Bactrim - Septra - Trimeth-Sulfa: mail to this website on side-effects (7)

SEPTRA/BACTRIM: 13 January 2004

I am frightened. No one believes me! This medication has made me very sick. It starts with a severe headache. Then uncontrollable shakes from 103 fever. Then the vomiting. After that the pains in my legs and feet. I can't sleep, can't eat, and now I am severely dehydrated. I am also dizzy all day. My doctor says I have the flu. I know it's the Septra/Bactrim because I rarely get sick and it started about 40 minutes after taking the drug. This is not the first time that I've had this reaction, but at first I believed the doctor and after getting well tried again. The same thing happened. Can you believe they said it was just a reacurrance of the flu? So now this is the tird time, of which I din't even bother to go to the doctor. I am not goingto take any more! Three times out of three times is no coincidence!! Now I am worried about the long term effects. My feet and legs hurt real bad! Is there anything I can do or take to relieve the pain?

D.M.J, Central Islip, NY

BACTRIM: 14 January 2004

Dear Brian

I browsed through your impressive homepage on Bactrim etc.

Very relevant to me since my baby boy died in 2001 (less than 3 months old) after being treated with Bactrim, which was supposed to cure an alleged PCP (pneumocystis carinii) infection.

Our baby died after less than a week on Bactrim - according to the doctors he was HIV positive and died from PCP.

However, we later discovered that our baby lacked an important enzyme called glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (according to test result), which means that he could not tolerate treatment with Bactrim or any other sulphonamide. One doctor (independent of the treatment of our baby) stated that "treating a baby suffering from lack of glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase with Bactrim could be fatal." Another doctor (also independent) stated that "the baby should never have been treated with Bactrim" - "at least 2 good alternatives exist."

The question now is: Did hereally die from PCP? Or could the side effects from Bactrim be compared to those of PCP?

Who could help me to investigate?

Yours

Jens K, Denmark

SEPTRIN: 14 January 2004

dear brian,

I can't believe how lucky I was to get unto your site. I just got my deadly experience with APOSULPHATRIM, I heard a slight cold with itchy throat and went to my doctor here in Grenada, he did all the vital examination and said I had an upper respiratory track infection so he prescribed septrin and Benadrily allergy to help with the itchy throat and cold.

I was to be on the septrin for 7 days twice a day

can you believe it I started taking my medication and the first day I got worse my heart started palpating fast, dryness of the mouth I will just sleep for endless hours without consciousness of my surrounding so I said to my sister look I will go off the benadrlly thinking it was the cause of my knock out. but I continued with the septrin thinking to my self antibiotic regimen must be adhere to for it to work.

I had to stay away from work because I was too weak to go my head gets light , feel faint , all my joint aching, the pressure point on my head throbbing as if attacked and beaten to a pulp, I could not even lift my 3 year old son.the night of the 3rd day I had to scribble out a kind of note for my sister in case of any eventuality during the night and told her to call in the morning to be sure I respond before she leaves her house for work.

it was such a traumatic experience for me and I have been searching the net all day to find out about this drug, before I finally ran into your website and after reading all the gory details given by other patients I think my experience is worth sharing .right now my memory is lapsing I am still very weak, my chest hurts, my body sore all over and I don't know long I still have to be home before going back to work.

I think an allergy test should be taken if at all this drug is to be prescribed and patients warned of impending danger of taking the medication, rather than just giving it without a run down of what to expect.

regards

Stella, Grenada

BACTRIM: 17 January 2004

Dear Mr. Brian Deer

Last week I Took my son to the Dr for pain in his left side pain urinating..the pain is not there all the time, The Dr, prescribed an antibiotic on Fri.(yesterday) he called it in to the Phamacy. I picked it up today..It was 160 milligrams sulfatrim a generic name for Bactrim. to take 2 times a day. He has never been prescribed this antibiotic...so I started researching on the internet and found your site. I always check out any meds perscribed to me or my son who is now 11. Thank you for this informative site. If this may help others let everyone know to PLEASE RESEARCH ANY DRUG BEFORE TAKING IT. I of course will not give this to my son and let the DR. know he needs to do other tests and maybe an0other antibiotic...thank you again...

