Staph infection symptoms and conditions

I have been using Topamax now for 8 years off and on. I stopped the Topamax about 3 months ago, something I do once or twice a year to try and feel 'normal' again. Then last month I went to see my regular doctor because of numb, pale, swollen, achy fingers, swollen ankles and feet, and for a papercut on my knuckle that overnight turned into a radical staph infection. The NP ordered a full blood panel and the results came back positive for Lupus. I have had so much pain in my hips and knees, more frequent headaches (not migraines), insomnia and vision trouble. The past two weeks I have been super irritable and nauseous. I still need to have a 2nd opinion and/or referral to a rheumatologist, but is all of this related to taking the Topamax? I take 2 Imitrex injections if a migraine comes on and am hesitant to start the Topamax if it has indeed induced Lupus. Am I crazy or is this common??? THANKS for the feedback...SM.

I am glad i found this site, i just wanted to add my little bit of info for now. I have been taking Two pills a day at 800mg of bactrim for a total of 8 days so far. Because i HATE antibiotics and try my hardest to let me body work out infections and such i avoided going to the doctor for tonsillitis( i used to get it a TON when i was growing up) and noticed i had pus covered "zits" that were very HOT and raised which i researched and thought were a staph infection after reading about them online. So i ended up at the doctor, being scolded for not spending my money on their BS antibiotics.... and still ended up with a prescription. Which i had no bad reaction to until last night when i noticed my skin was hot and hives on my elbows. I put some antibiotic ointment on (thought it was bug bites from camping) and went to bed. Today my skin is still hot, i can see the start of a rash on my neck and i feel it everywhere on my arms and neck/chest. So far it has not been too bad but i think it may also have to do with the fact that i have been eating yogurt like crazy! I chose to eat activa and another similar brand that are supposed to be helpful for your digestion but not only that i was more concerned with not getting a yeast infection which i have found to be common when taking antibiotics. So I am not sure if the cultures in the yogurt are what are helping me so much but it's just a suggestion. hopefully my side affects won't get worse and as soon as 14 days is up I'm back to avoiding antibiotics all together again!

I've recently had a staph infection on my right knee, and my regular dr. was closed so I decided to go to a nurse practitioner. She decided to give me samples of Avelox and actually had me take one of them in the office. Little did I know I was about to experience hell on earth!! After taking the first dose, I began to get extremely dizzy and disoriented but I slept well the first night. I thought I just felt bad from the staph infection and figured I would take another dose of the Avelox. Big mistake!!!! After that second dose I started having uncontrollable anxiety, depression, extreme confusion, and even became paranoid that I had some type of serious illness. I couldn't eat or function well at all and I have 3 small children to care for. When I tried to sleep I felt like I was passing out rather than falling asleep. I saw weird images in front of my eyes and jumped out of bed at 2:30 am panic-stricken. I found this site and saw what so many others have been through and was convinced it was the Avelox. But I've been off of it for 2 days and I still feel out of it, unable to think clearly, and have an odd detached feeling. I'm hoping this is not permanent damage. I just want to feel like my old self again! And I agree with so many others- Avelox should be taken off the market!! It is a horrible drug!!!!!

my son was given this drug for a potential staph infection, took 1 pill, and 1 1/2 hrs later he itched all over, had the worst headache, threw up and got a fever of 103.6, the next day he still has the fever and horrible headache, but he aches all over and feels horrible, steer clear of this med.

My son was given this for a staph infection,he took 1 pill and 1 1/2 hr later he itched uncontrollably with no sign of a rash, he has the worst headache is has ever had, he threw up, had a fever for of 103.6, and ached all over. Horrible drug, don't take it.

I took Bactrim for 2 weeks to cure a staph infection. After 12 days I started to notice a bad stiff neck, but thought nothing of it due to being up all night with a new baby...figured I was just tired and uncomfy and it would go away. The next day, on top of the stiff neck, I noticed that the joints where my toes connect to my feet were cramped up and my right knee was cramped and swollen. I hadn't banged my knee into anything or stepped funny and couldn't figure out why this was happening. A day later my wrist cramped up and added to my misery. A night later I woke up to the baby crying and realized I couldn't turn my hands and my fingers were curled in towards my palms and I couldn't straighten them. My hubby cared for the baby for the night and we figured it would go away. A few hours later it was the same, so we went to the ER. They ran tons of bloodwork checking for lymes disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and infection. They said my CED rate was high which meant I had inflammation, and the only thing that made any sense was an allergic reaction to the bactrim. They prescribed prednisone, loritabs for pain, and ibuprofen. A week later, I can move my fingers, but the cramping is still lingering around and Im praying it will go away soon.

