Bactrim Septra Sulfatrim Septrin SMZ-TMP DS side effects
Page 11 of mail to investigative reporter Brian Deer recounting sometimes serious side effects of the antibiotic often known as Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim or TMP/SMZ
SMZ-TMP: 10 September
Mr Deer
I did see my symptom listed, and I think that people should be made aware, especially since it developed very fast. I am a 37 year old female who was prescribed SMZ-TMP DS twice a day for a urinary track infection. I felt better within 12hours. However, by 24 hours I had developed severe vaginal irritation. I felt like I was raw. I was in great discomfort and felt like I was in labor all night. I was constantly on the potty and was pushing hard as if giving birth. I was very uncomfortable, and I felt like I was trying to push out something from my womb. When I woke, the first thing I did was check the Internet for side effects of the drug and I am so very grateful for your site. I have called my Physician.
SULFAMETH: 16 September
I was prescribed sulfameth to cure a UTI, and about 4 or 5 days in I noticed some symptoms. I am constantly nauseated, I never actually feel hungry. The only reason I ever eat is to have some salvation from my constant over-salivating. I seem to constantly need to spit or swallow my saliva every 10s or so. I know it sounds repulsive, but imagine having to do it. I get headaches often, but I just keep taking pain killers to get rid of it. I also feel dizzy and basically just out of it. I have had trouble sleeping, I don t fall asleep until I am utterly exhausted at early hours of the morning. I didn t think right away of my symptoms being a side-effect to the anti-biotic because I am receiving a surgery for my burns in my neck and assumed that these feelings could be caused by this medical procedure as well as my homesickness. I am depressed as it is from being away from home for nearly a month, it feels horrible when you can t talk to people you love without worrying about time zones or phone bills. I don t know if this drug causes neurosis, but my symptoms just make me feel like I am going crazy and causing them myself. I feel like I will never be normal again. Please some one tell me that if I stop taking the drug these symptoms will go away. I feel like I am never going to be my fun loving 17 year old self again. Many people have written that they have stopped taking the drug and don t feel any better. If this feeling has been caused by the drug it should be removed from all shelves immediately and I condone any action taken against the people who allowed this drug to be on the market in the first place. Thank you for giving me hope that I am not mad or turning into a hypochondriac.
Ian C.
BACTRIM: 21 September
Hello Brian,
So glad i came across your site! I took 2 Bactrim pills yesterday (for a UTI) and have been feeling horrible. Stomach problems, nausea, insomnia and the WORST panic attack I have ever had. Thanks,
Please keep up te good work!
Marilyn.
SMZ/TMP: 27 September
Hello Brian,
As you can see it’s the wee hours of the morning. I woke up achy, thirsty and with a severe headache. The taste in my mouth is foul and my mouth feels like cotton. So… I’m in my robe, Rx bottle in hand, checking things out. Wow. Quite a read! Though this drug may have given relief to many people and animals, it doesn’t make me feel good. I’m itchy all over, and that alone is enough of a signal that my body isn’t tolerating the medication. I took a pill Saturday night, and 2 on Sunday… 3 pills is all — and I’m tossing the rest. Now I know why my Pharmacist asked me if I was familiar with this drug. I told him I was because in my ignorance figured it was just another antibiotic and I hadn’t been allergic to any in the past. He said drink lots of water.
And also note… My test wasn’t conclusive for infection. But the Doctor said, “If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, then it’s a duck. I’ll give you something cheap and effective.
Jenny E.
BACTRIM: 29 September
My doctor prescribed Bactrim for a ear infection. On the second night of taking the medication, I couldn’t sleep at all. I tossed and turned all night and my body felt uneasy. On the third day I was tired and my entire body was shaking. As the day wore on I became more and more fatigued and a after simple walk with my dogs I had to rest. I became more weak and nauseous. Still not connecting the medication to what I was feeling, I took the second dose. A hour later my heart was racing and pounding. Needless to say, I did not sleep at all. I have a heart arrhythmia and became frightened. That’s That’s when I looked up this med. and saw that others have experienced the same distress. I called my doctor in the morning and was put on a different medication.