Barbara, Naples FL

SEPTRIN: 18 January 2004

I was prescribed Septrin twice by my GP probably some 20 years ago for bronchitis which was exacerbating the chronic asthma.

The first time I used it was very successful and the bronchitis cleared very quickly. The next time I developed large itchy sores on various parts of my body; mainly soft skin areas. Most alarmingly on my genitals!. Rapid return visit to GP!

The explanation was that I had "developed a sensitivity to Septrin". This was marked on my notes. A change to another antibiotic and the bronchitis cleared up so did the sores.

Having just seen your articles on the internet I guess that I got off lightly. But like some of the comments I have just read, I do seem to have a great facility to catch anything going. I have always put it down to the many years of anti-biotics combatting bronchitis and other chest infections having weakened my immune system. Maybe this was the lasting effect of the Septrin.

What is worrying is that the medical profession can continue to use drugs and other preparations when there is a doubt about the side effects. My wife suffers from disabilities caused thus.

The more that is done to expose these medical foul-ups the better.

Regards

Philip F, UK

BACTRIM: 18 January 2004

After using for 7 days my son started experiencing dizziness and hallucinations with the ability to not concentrate and think.

He discontinued use that mourning and did not take any the rest of the day, but the damage was done. In the middle of some routine work on an automoble that day he suffered a seizure that hospitalized him for 2 days. Noother results could be found using mri and cat scans. the only conclusion was the allergic effect of bactrim. I will forward any other information as it comes to me.

He is now going to have further investigation and test at th Ohio State University.

Tim A, Columbus, Ohio

BACTRIM: 20 January 2004

MY EXPERIENCE STARTED IN OCT 2003 MY DOCTOR PRESCRIBE BACTRIM TO ME AND I WAS PREGNANT WITHIN TWO DAYS LATER I STARTED ITHCHING BURNING HIVES WERE ALL OVER MY BODY MY TONGUE,LIPS EYES WERE SWOLLEN AND NUMB I HAD TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM I WAS GIVEN AN BENADRYL SHOT. DAYS LATER I HAD TO RETURN TO THE DOCTOR WHO PRECRIBE THE BACTRIM THEN HE PRECRIBE ME AN STERIOD COUPLE DAYS LATER I HAD TO RETURN BACK TO THE DOCTOR I HAD SODUIM RETENTION AND WATER AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE THE DOCTOR REFERRED ME TO AN OB-GYN MY BLOOD PRESSURE REMAINED TO STAY UP I HAD RAPID WEIGHT GAIN IN THE MATTER OF DAYS. AT FOUR MONTHS PREGNANT I TOOK THE DOWN -SYNDOME TEST IT CAME BACK POSITIVE SO I WAS SEND FOR UTRA SOUNDS.I WAS IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL FOR MY BLOOD PRESSURE DURING MY PREGNANCC ON JANUARY 6 I WAS RUSH IN THE AMBULANCE I HAD SHORTNESS OF BREATH MY BLOOD PRESSURE WAS 265 0VER 140 IHAD TO DELIVER MY BABY MY BABY DIED ON JANUARY 15 2004 HER PLATELETS WERE TO LOW SHE KEPT LOSING BLOOD I HATE I EVER TOOK BACTRIM AND TOSE STERIOD WHY WHERE THEY GIVEN TO ME WHEN I WAS PREGNANT AND SEARCHING YOUR WB SITE LOOK WHAT THIS DONE TO GROW UPS AND ME OH GOD WHAT ABOUT MY BABY! I HAVE OTHER KID WITH NO PROBLEMS WITH PREGNANCY NO HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.STOP PRESCRIBING THIS DRUG BABIES ARE SUFFERING MY BABY DIED PLEASE RESPOND BACK TO ME HOW CAN I GET LEGAL ADVICE AND WERE .

Ayesha, Charlotte, NC

SEPTRA: 25 January 2004

Hi,

I just wanted to share my almost immediate response to ONE Septra. I was prescribed it yesterday for a sinus infection, and though I'd mentioned that I'd had a skin reaction to Amoxicillin as a child, the doctor and pharmacist didn't mention anything to me that alarmed me. I took the one pill at night and then woke up about five hours later and my cheeks were all red and warm. This is a similar reaction to the one I get when I drink sake or beer (I've suspected it, but now I'm pretty sure I have a sulfite allergy). I called my father, who is a pharmacist, and he told me to stop taking it, and to take some benadryl to stave off the allergic reaction. Today I'm lightheaded and feel generally out of it. I called the advice line through my healthcare provider and am waiting for a doctor to call me back.

Reading over this site, I can't believe doctors prescribe something like this without more questions, restrictions, information.

Thanks,

Amy

SMZ/TMP: 27 January 2004

I have just found your site and its not a day too soon. I have been prescribed smz\tmp other wise known as bactrim for a throat infection that zithromax could not cure. Bactrim has cured my sore throat but brought along with it lots of side effects. I have a kidney transplant and I have been very fatigued as well as had a tingly sensation thru out my body. The fatigue has gotten worse every day I have taken it. Thank GOD i have found this site I will stop taking this medication as of today. I now know the reason for all my fatigue and the tingly feeling I have through out my body.

BACTRIM DS: 1 February 2004

I just took Bactrim DS for the first time in my life (I am a Diabetic, Asthmatic (chronic mod. severe w/ acute flareups) and I have moderately severe allergies (skin tested @ 1/5th the normal testing doses and still blew up off the chart) and allergic to sulfites and hemp rope besides every item I was tested for.

I went to the ER with a rapidly progressing UTI, (the first in my life) and the ER doc prescribed me Bactrim DS.

I had been having moderately severe cramping, nausea, and some fatigue, however I thought it was related to the UTI as these were present at onset. Only the flank pain, the pain on urination and the urinating of blood deceasedand abated. On the 8th day, I presented with a rapid onset of severe rash which spread from my elbows to the rest of my body except my face and neck within 12 hours.

When I was in the ER the rash and elevated Blood pressure and high pulse were the only symptoms noted and I was released with a regimen of benydryl, pepcid, and prednisone. I am very worried that this is not the right course of action as the rash is still continuing. This is NOT a normal rash - it looks like a rash. however it feels like millions of tiny blisters as they burn and itch.

I am trying to go see my regular DR tomorrow whom I hope has the proper resources to assist me as I am very concerned that this could develop into a more serious issue as the rash has yet to abate and indeed has continued to progress. I also have joint pain and occasional chills.

If you have any additional links that may be of assistance to my doctor I would appreciate the forwarding of such to this email Address.

Thank you so much for the help you have already provided.

Kathie F, Oklahoma City, OK

BACTRIM: 2 February 2004

Brian:

Thanks so much for your website. I had two different urologists prescribe Bactrim to me for a total of 24 days in September of 2003. I had a prostate infection. Towards the end of the 24 days I started to notice almost arthritis-like pains in my joints and bad muscle pains in my legs. Insomnia was a problem all of a sudden. Pain in my left arm had me in the emergency room twice. Electrocardiograms were normal both times. A severe depression came upon me. By the time I ended up in a psychiatric hospital I hadn't slept in 54 hours. Stomach problems started before I even got into the hospital. Constant diarrhea and stomach pain. I got out of the psychiatric hospital after one week and immeditely went to sent a gastro doctor. He said that my stomach problems were caused by the Bactrim and that I probably had swelling of my intestines because the Bactrim destroys all of the "good" bacteria in your gut and causes the swelling. I'm feeling better physically the more distance I get from the time I took Bactrim. My stomach still isn't the way it was before I took Bactrim but I'm hoping that in time it will be back to normal. Oh yeah, before I took Bactrim I was running about 20-25 miles a week and fortunately had never had any serious medical problems. Thanks for making people aware of the dangers of this drug. I'll never take it again.

