Doxycycline for Lyme Disease User Reviews

• Count...
• September 6, 2019

"I woke up 4 weeks ago with a red blotchy rash and immediately went to see my doctor. I was diagnosed with Lyme and started taking doxycycline prescribed for 21 days. I had the symptoms of extreme fatigue and what I thought were flu symptoms. I did the research on the doxy before I took it, I am not a fan of taking any medication. I read that it should be taken with a lot of water. I would drink 8 ounces of water before the pill and the same after and the only time I got sick was when I drank less than 8 ounces, it was an awful experience. I am on my last day of the meds, In my opinion, drinking almost 40 ounces of water a day has helped this process. It prevents you from getting sick and it flushes the toxins out of your body, your stomach will reward you and you are helping your body detox. I am excited as today is my last day on doxy and looking forward to positive lab results in a few weeks. Wishing everyone that reads this a healthy and complete recovery!"

• Dave...
• November 25, 2014

"Hopefully, this will help somebody. I was a chronic Lyme patient for 15 years. Doxy kept it in check, but I still had symptoms, even if I took up to 500 mg per day. The doc said it was then best to lower my intake to about 200 mg per day, the lowest amount that allowed me to still feel OK. After many years of this I had some strange symptoms regarding my heart. I guessed that Lyme disease had affected my heart, which was partly true, and asked if I could try to increase the doxy to combat it. The doc said yes we could try that again. I began taking 400 mg per day again and I never missed a dose. Six months later, I finally eradicated my Lyme disease. DO NOT miss a dose to beat this unique bacteria."

• mystory
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2017

"June 20 2017 I walked in back of my fence area, where deer travel for 2 minutes, 3 days later had a pimple looking rash on back of left arm. I thought is was an acne pimple or mosquito bite. Started to feel fatigue, pain up and down my spine, brain fog, headache, night sweats. I thought it could be the flu, lucky for me a big red rash showed up 2 days later, so I went to my primary doctor. He tested me for lymes and it was positive. The worst system for me was the pain up and down my spine especially at night and before I woke up, the heavy nights sweats were worrying also. I have read tons of articles on Lymes and hope this can help others. I am in my 50s and in pretty good health, not over weight and exercise 1 to 2 days per week. I have never had any other health issues. The doctor prescribed doxycycline 100 mg orally twice daily for 30 days. Started to feel normal 2-3 days after started taking. I had no major side effects. After and during the 30 days I felt that I had killed the disease. Two months later out of nowhere my spine started to hurt again and night sweats etc came back. I waited 4 or 5 days to see if it was going to go away, but no suck luck. Went back to primary doctor, he thought I should try amoxicillin 500 mg orally three times daily for 21 days. Started taking it but the results were very different then Doxycycline. The whole 21 days plus 5 more days after I stopped having pain in my spine and no more night sweats, but my whole body felt like it was trying to fight off something and my arms felt like they had mild pins and needles in them for the full 26 days. I thought maybe that meant it was working, so I suffered through. After the 26 days I still wasn't feeling right , major bad symptoms were gone but still had brain fog and fatigue. Went to Infectious Disease/ Lyme Dr. told my story asked a lot of questions. He recommended I go back on Doxycycline 100 mg orally twice daily for 60 days and that should be it. I started taking it again November 6th all problem systems are gone and I'm feeling normal again. I also truly believe that exercise with machines or weights and 30 minutes or aerobics along with steam or sauna help a lot, heavy blood circulations gets you immune system to work better and gets the toxins out in my opinion. Lets hope I don't get the lyme systems back again after the 60 days. Good luck to all who come down with this terrible disease."

• Anony...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2019

"I started feeling really bad and went to the doctor and just happened to remember taking a tick off me so I asked them about it, after bloodwork tested positive for lyme and rocky mountain spotted fever. I have taken 2 rounds of doxycycline and still testing positive for it. I have now gotten to where all I want to do is sleep and my whole body hurts and is so weak that I literally cannot stand sometimes. I don't know what they will do next but already have diabetes and heart problems so I hope they figure something out soon. For anyone who thinks it is no big deal, this is completely different than just being tired, its almost like being paralyzed. Even with all my other medical issues I have always been able to push myself to go but I can't seem to do that with this. I'm afraid the longer I have it the more damage its going to do."

