October 10th
2009
12:45 AM
I was prescribed medrol by my GP due to an ongoing rash that needed to get under control. I believe I had the 40mg dose/wein pack. The first two days I felt as though I were on speed. Day 2 at the grocery store I stopped to take my blood pressure because I was sure my heart was racing out of my chest. Thankfully, it wasn't and happened to be palpitations that I was having. I had hot flashes where my face and chest would get red like a sunburn. There were the sweats and the leg weakness/soreness. I did have sporadic headaches but, nothing a Tylenol wouldn't alleviate thank goodness. I've read here that numerous people had very bad headaches. My last day on the meds I started to experience the fatigue. Today is my first full day off and I certainly felt flu like. Sporadic lightheadedness, weakness and fatigue that would all come and go throughout my workday along with sporadic energy. I'm glad that I found this site so at least I know that this is normal and will subside in a few days. Other side effects I experienced were worsening of my post nasal drip along with a funny taste in my mouth, mood swings, insomnia, hyperactivity and muscle aches.
-- By kerijean | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 6th
2009
12:10 AM
I have struggled with very resistant acne for about four years and was prescribed sulfamethoxazole about 5 months ago. I couldn't be happier with the results. The sulfameth combined with Differin (a topical cream) have made my face clearer than it has ever been. I haven't even found that I am more sensitive to sunburn, although my skin is darker and I never usually burn to begin with.
-- By kcarroely1 | Reply | Private Message me
September 28th
2009
11:47 AM
I had 4 injections in my trap muscles of my upper back and then 5 injections a week later (traps and neck area). They worked like a charm to stop the neck and upper back pain. The only side effects I have had are difficulty sleeping and a red hot, flushed face and chest. It has been 4 days since the last injections and my face is still red hot like I have a terrible sunburn. The heat in my face is tremendous, on fire even, but I will trade this for no pain any day!
-- By lisamck | Reply | Private Message me
September 19th
2009
5:27 AM
I'm writing this at 4:50am as I am awake because of a flushing episode. I've been taking Niaspan ER 500mg to raise my good cholesterol for about 9 months. So far it's raised only from 33 to 36. Doctor wants it above 40. My bad cholesterol is fine.
This is probably the 4th time I've had one of these flushing attacks in 9 months. My skin is itchy from head to toe and my body looks like I have a sunburn. The itch is pretty intense almost burning. I never take aspirin before but I heard a low dose (81mg) is supposed to help. I actually just took an aspirin now however to see if it shortens this episode. I also noticed the first time this happened that clothing makes the itch even more intense. So needless to say I'm sitting in bed typing on my iPhone w/ out my shirt on trying to get through this.
I noticed the first couple times these seem to last only 20-30 minutes and this particular one is nowhere near as intense as the first time. Or perhaps I'm just more prepared for it because I was also thinking of going to the ER the first time. In case anyone wonders why this happens, I've read 'niacin converts to nicotinamide in the body, and this is when flushing occurs', during that conversion process. Anyhow I heard there was a flush free ' nicotinamide' form of the drug you can take if the flushing is too much or too often.
Well it's now 5:21am and it's starting to subside to a point where I might be able to sleep. I think removing clothing and trying not to move around or scratch too much certainly helps when you have one of the flushing attacks. Good luck everyone.
-- By scott123 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 16th
2009
2:52 AM
This is good to know I'm not the only one. I am so glad this website came up first because I too was ready to go to the ER. My doctor just prescribed this to me and tonight was my first night taking a 500 mg Niaspan tablet. About three hours later I woke up with my face on fire and tingling then it went all throughout my body. I was itching, tingling, burning, my skin looked like i had sunburn (was red), and hot to the touch. I am not sure if shortness of breath was a side-effect or it was just the anxiety of the situation. I also became very light headed and dizzy.
It has been about a half hour since this began and about 15 minutes since I took 2 Benadryl. Not sure what the outcome will be, but I will update how this works out, as well as what my doctor says tomorrow.
