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Can Doxycycline Cause Headache And Dizziness?

Posted on Thu, 5 Nov 2015

Question: My doctor has decided to treat me for Lyme Disease. He would like to use Doxycycline to treat me. In May I took Doxy for 10 days for a sinus infection. I took it for 7 days and felt amazing for approximately 3 days after finishing. However, I then got much worse! I began having issues with my heart and central nervous system, migraines, numbness and tingling, swollen lymph nodes... It was as if I aggravated the Lyme (nobody knew I had it at the time)! I was put on Doxy again 3 weeks ago but only took 2 doses because they thought Clindamycin was a better choice (believing I had an abscessed tooth but nothing shows on any xray, ct scan, anything!). 3 days into the Clindamycin, I felt worse! So they switched me back to Doxy. The first dose was fine but after the second dose I was dizzy and had a headache so bad it felt like my brain was trying to come out of my temples! My question is this; is it possible the headache and dizziness were a reaction to the Doxy even though I had it for 7 days back in May and 2 doses a few weeks ago without any noticeable problems? Or was it a coincidence? The pharmacist said that my reaction (if it was a reaction) was severe and stop using the Doxy and the doctor seemed to agree so I am not sure what to do about the Lyme Disease. I have so many antibiotic allergies that I am pretty much stuck when it comes to curing the Lyme. Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Dr.Maheshwari (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
These could be symptoms of lyme disease.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear ,
Welcome to the HCM.
Dear lyme disease is a tick born bacterial disease ,which needs to be treated by completing the antibiotic course.
If it would have been the reaction of doxycycline then it had started from the day one of using doxycycline.But we never know the unpredictable timing of reaction,even there is condition called jarisch herximier reaction ,which can happen in lyme disease with using of antibiotics and can be manifested by these reactions.
Since lyme disease can causes inflamation of membranes covering brain (meningitis);numbness ;tingling,lymph nodes inflamation etc.So all your symptoms described by you could be flaring up of lyme disease.As you had not completed the course of antibiotic and now stuck thinking wether this is reaction of doxycycline or flaring up of lyme disease.
Since there are other options for antibiotics usage for treating lyme disease ;especialy when there are nervous symptoms (headache ,numbness) ;for example intravenous pencillin;ceftriaxone or cefotaxime.I would like to suggest discuss with your treating doctor for these options ,if doxycycline can not be used further.As lyme disease should be treated with complete course of antibiotics to avoid further complications.
Hopefully I answered your question.You may ask further,if you have more questions to ask.
Regards,
Dr.Maheshwari

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Maheshwari (5 hours later)

Thank you Dr. Maneshwari! Which of those antibiotics would be best for someone who has a Penicillin (and all related medications) and a sulfa allergy?

Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Dr.Maheshwari (23 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cephalosporins can be used to treat.

Detailed Answer:
If someone has penicillin or sulfa drugs allergy ,then cephalosporin (ceftriaxone) can be used under care of treating doctor.
Hopefully my answer will be helpful for you, pls let me know ,if I need to clarify more .

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad