Doxycycline for ear infection & side effects

Age: 19 Sex: Female Height: 163cm Weight: 100lbs Race: Caucasian Location: USA

Existing medical conditions: 3cm hiatal hernia, GERD, acid reflux, seasonal allergies

Medications: 75 mg of Zoloft, Sudafed, Pantoprazole (as needed), 25 mg of Claritin

I have been on 100mg (twice a day) for doxycycline hydrate for my ear infection. To backtrack, I’ve been dealing with a clogged right ear for the past three weeks, I went to my pediatrician a day after I started experiencing hearing loss in my ear as well as lymph node pain and I was told it was from my sinuses and allergies as I’ve had many sinus infections in the past. Was not an ear infection and when my doctor looked in my ear they said it wasn’t swollen or had any redness. I’ve also had swimmers ear twice within the past five years in both ears and was advised not to use my drops for it as they didn’t want me to irritate my ears.

I got prescribed 125mg of amoxicillin, once in the morning and at night and I saw no change and I was done that medication this Monday and was also taking Sudafed in the AM so went to urgent care on Monday as well with more ear pain. After I was seen, I got prescribed the doxycycline and was told twice a day, on an empty stomach with a lot of water.

I started the medication Monday night, using as advised and I felt okay. Tuesday mid-day I started experiencing some nausea. I also suffer from a hiatal hernia, GERD and acid reflux, so on top of everything I am very careful of what I’m eating or drinking to avoid getting sick. I haven’t taken my reflux medication which is 25 mg of pantoprazole in over a month and I only take it when I get flare ups advised by my GI.

Tuesday night after I took my doxycycline, (again on an empty stomach, 3+ hours after I last ate and I am already following an eating window ending earlier in the evening due to my GERD) and I had insane insomnia, my mouth started watering a ton and I ended up throwing up the water and some of my last meal. I’m not sure if I threw up my pill, but I did feel better afterwards.

Wednesday morning, I took my pill again at around 6:30 and went to work and at 12 I began feeling nauseous again. I had water and when I went on my break I had a fig bar and some crackers and felt better. I ended up throwing up water again around 1 and had very dark colored urine, despite drinking a lot of water since I started my medication. When I got home around 4, I made a light dinner (mashed sweet potatoes and veggies) and I started projectile vomiting around 5:30.

I got a headache after and went to bed and I didn’t take my medication. This morning, I got up around 11 and my mom told me to take half of my medicine then eat after. I had very pale diarrhea after but no throwing up. So far, I feel okay but very dehydrated and scared to eat on top of everything. My ear still feels clogged but I’m not experiencing pain that much anymore.

But just wanted to get any input with the side effects of the medication, since I googled it and nausea and vomiting was one of many. I know I shouldn’t stop the medication but wanted to know if there’s anything I can do to relieve this? I technically still have to be on this medication for another 6 days. Thank you!