Doxycycline symptoms and conditions

I have been having many of the same symptoms while taking Doxycycline for Rosacea. Sweating excessively during the day and night sweats. Aching stomach whether taken on empty stomach or with food. Tightness in chest and feeling of anxiety and very emotional. I think it's the Doxy, I have been tested for hyperthyroid, because the symptoms are similar. This med. makes me feel like I'm going crazy. Has anyone stopped and how long does it take for all symptoms to go away. Has anyone switched to Tetracycline and had no side effects.

I was prescribed a 10 day course of Doxycycline Hyclate for a strep infection six days ago. On the third day of my medication treatment, I experienced a feeling of exhaustion. On Day 5, the exhaustion became more severe with a little difficulty breathing and some "pin" like pain near my heart, while at work. I called my hospital and was advised to take an aspirin and to come into urgent care, as long as I deemed that it wasn't an emergency. After arriving at my hospital, I took an Xray, had blood drawn for multiple lab tests, hooked up to an EKG machine, and provided a urine sample. All of the test results thus far were negative. All of the specialists who I encountered while at the hospital conveyed to me that exhaustion isn't a side effect of this medication. After reading everyone else's postings about extreme fatigue being a side effect, I am convinced that it is indeed a side effect. I have got another four days to go on my medication therapy. I guess using my sick leave for the side effect isn't such a negative, as long as this medication cures my strep.

I've been taking Doxycycline for two days now. I have a severs case of insomnia. I have not slept in over 36 hours, which is very unusual for me. I am experiencing shortness of breath, extremely exhausted (but can't sleep), nausea, dizziness, feeling of something in my throat, and weird weird moods (getting mad for no reason, which isn't usually me and people are noticing that something is different).
I'm supposed to be taking it for another 5 days for an infection. Any advice on what I should do? This whole no sleeping thing just isn't working for me.

It's been 2 days now since l've been using Doxycycline 100mg capsules for treating an infection which suppose to be a one week treatment but l'm experiencing burning in my vagina and throwing up alot . But after beening on this site and reading about the side effects others suffered l'm planning not to use it anymore.

I was given Doxycycline to prevent infection from an HSG procedure. I took one the night before the procedure, two the day of and one the morning after. So total of 4 capsules of 100mg each. I'm supposed to take the full course, which is 6 capsules, but I'm going to stop now. After the 4th capsule I started having bad stomach cramps, a bit of nausea and severe diarrhea. I know the risks of not completing the course but I'm not going through these stomach pains again. No more Doxy for me! I have a similar bad reaction years ago to an antibiotic called Augmentin. I guess I have to avoid those 2 kinds of antibiotics in the future. After reading all the posts, I can't believe they still prescribe Doxy to people. It seems horrible.

Hello all,
I'm in the same boat but near the end.... I was given Bactrim for a UTI. I woke up after 2 days with horrible aches in my joints and muscles. I was immediately taken off the Bactrim and put on Doxycycline. I was then put on Prednisone for the aches (which helped). I developed blisters and a rash after a few days. My aches went away after about two weeks but now I have itchy, sore and peeling feet, buttocks, mouth, and genitals. Stomach upset as well. I have been tested for everything (STDs, Lyme Disease, West Nile, etc, etc) and everything has come back negative. I was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome from the allergic reaction I had to the Bactrim. It has been 3 weeks since the first dose and I am finally starting to feel better (except for the insane itching). Good luck to everyone. Never again!

23 years old im taking doxycycline for an std infection , im currently on day 4 , 2x 100mg daily ... and so far ive had no problems apart from being tired all the time and a few spots appearing on my chest.. 3 days to go , i will report back.

I started Doxycycline Hyclate several days ago (100 mg 2x daily) as part of 3 week regimen to treat Lyme Disease. I have had some stomach upset, a generally reduced appetite, and cottonmouth... but by far and large the biggest effect has been this overwhelming exhaustion.

Went to bad at 9:30 last night and woke up at 9:00 am this morning but could not drag myself outta bed until almost noon. Its now the middle of the afternoon and I feel like a complete zombie. Spacy and unmotivated, my head might as well be made of wood and can't pull it together to even take a shower yet.

I am a real outdoors guy and keep up a busy routine of work and exercise. Another 2 and a half weeks of this is gonna drive me nuts. I guess it is better than having Lyme, but does it get any easier?

Taking Doxycycline hyclate for bacterial infection. I am on day 6 and the headaches are getting worse. I woke up last night at 1 AM and felt Nausea and a severe headache. I have to take this with a small meal or I will be in the bathroom until my next dose. I have diarrhea, headaches, DEPRESSION, no patience with my kids or wife, no sexual feelings, tingling lips that are starting to crack in the corners, dry mouth and no energy to do anything. I feel better on it, then I did without taking it, but If this does not take care of the so called bacterial infection, then I will be asking for a different MED next time. This stuff is very tough on you and if you can get something with less side effects, GET IT!

