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PLEASE HELP ... RASH WORSE after week OFF Doxy!
Ok, I was dx with Lyme and possible Bart over 2 years ago after a tick bite. Was on abx therapy for about 6 months then stopped on my own because I was tired of taking so many meds. This Spring, I got another bite and found the engorged tick on my belly during the night. I contacted my LLMD and he started me on high doses of Doxycycline and took it for 3.5 weeks before I started to develop a rash on my arms. The left arm was worse from driving so I figured I would STOP the Doxy and DID.
That was OVER a WEEK ago and I have STAYED out of the sun. My rash is increasing WORSE and SPREADING up my arm and down to my fingers! I went to my walk-in clinic and they wouldn't treat me ... said I needed to see the prescribing doctor of the Doxy! They even made me an appt with him for tomorrow morning. Problem is that is over an hour's drive for me and I am miserable NOW and SCARED! The NP at the clinic wasn't sure it was even from the Doxy since it's gotten worse after stopping over a week ago.
I have calls into my LLMD but so far he has not offered any help! I have even e-mailed links to pictures of my rash to him and am waiting / hoping to hear something back and SOON! Any ideas / advice, suggestions appreciated!!!
That was OVER a WEEK ago and I have STAYED out of the sun. My rash is increasing WORSE and SPREADING up my arm and down to my fingers! I went to my walk-in clinic and they wouldn't treat me ... said I needed to see the prescribing doctor of the Doxy! They even made me an appt with him for tomorrow morning. Problem is that is over an hour's drive for me and I am miserable NOW and SCARED! The NP at the clinic wasn't sure it was even from the Doxy since it's gotten worse after stopping over a week ago.
I have calls into my LLMD but so far he has not offered any help! I have even e-mailed links to pictures of my rash to him and am waiting / hoping to hear something back and SOON! Any ideas / advice, suggestions appreciated!!!
Thank you for your response, Jackie! Yes, I know about the side effects of Doxy ... that is why I stopped it over a week ago. I have been very careful about my sun exposure but who knows??? My LLMD just called back and is going to call me in a Medrol dose pack to get me started before my appt tomorrow morning. I pray that is the right thing to do as I know that taking steroids with Lyme is questionable! *sigh*
The website DoubleCheckMD has this list of possible adverse reactions from doxycycline. It does say that there are two kinds of skin reaction, which it sounds like you may be having -- flat rash and a bumpy one.
My understanding of doxy is to stay out of the sun, not just a little, but entirely, so you may just have overdone it. But no one here is medically trained, and I would also see a doc as soon as possible.
If there is a hospital emergency room near you, you might want to go there, because they would have an MD and not just an NP. I'm thinking your doc will call you back before the end of the day, but have a Plan B working in case he doesn't. Call a friend to drive you to the ER -- why wait?
================from DoubleCheckMD=================
Doxycycline may cause rash with both raised bumps and flat discolored areas ("maculopapular rash").
This drug may also cause the following symptoms that are related to rash with both raised bumps and flat discolored areas:
Allergic reactions
Anaphylaxis
Angioedema
Exfolaitive dermatitis
Henoch-Schonlein purpura
Hives
Lupus erythematosis
Mouth and skin rash/lesions
Reddening of the skin due to widening of small blood vessels
Reddish rash
Serum sickness
Skin conditions
Skin pigmentation changes
Skin rash
Blistering rash (single case)
Increased skin pigmentation (many case(s))
Shedding of skin (single case)
Red patches on skin (may not actually cause this side effect but may cause symptoms that mimic it). This symptom may occur with sun exposure
Skin redness (first sign that a side effect is occuring)
Skin ulcers (tended to improve when drug was stopped)
Medical Source Information
Yellow highlights indicate symptoms related to rash with both raised bumps and flat discolored areas.
Hypersensitivity reactions have included urticaria, angioneurotic edema, anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid purpura, serum sickness, pericarditis, exfoliative dermatitis, and exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Dermatologic side effects have included photosensitivity, maculopapular and erythematous rashes, exfoliative dermatitis, nail discoloration, and photo-onycholysis. There is a case report of doxycycline induced nail discoloration.