• Aly...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2017

"I'm 24 yrs old. When I was only 4 I started experiencing crazy symptoms. Constant eye twitching, joint pain everywhere.. (Especially my hands) It wasn't until I turned 22 that a Dr thought to test me for Lyme Disease! After almost 20 yrs of searching for a diagnosis & treatment! I immediately was started on Doxy (100mg 2xDaily for a month) & referred to I.D. DR. I didn't even make it 3 days on the Doxy cuz the HERX! I wanted to die! Was then switched to a different antibiotic & again, only made it a few days on it because of how unbearable it was. A year later & I'm trying the Doxy again. Only 2 days in, feel like I'm dying. Whoever thinks Chronic Lyme isn't real, let me infect you & not get treated for years. Then let's see what you think!"

• Bumbo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2017

"10+ years of Lyme, started having serious neurological symptoms (difficulty speaking, memory loss, tremor, vertigo and feeling of going crazy). Started a protocol of: - continuously: 2x200mg daily of doxycycline - a month of: "4 days on / 3 days off" of 1x500mg azithromycin, then - a month of: "5 days on / 2 days off" of 500mg tinidazole - after each month: 5 days of 100mg fluconazole - repeat - continuously: lots of probiotics, healthy diet and vitamin supplements I'm starting the 4th month, feeling *much* better (though symptoms return periodically, milder though). First 2 months were very harsh (feeling worse, sweating like crazy, sleepless and anxious). People advocating against long-term antibiotics haven't experienced real Lyme."

• Gigis...
• July 12, 2013

"I found a bright red rash on my arm after planting some flowers and vegetables in my yard. I thought at first it was a yellow jacket sting but I never felt it. But after a few days my arm began to hurt, and the rash spread. Not a true bulls-eye though. My doctor saw me from across the crowded waiting room and pointed to me and said Lyme. I was prescribed Doxycycline 100mg 2x a day for 14 days. I was unable to take this medicine on an empty stomach, because I had severe nausea and diarrhea but didn't want to reduce the effectiveness so ate a little something. It made me sleepy and sometimes anxious and sometimes dizzy but not enough to stop medicines. I pray this Lyme disease is gone for good."

• Janci...
• June 19, 2018

"I am a 55 year old woman and was prescribed Doxycycline Hyclate 100mg for Lyme Disease. I took it twice a day for 30 days. During the last week of treatment, I noticed how I started to feel depressed: I found everything and everyone to be irritating, and I just wanted to be left alone. Yesterday was my first day without the medication, and I spent the most awful night of my life: I experienced vivid suicidal thoughts, was contemplating ways to end my life, and even wrote a letter to my children. The next day, I browsed the Internet and noticed I was not alone! I feel the company should absolutely list suicidal thoughts as a side effect of their drug, not only for adolescents, but for adults also. This way, family members and doctors could be warned and keep a close eye on every person to whom this drug is prescribed. If you've experienced suicidal thoughts while using this medication"

• Lyme...
• December 9, 2020

"I’m 22 and in mid-August I started feeling fatigued & lightheaded out of nowhere. It lasted for days & just wasn’t getting any better. I’d feel it from the second I woke up to when I went back to sleep at night. Just felt overall drained and sort of a brain-fog. I had been hiking a lot in the summer too due to COVID. After telling my Mom (who has Lyme disease) my symptoms she suggested getting regular bloodwork done but also a blood test for Lymes. Thank goodness she suggested that Lymes test because otherwise I wouldn’t have known I had it and it’s key to catch Lymes early. Tested positive for a recent infection & got put on Doxycycline- 2 pills a day for 3 weeks. It took time but very slowly I started to feel better. Now it’s been 3 months since I took Doxi and I don’t really have those daily symptoms of fatigue and lightheadedness anymore. I recommend eating a granola bar when taking in the morning because it did make me feel sick on an empty stomach."

• Jared
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 16, 2013

"Originally prescribed doxycycline for 14 days for Lyme Disease. There was a 2 year gap before diagnosis/prescription, which apparently makes a big difference in a bad way for long term efficacy. The first round, I didn't have any adverse effects at all. Easy to take, no upset stomach or significant light sensitivity. After the first few doses, I could feel pains I didn't have before shooting through my arms. Was told to expect that as a Jarisch Herxheimer reaction (biotoxins due to bacterial die off). Prescription was extended to 2 months; at 1 month, symptoms were worse to the point of not being able to walk easily or grip anything heavy. By the end of 2 months, I was 80% better (though still with lingering symptoms). Effective."