Hello all, I am feeling the bactrim pain. I came in for a staph infection which turned out to be the pesky MSRA. I have been taking 2 800mg tablets/day for about 5 days until I went back for a check up. My dosage was then doubled and to be continued for another 10 days. Also I was given 8 tablets of 150MG Cleocin because the staph wasn't clearing. All seems fine until about the 10th day of the continuation. I started tingling, iching from the ears then later noticed a rash developing down my arms, and back and chest. Now it is everywhere, even on more severely my legs and knees. Seems also folliculitis(infected hair follicles) are popping up with the hellish itchy red spotty rash that is everywhere. I went to the doctor for the rash today(day 2=much worse than day 1). The Doctor said it was an allergic reaction to the Bactrim. I remembered already asking the doctor from the last visit about 10 days earlier if i should be concerned with any allergic reactions. He laughed and said 'why". Well, this time I was give 10 more days of 4 dosages 300MG of Cleocin for the staph and steroid shot for the rash. Also I have this nose stuff for the staph to put in my nostrils twice/day for 5 days to help kill the staph which resides in my nose. OMG, i itch. I really appreciate all the information given here. It is somewhat comforting. I had just taken some benadryl from reading this forum in hopes of combating the rash. Finally, I can't sleep and just want to cut off all my skin.
Take care all and have a happy life.

On Dec 21 2008 my 17 years old was prescribed SMZ/TMP DS 800-160 Tab for possible staph infection. She is/was to take 2 tablets every 12 hours for 10 days. By day 5 of this dosage, she had severe flu symptoms. Took her back to the same Doctors office but saw a different Doctor and was informed that she was only supposed to take 1 tablet every 12 hours for 10 days. She has been taking the the correct dosage for 3 days and the flu symptons are not as severe, as of today her skin is a little red (like too much sun) but not bumps or hives. We will continue to watch closely. Hopefully she will make it to day 10 without anymore problems. She does not want to go back to the same Doctor's office again.

Thank you so much for this site and your posts. I am on my 4th day of doxy. and I had a panic attack today and anxiety--I was doing fine until now. I would consider myself a calm person so this caught me out of the blue. I called the pharmacist who thought I was nuts, I'm sure. She said it was not a side effect of the drug!! I also noticed some nerve pain over my body. But my infection is lots better so I don't want to stop, but I don't want to have panic, either or get sicker.

I also get the stomach queasiness when taking a dose and always eat a slice of bread with it. I have noticed a worsening of reflux and I make sure to sit upright for at least an hour after taking the medication.

I was given Levaquin after a post surgical Staph infection was confirmed. I too had the side effects described by so many others. Extreme muscle aches, joint pain even in my fingers, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, dizziness. My Dr. said to try to fight through it because the Staph infection needed thia particular antibiotic to cure it. I am 5 days into my 10 day dose and I can't keep taking the pills. I am scared and don't want to end up in the hospital again. He tried to give me a prescription for Bactrim but I said no because i can't take it. I have worse side effects with it than I have the Levaquin. I can't stay wake for more then 1 hour and I dose off but wake up with 15 minutes feeling drained. I can't walk very far without my legs feeling like jello. My WHOLE BODY HURTS!!

I had a very small insect bite looking spot on my leg on Wednesday afternoon. Since it had pain in it and I have had a staph infection before, I immediately went to the doctor. The doctor prescribed Bactrim and one other antibiotic. I took a Bactrim pill at 10 pm and by midnight I was up with stomach cramps and chills so intense that the shaking made my muscles sore. My eyes were extremely bloodshot. The only way to fight off the cold feeling and the chills was to get in a warm bath. After my bath, I stayed up for 3 hours because of the cramps. I was able to get a few hours of sleep. At 9am I made my way down stairs- all the way feeling as if I was going to pass out. When I finally made it down the stairs, I threw up. By this time I was also running a low grade fever and had begun spotting. I immediately went the the emergency room. Upon arrival, I threw up again. I asked the nurse to please let me lay down. After 4 hours, an IV, pain meds for my throbbing headache, nausea meds, and IV antibiotics, my doctor drained the spot on my leg. He told me KEEP TAKING BOTH ANTIBIOTICS and sent me home. He said that if I had more symptoms to stop taking the Bactrim. I did not follow his instructions. I came home and luckily one of my friends is in pharmacy school.... she sent me this site and told me what she thought about what happened. I am so happy that I did not take the medicine again. It is scary that this drug did this to me after only ONE pill. It is scary to think what could have happened if I had continued the meds. This drug is very dangerous and everyone should be aware of the potential hazard to their health before taking it.