September 7th
2009
11:48 PM
So relieved to find that I am not alone with my symptoms. These include severe sunburn, esp. nose & vitiligo spots. Nose got very red last time I took this and I ended up with decent case of rosacea...and my nose grew larger. Cold tingling irritating feeling in my hands, feet, arms, many places. Cold water or pool feels terrible to me. I am on vacation...had to stop taking it in order to be able to enjoy myself. Before I didn't know that the med is what caused the rosacea. Now I know... I will not be taking this med again if I can avoid it. I am wondering what the long term damage is, and why there is not a warning about these symptoms on the med info sheet I rec'd. Are any of these issues causing permanent damage?
-- By california09mm | Reply | Private Message me
September 6th
2009
10:59 PM
500 mg - started last week. Woke up twice this week with face and neck feeling like the day after a bad sunburn. No itching. Rest of body fine. No rapid pulse. Only the sunburn effect. Lasted about 1/2 hour. Somewhat uncomfortable, but tolerable. Some cool water splashed on face and neck helped.
-- By red454 | Reply | Private Message me
September 4th
2009
7:59 PM
I have Fibromyalgia and CFS and came down with bronchitis. They started me on a steroid for the bronchitis and my FM and CFS symptoms improved 10 fold!!! However, when I told my doctor about this, he started me on the Dexpak 13. I have only taken it for a few days and I don't see the same results. I can't sleep. I feel hungry all the time. My stomach is bloated beyond reason. I can't concentrate, worse than normal. My skin, which is super sensitive without Lyrica, is worse now even with Lyrica. It feels like a bad sunburn. I don't think I can take this anymore and I don't really recommend it.
-- By bulldog37 | Reply | Private Message me
August 15th
2009
5:46 PM
I had taken Bactrim in the past without a problem. My daughter, however, has a history of rashes associated with Sulfa drug use. I didn't say anything to the doctor that gave it to me for a sinus infection. With in 5 days of taking it, I came down first with some pain in my neck. We were on vacation and sleeping in a new bed, so I dismissed it. By the end of the week, I had a fever going up to 103. The following day, my neck pain was so bad, that I had ice on my lymph nodes. The day after that I had broken out in a rash so bad that it looked like I had a terrible sunburn. My skin was even hot to the touch. By this time, I had realized it was from the medicine, and stopped taking it. The rash isn't as red, but it did spread out to my arms, legs, and torso. I called my doctor when I got home, and he just said to take an over the counter antihistamine, but I was not referred anywhere else. After doing research on the internet and carefully reviewing the warnings from CVS (where I picked up the medicine) I believe that I have Stephens-Johnson Syndrome caused by Bactrim. This is actually listed on the warnings, but not what the symptoms are of this illness. It has been more than a week, and I still have the rash, although not as bad as it was last week.
-- By pattyk | Reply | Private Message me
July 28th
2009
9:40 AM
After 10 days of taking Doxycycline Hyclate for Lyme Disease, I noticed a rash on both my forearms. I learned that this a side effect due to increased sensitivity to sun. Within a few more days it looked like a bad sunburn and started to itch intensely. I found that mixing a paste of good old baking soda and water and putting it on my arms stopped the itch almost immediately. I'm taking the last pill today (hooray) and am assuming that the rash will fade away. If anybody else has had this, I'd like to know how long it takes for the rash to disappear once the antibiotic is out of one's system.
-- By b14etsy | Reply | Private Message me
July 24th
2009
7:50 PM
While in the 1st month on the NuvaRing, I experienced small bumps on my stomach area (bellow breast & above the belly button). I thought it was heat rash. However, while in the 2nd month on the NuvaRing, I experienced sunburn/welting hives (range from 1/2 to 4 inches) all over my body, swollen fingers/hands, swollen lips, swollen left side of my face (including eyes), heartburn feeling in my chest. This landed me in the ER because I had a hard time breathing. The ER doctor immediately administered Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) via an IV. I was also given Prednisone (steroids) Famotidine (Pepcid). The next day--I still have hives that pop up of I don't take the Diphenhydramine & Prednisone pills on schedule. The chemical/NuvaRing has to get out of my system!!! Beware Ladies!!!
