Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Bell's Palsy While On Doxycycline
Question: Is there harm in taking a regimen of doxicyline if I don't ahve a 100% diagnosis of Lyme 'Disease? I'
I've been diagnosed with bells palsy (mild form) but have other symptoms that don't relate to that but are in Lymn symptom list. I visit CT and NY regularly (wt sister and mother/father who have all had lymnes so the tick is prevalent) There, when a patient has bells palsy, they automatically get put on doxicline. Here in XXXXXXX NY, they don't see lymne's much so doctors don't want to prescribe an antibiotic. What is your opinion on how I should proceed?
I've been diagnosed with bells palsy (mild form) but have other symptoms that don't relate to that but are in Lymn symptom list. I visit CT and NY regularly (wt sister and mother/father who have all had lymnes so the tick is prevalent) There, when a patient has bells palsy, they automatically get put on doxicline. Here in XXXXXXX NY, they don't see lymne's much so doctors don't want to prescribe an antibiotic. What is your opinion on how I should proceed?
Brief Answer:
Charecteristic rash
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I understand your problem and perceive the worry.
What are the list of symptoms that you have that relate to Lyme's disease?
Were you hiking in the recent past? Is there a incident of tick bite?
To answer your question directly, if there is a suspicion of Lyme's and if you are visiting lyme prevalent areas frequently there should not be any harm in a regimen of Doxicycline. You should be able to convince another doctor who is treating Lyme in NY when you visit.
Charecteristic rash is more important as it is present in 90% of patients. I also suggest to get the test that are Antibodies against Lyme. Let your current doctor order it and check the results before putting on Doxy.
Hope this addresses your concern.
Charecteristic rash
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I understand your problem and perceive the worry.
What are the list of symptoms that you have that relate to Lyme's disease?
Were you hiking in the recent past? Is there a incident of tick bite?
To answer your question directly, if there is a suspicion of Lyme's and if you are visiting lyme prevalent areas frequently there should not be any harm in a regimen of Doxicycline. You should be able to convince another doctor who is treating Lyme in NY when you visit.
Charecteristic rash is more important as it is present in 90% of patients. I also suggest to get the test that are Antibodies against Lyme. Let your current doctor order it and check the results before putting on Doxy.
Hope this addresses your concern.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. Parinam,
I have visited the prime tick territory (Connecticut and New York - north of NYC) many times. Shower every night. Most of my family have had Lyme Disease. They also have friends in those areas in CT who had bells palsy, and doctors immediately put them on antibiotic regimen.
I not only have the facial drooping (albeit mild) but my one shoulder seems weak. I've been tired in the afternoons in last couple of weeks (have always been tired in the mornings so that doesn't count:) I have gotten minor twitches under the skin on parts of my face. not regularly, but I have noticed it in last 2 days. I have arthritis in my knuckles but not much pain with it.
Unfortunately, all I've learned about the antibody tests, none of them inconclusively detects LD, and honestly, I don't want to wait for test results. I don't like medications, but I'm willing to risk the doxicyline in hopes of catching the lyme disease early.
Can you recommend how I actually talk to a dr here, in XXXXXXX NY where LD is not being addressed as much as other areas to convince them to prescribe the antibiotic? My dr didn't want to go any further in the discussion because I did not have a bullseye/rash. Should I start talking about how much I know through research and family experiences, or is that making the doctor defensive?
I have visited the prime tick territory (Connecticut and New York - north of NYC) many times. Shower every night. Most of my family have had Lyme Disease. They also have friends in those areas in CT who had bells palsy, and doctors immediately put them on antibiotic regimen.
I not only have the facial drooping (albeit mild) but my one shoulder seems weak. I've been tired in the afternoons in last couple of weeks (have always been tired in the mornings so that doesn't count:) I have gotten minor twitches under the skin on parts of my face. not regularly, but I have noticed it in last 2 days. I have arthritis in my knuckles but not much pain with it.
Unfortunately, all I've learned about the antibody tests, none of them inconclusively detects LD, and honestly, I don't want to wait for test results. I don't like medications, but I'm willing to risk the doxicyline in hopes of catching the lyme disease early.
Can you recommend how I actually talk to a dr here, in XXXXXXX NY where LD is not being addressed as much as other areas to convince them to prescribe the antibiotic? My dr didn't want to go any further in the discussion because I did not have a bullseye/rash. Should I start talking about how much I know through research and family experiences, or is that making the doctor defensive?
Brief Answer:
Repeat discussions about your worry may help
Detailed Answer:
Hi
You should be able to talk to your doctor repeatedly over your growing concerns. If you insist on testing for Lyme and treating for Lyme he should not be able to reject or talk defensively.
Just repeat your visit and talk only about what you had written here. You can also say that a course of doxycycline is a risk and you are willing to take that risk with a consent if required.
This should be an appropriate statement.
Repeat discussions about your worry may help
Detailed Answer:
Hi
You should be able to talk to your doctor repeatedly over your growing concerns. If you insist on testing for Lyme and treating for Lyme he should not be able to reject or talk defensively.
Just repeat your visit and talk only about what you had written here. You can also say that a course of doxycycline is a risk and you are willing to take that risk with a consent if required.
This should be an appropriate statement.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