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2010

"I've been on doxycycline for about a week now for a bout of Lyme disease and other than some moderate to severe drowsiness (which may be - and is - part of the disease, but does get more severe when I take the antibiotic), and being absolutely unable to take it on an empty stomach (to do so results in nausea and, worse case, vomiting), I have to say I'm feeling much better quite quickly. If taken with food, I have no side-effects whatsoever. One of the best and most mild antibiotics I've had to take."

• White...
• May 16, 2011

Doxy 100 (doxycycline) "Medicine was effective to a degree it ameliorated muscle pain, joint inflammation, and mild-to-severe headaches. Inflammation/rash in upper body area (predominantly on the back) occurred within a week of beginning three-week regimen--persisted until end of ingestion; though it faded in both discoloration and swelling, as well as itching, over time. Some blurred vision and intestinal discomfort occurred, but was not debilitating to any significant degree. While fatigue was lessened somewhat, it did not preclude a general feeling of somnambulism or sleepiness; which my physician says may persist for a few weeks or even months. Overall, I'd rate this as an effective medication against the Lyme Disease I developed."

• Fritz
• June 17, 2019

"I had two tick bites on my hip by my belt line. Then not a couple weeks later I got bit again on my left arm. About 3 weeks later I developed almost out of nowhere extreme joint pain and stiffness, complete loss of energy, headache, a very stiff neck, and sensitivity to light. I went to doctor about two days into this. They did blood work for Lyme disease and it came back negative. Symptoms persisted terribly. Doctor did a different panel which came back negative but the doctor due to my symptoms got me on this antibiotic. The first three days were the worst I've ever felt body wise in my life. The doctor did instruct me that that would happen during the bacterial die off (Herxheimer reaction). By day 5 all symptoms but the extreme fatigue faded. I did experience weird light aberrations. The continued extreme fatigue is the only real problem now. Doctor did mention that the treatment can take 14 days up to a month before you are 100%."

• John
• December 3, 2016

".I had proper Lyme disease (not 'chronic' Lyme, quack quack) took doxy for a month, after a tick bite a year ago. Most symptoms went after a couple days, still suffering from some minor pots and memory loss but improving each day. My best recommendation to people with post Lyme syndrome.... Exercise consistently (within your limits). This has really improved heart and cognition problems for me. They do get better it just takes time. Be patient... Taking doxy after 4 weeks for Lyme is not necessary unless you have serious neuro complications . (You will have need to have had Lyme for 10+ years for this to be necessary, and still 2 months is enough. Look at the evidence please. Taking copious amounts of abx is not good for you."

• Yup
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2019

"On Doxycyline for Lyme disease. 21 days. No side effects at all. I have one more week taking it. I was worried about the stomach problems and did my research before taking it. I drink a whole glass of water before and after. I think that’s the key to taking this antibiotic. I also make sure I am taking a probiotic every day."

• Tapan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2015

"Work miracles to keep Lyme in check, does not necessarily eradicate it. Took about 4 years since infection for Lyme to get a foothold before I was able to get proper medical attention. On badly spread lyme, expect severe side effects -- much of it, so I have been told -- have to do with chemicals resulting from the bacteria dying rather than the doxycycline itself: Severe depression and suicidal thoughts that disappeared as soon as I finished the medication (discomfort, but at least I was able to put up with it knowing it would pass once the six-week 500mg/day was up). Also, take with proper meals -- I've woken up to throw up blood when taken in empty stomach. Also, stay out of direct sunlight, or, if possible, take during winter months"

• cbrados
• May 13, 2017

"Even though it says it is absorbed better without food, I would Definitely advise taking it WITH food (as my pharmacist suggested to me). I tried to take the first dose without food, big mistake. Within an hour started getting really shaky and nauseous, felt like throwing up big time. I had to hurry up and down some food quickly to stop it. As long as I take it right after a meal, and with plenty of water, I am fine. Occasional headaches with this medicine. You can definitely tell it is a strong medication (for an antibiotic), so be careful. I was prescribed two weeks of Doxycycline to prevent possible Lyme Disease from being bit by a tick a few days ago. As long as you can stick through the side effects, this medicine is effective."