Tim W, Atlanta, GA

SULFATRIM: 8 February 2004

Hi,

I am just writing to let you know that I have a pet guinea pig suffering from the symptoms described in the side effects described. I am fascinated. Although it is not a human, it is still a young helpless creature that I care about. The vet is totally baffled by the ulcers-nose, eye areas, feet, anal area and her ears. She is off the med and we are treating the wounds with warm wet compresses and an antibiotic ointment.

It kills me how I received Bactrim oodles of times for sinus infections and some UTIs. I stopped using it because I thought that my bacteria were resistant to it. I try to ride out the sinus infections or use something else. Although this isn't related to your info exactly, I thought I would share it.

Mary Ellen C, Wallingford, CT

BACTRIM: 11 February 2004

This drug is very very dangerous and should be taking off the market!!! I took the drug for a urinary tract infection in July 2003 and very very ill with flu like symptoms that had me in the bed for a week. I don't remember all the details at this point, taking that medication could have cause to me have memory black outs and forgetfulness. HOWEVER.....

My husband is a healthy 55 year old man that take no medication. He was prescribed this medical on Feb 3, 2004. He too was felt like he was developing a urinary tract infection and his dr decided to give him "The Deadly Bactrim Pill" to head it off since he had a urinary tact infection a year ago and was prescripted Cripro (which is a strong drug that again had him in bed for sometime.) Well, right away my husband began to get very sick he vomited two or three times. He had chest pains and stomach pains and shortness of breath. This was on a Tuesday evening at work.....he called me on the phone vomiting and I had to go get him from work. He decided to drive home some two hours later when he got himself together. He was sick Wed, Thur and by Friday morning I found him on the floor thrashing around trying to catch his breath and complaining of chest and stomach pains. He asked for something to drink and I have it to him and then helped him onto the bed. He colasped on the bed and begin to have something that look like a stroke. His eyes were topping out of his head and the white of his eyes turned blood red. His tongue was rolling around his mouth and he had his hands in a fetal position and took one last big breath and urine and defecated on his self. I called the paramedic who revived him and to this day he is still in the hospital. He is recovering slowly but he does remember what happen from Friday until today. Each day he is getting better as he had hundreds of people praying for him. The doctor cannot find anything wrong with him and don't know why is had what he had. But after reading these articles and as well as a friend finding an article in a supermarket magazine about a women "Kathy" who had the same symptoms.....it is no doubt that "The Deadly Bactrim Pill" is the culprit. We are prayerful that he recovers his memory. We own a printing business and he is community leader that would be sorely missed if he doesn't fully recover. His memory was his strong point. AND THE DOCTOR ARE STILL SAYING "THE DEADLY BACTRIM PILL" IS NOT THE CAUSE.

Dee B, Boston, MA

BACTRIM: 11 February 2004

Hi Brian,

My 33 year-old sister was diagnosed with a UTI on January 26, 2004. She was prescribed Bactrim. Two days after starting this antibiotic she developed flu-like symptoms (fever, vomiting, aches, and pains). She went to the emergency room three times in the past 2 weeks because these symptoms did not go away. She was admitted to the hospital on Feb 6 and has been there since. Doctors are all baffled as to why she is still sick and why they cannot figure out what s causing it. She is now presenting with low platelet count and fluid around the lungs (small amount). She has severe coughing attacks and is using a nebulizer to help her breathing since she has shortness of breath. Do you think this whole presentation of illness can be caused by taking Bactrim? Any suggestions or advice would be welcome as my sister is suffering.

Thank you,

Charmaine C.

Brian

A team of doctors have just told my sister that they think her problems are due to Bactrim. She was given a medication that brought her platelet count back up overnight, which led them to look at the possible antibiotic connection. Now they will do tests to determine if there are any long-term ramifications of this treatment. I will keep you updated.

Charmaine