Bactrim and chills

I am so relieved to have discovered this site. I suffer from reoccurring UTIs. Two years ago I was prescribed Bactrim and within two hours felt all of the symptoms of a very serious virus, or so I thought.

Recently, I switched medical providers and was again prescribed Bactrim for my UTI. Within 4 hours I began to experience chills; the chills soon turned into a fever (fluctuating 100+) and night sweats. The symptoms continued throughout the night and into the next day when I started to get tingling skin, body aches, a severe headache with pressure behind my eyes and ears (which got worse when I bent over or stood up), vomiting, restlessness and insomnia.

I started to make a correlation between my first Bactrim incident and second. I called my Dr. to describe my symptoms and she said I most likely was suffering from both the UTI and flu. But, she recommended I stop the Bactrim dosage and call her in a few days to let her know how I was feeling. After missing the second dose of Bactrim I am starting to feel human again.

There is no doubt in my mind that this was the Bactrim. The symptoms came and went too quickly to be a virus. I still have a slight headache, especially when I stand up too quickly, but it's improving.

Thank you all for posting. No more bactrim for me!

I was prescribed Bactrim for a sinus infection. Cleared infection well but on day 2 started to feel very nauseated and VERY COLD although no fever. Strange dreams and sleeplessness. Day 3 loss of appetite and more nausea chills, (no vomiting) Day 5 wound up in Emergency room with fever, dizziness, , panic, paranoia, disorientation, pain in right side. ER took blood and my liver enzymes were elevated. They too said it was a virus...NO Way is this a virus...I have had a very bad reaction to the Bactrim. They said if it was a reaction, it would clear in a few days. I am taking milk thistle extract for liver...I had blood taken two weeks ago and liver enzymes were much lower....they had doubled on bactrim. BEWARE OF THIS Drug...(I took it when I was younger with no troubles too. Dont drink on it either (I did and this maybe why I had such a bad reaction. ) Gave me zofran for nausea. I am drinking LOTS of water to flush.

I feel compelled to share my daughter's horrendous experience, which we (and some of our docs) believe was a reaction to Bactrim. Her chills, high, high fever, night sweats, itching and majorly swollen lymph nodes mimicked lymphoma. She had a biopsy of one of the swollen lymph nodes and it revealed Kikuchi' s Disease or Kikuchi-Fujimoto's Disease. Google it. Thankfully, it was benign and self-limited, but it made her very very sick and it was scary and most probably triggered by her allergic reaction to Bactrim - taken for acne. We will never take this drug again.

i stopped taking bactrim yesterday, i couldn't stop spitting, my skin felt prickly, i woke up with swollen eyes and mouth, something i think im going crazy. Monday i couldn't sleep at all. I am so tired and its a struggle to keep my eyes open. Nightmares and paranoia keeps you awake. Chills and Hotflashing. Tingling in vagina. Today it feels like i cant get enough sleep. I have the worst taste in my mouth. I would not give this drug to my worst enemy. I don't know why they give it in the USA, if the side effects are this great

Treated for a staph infection, I was 12 days into my 14 of 2X 500mg/day on Bactrim and Cephalexin when I started having chills, nausea, migraine-level headaches, fever, swollen lymph nodes and disorientation. I went to the doctor on the 12th day expecting that I had the flu (Swine/A and influenza B are here)...both were negative. My doctor prescribed Tamiflu (thankfully I chose not to take it) hoping this would ease the flu symptoms. Three days later I'm still battling these symptoms and frankly concerned about damage to my liver, kidneys, etc. as a result of the Bactrim. The doctor said that I likely am having a reaction to the Bactrim - thanks for telling me two days after the fact.

I run a small business and missed 4 days of work as a result. I'm hopeful that two more days off of Bactrim will get my body back to normal but I feel like I was poisoned by this drug that shouldn't be on the market.