I took this medication as a malarial prevention whilst traveling through India.
Never EVER again. My boyfriend had suffered from depression in the past and we had heard bad things about Larium in relation to anxiety and insomnia so we specifically asked our doctor for the malarial tablets with the least amount of side effects associated with that kind of stuff. He reassured us that there was no record of Doxcycline ever having caused those sorts of effects.
So off we went- we followed the instructions exactly and began our trip.
A week or so into India I began to notice shortness of breath and stomach pain- I put it down to typical India travelers upset and thought no more about it. A bit later I began to suffer moments of anxiety that were really out of character ( I've never suffered from anxiety or depression). I'm very well traveled ( I work in the travel industry and have traveled extensively in the Americas, Africa, Australasia and se Asia) and so although this was my first trip to India- i knew my anxiety had nothing to do with India itself. ( people kept telling me this but I loved India)
It came to a head on a overnight bus from Goa to Hampi- I was feeling really anxious, sweating and clammy, I couldn't sleep and my breathing was really tight. Eventually I had a full blown panic attack that was almost like a out of body experience- I couldn't see and I couldn't breath. The whole bus had to stop ( embarrassing!) at 3am in the morning. Eventually I managed to get back on and make it to the next town ( although not as far as Hampi) so we could take stock.
I was petrified and had no idea whatsoever what was going on. It never occurred to me it could be the malaria tablets as we had been so clear and our doctor so confident they didn't have these kinds of side effects.
I was worried about being on buses, trains even planes again since I didn't know what caused the attacks and I was terrified another one would happen. I had no valium or any other sort of thing that might have helped. In the end we had to cut our trip short and make it back to Mumbai - In Mumbai I suffered from another two panic attacks- one where I could see the walls closing in in our cheap hotel room. Shortness of breath, tightness all through my body, hysteria, blurry vision - it was awful! And also this ongoing pain and upset in my stomach.
I ended up cutting short a RTW trip that my boyfriend and I had been saving for for over a year and coming home to Australia 2 months early.
It was devastating and I still had no idea what was causing it. Finally a friend said her doctor had mentioned sleeplessness and anxiety as a rare side effect of this drug when she was taking it for some problems to do with vaginal bleeding and spotting. I started searching on the internet and was amazed to find loads of sights with people experiencing heaps of the side effects that I'd been told were never a problem with this drug!
Obviously Malaria is really serious but if I had been properly informed I could have made the decision to come off the drugs and look at alternate medication. For now - Im taking the risk of no malaria tablets at all for my next couple of trips (to Borneo- so not a major risk anyway) and will actually research much harder before taking anything again!

I've only been on Doxycycline Hyclate for 2 weeks - I am supposed to take it for 2 months to clear up my acne. The first side effect I experienced was the nausea/vomiting. I HAVE to eat something before I take it or it makes me throw up. I was sensitive to the sun, but the thing that was the most bothersome was the tingling in my feet & hands. When water touched them, they would tingle as if they were asleep. It was a very weird feeling. The worst side effect for me, though, are my mood swings. I get so angry I feel almost like I'm going to explode. I can't just drop it like I usually do - I just keep fighting & yelling - which is not like me. I've been saying things I don't mean & lashing out over stupid small things. I feel almost as if I'm going crazy. This is just the first 2 weeks, after reading this board, I'm wondering if it's even worth continuing. Supposedly, when this is prescribed for acne, most cases come back after you stop taking the pill. If it's going to come back anyways, I'd rather not put myself through this for 2 months...

Am on my second 3-week course of doxycycline for Lyme disease since the first go round didn't eradicate the infection. Have all the classic side effects mentioned, however the stomach ailments are GREATLY alleviated by taking a strong (70 billion parts per capsule) probiotic. Take it half way between the 2 doxycycline doses and although it isn't magic it does make a difference.
Although I have no appetite, I try to graze lightly on foods that appeal to me throughout the day and that seems to help with many of the horrific side effects.
Also, my MD suggested I take Aleve and NOT Ibuprofen for headaches since the Ibuprofen can cause a "headache" kickback (and causes stomach pain). Don't know if that's true, but the Aleve seems to help a little.
Worst side effects for me are utter exhaustion, dizziness, stomach pain, sore throat, and a head that hurts feels like it is filled with wet cotton. Also heart palpitations which may be part of the Lyme disease.
Hope some of this helps.