I was prescribed Bactrim for a staph infection that turned out to be MRSA. I took the pills (2 pill 2x a day for 10 days). It did clear up the infection; but the side effects sent me back to the doctor. After the second dose, I started having a headache and feeling feverish. After the third dose, my muscles started aching and I began having little muscle spasms and numbness in my right arm and a low grade fever, headache and fatigue. The morning after the 5th dose, I woke up with severe muscles cramps in my legs and feet. I took the 6th dose and what a mistake. The muscle cramps and spasms moved to my inner thigh, legs, feet, abdomen and back. I had to use heat packs to quiet the muscles. I stopped taking the meds and notified the doctor. He changed my prescription to doxy and said that I was allergic to sulfer meds. He also gave me flexorial to help with the muscle spasms. It been 3 days since I stopped taking the meds. I still feel severe fatigue, muscle aches, fever, sweating, and anxiety. I will never take this stuff or anything like it again. I have noted it in my pharmacy charts so they will no ahead in case I don't catch it.

I've been on 200 mg Lamictal for 2 months now, after 4 month titration up from 25mg; Going off Lithium 900mg titration to 450mg this week. Since 1st day of lower Lithium, all the common Lamictal symptoms went from mild to extreme. Whole body muscle aches (like 24 hours after a heavy weightlifting workout) worse in neck & back/shoulders/calves, bad headaches, swelling in hands & feet, extreme blurred vision, loss of memory, halted speech while trying to figure out what to say, fuzzy. I called the Clinic to simply ask which NSAID (aspirin? ibuprofen? Excedrin? naproxin?) to use to manage the pain. They all freaked and made me come in for a blood test to check Lithium levels. I explained I wasn't "overly" concerned about it at this point, but just looking for a recommendation, and that they may be over-reacting (even though I did appreciate their concern). I also reminded them that I had just **decreased** Lithium when it happened, so I wasn't having a Lithium Toxic attack (I'm well-versed in that, having been on Lithium for 7 years). It didn't do much good to tell them I thought their diagnosis was a little off. I'll find out the blood test results today, but I'm pretty sure I know what they'll be. They also wanted me to see my PCP since it could be something else. Again, the problem was a ramp-up of existing symptoms the next morning after I lowered Lithium (the only change), so I'm conviced everything centers around that. I think they're a little inexperienced with this med. (Lamictal/Lamotrigine) and if they'd just read this blog they'd probably learn a lot. They had never heard of the muscle ache side effect. Pretty hard to believe after reading all of your comments! My theory is that Lithium was somehow holding back the side-effects of Lamictal and now they're expressing themselves more fully. I haven't read anything like this on any internet discussion, so maybe my body is very different. But maybe my experience will give someone else some insight in a similar situation.
I might also mention something that happened to me I have only seen (kinda) in one other "blog" about follicle (sweat gland) cysts. Yeah, I definitely got the jawline acne starting at the Lamictal 50mg level & increasing at 100mg. But I also got my first ever "cyst" that concerned me and sent me to my dermatologist for the first time in 30 years (I'm 47 and saw the old guy when I had acne at 17!). It started as a blind pimple on my chest the week I increased Lamictal to 200mg (final dose), but didn't go away. It continued to grow (not diminish) over 4 weeks to 3/8 inch round/pink/solid/itchy/burn-when-rubbed. So off to the "Doctor" like my father used to do on a regular basis (I know I'm getting old now) and scalpel/pop/stitch it was out. But it was real, not my imagination or hypocondria, and the timing of its appearance was right when Lamictal changed to full steam. Since acne appears to be a common effect with so many, it seems it's not unreasonable that this occurs occasionally as well to others. Let me be the 2nd to mention it. No "official" verification, but....
I'm not bagging on Lamictal, and have been very hopeful that this would be better than Lithium. It has eliminated the GastroIntestinal problems I had on Lithium, but I am getting discouraged that it has all the brand new symptoms that are discussed in this blog. Your "stuff" is real. I wish the Docs/Nurses/Case Workers would spend 5 minutes checking your comments out. It might bring about a better informed conversation than the shiny Glaxo flyers provide. That is all.

