Deadly Dosing and Antibiotic Resistance in Lyme

The tick born disease you have may already be Doxycycline resistant. It may have been that way the day you contracted it. You – one individual - taking 8 months of Doxycycline will not create new resistant microbes. Nor will 20,000 people a year.
The villain that produces antibiotic resistance in humans is not taking an antibiotic prescription according to the instructions; for example, not taking all of a prescription is the biggest culprit. Under dosing is the biggest problem - not over consumption. Patients begin to feel better and stop taking the drug only to end up at the doctor’s office a week later with the same illness but in a new drug resistant form. 3 weeks of doxycycline for Lyme is under dosing and could lead to antibiotic resistance in people trying to treat Lyme. You can stop this practice by insisting that you doctor follow the ILADS guidelines of 6 weeks. If your doctor refuses get another doctor. Once you receive the correct medication – take it as directed. Until the bottle is empty.

We have enjoyed a 70 year "good health" window in the US that is unusual from historical perspective. Prior to the 1940 people around the world where relentless about improving the cleanliness of their environment and avoiding contaminants. We have become “lazy” in our vigilance against disease by relying to heavily on antibiotics. Instead of practicing ‘clean agricultural’ we just dose our livestock with antibiotics. You can be exposed to drug-resistant germs in the same way you get other infections, through: contaminated food, water or soil, unsafe sexual practices, contact with infected people or animals; and during treatment in a clinic or hospital. It’s time that we as a society become more vigilant. Literally, in our own back yard, there are many things that each of us can do to prevent tick population from exploding. Sure you are only one person but if we all start doing something than we can make a difference. The doctors and the lawyers will not stop this disease. The answers will come from the sick (like me) and the few good Samaritans that help us.

I understand the IDSA concern about antibiotic resistance and it is very real. But let’s be clear about how antibiotic resistance happens. Doxycycline is used in farming to reduce infection. Many Doxycycline resistant microbes have developed in farms across the country. Drug-resistant Salmonella is one example of a bacteria that is already a serious problem. You can discourage this practice by eating foods grown without antibiotics.

As Lyme patients we need to respect that there is an end to the antibiotic road. People with Lyme end up in the hospital at some point and we may be exposed to MRSA. In that event we will need an immune system that can respond to antibiotics. If you are on IV antibiotic you are ready near the end of that antibiotic road. You need to take special care. Baby your arm do not irritate the IV and create a space for infection. If you develop and infection in your IV than it is most likely resistant to the antibiotic delivered via IV. Take responsibility. If you know that you are a person that only follows the doctor’s order when it suits you – don’t do IV therapy.

Side note – do not confuse antibiotic resistance with antibiotic overdose. Overdose usually causes, nausea, vomiting. poor muscle control and seizures. Seek help immediately if you are on high does of antibiotics and develop these symptoms.