I took minocycline for 2 weeks and had a very similar reaction. It’s called serum sickness. You’re body basically thinks the antibiotic is a harmful substance and starts to attack it. I know this post is old but it may be helpful if someone comes across this thread in the future. I had to go to the ER 3 times and each time they didn’t know what was going on. Then talked to my dermatologist (who prescribed the medication) and he put me on steriods for a month.
I know this comment is rather old, but I just wanted to post about my experience in case anyone else is in the same situation.
I had the same symptoms after taking minocycline for 2 weeks, and it was very difficult to find information about what was going on from my health care providers. After going through a round of tests for markers of autoimmune diseases (lupus, RA, etc. - which were all negative) I finally was referred to a Rheumatologist who told me my symptoms were an unusual reaction minocycline, but do happen and will resolve with time.
I ended up having moderate/severe joint pain for six months, which decreased in severity over time. Almost all joints in my body were affected, and the pain would migrate from joint to joint each day. For the first three months, my knees would hurt on some days so much that my eyes would water just walking to the bus stop. I did see a physical therapist a few months in which helped a lot - and she honestly had more practical (and helpful) advice about coping with symptoms than any of the physicians I saw. I am completely symptom-free 1 year later - able to run and play tennis without pain.
I am going to help you more with this one link than you have ever got for this!
And you would think after all these years one of these know it alls in here would think of it. I been here 2 days and I did.
This link has 1000's of pictures of people with this allergy. And so go and find someone that it looks like yours there. Because it looks a bit different of many people, and different body parts. Find your body part here and one that reacts exactly like you. A picture is worth a 1000 words!
http://www.dermnet.com/Allergic-Contact-Dermatitis/photos/1
Put up a new post for people to see, this well kept secret on this site so these people can finally find help. People are here for their doctors don't know and they aren't getting better. And the one thing no doctors say is allergy to polyester. That is taboo!
They would loose too much business, if the world finds out how many people well, pretty much all of us but few react.
Ps. I read 50 of this doctors replies to 50 people last nite. And they were all wrong. He must be evil or just plain stupid.
Listen to what I said if you want help.
Sorry, you'll have to copy and paste that.
That stuff sounds like bad news. Here's a link for you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minocycline
Scroll down the page to community members, you can look for the member there and contact them through that.
I am kind of new too. I am not impressed with this site either, it just seems a lot of the same things get posted, no one really gets much benefit.On the other hand, it also appears that some of the posts just get years of posts that never accomplish anything; at best, you might read for hours and find something useful.
You may have do some research on minocylin, I don't know what that is. I can tell you that there are lots of problems with antibiotics now. Is that an AB?
Some types or all types, "not sure" are immune disorders. I believe that any drug that suppresses your immune can cause other immune disorders to come into play. And once that disorder starts, it may be around forever, or go away and come back later in life.
I am not a believer in pills. But that is my opinion.
A very light allergy undetected may worsen when on a drug which suppresses/weakens you immune, even temporarily, can make the allergic reaction worse! And the hives can be from the drug causing the nervous system stress. And the nerves then cause the hives.