Have had a horrible reaction to Bactrim. Started with loss of appetite, body aches and headaches within a week of taking Bactrim. Progressed into fever and the chills by a week and a half but just thought I had the flu. After taking Bactrim for 13 days I started breaking out with hives on my face, neck and chest which later spread to my arms and legs. I was diagnosed with an allergic reaction to Bactrim, pumped full of iv fluids, steroids and anti-histamines once they figured out what was going on. I had a fever of 101-102 for over 4 days. I was dehydrated and had a low white blood cell count. I'll be taking oral steroids and anti-histamines for 5-6 days. Such a horrible experience, I'll be glad when I won't be on any more of these medications!

I am a 52 yr old woman who was rushed by ambulance to the hospital on Sunday 4, 2009. I awaken with a horrible ripping pain in my lower left side and back. It reminded me of labor pain although it was worse because I knew I wasn't about to have a baby. I could barely walk and the pain kept me bent over, and burning in agony. After being x-rayed and diagnosed I was told I had a very tiny kidney stone, along with a UTI. I was told they could manage my pain better if they kept me overnight, with hopes I'd pass the tiny stone by urinating in a little strainer cup, to catch the stone. I've not seen the stone yet, and this is the 3rd day. Anyway, I awaken in the hospital after being knocked out by pain medication, with an excruciating headache, as if someone was putting pressure on my neck and back of head. I also noticed a big red rash on my forehead. The nurse gave me benadryl, and continued my doses of Bactrim, and Flomax. When I was released the next day I was given a prescription to fill, Bactrim 2X 3 day therapy, Flomax, and Vicodin. Recovering at home I've had an excrutiating headache the entire 3 days.. I had nausea, felt chills, had no appetite, and felt dizzy and as if I'd throw up every time I got up. I ran a low grade fever of 100*. After reading this site I know that it had to be the Bactrim that caused all those horrendous side effects.This is the fourth day since I was diagnosed and I still have a UTI, and will be calling my doctor in the morning, thanks to post like these.

My husband was recently prescribed Bactrim from his family doctor for a case of the ful. We thought it strange, since flu is normally not treated with antibiotics, viral we thought. Anyway, we felt Doc knew best, so he took three doses. His original symptoms of the flue were simply nausea, vomiting and a bit of diarrhea. After taking the bactrim, he developed a very high fever, headache, pain in legs and feet, burning eyes, chills so severe his whole body shook with a vengeance. He was sent home from the ER and told this was "worsening flu symptoms" and to continue the medication. We didn't follow the advise, and thought it might be the bactrim. He still continued to get worse, and went back to ER next night, bad stomach pain and all other symptoms worse. We found out it was all due to the bactrim, which shouldn't have been given in the first place for a mild case of the flu. He also suffered decreased kidney function, which has taken some time to come back to normal (luckily). His heart rate is still increased after several days, and may remain so permanently, requiring him to take beta blockers for the rest of his life. The doctors won't admit this is from the bactrim, but i have found medical literature stating otherwise. His doctor said it was his fault for not reading or understanding the little insert that came with his medication from the pharmacy. A lot of this information wasn't even on it. There are so many other choices of antibiotics to use, which do not chance a horrible reaction, permanent medical problem, or a fatality, which seems to be the case more often than it should from the medication, bactrim.

I was prescribed Bactrim by an ER doctor after seeing them to have a procedure done to drain an infection underneath my fingernail. I completed my medication without having any known side effects. (however I was itching a lot underneath my feet, but I didn't realize it was a side effect at the time). The day after I finished the medicine I developed flu like symptoms. I had chills, hot flashes,fever, my whole body was aching. Even my eyes hurt! I stayed home from work for two days, expecting to come down with the flu then surprisingly on day 3 all of the flu symptoms left. Then I developed sever itching all over my body. I tried lotions, bath soaks, anti-itch creams. But it just won't seem to go away. I have also developed a yeast infection. The bottom of my feet itch like crazy and are red. This is my 4th day off the medication and my 3rd day of severe itching. I am wondering how long these symptoms will last. I am glad I found this site because I was really wondering what was going on with that "flu" symptom thing. I will never use Bactrim again!!