I had a hip replacement in June, then contracted a staph infection after that (non-MRSA, thank goodness!), for which I have been on a 12 week antibiotic protocol, in addition to having the hip opened again for cleaning and replacement. For the first 6 weeks, I had a PICC line in my arm, which was infusing Oxacillin every four hours 24/7, as well as two oral doses per day of Rifampin. After the removal of the PICC line, I was put on a daily dose of 750 mg of Levaquin (I was also on Levaquin in the hospital, and couldn't sleep for weeks after coming home from the hospital). I have now been on Levaquin for 4 weeks and have incredible pain. The first symptom and most annoying was insomnia, as well as EXTREME rotator ruff pain, stiff fingers, tendor pain in my left elbow, and right knee. I can't walk well, the bottoms of my feet hurt (what's up with that?), and I can't even put on my bra by myself, my shoulders hurt so much. I thought I could take the pain because I just DO NOT want to have the staph infection come back and have another hip replacement, but I think I will actually have to go off of it. It's just too much pain. And I'm worried about long term damage.

UNTIL READING DIFFERENT REACTIONS TO BACTRIM, I THOUGHT THAT I MAY POSSIBLY HAVE A BRAIN TUMOR. I STARTED BACTRIM FOR POSSIBLE STAPH INFECTION AFTER HAVING POISON IVY AND SOME SPIDER BITES. AFTER TWO DAYS ON BACTRIM, I DEVELOPED A LOW FEVER AND HAD DIFFICULTY SLEEPING ALSO HEADACHE. I STOPPED TAKING IT ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH MY PRESCRIPTION AND DEVELOPED DOUBLE VISION FOR THE NEXT SIX DAYS OFF AND ON. THE WORST TWO DAYS FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS STRAIGHT. I SAW A OPHTHALMOLOGIST WHO COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY EYES AND SUGGESTED THAT MANY THINGS COULD CAUSE IT FROM MEDS TO A BRAIN TUMOR. I FEEL BETTER AFTER READING OTHER ADVERSE REACTIONS. I ALSO DEVELOPED HIVES ON BOTH THIGHS. NASTY MED.

Hi everyone! I am a 20yr old female who went to the ER with a seriously infected bug bite that had a red streak leaving the bite. The ER doctor told me it was a staph infection and I was very lucky to have come in when I did. He gave me Bactrim for 10days, twice a day. First things first BACTRIM DID heal my staph infection beautifully! BUT On day 8 around my P.M. pill I realized that my thighs were COVERED in a red rash that didn't itch and did not have any kind of bump to it.. In panic because of what I had just gone through with having a staph infection I ran to my mother who looked online and we found this site.. I agree with ALL of you who say this drug should be taken off the market and also before I take any drug ever again I will be looking at this site and to people like you who apparently care more than the doctors do. On day 8 I NOT ONLY had the rash (which by day 9.. today has spread everywhere but my face and hands pretty much, developed some bump and itch) I have the worst stiff neck and swollen glands!!! Behind my eyes KILLS to look in any direction or strong light.. I am always tired and have weak arms and legs... Tomorrow is my last day on the pill and Wed I will be seeing my regular doc for a routine check up... Note as well that yes I have been able to sleep but since the very first night on Bactrim I have been having very weird and very realistic dreams!.. I'm sorry if this is scattered in thought but I just want to put out there what I have as well to help just like most of you helped me.. and saved me from a complete panic attack.. also watch for signs of depression.. I used to take pills for depression and scary enough my mother since I have been on Bactrim has been saying shes seeing signs of my depression returning.... DRINK TONS OF WATER & SLEEP AS MUCH AS YOU CAN... If you are on the last few days of the medicine stick it out and bitch like hell to your doctors.. maybe if enough of us to we can get this crazp off the market

Other what seems to be common side effects: Along with the rash, swollen glands, stiff neck (mostly on the right side), fever, chills, always tired and weak, EXTENDED period.. sorry ladies!, funny stomach feeling where it doesn't hurt but it does not feel good, starving or nauseated by the idea of food, gass (gross), and the funny dreams. This stuff is HORRIBLE and I cannot wait for day 10 to be over and done with so I can get back to normal.. Good luck to everyone else!... Also I have to pee a ton!!!

I'm very very VERY sorry to all of those who lost loved ones because of a medicine.. that should never happen and I truly am so sorry.

My son was given this medication for MRSA staph infection, in addition to Rifampin 300mg, and other medication he has had before. This is his 4th outbreak so they were trying to get aggressive with this treatment.

Yesterday, Day 4 (although he hadn't been taking his medication faithfully as he should have been) he developed a rash on the side of his tummy. Then today, it started spreading sporadically on his back, his knees are red & swollen, and his hands feel swollen to him as well. Since both these medications are new to us, and it's a Sunday, I'm having him stop both the SULFAM / TRIMETH, and the Rifmpkin until I can speak with a doctor tomorrow.

Looks like other people have had similar, and worse side effects such as his.

