these reports.
-- By jjjmersky | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
December 12th
2007
10:36 PM
EVERYONE PLEASE EMAIL THE FDA ABOUT THIS, NEEDS 2 BE RE CALLED ASAP, I AM 14 HAVE BEEN TAKING THIS FOR 2 MONTHS, HAVE HAD HORRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS, CAN BARELY BREATHE, PERMANENT DAMAGE IN STOMACH, LOTS OF STABBING PAIN, NO ONE SHOULD BE ON THIS, REPORT YOUR SIDE EFFECTS TO THE FDA SO THEY CAN RECALL IT, I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO SUFFER LIKE ME AND ALL THE PREVIOUS COMMENTER'S. THIS DRUG IS DEADLY, BEWARE! DO NOT USE IT!!!!! I AM SERIOUS
-- By chrisbrown | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
November 7th
2009
8:27 AM
I'm currently taking Doxycyline for my Varicocele and so far I have been feeling very nauseated haven't been as hungry and I have anxiety in my stomach and I also feel shaky and nervous sometimes.. it is discomforting.Also I have been experiencing joint pain and an overall body ache.
-- By dylan111291 | Reply | Private Message me