-- By jkeamo | Reply | Private Message me
July 2th
2009
10:31 AM
Started on Doxy 200mg every 12 hours for Lyme Disease about 7 days ago and have had painful pins and needles sensation in my hands - on and off since about day 4. The top of the hands seem most affected and any exposure to water (and the resulting evaporative cooling) causes elevated sensation for about 1-2 hours. Any exposure to sun causes a painful sunburn-like sensation. I will be staying out of the sun and hope the pins and needles will go away soon.
-- By netsijet | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
June 22th
2009
9:09 PM
ive been on Yasmin for about 3 years now because it clears up mah acne...but now i don't know if it's good for me. the first side effect ive noticed about a year after was that i get really burnt when i go out in the sun... and this is even with sunscreen! i get red rashes and my face gets swollen... at the time i thought that was just heat rash and didn't think much of it. now about 3 yrs later, i got a really really bad sunburn which resulted in huge blisters, and this scares me. I used sunscreen and my doctors said it couldn't have been just the sun so they are still trying to figure out what caused the burn...however after reading this thread im starting to think that Yasmin was the cause of it coz i never used to get sunburn before i started taking the pill... i grew up in a place where its Summer for almost a whole year so its really crazy to think that i would get burnt this much just for staying out in the sun! this past year ive also started gaining weight and now my sex drive is just gone... i thought it was me but i couldn't understand why that would be...now it all make sense...
-- By gaga123 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
June 21th
2009
5:30 PM
So glad I found this on the internet. I started taking Niaspan about 6 months ago..500mg at bedtime. I had some flushing, but nothing memorable. I have noticed that I will wake up with my heart beating fast, but I went right back to sleep each time. But, last night, I woke up at 1:30 am on fire..itchy, burning...and burning bad. It covered my face, upper chest, upper arms, buttocks, and the back of my thighs. Like many have said here, it felt like a very bad sunburn. My skin was hot to the touch, and red. I was so shocked and scared, that I almost went to the ER. It lasted for about 20 minutes, but then I got nauseated. I thought I was having a heart attack. I barely sleep all morning. I decided to search the internet, and found your posts. Thank you! I suspected it might be my niaspan, but then it could of been shingles or some heart problems. Know I have my answer. I'm calling my doctor first thing tomorrow. No more for me.
-- By mvonrohr | Reply | Private Message me
June 6th
2009
11:12 AM
After taking a 500mg Niaspan last night 1/2 hour after taking it I had this reaction: Hot flush in my upper body, face,neck and arms.
Happened out of the blue. got scared.
Went to the bathroom and washed my face with cold water.
Came over to the iMac (computer) Googled Niaspan allergic reactions, found this site and was mentally relieved to note that this was a common side effect of this drug.
Consumed 10 oz of water calmed down and fell better within 6 or 7 minutes.
While some people curse the amount of info on the net I am not one of them.
I am really glad that people share info like I am doing.
I suggest though if any of the side effects are worse then mine yo go to the ER and if you cant hit 911.
April 30th
2009
10:49 PM
Wow ... reading all of these stories makes me feel a little better about my situation. On April 21 I was prescribed Bactrim for an infected cyst and just in case it was MRSA , the doctor thought Bactrim was the best way to go. Early on I had a few headaches and body aches and a nightly dose of Tylenol took care of that.On day 6 while at work I was overcome by the worst body aches I have ever felt. I left work early and laid down immediately and started to wonder if this is what it feels like to die. Naturally , my first Day 6 pill was the last one I took. I went to work the next day , still feeling crappy but able to work. I thought I was in the clear after stopping the Bactrim , but that was premature. The next morning I couldn't get out of bed , so I took the day off and tried to recover . Later that evening I noticed my skin felt really strange my face felt puffed out. Looking in the mirror I didn't recognize the person looking back at me. My face was sunburn red and completely swollen . Looking closely i could see the redness was a million little red dots grouped together to make my entire face , neck , chest and shoulders red. Interestingly the rash has only itched a little. At the E.R. that night the doctors were confused because of the lack of itching and because the rash did not go away immediately after a few doses of steroids. Another side effect , which is becoming the worst out of all of them is my mouth is extremely sensitive and raw feeling ... my throat is also very sore. Eating food is almost impossible , even soup. When I brush my teeth it feels like I've never brushed them before , when I chew food it feels like I've never eaten before. Tonight's dinner is probably the 6th meal that I haven't been able to finish. What I find most interesting with myself and a lot of the people posting on here is how long into the treatment that these side effects occur. My rash started over 2 days after I stopped taking Bactrim.
