What are the side effects of Doxycycline?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been sick with side effects from Doxycycline for two weeks. I had a UTI which has cleared. I have been to the doctor twice, they checked my urine, and there is no infection. I feel tired, have chills, I feel cold, have a back and joint pain. I do not have a fever. I have read that, sometimes it can last up to three weeks. Is it possible to last this long? My blood tests are also normal.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand that you had a urine test, but there are different types of urine test like a dipstick, which is done at the office, a complete analysis, which is done in the laboratory and a urine culture. I am more interested in the last two.
- With all due respect to your doctor and you, Doxycycline may not be the best antibiotics to treat a urinary tract infection (UTI), unless a very specific bug is suspected like MRSA (Methicillin-resistant streptococcus aureus).
  - I will do my best to help you out here, I just need to gather some more information.
    1. Do you still have the urinary symptoms like going to the bathroom multiple times during a typical day and unable to hold the urine?
    2. Do you have night time symptoms like nausea or vomiting?
    3. Do you have a fever? I understand you have cold chills.
    4. What blood test was done? Was it a CBC (complete blood count)? Would you be able to share a copy?
    Revert with more information to an internal medicine physician online.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

There could be two possibilities.
1. Interstitial nephritis, which means that there is no real infection but something is irritating your bladder, which could be food, medications, inflammation, and less likely a bladder polyp.
2. Unresolved urinary tract infection.
  - I would suggest that you request your primary care physician to obtain a urinary culture for you and refer you to a urologist because you are still having these symptoms. I would also like your primary care doctor to check your CBC, kidney and liver function tests, vitamin D, vitamin B12 levels, diabetes and thyroid workup for you.
    - If you have not had a colonoscopy, mammogram, and pap smear, then that should also be done. It is crucial that you should have age appropriate cancer screening to make sure that your tiredness and fatigue is not because of a hidden cause.
    If you can get a copy of these blood works and share it with me, I will be able to guide you.
    
    For further queries consult an internal medicine physician online.