Oracea Long Term - Page 5

solutionquest · 6th February 2010, 07:21 AM

I have recently started taking antibiotics again. Specifically, 5o mg of Doxy once a day. It helps with my skin.

I took antibiotics for a long time. From 16-23 I would have to say I was taking different types. One was a sulfur tab of some sorts... I believe it was called ERY Tab with sulfur.... that was the one I started... young and dumb I would go out into the sun all the time... damn!!!

But, anyway, taking Doxy now again and it kicks in quick for me. (I think)

patty · 6th February 2010, 02:02 PM

Hi solutionquest,
I took Oracea for over a year, and now take 50mg doxy. I do just as well with that and have stayed pretty clear now for some time.

Between the Oracea and now currently generic doxy, I've been taking doxycycline for several years... I've lost track! I have no plans in stopping and have been told it's completely safe by my derm and GP to take for as long as I need to.

I don't visit the forum as much anymore, Melissa is right when she said people are busy! This is a recent thread, so I'm sure there are others out there like me that are just busy living their lives and can enjoy not being so focused on their face!

Stefieny · 7th February 2010, 05:58 AM

Hi John,

I did not take Oracea long term, but would like to share my experience anyway...

I started taking Oracea last August and experienced heavy pressure all over my head after about 10 days, I stopped the medication for a week and the pressure disappeared. I went back on the med and at first, the pressure came back, but after a few days, it was completely gone. I continued taking Oracea for the next 4 months. During those 4 months, I noticed an improvment in ocular rosacea, reduction in nose swelling (phymatous rosacea) and 95% clear of p & p (I have a mild case of p&p). However, I have lost some weight (about 8-10 lbs) since I started taking the med and have not gain back the weight no matter how much I ate. Last month, my ribs and chest started hurting when I went to bed at night and upon waking up in the morning. I suspected these were side effects from taking Oracea. I stopped the medication since and the pain seems to be disappearing as well. As you see, everyone's body and health is different and may react to the drug differently. If you have any liver problems, I do recommend you to do a blood test every three months and make sure the drug is not effecting your liver function in any way.

Good luck!

Melissa W · 7th February 2010, 12:31 PM

Hi Patty,
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience with doxy. Much appreciated. I am so glad you are doing wonderfully on the doxy and best wishes for continued success!!

Hi Stefieny,
Thanks for sharing your experience with Oracea as well. Another example of how one size does not fit all unfortunately. I am sorry it didn't work out for you. Did the dermatologist say how common this side effect is? What did he put you on after this- anything? I hope you are doing well and please let us know how you are.

Best wishes,
Melissa

Brady Barrows · 9th February 2010, 02:01 AM

John W.

I found another long term users of 50 mg of doxycycline for over 6 years or so:

"I did take 50mg a day of doxycycline for around 6 years or so. My doctor was happy for me to continue to take it because I was still seeing a benefit and it was a low dose.

I had my sights set on coming off it, so tried to find a skin care regime that would help me wean of it altogether.

Low doses are safe(r) than the higher doses that we are used to seeing for acne treatments. It is good that doctors are required to prescribe antibiotics as their ongoing care will help rosacea sufferers get the most of using them as well as keep an eye out for any problems.

davidp." Scroll down to post #127

Brady Barrows · 9th February 2010, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefieny

Hi John,

I did not take Oracea long term, but would like to share my experience anyway...

I started taking Oracea last August and experienced heavy pressure all over my head after about 10 days, I stopped the medication for a week and the pressure disappeared. I went back on the med and at first, the pressure came back, but after a few days, it was completely gone. I continued taking Oracea for the next 4 months. During those 4 months, I noticed an improvment in ocular rosacea, reduction in nose swelling (phymatous rosacea) and 95% clear of p & p (I have a mild case of p&p). However, I have lost some weight (about 8-10 lbs) since I started taking the med and have not gain back the weight no matter how much I ate. Last month, my ribs and chest started hurting when I went to bed at night and upon waking up in the morning. I suspected these were side effects from taking Oracea. I stopped the medication since and the pain seems to be disappearing as well. As you see, everyone's body and health is different and may react to the drug differently. If you have any liver problems, I do recommend you to do a blood test every three months and make sure the drug is not effecting your liver function in any way.

Good luck!

Thanks Stefieny for your report.

Brady Barrows · 9th February 2010, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patty

I don't visit the forum as much anymore, Melissa is right when she said people are busy! This is a recent thread, so I'm sure there are others out there like me that are just busy living their lives and can enjoy not being so focused on their face!

thanks Patty for your report. I figured that when a rosacean has got their rosacea under control they rarely if ever visit the forum. When there are problems they show up. Melissa sure hit the nail on the head that everyone is busy. But when we need advice for our rosacea problem we start reading posts in this forum and others and try to figure out what to do. Thanks for letting us know about your long term Oracea and now your using low dose doxycycline report. This thread is becoming a wealth of information for those who choose to try this method to control their rosacea.

patty · 10th February 2010, 11:02 PM

If it wasn't for this forum, I wouldn't have known about Oracea or to try low dose doxy. My doctors certainly weren't telling me anything encouraging. And their treatment methods seemed a little behind the times according to what I was learning here.
So I'll continue to pop in from time to time, just in case someone hits on the holy grail of rosacea treatments and finds the cause and a cure. It could happen...!

Brady Barrows · 11th February 2010, 03:57 AM

According to a University of California Davis School of Medicine, report, “Recently, subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline was demonstrated to be an effective treatment for rosacea, due to its inherent anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline has a more preferable tolerability profile and a lower occurrence of bacterial resistance than traditional-dose doxycycline. To further elucidate the role of tetracycline agents in rosacea, clinical trials that compare these agents with each other as well as with other effective rosacea treatments are called for.”

That will be interesting to compare these different tetracyclines with each other and see the results as suggested in this study.

solutionquest · 11th February 2010, 04:34 AM

I have learned so much from this site as well. I love signing in here.

Melissa: The next thing I have to get down in my routine is a good sunscreen. I have recently stopped using it and have been doing fine but also I don't let the sun hit my face for more than about 30 seconds a day. Anything above that would cause a little something something.

I did a search on here a while back and emailed myself the sunscreen I want to buy next. I emailed it so I would have it "on file" I think it was called Elta

Once I get this part down I will be good to go. The Aveeno sunscreen I use is good I just have started to wonder if there is something better. The last time I put it on I had gone about a month without it and now I had clarity in seeing that it was a bit damaging in some ways especially considering that I felt the protection it gave was minimal. Does anyone on here put on sunscreen and then have full confidence to be in the sun "straight up"

Just wondering.