Bactrim and headache

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 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.

Red face, mouth and tongue ulcers, achy joints, headache, decreased appetite and lethargic. Worse than the illness itself.

Wow, am I ever glad I found this site. I'm taking Bactrim for Pouchitis. I thought surely I was going crazy. Just a few days after starting the meds, I ended up in the emergency room because of a headache so severe and fever I thought I had meningitis....I was treated with a Zpack and sent home with a diagnosis of Sinusitis. I had even told the doctor that I just started Bactrim and she said it shouldn't cause these symptoms. Not long after the episode with headaches and fever, I began having joint aches primarily in my legs, but now it's starting up my back. I called the Dr. that prescribed it today, but plan on stopping it whether he recommends to or not. This is crazy...also noticing signs of depression and fatigue...

I was prescribed Bactrim DS for mild acne. I was told to take it once daily for two weeks and then twice daily thereafter if I didn't have an adverse reaction, as my dermatologist indicated that it sometimes takes a long time for side effects to become evident using this medication. I am still in the one pill a day phase of my treatment and I am going to stop taking this medicine.

When I first started taking it, my lymph nodes in my neck became swollen, yet I did not have a cold or anything else that could immediately explain this symptom. My right lymph node in particular became very, very swollen and tender and was rock-hard to the touch. You could literally see it bulging out of my neck. It hurt to move my neck the wrong way and I could hardly turn my head because of all the pressure and soreness of my lymph node.

I stopped taking it for a few days and the size of the lymph node decreased, but it remained very full feeling and firm / rock-hard to the touch.

In addition, I have experienced persistent headaches and joint pain during the time I have taken this medicine. (I'm 21 years old, so joint pain is a symptom almost definitely linked to the Bactrim.)

I took ONE PILL last night, foolishly thinking it would be okay, and not long after I showered and got in bed, I began to feel a prickly sensation primarily from my groin up. It was a prickling, itchy sensation on my face, scalp, neck, arms, back, and even in my groin area. It was absolutely maddening and I couldn't get to sleep. At the suggestion of my fiance, I tried a second shower and that temporarily soothed it very slightly.

It is the day after that and I haven't taken it again, but I am still prickly / tingly / itchy all over and I believe I am beginning to develop a rash. I have also had a headache since last night, which began about 40 minutes after taking the pill. My lymph nodes are also inflamed yet again, so I have isolated the problem to be a result of the Bactrim. I will not continue to use this medication and I intend to contact my physician to request another course of prescription therapy.

Keep in mind that everyone's reaction to any medication is unique and some of the stories people have written on this site are extreme and unusual cases. Don't rush yourself to the emergency room just because you're taking Bactrim and you read about someone else's serious side effects -- all medicines affect people differently and you might experience minor side effects, if any at all. Call your doctor with any questions and get a second opinion if needed.

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.

I am prone to getting uti's. I usally take cipro with no side effects and goes away with in 2 days. I went to a different dr. this time and she prescribed my bactrim. I cant believe this drug is still on the market. The first day i was fine, the second day i woke up with a major headache. I ignored cause at the time i didn't know it was from this medication. As the days went on the headache was still there and nothing seem to help it. I stared becoming dizzy all the time. On the third or forth day i became violently ill. Fever, chills, throwing up, dizzy, my entire body was sore and could not get rid of this headache. It last for about a week. When i went back to see the doctor. She told me it wasn't from the drug. I KNOW IT WAS!!! It wasn't until my husband did some research on this drug and found out i was having a allergic reaction to the bactrim. I will never take this medication again and believe it should be taken off the market.

I was put on Bactrim for a UTI and was fine for the first couple pills but then developed flu like systems,headache,fever,painful joints throwing up and felt like crap. Then after a week of feeling like crap i had a red rash from head to toe front and back and stinging and itching at the same time. I am currently taking Benadryl to help with the rash and itch.

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.

I'm on bactrim for a kidney infection. The first day I was fine. I was in so much pain, after 2-3 pills it made me feel a lot better, I'm taking bactrim 2x a day for 7 days. I'm on day 4 and feel like crap. My backache is back, headache, cramping, stomach ache. I feel worse then I did before the meds. I stopped it this morning, but go so sick I had to take one. They make me feel better for a moment, until everything kicks in. And I cant do this with a 5 month old to care for. I go to the doctor in 2 days....I will be stopping tonight. Thanks to everyone elses answers!!

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 don't wish this on anyone, but it's comforting to know I am not the only one. On Day 3 of taking Bactrim, developed a slight headache. The next morning, it was throbbing, especially when I bent down. The headache persisted, and was joined by body aches, sweating, and shivering. My doctor wants me to keep taking the drug, but after reading these postings, I'd much rather let the infection clear up on it own. Not sure if this is relevant, but I had an allergic reaction once to Amoxicillin (hives, rash). I cannot wait until this leaves my system.