-- By widsss | Reply | Private Message me
April 21th
2009
8:15 PM
Ok.. I know I just posted 2 days ago but tonight will be the last pill I take (day 5). It was prescribed to me by an ER doctor for bronchitis. Well.. I still have pretty good congestion.. not near as bad when I went to the doctor so I am getting better. So far so good and no side effects. I'm starting to freak out a little because of all these reviews! I'm crossing my fingers none will come my way. All meds effect people differently.. besides being outside for only 10 minutes and getting a sunburn on my face.. (this stuff makes you sensitive to sunlight) its done me well and I would recommend it!
-- By krystina661 | Reply | Private Message me
April 16th
2009
2:21 PM
I started Niaspan at a 500mg dosage. I'm taking it before I go to sleep, with a baby aspirin at the same time (not before), and a bit of water. The first night, within 1-2 hours of taking it, I got a flush that lasted about 30min. It started at the head, and went down to my toes gradually. It felt as if my skin was on fire. Moving even slightly in bed was making me itch. I stayed, still, in bed, bedsheets and blanket off, breathing slowly, trying to relax, until it went away. I was a bit scared, but since I had read beforehand that flushing is a side effect, I did not worry. For the first 2-3 months, I had a couple more flushing episodes, but only in the upper part of my body (head, shoulder, not down to stomach).
My dosage was increased to 1000mg (2 pills of 500mg). This did not really trigger worse or more frequent flushes. I did not flush (or I did not feel it) the first night with increased dosage. I still get one flushing episode maybe once a month, but only at the head and shoulders.
I have changed my diet to remove beef, butter, eggs, and I switched to skim milk, nonfat yogourt, low-fat cheese if any. I cook with olive oil. I eat oatmeal or breakfast cereal with as much fiber as I can get.
I've been on Niaspan for less than 1 year, and I think I get flushes when I eat fatty foods. Another person mentioned this in this discussion. I'm actually pretty certain my flushes are triggered by fatty foods.
Last night I ate Indian food ("butter" chicken) which had a creamy sauce. Very yummy, so probably very fatty. I also had dessert (something I rarely have), a pecan pie with chocolate filling. Gorgeous. But I got serious flushing at 4am (almost 8 hours after taking Niaspan!), although it only went down to my stomach, not lower than that. I got up at 5h30 to get ready for work, I was still slightly itchy and my skin was a bit red (like a mild sunburn). I took a hot shower, which did not make it worse.
I really think that fatty foods trigger flushes: I make a conscious effort to keep my fat intake low, and I have few flushing episodes, but when I break that habit, I get flushes...
-- By alphacasstar | Reply | Private Message me
April 15th
2009
2:36 PM
I have been having recurring UTIs and I had taken Cipro which did not clear up the first infection. My doctor prescribed Bactrim and wanted me on it for two weeks.
During the first week, I would feel dizzy for 2-3 hours after taking a dose. I had body aches as well, but thought I was getting the flu.
At the beginning of the second week, I broke out in hives. I have very sensitive skin and figured I had touched something that irritated my skin. I took benadryl and the symptoms went away.
The next day I broke out again, this time worse, and I noticed I had hives all over my body including on my feet and on my head- (which alarmed me, because I now realized it was coming from something inside). I thought it was something I ate. I took benadryl when I got home from work and they went away.
The day after that, I broke out again, and a co-worker mentioned that she had an allergic reaction from Bactrim and I should check online. Her reaction was dizziness and feeling sick to her stomach, but I looked anyway. When I saw that hives a side effect I called my doctor. They told me to stop taking the Bactrim and that I was allergic to it.