In a double-blinded study, doxycycline was found to be more phototoxic than minocycline and demeclocycline. Paresthesias of the body areas exposed to sunlight may be early signs of sunburn reactions. A case report of a possible photoallergic reaction describes scaly erythema and vesicles on the face and neck associated with doxycycline administration. Upon rechallenge, a flare with erythema, itching and burning occurred in the same area. Another case report was documented in Australian troops treated with doxycycline 100 mg daily for malaria prophylaxis while on deployment in East Timor, a group of islands within the Malaysian archipelago located close to the equator. Of the 135 troops, 22 exhibited phototoxic reactions to low dosages of doxycycline that resembled severe sunburn with erythematous plaques on the sun-exposed areas. The troops used a sunscreen containing oxybenzone. An 11-year-old boy treated with doxycycline for brucellosis was evaluated for painless brown nail discoloration. Doxycycline was initiated for brucellosis but stopped when the boy developed photo sensitivity, but 15 days after the initiation of therapy brown nail discoloration developed . Other than the brown discoloration, the boy's physical condition was normal and the discoloration disappeared within one month.
Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea, esophageal irritation, ulceration, epigastric burning, and black, hairy tongue. At least one case of adult tooth staining has been reported. Other gastrointestinal side effects associated with tetracyclines have included anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, glossitis, dysphagia, enterocolitis, and inflammatory lesions with monilial overgrowth in the anogenital region.
Numerous cases of esophageal ulceration have been reported. In most of the cases the patients had taken their medication at bedtime, usually without enough liquid. Patients often present with severe retrosternal pain and difficulty swallowing. Ulcerations generally resolve within a week after discontinuation of the medication. One case report describes severe hiccups of 4-day duration associated with esophagitis following the first dose of doxycycline. Case reports of doxycycline causing Clostridium difficile have also been described.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using doxycycline and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: severe headache, dizziness, blurred vision; fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; urinating less than usual or not at all; pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness; severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate; loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness. Less serious side effects may include: swollen tongue, trouble swallowing; mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach upset; white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; sores or swelling in your rectal or genital area; or vaginal itching or discharge. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Doxycycline, like other tetracycline-class antibiotics, can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. If any tetracycline is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking these drugs, the patient should be informed of the potential hazard to the fetus and treatment stopped immediately. Tetracyclines should not be used in this age group, except for anthrax, including inhalational anthrax (post-exposure) unless other drugs are not likely to be effective or are contraindicated.
Doxycycline may induce photosensitivity in some individuals. Patients on tetracycline therapy should minimize exposure to direct sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet radiation, and to use sunscreens and other protection whenever prolonged exposure is unavoidable. Therapy should be discontinued at the first sign of skin erythema.
Tetracyclines have been associated with the development of autoimmune syndromes. Symptoms may be manifested by fever, rash, arthralgia, and malaise.
Certain oral liquid formulations may contain sodium metabisulfite, which may cause allergic or anaphylactic reactions in susceptible patients. Sulfite sensitivity is more frequent in patients with asthma.
Tetracycline class antibiotics are known to cause hyperpigmentation. Tetracycline therapy may induce hyperpigmentation in many organs, including nails, bone, skin, eyes, thyroid visceral tissue, oral cavity (teeth, mucosa, alveolar bone), sclerae and heart valves. Skin and oral pigmentation has been reported to occur independently of time or amount of drug administration, whereas other pigmentation has been reported to occur upon prolonged administration. Skin pigmentation includes diffuse pigmentation as well as over sites of scars or injury.
Side Effects to Watch
Watch closely for the following side effects and notify your physician immediately should any of these develop:
Abnormal bruising or signs of bleeding such as bleeding from the gums, nose, digestive tract, vagina (females), faintness, dizziness, loss of consciousness, or rash (signs of problems with blood clot formation)
==================end==============
My understanding of doxy is to stay out of the sun, not just a little, but entirely, so you may just have overdone it. But no one here is medically trained, and I would also see a doc as soon as possible.
If there is a hospital emergency room near you, you might want to go there, because they would have an MD and not just an NP. I'm thinking your doc will call you back before the end of the day, but have a Plan B working in case he doesn't. Call a friend to drive you to the ER -- why wait?
================from DoubleCheckMD=================
Doxycycline may cause rash with both raised bumps and flat discolored areas ("maculopapular rash").
This drug may also cause the following symptoms that are related to rash with both raised bumps and flat discolored areas:
Allergic reactions
Anaphylaxis
Angioedema
Exfolaitive dermatitis
Henoch-Schonlein purpura
Hives
Lupus erythematosis
Mouth and skin rash/lesions
Reddening of the skin due to widening of small blood vessels
Reddish rash
Serum sickness
Skin conditions
Skin pigmentation changes
Skin rash
Blistering rash (single case)
Increased skin pigmentation (many case(s))
Shedding of skin (single case)
Red patches on skin (may not actually cause this side effect but may cause symptoms that mimic it). This symptom may occur with sun exposure
Skin redness (first sign that a side effect is occuring)
Skin ulcers (tended to improve when drug was stopped)
Medical Source Information
Yellow highlights indicate symptoms related to rash with both raised bumps and flat discolored areas.