I was prescribed this for a UTI. Dosing was one pill twice a day for 3 days. I took one dose of this medication & the side effects were awful. I am not allergic to anything & was shocked that I had a reaction to Bactrim.

I took my first dose at 1pm and actually started to feel pretty decent (better than I had in days) but by 7pm the side effects started. I had pins & needles feelings all over my body that are still present (almost 48 hours after taking med) side pain, joint pain, rash, fatigue. No headache thank goodness!

I didn't stay on this medication because to be honest the side effects and all of the things I am reading on the internet have scared me. My UTI appears to be better - however after just one pill - Im certain its not cleared up.

Honestly thank you for this website! I mentally feel better if not physically yet. I was prescribed 3 day/2 dose Bactrim for a UTI. I have NEVER had a reaction to antibiotics or any type of medicine. I can no longer say that.

That said...thought I was dying. My temperature was 102 for days, every muscle in my body felt so sore I felt like a car had hit me and then hit me again, ridiculous size headache, massive stomach pain, insomnia, thought I would faint every time I stood up, could barely walk, no appetite, etc. It was ridiculous and I thought I was going crazy because how can one medicine do all that?? I now have a whole new respect for antibiotics.

Since I was feeling so horrible by the 2nd day on it I went ahead and finished the last day. (hindsight probably stupid)

This is my first day off and all my muscles are still killing me, especially my neck, chest, stomach, back. Still feel weak and my temp. this morning was 101 and went down to 100 now.

And I don't know if it was the medicine or just being sick but I've been so 'out of it' today and just depressed. I can not WAIT for this medicine to be out of my system! And I will never use it again.

To add insult to injury I'm not sure if it cured the UTI all the way. Not running to the restroom but still have slight (non-painful) tingle down there.

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.

I was prescribed Bactrim for 10 days. On about the 7th/8th days, I noticed my lymph nodes under my jaw were becoming very painful and swollen. By the next night my lymph nodes continued to become more swollen and painful under my jaw and spread all along under my jaw and in my neck (I looked like I had two chins!). I also then developed a fever of 102, chills, severe headache and ached all over (oh yeah, my heart was racing for days). The fever and chills made me absolutely miserable! I could barely get out of bed or off the couch for almost 4 days. The next morning after fever, chills, headache, I woke up with a red, splotchy, sunburn-like rash from my neck to my ankles, which got itchier and more painful in the next two days. My MD said the rash was a reaction to Bactrim but did not seem to know what the other symptoms were from so ordered blood tests and told me he was "concerned" for me (I was freaking out)! The bloodwork came back negative (thank God). He still didn't seem to put the other symptoms with the rash and Bactrim. I then started to research Bactrim allergies/side effects online and found this website. I found that others had experienced some of the same horrible side effects as I had. It was pretty scary until I realized this was all apparently related to Bactrim, as my MD apparently had no clue. Other's experiences helped validate what I was experiencing so thanks to you all who shared your Bactrim horror stories! I started feeling a little better 48 hours after the last Bactrim dose and at about 72 hours, I pretty much felt back to normal. No more Sulfa for me!

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.

Can I swear on this site??!!! My gosh..I thought I was dying!!! I had been given this med for uti...never had one before, started taking it...then came the fun....fever, chills sweating,swollen everywhere,red rash,splitting headache,throwing up, literary feel like you will die!!!!! PLease always check on the side effects of these meds...it will save you from feeling like you are at your death bed!!!!!

After 8 days I got very hot, had a headache, woke up with hives on elbows, arms and discovered my face, arms, chest, knees, legs COVERED in red rash like a sunburn that morning. Then it became itchy. Stopped using Bactrim and it started clearing in 2 days, drank lots of water, ate garlic to cleanse system and heard eating live culture yogurt also helps. Hope this helps others recover also. I'm all about holistic stuff.

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!

I recently had a breast reduction performed and developed a minor, natural infection due to the type of surgery, yet needed an antibiotic to help clear it up. My surgeon prescribed bactrim, and I was fine for the majority of the taking. About 2 doses away from finishing the meds, I noticed a rash on my stomach when I got out of the shower. The next day, I was covered completely head to toe in a giant rash that felt like severe sunburn, with 102 fever to accompany it. I have never felt so bad in my entire life, and on top of everything else, I'm graduating from college in 2 weeks and had 2 finals to take within those 2 days. It felt like someone let me soak in boiling water for an hour--severe sunburn minus the sticking--and I was FREEZING. Well anyway, I'm just getting over the itching now, it's been a few days. And now that I think back, I did have a headache for 3 days straight prior to the hive outbreak (but I just thought it was my allergies). My PCP told me I was allergic to sulfa drugs--NO MORE OF THEM!! But no resentment to my surgeon (he's amazing), because we had no idea that I was allergic to it in the first place

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.

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!!!!!