• Nomor...
• June 16, 2017

"I was diagnose about two weeks ago and was put on Doxy. By the second week I could walk short walks without agony. My right arm that they were sure was a frozen shoulder and we're going to operate on, I can now raise it up. It may seem small things but for two years I had deteriorated so badly, I wanted to celebrate walking 10 yards and lifting an arm. I'm excited for the future and I haven't had that in a long time."

• Wasper
• January 24, 2015

"Doxycycline has a quality of being well tolerated when administered with tinidazole which is the medicine that kills the cyst form when taken 1.5g per day throughout 15 days. After 500mg of doxycycline and 1.5g of tinidazole taken simultaneously (the former medicine throughout 30 days and the latter throughout 15 days), and the same action repeated after 10 days (but 600mg of doxycycline and 2g of tinidazole), the ratio of absolute recovery amounts to 85%."

• jefw
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 4, 2014

"I've taken Doxycycline continually since 2006, have tried to stop it or use substitute medication usually ending up with admission to hospital. Nasty disease, in my case diagnosed after 29 years. But I'm still alive, not kicking so much maybe. And friendly advice read the instructions first, must be taken after food and you simply cannot spend time out in the sun."

• Mike
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2020

"I was prescribed doxycycline for lyme disease. I took it for 4 weeks with great success and no side effects. After the first day flu-like symptoms and fever seemed a bit worse but by the third day had quickly disappeared. I completed the 4 weeks without incident and have been symptom free since. I know some people have problems with side effects, but for me it worked perfectly."

• Lotsa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2017

"I just tested positive for my lymes western blot end of August. Started doxcycline 100 mg two daily for 21 days. It is a terrible medication! My belly hurt whether I ate or on an empty stomach and I would get the diarrhea. I talked to my niece who is a pharmacist about it. She told me to start taking a probiotic 3 everyday. Once I started taking the florajen 3 all my terrible symptoms from the doxcycline disappeared! It's wonderful now! Don't mind take the medication at all now. I sure hope it helps. I still don't feel like myself. Some days are good and some days are bad. Good luck everyone. Hope this helps you all."

• lisa
• December 5, 2016

"Took 200mg daily for 30 days after testing positive for lyme. Cleared up symptoms within a few days but made me very tired and had trouble sleeping at night. To be honest, felt worse on the antibiotic than when I did with lyme as it made me very anxious and restless at night time. Some People, why are taking this for more than a month, lol? I just read a lady on here taking it for 5 years... felt worse as soon as she stopped (deep sigh) this is called a placebo response, look it up and save your gut biome. Lyme can't live outside your white blood cells as it's a spirochete, meaning cyst lyme doesn't exist. Please don't believe this chronic lyme crap. Go and read some evidenced based journals for god sake."

• Nicky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2019

"In March I drove from Wisconsin to South Carolina. When I returned home I felt completely exhausted for days which I assumed was due to the trip. On April 7, I noticed a red oval mark on my right forearm. It wasn't painful or itchy. A couple of week later I was having weird and random joint pain. Like the tip of my left ring finger was painful, foot and leg pain, sheer exhaustion. Then it hit me, I had similar symptoms in 2002 when I tested positive for Lyme. My doctor prescribed me 100 mg doxycycline twice daily based on symptoms. I am finishing my second week of three. By the 3rd day of the meds, the rash was 90 percent gone. No side effects."

• Zach
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2018

"I thought I saw what was explained to be the bulls eye rash, or some type of red circle mark, on my upper arm one day after hiking. I immediately called the doctor and they got me in the next day. Said she didn’t think I had it but gave me doxycycline anyway for 14 days. Days 2-5 of taking it, you could look up the symptoms of what’s called a “die-off” of lyme bacteria from what I found, and every single one of them was felt: Chills, weakness, muscle and bone aches, you name it. It was horrible. Never felt like that in my life. But I finished the doxy and now I’ve been fine ever since. Even if you don’t think you have it, go get some antibiotics. Doesn’t hurt, and it’ll save your life from this crazy disease."