Jarisch-Herxheimer Reaction?

[Joe]

I finally got some doxycycline. Last night I took 200mg. During the middle of the night I woke up in pain. My hands, feet, arms, eyes, mouth, nose, throat and privates are covered with a rash and are very swollen. The rash itches and burns. Is this a normal Herx Reaction to the antibiotics or is this an allergic reaction?

[RuthHinWV]

I finally got some doxycycline. Last night I took 200mg. During the middle of the night I woke up in pain. My hands, feet, arms, eyes, mouth, nose, throat and privates are covered with a rash and are very swollen. The rash itches and burns. Is this a normal Herx Reaction to the antibiotics or is this an allergic reaction?
Hi Joe, This doesn't sound like a herx; it sounds like a reaction (maybe allergic) to the doxy. I'd ask if you were out in the sun & this could be a symptom of reaction of the doxy to exposure to the sun, but for it to include your genital region you'd have to have been naked. Were you? :D Kidding!!!! Doxy made my arms itch like crazy when I was out in the sun. I've had lots of pain during herx, but never anything like this. You might want to call your doc & don't take any more doxy until you reach him or her. Hope this helps!! Ruth in WV

I looked up the side effects of doxy & this is what I found.

http://www.drugs.com/pdr/doxycycline_hyclate.html

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking doxycycline.

* More common side effects may include:
Angioedema (chest pain; swelling of face, around lips, tongue and throat, arms and legs; difficulty swallowing), bulging foreheads in infants, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, discolored teeth in infants and children (more common during long-term use of tetracycline), inflammation of the tongue, loss of appetite, nausea, rash, rectal or genital itching, severe allergic reaction (hives, itching, and swelling), skin sensitivity to light, vomiting

[Joe]

Nope I haven't been out in the sun. The Holland rarely ever sees the sun.

It's a allergic reaction. Thanks for the information. I hope I can take amoxycline without a allergic reaction. I'm running out of options.

At least euthanasia is legal here. It might be the only way to stop my Lyme Disease.

[Sonsie]

I agree -- this sounds like photosensitivity. If you are like me, you will get this even in some indoor lighting. I have had a terrible time with doxy as a result. :(

Have a dermatologist look at you before the rash goes away. That was the only way we were sure of what was going on with me. My doctor asked all of the dermatologists in the practice to come into the examining room to see me. Apparently I was that "interesting." :p

[blimeyitslymie]

although each one of us lymies is so different. I agree with Sonsie and Ruth about having a dermatologist have a look, see.

From my experience, a herx was a cyclical flare up of existing symptoms, particularly fatigue, muscle and joint pain. It is a good idea if you can keep a small daily journal, which lists your complaints and then rate them 1-5 in severity. Tracking your symptoms can help see if there is a pattern in herxing, and if you are making improvements with the medications. It's funny, because sometimes I didn't realize I was getting better and then I'd look at my journal and realize that my pain level may have been down to 4 or 3 from 5!

I discovered that I herxed initially for a few weeks, and then I cycled about every three or four weeks and EVERY time I started a new antibiotic I had the same reaction.

Also important is stress management. It is so hard to deal with day to day living these days, let alone when you are ill. Then when you are finally given meds to help heal you and you feel worse, it's madness.

But I found that relaxation exercises, mental imagery, trying to medidate and stretching every day were really important.

Take Care,
Blimey

[Joe]

Sonsie - It's clearly not photosensitivity. I live in the Netherlands. We rarely see the sun during the winter. The lighting in the appartment that I am staying at in poorly lit so it not from the lamps.

blimeyitslymie - Managing stress would be easier if I had a ILADS doctor, if I could afford the ILADS treatment and if I had a place to live. I have to leave the appartment that I am staying at on Dec 22. I will be homeless for Christmas.