I know, that had I continued to take this medication I would have been in serious trouble.
Carol M.
SEPTRA: 30 September
Dear Brian:
I just found your web site, and it is very enlightening. Here is my story.
I am (was?) a healthy, active 60 year old male, and I have never been allergic to anything – not even poison ivy! I was prescribed SEPTRA DS 800-160 in late April by my urologist, who thought I might have an inflamed prostate, and this might take care of it. I was to take two tablets a day for 30 days. On the 29th day I had a major reaction, fever, chills, sweats, swelling of hands, feet & face, and an itchy rash everywhere. Of course this was Friday night of Memorial Day weekend so neither my urologist nor family doctor were available, so I stopped taking the SEPTRA and suffered through the night. Everything but the swelling and rash went away by Saturday, but the rash (itchy bumps) spread all over my body, and nothing I had would provide any relief. I then went to the emergency room where they gave me some Benedryl through an IV, prescribed a weak dose of Prednisone (6 days, 2mg), and told me to take more Benedryl.
I got absolutely no relief and by Monday (Memorial Day) morning, after zero sleep for three nights, I was ready to go back to the ER. First I called my family doctor’s office and she was open!! When my doctor saw me, she could not believe what she saw. She put me on high dose Prednisone (10 days with 10mg pills), Atarax, Batamethasone Dipropionate cream, Ambien 10mg to help me sleep, and Valium. (The valium wouldn’t help the itching, but I wouldn’t care as much!)
By the end of the 10 days of Prednisone I had pretty much recovered, but then the itchy bumps started to come back. The Atarax & DB cream helped, but by the beginning of July I was a mess again. So, back on another round of Prednisone for 10 days. Same results, and the itchy bumps slowly started to come back. My doctor did not want to use more Prednisone if possible, so she wanted to try ZYRTEC and AXID to try put all those histamines at bay until my system got back to normal, “which might take 3 months”. It did seem to slow the itchy bump advance, but by the beginning of September I was a mess again, and back on another round of Prednisone.
It is now September 26, 2004, and I have been off the Prednisone for 10 days and the itching is slowing coming back. I would appreciate comments from anyone who has suffered any similar experience, what provided relief, and how long I can expect this to continue.
Jeff C, Tennessee.
GENERIC BACTRIM: 2 October
Hi Brian,
I took 3 doses of a generic Bactrim for a urinary tract infection. perscribed by a resident at Virginia Commonwealth University’s medical school’s Nelson Clinic in Richmond, VA. I had told the doctor that plain old penicillan is the only anti-biotic I have ever taken to which I don’t have a reaction, but he said that for UTIs, Bactrim was the first choice, and that I’d only have to take it for three days.
Within a few hours of taking it, while at a local political meeting in Richmond, I began developing a sore throat, really bad headache, and general feelings of discomfort. Walking to my car, and driving home to watch the Presidential debates, my breathing was labored. At home, I felt exhausted, but kept awake by the debating, after which I took the second dose. I began alternately buring up, and getting very chilled. I had a monster of a headache. It wasn’t the debates – I was pleased with how that went. I took one more dose the next day at noon.
The rest of that day is a blur – I mostly tried to sleep through the worst headache I’ve ever had in my life. My legs wouldn’t support my weight. My husband didn’t have to work too hard to convince me not to take any more.
It’s been 21 hours since I last took a Bactrim, ( or rather the generic equivalent). All the pivot points in my body (my joints) are extremely sore. When I stand for more than a few moments, my legs start to burn. My headache is now controlled by some over-the-counter migraine medicine; it barely made a dent in it before. My reaction is not nearly as bad as many of the ones I’ve read on the site, but this is the worst reaction I have ever had to any medication. I told my husband, I have a feeling this is what chemo must be like, and all I had was a UTI.
