Thursday was my monthly trek to PA to see the Lyme doctor. Last month, he switched me from the combo of Doxycycline & Omnicef, to Doxy and Levaquin. This time, I'm on Doxy and Flagyl.

All of these antibiotics are scary, when you look them up online and read the ultimate in horror stories by people who have tried them. Of course not everybody experiences a bad reaction, or even many of the known negative side-effects. But when you see what others go through- all in the name of "healing"- it makes me afraid to try anything new.

"Doxy" is really tough on the stomach. I've mentioned that on a weekly basis, I go into extreme dizziness/nausea mode. Thursday morning was bad, and Friday afternoon was MUCH worse. I typically know that IF I'm going to be sick, it's going to be about an hour after I take it. So I try to schedule when I take it based on when I have to be out and about- taking kids to school, going to therapy, etc. I know that being on the computer seems to make it worse, and driving can as well. Thursday I was in the grocery store when I started feeling dizzy. Of course I ended up in the slowest check-out. LOL Thankfully I'll be going off of it soon- next month, I believe. It's one of those meds that causes extreme photo-sensitivity, and so being outside requires long-sleeved shirts, a hat, etc.

Last month, I started the Levaquin. I might have been even more terrified to try this one, because it can actually cause tendon damage. Well, I don't know if I have tendon damage, but I haven't experienced this type of pain- almost non-stop over the last month- in I don't know how long. Just all over. Needless to say, I've now moved on to Flagyl. Most of these meds say they can cause potential nerve damage- Peripheral Neuropathy. I already have that, so I probably wouldn't know if the numbness and "pins & needles" sensations I have are due to the meds, or my on-going health issues. So far (having been on it for 2 days now) I have had some of that in my upper arms, as well as some burning in my stomach (no doubt it's irritating my ulcer, and already eroded stomach walls LOL). Otherwise, I think it's going well. I just have to cut out alcohol. Not just for drinking (which I rarely engage in anyway), but I'm talking rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, etc.. I even bought myself alcohol-free deodorant yesterday, just to be on the safe side. Apparently it can make you really sick. Who needs that?!

He did mention yet again going on IV antibiotics, as nothing seems to be working so far- 9 months after starting treatment. It's really a scary thought, though. I mean, from what I'm reading of other people's experience with it, you aren't just being hooked up to an IV through the arm (which is what I assumed). We're talking a port-a-cath. SCREW THAT. I really do NOT want that. I mean, ok if I just really have no other options, but that just doesn't sound good. My biggest concern is infection or my little guy hitting me/it just the right (wrong!) way. I'm trying not to worry about it for now. I'll try a few more meds, and see what happens.