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 given Biaxin for a sinus infection that never cleared up. So the doctor gave me Bactrim. I took one before I went to bed. I woke up all jittery and full of anxiety. Sometimes this happens, because I do have agoraphobia with panic disorder. I took my second dose with breakfast. About 3 hours later my gums started to burn; like I ate too much salt. It was irritating, but did not realize it was from the antibiotic. Then my teeth started to hurt really bad everywhere, and it felt like electrical shocks going down my body. My skin turned all colors of blotchy purple and yellow. I started to shake so bad that it hurt. My Dad rushed me to the emergency room. I was given epi, steroids, and an anti-inflammatory. Then monitored for 2 hours. Which was hell, because I have agoraphobia.

I was sent home with prednisone and benadryl. It has been six days since this has happened, and I still have the chills. I feel like I have the flu. My teeth still hurt, and advil won't even help it. I have a constant headache. This medication should be banned. I only took 2 doses and became so ill. When do the side effects finally stop?

My husband had a cyst on his face. His primary doctor gave him Bactrim. The first week was fine, but then he got really sick and had to to go the ER. He was doubled over in agony, screaming, nausea. He was admitted. They scoped his stomach, CAT scan, X-rays. He got better ('cause he stopped it while in the hospital). They discharged him with a script for MORE Bactrim. He took it and ended up back in the hospital!

He has thrown it all out. He had chills, aches, he moved like a 90 year old man. He was very sick to his stomach with agonizing stomach and abdominal pain. He's still moving really slow and feels terrible. He says he can't taste anything sweet, either. We hope that resolves soon.

Can't even believe I forgot another side effect-- major, major chills followed by sweating. Where I was shivering so hard my roommate got worried.

Prescribed for UTI, 1 pill 2x day, actually Bactrim DS, which is 800/160 tabs. After 1 dose, next morning severe migraine with vomiting, nausea, chills, (I didn't take temp, but probably had a fever), loss of appetite, finally went to sleep for a few hours and was jarred awake by a bad dream (unusual for me) and couldn't go back to sleep thought I had drank to much caffeine. Had tight chest, but thought that was linked to my 130/90 BP...I thought I was having a heart attack. Followed by sleeplessness last night. Today, after 3 doses, I woke with a stiff neck and had a headache this morning which was made better by 2 Tylenol. Went to my GP to get on some BP meds. He must've thought I was crazy, but I wasn't leaving until I got something to make my chest feel better and theoretically lower my BP. I thought all these side effects were just me, but apparently not. I wish everyone the best in finding a better, safer treatment than this one.

First morning of being off the Bactrim and I'm still experiencing the same side effects in my previous post, however, I see that I failed to mention the extreme light sensitivity in my eyes and the chills, sweats, and all over muscle pain and joint pain. Last night I felt like I was dying or something. I was able to work with the UTI...but not able to make it in today w/all these side effects still happening. Again...if at all possible please avoid taking this medication!

I began taking bactrim for a UTI and by the first night I had diarrhea, persistent chills, fever (as high as 102.8), headache, severe lower back and mid back pain, everything pretty much described here. When I called the doctor they said it was related to my uti and that i needed to come back in to be re-evaluated. However I don't have insurance and I didn't have the money to come in. I ended up spending most of the afternoon in the hospital for them to tell me there was nothing wrong with me and all they could give me was percocet to ease the pain and "cruddy" feeling. The day after I stopped taking bactrim, I woke up with small red patches on my arms. The day after that I woke up with a sunburn like rash all over my arms and knees. I pray that this goes away soon!