On doxycycline now for 3 weeks 100 mg twice per day. I can't stop yawning. I am so tired and it is difficult to concentrate.
Suppose to take the regimen for at least 6 weeks for chronic lyme disease. I skipped last night's dose. Although I am so tired I feel at night like I have a fever and do not sleep more than 6 hours.
-Lizydoo

Hello Everyone,
I am 20 years old and taking doxy for acne. I have been on doxycycline for about a week now, and have been experiancing symptoms since pretty much the get go. I didn't put it together that these things were caused by Doxy until I started researching it. I would keep commenting at work how i felt like something was stuck in my throat, and how nauseous I was. I just thought I was getting sick, but it has continued. It also seems I am having symptoms of a yeast infection. I have never had one before, but it seems to all add up. I also got my eyebrows waxed today and i started bleeding from it, as this makes your skin very sensitive and painful. My skin is looking better already, and this is something that i have struggled with for awhile. I am going to stick with the meds for awhile, and see if the symptoms persist. Having clear skin is something that I have been dreaming of for a long time. haha. so yea I wish everyone the best of luck!!

I'm taking Doxycycline 100mg 5x/day. Started a little over 2 weeks ago for Chronic Lyme. I have a 4 month course to complete.
In the past 14 years after that tick got me I was the living dead, those with Chronic Lyme know what I mean. I have virtually the same side effects as everyone else here and wonder if it even matters how much you take a day. A lot of you have the same doses (100mg 2x/day) and the same degree of side effects as I do. My side effects are headaches or a pain in my right temple whenever I cough, severe itching EVERYWHERE, blisters on my hands from itching, burns on my skin wherever the sun shines on me (I live in Florida), vomiting daily some days worse than others, mood swings, crying for nothing, nausea almost constantly, gassy (both ends), I have a bladder infection that started 2 days ago that after reading this can be attributed to the Doxy, asthma symptoms are getting out of hand, I also have this odd swelling/pain over my liver/gall bladder area that's been coming and going, ears ring, noise bothers me and actually starts a headache, diarrhea the first week and constipation the second week, skin feels tight and there's noticeable swelling all over.

With that said I want to say that yes this is not one of the more pleasant drugs to be on however in my case if I don't get these bugs out of me I am going to die so would rather deal with side effects knowing these bugs are being killed and I will be off them someday unlike the Lyme I will have for eternity. Lyme people and other chronically ill people on these meds say this is called "herxing" and this comes and goes also. You feel really bad and then you feel good, then bad and then good again and so on. I started out on this drug keeping in mind that any sikness/side effect was telling me those bugs are dying so in a sense I almost welcome them.

Good luck everyone:)

I feel like I am SO tired on doxycycline. I'm on it for Lyme disease, had Rx for 3 weeks, was off it a week and started to have the joint pain relapse, so now I'm on it for four.
It seemed that I was finding myself with very shallow breathing too. It seems if I forget to take a dose or two, I'm not as tired.
I'm less focused and more forgetful, it's hard to get things done.

I am 19 year old male and was diagnosed with Epididymitis a couple of weeks ago. Prescribed 100mg Doxycycline HYC TB--taken twice daily for 10 days. Aside from the nausea and headaches, I have recently realized a tingling in my right calf. It has probably been feeling this way for about a week now. It feels numb and while there is no actual pain, it is quite uncomfortable
In addition, I recently developed a lump right under my right nipple. It's probably about an inch in diameter and feels as if it's a cyst.
Plus, Im not convinced my Epididymitis has totally gone away. There is still some very minor discomfort in that area.
Any similar side effects?

Death! horrible side effects why taking Doxycycline Hyclate! Everything everyone posted is absolutely true~ while is such drug allowed as a Rx if it can do more harm than good! Impossible to complete the Rx.

I was given Bactrim at the ER where I was diagnosed with a staph infection. They gave me 800 mg twice a day for 7 days. On day 8 I returned to my regular GP because another boil had appeared. He said the dosage the ER had me on was not high enough. He doubled me to 3200 mg a day. After 4 days on this high dose I began to feel terrible, flu like symptoms, all of my lymph nodes were swollen and painful to the touch, especially the ones at the base of your neck/head. That night my eyes started itching like crazy and began to swell. I went back to the doctor she said it was allergies in my eyes and prescribed some expensive drops, told me I had a virus causing my body aches and fever, and lanced my other boil, she then put me on Doxycycline. That night I broke out in a terrible rash from head to toe that was itchy, then became more like a very painful sunburn. I thought I was allergic to the Doxycycline, so I called the doctor who switched me to Levaquin, wow,,,I sure have spent a lot of money on medicines to discover tonight on this forum that all of this was due to Bactrim. I will NEVER take it again as long as I live.