The funny thing is, Virginia Commonwealth University has a pretty good medical school; you’d think they be cognizant of Bactrim’s side-effects. But apparantly they are teaching their residents that Bactrim is the first choice when it comes to treating urinary tract infections. Something’s not right here.
Bren I.
APO-SULFATRIM: 6 October
First I would like to say thank you for your VERY informative site.
My search for answers started when my son was given Apo-sulfatrim for an ear infection at 17 months. Literally from the first day on this medication he stopped eating (literally). He is now 3.9 years old and still only eats 2 things and is on a host of supplements to keep him going, shortly there after my son was disguised as having autism and can not tolerate any folic acid supplements and the latest that he has bone demineralization of the spine. His “doctor” did not see any correlation between the drug and any these reactions. The next 3 doctors did not either….so here I am on the search of helping, fixing and becoming informed.
My son was also born with a heart PVC (which his former doctor had all the info on file) and there is a history of allergies in our family.
Lara. Toronto, ON
BACTRIM: 6 October
My doctor prescribed Bactrim for a sinus infection for me in 1995. I took it for about three days and then I got hit with the reaction – hives, short of breath, pounding heart. I called my doc to find out what was happening. He had me go to the hospital to get a shot of adrenaline to counteract the effects. I never have felt worse in my life, the sick feeling lasted for weeks after as the drug worked it’s way out of my system. My doctor was unfazed with my reaction and was not apologetic and was hardly sympathetic. The worst thing about this happening to me is that I have gotten anxiety attacks ever since this happened. I learned a lot about the medical profession with my experience. It’s all about $$.
Lynn. Hollywood, FL
GENERIC BACTRIM: 7 October 2004
My doctor prescribed generic bactrim for a sinus infection. I took it for six days twice a day. I then experienced flu like simptoms to the nth degree. I wanted to be out of my body. Pain in the joints and muscles led me to the emergency room at two o’clock in the morning. I had no headache or fever, but I had taken two 600 milligram ibuprofin and two extra strength tylonol in three hours. After getting benadryl and steriods i.v. I went home and discontinued the treatment. Two days later my back is hurting from my neck to my hips in pain I cannot believe a human body is able to take. I went back to my doctor and he said it is broblably a viral infection and gave me 600 miligrams of alev for it. Does not even take the edge off the pain. I have missed two days of work so far and now I am going to miss more. I read in the information from the drug company that in small cases menengitis can occur.
Joe K
BACTRIM SULFA: 8 October
Brian:
On July 5, 2000 I was prescribed Bactrim Sulfa to ward off an infection from a bladder procedure.About 5 minutes after taking the Bactrim Sulfa; my muscles started to tighten.
We live just two blocks from the Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay, Ohio so I ask my wife to drive to the Emergency Ward. At the hospital; I got out of the car and with difficulty, walked to the ER.I informed the admitter that I had taken Bactrim Sulfa and my muscles were becoming stiff. I was ushered into one of the rooms and was seen by a Dr. within minutes. His quick evaluation of my problem was that I was having massive strokes on both sides. My comment to him was if he had ever seen people with strokes that talked as plain as I was talking. He then said no; but there are always exceptions.
After what I thought was around 15 minutes; they told me I was going to the Riverside (Heart) Hospital in Columbus, Ohio (100 miles travel by ambulance. My 15 minute estimate was really 3-1/2 hours. At Riverside I was placed in Cardiac Intensive Care and Dr George came to see me. I told him that I was not having massive strokes, but that I had taken Bactrim Sulfa.
Dr George did some basic tests and found that I was completely paralized. I could not raise my head, arms or feet. After 3 days Dr George said that will all the tests he ran, he could not find any sign of a stroke so I was released.
While in the hospital, my wife had to feed me as I could not raise my arms. After three days in the hospital I was able to stand with help. In the next four months I had gone to the Cleveland Clinic neuorologists several times, to an allergy Dr. in Toledo, and many visits to local Drs. My family Dr suggested I see a new Dr in town that specialized in physical therapy. I went to see Dr Osborn and when I told her that I had not been able to raise my arms high enough to comb my hair; she ordered an MRI of my shoulders.