It will be a week tomorrow that I stopped taking Bactrim, and I still have hives everywhere. Last night, my entire back was covered with a red sunburn-looking rash with long snake-like hives. My boyfriend says the hives look like worms under my skin.
I would suggest to anyone that has any kind of reaction (dizziness, headache, body ache, rash, hives, etc.) to call their doctor ASAP. I should have know to call when they were making me dizzy in the first week, but sometimes you don't realize what is going on until you have severe symptoms. Doctors should tell people about the possible side effects when they prescribe this stuff.
-- By jenifha16 | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
April 9th
2009
11:37 PM
My 4 yr old daughter took 1 dose of BACTRIM Tuesday night by Wednesday morning she looked like I had forgotten her in the sun. Her entire body was severely red from head to toe she was swollen all over her face, nose, lips,eyes ears hands and feet. Her eyes were so bloodshot and she complained of her throat being sore, couldn't see and her eyes hurting. We took her to our local ER where they stabilized her and then transferred her a hour away to a pedaratic trama center @ Levine's Children Hospital. She was diagnoised with a mild Steven Johnson's disease. Her fever went up to 102 and the heat from her skin and the SJD blistered her face to where she looked sunburn. Luckily the doctor that prescribed this RX to us new exactly what needed to be done and said no more sulfa drugs ever!! She is fine today but things could have been much worse for us.
-- By kriscapps | Reply | Private Message me
March 26th
2009
10:33 AM
My Doctor put me on prednisone 10mg for inflammation in my neck. I did 5 first day 5 second day 4 fourth day and when it was time for day 3 he took me off my upper body from waist to neck hurt so bad if anyone would touch me, blotchy to touch no visible rash stomach cramping nausea and I described sitting down as if I had a very bad sunburn, hunched over. I called his office and they said doesn't sound like a sided effect to stop taking well that night Thurs. I was in the ER for a what they are calling an "allergic reaction" gave me benadryl and sent me home next day very groggy, body still hurt not stomach and slept all day. Saturday night back at the ER bad headache and neck and face felt tingly very weird after a million test sent home. Sunday felt the same. Monday went to doctor's office with abdominal cramping nausea and tingling face/headache had an scan of head and more test gave me anxiety pills (I think they think I'm nuts now). Tuesday back at his office feeling worse more test everything so far is normal gave me something for headache (it worked!) and sent me to see a specialist to make sure it was not my appendix which it's not. I'm Still having stomach cramps upper stomach above belly button no more headache occasional tingly of face and no appetite having a stomach ultra sound today. I'm just wondering now if anyone has had the same symptoms? Starting to think maybe I am crazy. I wasn't on it very long so I'm sooo confused. I was also told at my 2nd ER trip that they didn't believe I could have an allergic reaction very impossible.
-- By srsabb | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
March 12th
2009
8:41 AM
I've been taking prescription Niaspan for about 2 1/2 months now and was warned by my doctor about the flushing. For the first month and a half all was fine but one night my wife and I were reading in bed when I suddenly felt like my face was on fire. My wife grew alarmed and said that I looked beet red. Within five minutes the feeling and red appearance had spread all over my body. We went over the day to see if I had done anything out of the ordinary and realized that I had eaten shrimp and clams for dinner at a Chinese buffet. I chalked it up to that. We shut off the light and went to sleep and when I woke up in the middle of the night to let the dog out I was back to normal. Last night was the second time now this has happened only this time I was sound asleep when it hit. I woke up suddenly to discover the same symptoms and it was painful to move even a finger. As soon as I moved ANYTHING I felt like I was being stung everywhere. My skin too was hot to the touch. I went on an agonizing walk to the bathroom to see what I looked like and I was fire-engine red from head to toe. Again I managed to go back to sleep but I still have some lingering effects of tingling even now as I write this. My wife told me this morning that I was being melodramatic. I told her she should try it and get back to me.
-- By jjrhws | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
February 1th
2009
3:03 PM
I had my mirena inserted about 13 months ago before Christmas after the birth of my 2nd child , I was naturally shedding the baby weight until Mirena came into my life and then I gained 10lbs effortlessly within 2 months! even though my diet is always the same (I am coeliac). I had to start working out running 4 times a week and gradually have lost 8lbs but its been a huge battle.