Finally after a whole week of not eating because of the pain swallowing and the burning in my chest, I am able to eat again! Doctor gave me Omeprozole, 20mgs a day which calms acid, and it seems to be kicking in. They diagnosed Esophagitis, caused by the Doxycycline. I will never take anything again without reading the leaflet and considering alternative more natural remedies!!! Just wanted reassure anyone having problems after taking this - you will be able to eat and swallow it will take a good few days. I took advice to try take down only soft, gentle foods (was all I could do to eat a mouthful of mashed potato or scrambled eggs) and I drank lots of water. Thanks to everyone who showed support via this webpage. : )

I took Doxy last summer for cystic acne. It worked fine and I didn't have any problems, and my skin cleared up nicely. I had some left over (bad, bad, I know but it hasn't yet expired!) so I started taking it again about 4 days ago. I noticed, almost immediately, severe tingling and burning in my fingers and hands and up into my arms when I am out in the sun and for hours afterwards. Also water (like washing my hands) makes the tingly feeling much worse. Weird, right? My two index fingers are bright red and any touch burns.

It's weird because last summer when I was on it I was out in the sun all the time with no problems at all.

I had to take Doxycycline for 3 weeks last August when a tick bite I had developed the classic "bulls eye"... a sign of Lyme disease. Everything went well for the first 10 days then I started getting kind of nervous and couldn't sleep well at night. I was constantly starving, really ravenous and had to eat constantly otherwise the nausea got worse. I was glad when I was finally able to stop taking the meds, BUT then after 24 hours I became depressed and really fuzzy in my head and disoriented. This lasted for another 2-4 days. I'm feeling much better now, but I have noticed that I'm just a lot more sensitive to other stimulants...coffee, sugar, alcohol, chocolate. I know I have a few other allergies, hay fever, food allergies etc. I was just wondering, does anyone else out there who has had a negative reaction to doxy have any other allergies or intolerances, or asthma? How much sugar, either in the form of sweets or alcohol do you usually consume? Daily, weekly, monthly...none at all? Feedback would be greatly appreciated. I would like to get to the root of this problem.

What I am experiencing may or may not be the result of the doxycycline hyclate, but I suspect that it is after reading all of these posts. I took a 100MG doxycycline capsule about a week ago late at night ( to prevent Malaria), laid down, and I woke up to discover a sensation of something being stuck in my throat. That was about a week ago...since then it has progressively become harder to swallow and eat. I have experienced some tingling in my fingers, occasional bouts of nausea and discomfort/pressure in my chest that is very noticeable in my chest when I lie down. Also had severe chronic constipation subsequent to taking the pill, but this may not be related to the doxy, not sure.

I went to the doctor today-the PA ran all kind of tests-EKG, throat x-rays, blood, and urine and didn't see anything abnormal. I hope to find out what the problem is soon.

I was prescribed doxycycline 2xday for seven days. On the third day I started to feel very sick. However, it was not until the 5th/6th day that I began to suspect I was having a reaction to the antibiotic. I have never had a negative reaction to any medication ever. My symptoms started with severe nausea that lasted all day, and extreme tiredness. The symptoms continued to get worse....muscle aches, joint pains, elevated blood pressure, back & neck pains, unfocused vision, confusion, dizziness, loss of appetite, muscle tremors that woke me from sleep, depression, and anxiety. When I discussed with my doctor that I suspected it might be the medication I was dismissed and told I was developing a virus. They had prescribed this medication often with no problems. I decided to try to stick with it for two more days. That was the biggest mistake ever. I can't really describe what it did to my head, but all I could think about was that I was dying. I guess severe anxiety and paranoia. So, I finally stopped taking it.

It took three full days with no medication for my nausea and mental confusion to begin to subside. It took a few more days for most of the muscle and back pain to go away. It also took about seven days for the depression and most of the anxiety to quiet down. It is now 11 days with no medication and I still have diarrhea, and minor joint pain. I have also stopped drinking coffee because I an still a bit anxious. I have not really gotten back to my routine yet, and will probably hold off going to the gym until next week.

The most frustrating thing of all is that this medication was given to me as a preventative before a small surgery. All the symptoms I was supposed to be watching for I was having. I am sure this contributed to the anxiety.

At least most of the symptoms have gotten better, and I am hopeful that they will continue to improve. I have researched serum sickness and it says it can take 1-2 weeks for symptoms to subside, and up to several months in some cases.

Good luck to everyone.

Wow! Seems as if I'm one of many, many folks with Doxycycline issues. Was prescribed it for symptoms arising from a bad tick bite. Now, in my 5th day of a 10-day course, I have the crushing exhaustion, the mild nausea, the sudden hot flashes and sweats (I didn't even get those during an unmedicated menopause), the aches, the muzzy, on-another-planet head symptoms. I'm thinking that the side effects are better than, say, Lyme or Tularemia – but whew! This has been a stark realization that even if you're a "good patient", even if you read everything that's given to you in connection with a drug, you're still not getting even half the story. And doctors in this managed care world certainly aren't going to tell us. Thanks to everyone who has shared info on this site!