A Neourologist by the name of Logan read the MRI and informed me that the Bactrim Sulfa had caused all the nerves to swell and the nerves in my shoulders went thru a Super Scapula notch and were not able to swell and resulted in the nerves being pinched to the point were the would not operate my arms. I have been in theropy for the past four years and it was 18 months before I could raise my arms over my head.
I had strokes in August 2000 and 2001 of which the Cleveland Clinic said were due to my brain swelling.
My legs have a problem with coordination and I use a cane to get around.
Hilary Y. Findlay, OH
SEPTRA: 10 October
Dear Brian,
I am so glad to have found your website. I honestly thought I had an ulser. I was prescibed Septa afew months ago for a Urinary Tract Infection. I felt so bad that I called my doctor after taking the medicine for 4 days. He then gave me a different medication but I still have the same problem now after being off of it for several months. I fell very nausous after I eat and my stomach burns like it is on fire. I now can’t go anywhere without Tums or Pepsid. I can’t even drink a glass of water without hurting. Sometimes there is nothing that helps. I have even took nexium and that still doesnt work. I havent been back to the doctor but I was wondering if there was even aything that he could give me that would help. I am so glad to find your website. It doest stop the pain but it does help to know what it is caused from and that I am not the only one that has had these same side effects.
thanks
janeen
GENERIC BACTRIM: 18 October
Hi Brian…..Great website! I took generic Bactrim for 3 days – the second day I began to feel nauseated, the third day I was nauseated and called my doctor. He said to stop taking it and it should be out of my system by the next noon. Well, it wasn’t and I ended up going to the emergency room that evening. They checked me over and gave me a shot for nausea – said it was probably from the Bactrim. The bad nausea is gone but I still don’t feel 100%. Fortunately I did not have any other side affects with the Bactrim but the horrible nausea was enough for me! By checking out Bactrim on the computer I read that if you take a diuretic, it might not be good to take Bactrim and I do. l at least could eat yesterday and today. Your website is good – usually I do not have an allergic reaction to drugs but this is one I will not take again!
S. W
SULFAMETH/TRIMETH: 19 Oct
This medication was prescribed for a skin abscess which was resistant to a wide range of antibiotics. I took this medication for seven days with no problem. On the eighth day I began running a fever of 100- 101 and began feeling flu-ish. Day nine was no different. I thought I had caught a virus or something. On the tenth day after taking my morning dose my wife notice that I had a flat, red, splotchy rash which was covering my whole body. I knew then that I was having a reaction, so I stopped taking the medication. My fever progressed throughout the day and peaked at 104.2 or higher less than 10 hours after taking my last dose. The fever trickled down over the next day. It has been four days now since I stopped taking this medicine and I am still very itchy from the rash. It was finally determined that it was a drug induced fever which is supposedly rare. Before my fever had shot up, I was told by my doctor, over the phone since it was a Saturday, that the fever was not being caused by the drug reaction and that I probably had a virus. In retrospect, knowing that I was having a drug reaction with a rash as well as having a fever ( It’s source unknown). I should have gone to the emergency room. I never put two and two together though, no thanks to the helpful dermatologist who I spoke with over the phone, and whom I plan on having a few choice words with next time I see her.
John G.
BACTRIM: 20 October
Writing to let you know that I had a major reaction to Bactrim. It almost killed me. I was taking it for a prostrate problem. Two visits to the ER and major steroids saved me. Body was burning from the inside out. Skin got so hot and red that I was probably one more pill away from Steven Johnson’s Syndrome (skin peels off my body). Thank God for my general practice doctor. He told me to stop taking the stuff as I was having an allergic reaction. If he hadn’t told me to stop, I probably would not be e-mailing you right now.
First ER doctor told me I had the flu even though I told him I was on the medication, had every damn side effect and told him I was allergic to a few other antibiotics. He was a real genious. Also had high fever and severe joint pain (couldn’t move).