I was recently treated for a staph infection with 10 days worth of bactrim. The whole week my BP was through the roof (now on BP meds), severe headaches, sore spots on my head, weird eye pain and vomitting. It was horrible. I was linking it all to my unusual high BP but from what I've read it looks like most of you have experienced the same side effects. I had two days left to take but I'm not going to mess with it anymore.

Recently I was prescribed bactrim for a staph infection. On the fourth day I developed a severe rash all over my body. Swelling of my feet and hands. By the time I got to the Dr. my blood pressure had dropped dangerously low and I nearly fainted. The Dr. gave me three shots, cortisone, prednisone and one other I cant remember. By that time my breathing was weak. So the Doctor sent me by ambulance to ER.During the five minute ride my pressure dropped really low again. The EMT started an IV. SInce Primary care Dr. had already taken steps to treat me, ER did very little other than keep watch of vital sighns and let IV finish. ER Dr. concluded it was do to bactrim. He prescribed prednisone and over the counter benadryl and sent me home. After taking prednisone rash seemed to get worse, noticed new rash behind ears and on the top of my head were lumps. Blood pressure has been spuradic at best, but not dangerous. It has been 24 hours now and no changes. My side effects include headache, backache, swelling of feet and hands, rash all over body, itching, raised welps on legs,arms,behind ears and on top of head. The swelling of my feet has went down but my hands are still swollen and sore to the touch. One question. There seems not to be much medicine to help this. I just have to let it run its course how long could the recovery take.

I was given Bactrim at the ER where I was diagnosed with a staph infection. They gave me 800 mg twice a day for 7 days. On day 8 I returned to my regular GP because another boil had appeared. He said the dosage the ER had me on was not high enough. He doubled me to 3200 mg a day. After 4 days on this high dose I began to feel terrible, flu like symptoms, all of my lymph nodes were swollen and painful to the touch, especially the ones at the base of your neck/head. That night my eyes started itching like crazy and began to swell. I went back to the doctor she said it was allergies in my eyes and prescribed some expensive drops, told me I had a virus causing my body aches and fever, and lanced my other boil, she then put me on Doxycycline. That night I broke out in a terrible rash from head to toe that was itchy, then became more like a very painful sunburn. I thought I was allergic to the Doxycycline, so I called the doctor who switched me to Levaquin, wow,,,I sure have spent a lot of money on medicines to discover tonight on this forum that all of this was due to Bactrim. I will NEVER take it again as long as I live.

I began taking this medication at a dose of 800mg twice daily 3 days ago. Today I began experiencing extreme anxiety, hot flashes, redness of the skin, itching and fatigue. I am taking this medicine along with another medication (cephalexin 2000mg daily), for a staph infection. How long will this reaction continue and what is the best way to manage the symptoms of these antibiotics?

Well I'm glad I'm not alone...I was given the generic brand for Bactrim for a Staph infection and I took the first pill this morning. Just before lunch I began to feel quite dizzy and even after eating, I still felt dizzy and out of sorts. I came home and went straight to bed. Has anyone experience dizziness w/ Bactrim or its relative generics? I also have diabetes and my levels were a lot lower than what I'm used to. Needless to say, I called my Dr and they are giving me something else.

I took Bactrim for a Saph infection a high dose, twice a day. On my third day, my lips began to swell and a cold sore that was I my lip prior to taking it swelled up. My staph infection cleared up, but I developed a sore tight throat. A huge blister like cold sore on my lip, and my right eye itches and is red like crazy.

I'm taking the generic form of Bactrim ds 2 tabs every 12 hours , my stomach aches and i am having a fever of 100.9 - 102.0 after 5 days. It's done nothing for my swollen lymph node . I developed a boil behind my ear and had to have it lanced my lymph nodes are sore also .After 5 days the boil is still there however not as large. Is the dosage a lot,seems a lot to me ?

Ive been taking Biaxin for 11 days now - about to finish up my 12 day course of the stuff. The doctor gave it to me to treat a staph infection on my leg. Staph infection appears to be going away.
I haven't noticed the metallic or gross taste at all, which is weird, because of so many accounts of it here. I have noticed an increased appetite and really intense gas - sleepiness, lack of motivation, dreaminess, blahness. My dreams have been vivid too, but not nightmares. I just noticed swollen gums today. Its strange that I didn't experience the anxiety that is frequently reported - as I used to have panic attacks and constant anxiety back in the day. I guess a mild restlessness is pervasive.
The main thing is the increased appetite and the gas... But this could be possible tapeworms or parasites as I just got back from Guatemala. Maybe I got off easy with this drug? After reading this, not sure if I want to take the last 2 pills in my possession. hmmm..