My Dr. put me on Bactrim for a UTI infection. The first couple of days it seemed to work really well taking care of my UTI, and I did was i was told take all the meds which was 2 pills for 5 days. Well, I was suppose to start my cycle about the same time I started taking the Bactrim, 11 days later Iam still waiting to start . I feel awful. My stomach is swollen,my back, ribs, upper and lower abdomin. I have weak feeling muscles and chills at times. I called my Doctor and all he said was yeah, that can be a side effect sometimes. Well , i sure wish he would have informed me, I would have never taken it. I sure never will again. All he said was he was sorry for my discomfort didnt ask me to come in for a exam or anything. I guess i just have to let it get out of my system. I dont have heath insurance and it was expensive enough going in for the initial problem.

I took Bactrim for 5 days for a UTI earlier this month and it went great, I felt fine and was very happy with it. Then, last week, for an unrelated preventive matter a doctor wanted me to take levaquin for a week before a minor elective surgery and I asked if I couldn't take Bactrim instead because it cost so much less. Well, did I ever get sick after the first pill. Chills, fever, headache, bloodshot eyes, rib pain and aches and pains all over, so weak I could barely make it to the bathroom, I thought I was going to die. I didn't connect it with the bactrim because I had tolerated it so well just a couple of weeks earlier. So, 3 days later when I felt somewhat better, I took another bactrim and the symptoms came back though not quite as bad. Be careful with this, just because you don't get side effects the first time you take it doesn't mean you might not get them in the future.

I started bactrim for a mild UTI. It was a 7 day dose, twice a day. I've never had any problems with any medication before. I finished all the pills on Tuesday, and woke up with a rash all over my face, neck, arms, stomach, back, and thighs on Thursday. All day I was feeling weak and near fainting when I stood up. I had chills, itched, and yet was hot at the same time. I believe I had some palpitations. Also a fever and swollen lymph nodes all over my neck and upper back. As the day went on the rash spread all the way to my feet and it went from blotchy to solid red. we currently don't have insurance so I'm pretty much currently stuck this way. My whole body itches, tingles, and I can't sleep.

DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG ! ! ! I would not even risk it ! I would much rather have a UTI !

Stupid Bactrim..never again!! I am a healthy 27 yr old, have never had any problem with antibiotics before, but my doctor prescribed me BACTRIM for my UTI! All I had was a UTI..and I felt like Bactrim actually made me feel worse than having a UTI!!!!
I only took it for 3 days..after that I stopped. I felt like I got the flu instead. I had a fever of 102.8, chills, headache for 3days, rib pain, my body ached, abdominal pain, fatigue..and the medicine extended my period. I should be over with it by now. But it is day 3 off the pill..I am feeling better. Drinking lots of fluids.Just feel a little more tired than usual. Will keep you all updated on how I do.

BACTRIM SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET!!!! So many people have horror stories about this drug!!!!!

I have been taken bactrim for 1 day and feel awful. I came home from work and got straight in the bed. I was feeling real tired,had chills and all kinds of body aches from my head down to my legs. And what got me, is that both of my wrists hurt so bad till I can't lift anything. Also having chest pains and elevated heart rate. I just got up from lying down after work and thought, I will search the side effects for bactrim on the internet. I'm glad I did. I wil not take this anymore.

Four days ago I was prescribed Bactrim for Bronchitis from an Urgent Care facility. First couple days I had trouble sleeping, chills,headaches and nausea. Now on the fourth day I woke up with hugely swollen lymph glands. Almost bigger than the size of a quarter. Tender and painful too touch. Worried if I continue with the medication they'll only get worse. Going to stop medication before ten day requirement. Painful bumpy neck not so attractive.

I took Bactrim for a urinary tract infection. After I had taken the Bactrim for two days I started having really bad hot flashes. Never have had them before. I was burning up constantly, all day. Sweating on my face and chest. Slight nausea and headaches. Some dry mouth. And just an all over feeling of being tired and not feeling well. I haven't read any postings yet about people feeling hot or running fever, but I really think this is the problem. After 3 days of constantly being hot and sweating, I felt like I was about to go crazy. So I have stopped taking it today. I hope it goes away quick, but I have read it can still take a few days for it to get out of your system. Has anyone else experienced the being hot from taking Bactrim?