I am writing for your help. When I had the side effects, it include my cheeks turning red and feeling swollen, hot and dumb. I am still experiencing the same symptoms occasionally (once every few months). Never had this problem before taking the medicine. I am writing to you now because I am experiencing the symptoms today. I found your site through the internet. I mentioned my problem with the face to a doctor shortly after having the reaction and he blew me off. I know that you are not a physician, but I was wondering if any of the other affected people had this problem.
Sincerely,
Brandon
BACTRIM: 21 October
I don’t know if you are still taking e-mails regarding this drug, but here is my story. When I came down with a UTI about a month and a half ago (September 2004), I was prescribed this drug (Bactrim, or whatever else they call it). It killed the bacteria, but then I came down with severe oral thrush and a vaginal yeast infection. I went to my doctor complaining of this and also the pain in my stomach, with major gas, bloating, pain, diarrhea, etc. He then gave me Nystatin, which worsened my stomach condition, but cured the oral thrush.
I ended up in the ER. I had kidney pain, nausea, and stomach pain. They prescribed me Prevacid for gastritis, after they said my kidneys, liver, and pancreas were fine … They also gave me Percocets for the pain. They also checked for pregnancy and another UTI, which were both negative. The Prevacid was not covered by my insurance so I took OTC Prilosec, which helped to heal my battered tummy. They next day I passed a kidney stone and have had on and off pain in my kidneys since the sulfa drug.
After a month of agony, I was eating solid foods again and my stools began to have color again, my energy level rose a bit. I still am passing stones though.
All I know is that I probably would have been better off without that broad-spectrum antibiotic, which was given to me before my doctor even knew if I had an infection. I probably would have been better off with Cipro or something. Never again will I take that drug, as I am still recovering and live in fear each day that I have done irreversible damage to myself. I felt like I aged 15 years in one month, not worth it.
Thank you for listening, I am comforted in knowing others have suffered similarly and that I am not alone.
Gina-Louise
BACTRIM DS: 29 October
Hi Brian:
I really want to thank you for your website. I believe the information on your site saved my life 2 weeks ago. Earlier this year I was diagnoses with Epidiymtis. The first antibiotic didn’t work, so the doc gave me Keflex. it worked like a charm, but it was only prescribed for a week, so the infection was fully killed off and so it came back. So, my doc. thought Bactrim DS would be effective for 4 wks. I took my first pill at night and I awoke the next morning with itchiness and rashes all over my arms, legs, hands and feet. I had some joint pain as well. I thought the side effects were normal, I went to class ( I’m a college student), I took the next pill right after class. Within 2 hrs, my heart was beating out of my chest, I had hives, my body was swollen, eyes bloodshot, headache and joint pain so bad I could barely move. Right away I looked online and found your site. Like a Godsend, this site raised the red flag and showed me how serious the situation was. My friends told me to rush to the clinic. The local doc. said it was just a reaction to sulfer.
Within 2 days after stopping the drug, my hives, swelling and joint pain decreased substantially. Last week my eyes eventually became less bloodshot( still a few vessels left popping out), furthermore, I also had very bad upper abdominal bloating (meybe due to swollen intestines) which now gone away and today is the first day in 2 weeks I feel my headache and sinus pressure is dimished. After almost having no energy to move last week, I can now go about my daily life without problems. I have noticed the ringing in my ears a bit louder than usual and more consistant. I took a blood test this week to measure my blood cells and thank God, everything was ok.
I know my experience isn’t as serious as others I have read on your website, but I think because of your website, I caught myself in time and became aware that my reaction was serious enough to stop taking Bactrim, seek treatment and get steriods. I hope my remaining symptoms will work thier way down over the next coming days and weeks.
I am determined to have Bactrim and other Sulfa-products re-evaluated and allergy tested so others do not have to experience the side-effects of this poison.
Thank you
RELATED:
Bactrim-Septra: a secret epidemic
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