Last May I woke up one morning bright red covered in a sunburn type rash all over my body it was scary, my joints ached so bad and my hands and feet were really swollen as if my body was reacting to something.. my gp did some blood tests and nothing it kept happening for 2 weeks and then the rash went,..I put it down to a virus at the time but felt as weak as a kitten and suffered night sweats, anxiety and flu like symptoms for months.
Ive had to really fight to keep up my running because most of the time I feel tired and depressed and run down and I have awful PMT the past few months have been dreadful I feel rubbish most of the time..everyone is getting on my nerves, I have little sex drive too and I am sure its down to the Mirena..its side affects remind me of the mini-pill which I took once for a few months it sent me so extremely loopy (paranoid and anxious) that my husband flushed them down the toilet!! well I think its the same/similar type of synthetic hormone that my body DOES NOT agree with.
I saw my Gp the other day and asked her about the side affects and she still said that I shouldn't have any after a year and it was very rare but after reading about it on here I cant believe it... its obvious and Im getting it removed. Ive had over a year of feeling terrible and various ailments so much so that I think my immune system (which is already sensitive) has suffered.
-- By stepfordwife | Reply | (5) replies | Private Message me
January 28th
2009
9:23 PM
I,too, am having hot flashes. I take 1000mg in the morning and 1000 right before bed. At night, I don't wake up to feel any effects, but during the day I start having these hot flashes. I can feel it coming on because my ears start to tingle, then feel warm; and it just moves right over my face. I feel like I have a bad sunburn. My eyes start to be shrunk in and my skin on my face begins to droop. I think these are hot flashes. They only last about 5 minutes, but when it's happening at work, it's embarrassing. Haven't talked to the doctor yet, but will bring it up at next appt. Is what I'm going through serious? I hope not.
-- By buddyweiser | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
Doxycycline Hyclate (23) Niaspan ER (11) Bactrim (11) Lisinopril (10) Levaquin (7) Sulfamethoxazole (7) PredniSONE (7) Yasmin (6) Zithromax Z-Pak (3) Norvasc (2) SMZ-TMP DS (2) NuvaRing (2) Neurontin (2) Warfarin Sodium (2) Mirena (2) Avelox (2) Loprox (1) Dexpak Taperpak (1) Alustra (1) Advair HFA (1) Topamax (1) Lupron (1) Amoxicillin (1) Avalide (1) Levoxyl (1) Singulair (1) Zocor (1) Wellbutrin (1) Nexium (1) Septra DS (1) Synthroid (1) Omnicef (1) Methylpred DP (1) Cortisone Acetate (1) Solu-Medrol (1) Kenalog (1) Tobradex (1)
October 24th
2009
4:51 PM
I was prescribed Bactrim for 10 days due to ear/throat/cough issues. After day 2 I had 102 fever, chills, sweats, extreme fatigue, and headache. After day 3/4 I started feeling severe doom and gloom. After day 5 I had insomnia and began having vision problems and felt like my eyes were "loose" in their sockets. I went back in, and saw a different practitioner, and reported my symptoms she thought it was my blood sugar and checked me for diabetes (which it wasn't). She ran more lab work, and chest xrays. Nothing came of it. On day 6 I began feeling a burning and itching sensation on my face, and throughout my head. Nothing helped. During all of this time I could not eat, and was extremely nauseated. I got online, and found all of my symptoms of Bactrim side effects. Needless to say, the bactrim is in the trash. In addition, last year my husband was prescribed bactrim for bronchitis, and ended up in the hospital. At the time they told us he had Scarlet Fever, but when we both went in this week, they stated it was an allergic reaction to Bactrim. He looked like he has a sunburn from head to toe, with a rash. He had 105 fever, and was severely dehydrated. I wish we would have been told that last year. They gave him a zpack this time, saying he was allergic to bactrim. I will never take this medication again, or have my family on it.
-- By melanie245 | Reply | Private Message me