Doxycycline... Talk me down?

[Goodlife]

Hi all,
I'm a hypochondriac who has not felt well for almost six years, mostly due to head issues. I have been repeatedly diagnosed with sinus infections, but antibiotics have never helped anything. Recently, I wondered if I might have a yeast colony in my sinuses, so I told my ENT I would accept no more treatment without a culture.

Culture came back: MRSA! So my doc put me on doxycycline.

At the moment, it actually seems to be working.

Here is where I need your help: I am becoming obsessed with fear of side effects. I have very, very sensitive skin, and already I seem to e having some effects from the doxy; if anything scratches me, the scratch puffs up like a cat scratch. I am itchy a lot (but I am a naturally itchy person, so unsure if it's the medicine... Except I'm obsessing over it).

Am just insane? I am a stressful person, and I really want to keep taking the medicine since it really seems to be working, clearing up my nose for the first time in six years. But I'm afraid I'm at risk here, and, well... I googled. Oops!

Any support appreciated.

[shybaybe2003]

my cousin is also a hypochondraic, and runs into situations similar to you. IF you are really concerned, you can tell your doc. But if its just itchy skin, I would TRY not to worry about it. But atleat the doxy is helping. THats good meds right there!good luck to you

[FrustratedAndTired]

Have you had an MRI done on your sinuses? I had one done and come to find out I had a horse shoe shape in my sinuses that kept the infection even while I was feeling good. After that surgery (my 3rd sinus surgery) it has all been great since then. Also on the doxy it is an agressive antiboitic. I had it once for an infection in an oil gland in my face. It worked great and I had no side effects (and I'm allergic to alot) but everyone is different so I'd check with your doctor to make sure.

[crazin]

Hi Goodlife,
I am not a hypochondriac, though I do have anxiety and suffer from panic attacks. I looked up the side effects of doxy, and I would continue using it. My justification (to calm myself down, if I were in your shoes) is that the skin conditions are listed under "Less serious side effects". Skin puffing up when scratched is a normal reaction, and you say you're always itchy, so it's probably nothing anyway, but even you are having a slight skin reaction, it's common for the med, and not serious. Good luck! I really hope you stick with it and get that sinus infection cleared up!

[Goodlife]

Thanks guys... I appreciate responses, even if it's just to take my mind off it.

Hypochondria isn't really rational, though it can have rational roots; for instance, I know that side effects are rare-- but I also know that someone has them.

Alas, going online, you never seem to be able to find out risk factors/etc. For instance, if all the side effects show up if you're over 50 and have a heart condition, it would calm me greatly. But I can't seem to find that anywhere.

I did some more reading on how doxy works, and what it's derived from, and that calmed me for a day (for instance, it's not "engineered," it's basically taking the defense mechanism one bacteria uses against another bacteria... also, the whole "sunburn" thing was freaking me out, because I felt like anything that got that systemic was scary on principle-- but then I found out it happens because the bacteria toxing stops things from multiplying-- including your skin... so that doesn't seem nearly as scary as the idea that a chemical was getting in my skin making it more susceptible to sunburn).

To make things worse (for me), I seem to be picking up whatever side effect I read last. For instance, my most recent was reading someone's postings on a message board about doxy and head pressure (which can be dangerous). Now I have head pressure VERY frequently from sinus problems... but now I'm having them from doxy. See what I mean by irrational?

Hilariously, focusing on head pressure has made most of my skin worries go away... but now I'm concerned every ache I have in my head or spine (I also have a bad back) is a side effect.

[Goodlife]

Oh, and I should add that I'm basically terrified of medicines ever since being roped into taxing lexapro from my doctor (to treat my hypo). Him carefully explaining that there would be no problem quitting it cold turkey-- and then my having withdrawals for *months* after going off it cold turkey have caused me to worry that my doctors don't know what they're talking about when they prescribe things.

[Goodlife]

Here's an update: Four days into the doxy, I woke up feeling so bad that I did not take it that day. I rapidly felt better over the course of the day, and resumed taking it the next day (after skipping two doses).

I'm now four days after resuming it again, and I've stopped it again, because the exact same symptoms arose-- bad head pressure (feels like beyond sinus involvement), weird and horrible body pains.

Googling, it looks like I probably am reacting to the doxy (strange, because I've had it in the past without a problem). I also considered that it might be a herx type reaction, but since one of the "dangerous" side effects of doxy is head pressure, I'm not comfortable taking it any more.

Talked to doctor, who didn't think I had the "dangerous" symptoms, and suggested I try to push through it (this was during the first quit). Next alternative drug is bactrim, which I've never had.