Hypersensitivity reactions have included urticaria, angioneurotic edema, anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid purpura, serum sickness, pericarditis, exfoliative dermatitis, and exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Dermatologic side effects have included photosensitivity, maculopapular and erythematous rashes, exfoliative dermatitis, nail discoloration, and photo-onycholysis. There is a case report of doxycycline induced nail discoloration.
In a double-blinded study, doxycycline was found to be more phototoxic than minocycline and demeclocycline. Paresthesias of the body areas exposed to sunlight may be early signs of sunburn reactions. A case report of a possible photoallergic reaction describes scaly erythema and vesicles on the face and neck associated with doxycycline administration. Upon rechallenge, a flare with erythema, itching and burning occurred in the same area. Another case report was documented in Australian troops treated with doxycycline 100 mg daily for malaria prophylaxis while on deployment in East Timor, a group of islands within the Malaysian archipelago located close to the equator. Of the 135 troops, 22 exhibited phototoxic reactions to low dosages of doxycycline that resembled severe sunburn with erythematous plaques on the sun-exposed areas. The troops used a sunscreen containing oxybenzone. An 11-year-old boy treated with doxycycline for brucellosis was evaluated for painless brown nail discoloration. Doxycycline was initiated for brucellosis but stopped when the boy developed photo sensitivity, but 15 days after the initiation of therapy brown nail discoloration developed . Other than the brown discoloration, the boy's physical condition was normal and the discoloration disappeared within one month.
Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea, esophageal irritation, ulceration, epigastric burning, and black, hairy tongue. At least one case of adult tooth staining has been reported. Other gastrointestinal side effects associated with tetracyclines have included anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, glossitis, dysphagia, enterocolitis, and inflammatory lesions with monilial overgrowth in the anogenital region.
Numerous cases of esophageal ulceration have been reported. In most of the cases the patients had taken their medication at bedtime, usually without enough liquid. Patients often present with severe retrosternal pain and difficulty swallowing. Ulcerations generally resolve within a week after discontinuation of the medication. One case report describes severe hiccups of 4-day duration associated with esophagitis following the first dose of doxycycline. Case reports of doxycycline causing Clostridium difficile have also been described.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using doxycycline and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: severe headache, dizziness, blurred vision; fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; urinating less than usual or not at all; pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness; severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate; loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness. Less serious side effects may include: swollen tongue, trouble swallowing; mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach upset; white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; sores or swelling in your rectal or genital area; or vaginal itching or discharge. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Doxycycline, like other tetracycline-class antibiotics, can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. If any tetracycline is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking these drugs, the patient should be informed of the potential hazard to the fetus and treatment stopped immediately. Tetracyclines should not be used in this age group, except for anthrax, including inhalational anthrax (post-exposure) unless other drugs are not likely to be effective or are contraindicated.
Doxycycline may induce photosensitivity in some individuals. Patients on tetracycline therapy should minimize exposure to direct sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet radiation, and to use sunscreens and other protection whenever prolonged exposure is unavoidable. Therapy should be discontinued at the first sign of skin erythema.
Tetracyclines have been associated with the development of autoimmune syndromes. Symptoms may be manifested by fever, rash, arthralgia, and malaise.
Certain oral liquid formulations may contain sodium metabisulfite, which may cause allergic or anaphylactic reactions in susceptible patients. Sulfite sensitivity is more frequent in patients with asthma.
Tetracycline class antibiotics are known to cause hyperpigmentation. Tetracycline therapy may induce hyperpigmentation in many organs, including nails, bone, skin, eyes, thyroid visceral tissue, oral cavity (teeth, mucosa, alveolar bone), sclerae and heart valves. Skin and oral pigmentation has been reported to occur independently of time or amount of drug administration, whereas other pigmentation has been reported to occur upon prolonged administration. Skin pigmentation includes diffuse pigmentation as well as over sites of scars or injury.
Side Effects to Watch
Watch closely for the following side effects and notify your physician immediately should any of these develop:
Abnormal bruising or signs of bleeding such as bleeding from the gums, nose, digestive tract, vagina (females), faintness, dizziness, loss of consciousness, or rash (signs of problems with blood clot formation)
==================end==============
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