Bactrim and joint pain

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.

My husband was taking coumadin and then developed an infection. He was ordered Bactrim D.S twice a day and by the third day he was bleeding in his brain. He had to have bilateral subdural crainiotimies twice to flush out all the blood in his head. He almost died. He now has severe headaches and some short term memory loss.

nausea, headache, tiredness, really bad joint pain cant move wrist so painful , depression only had 3 doses

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.

My mother is on Bactrim for a UTI. She has Alzheimer's disease, but can normally function pretty well. Two days after starting the three day treatment she got more confused and couldn't even figure out how to take her medication. Now she has leg pain, muscle weakness, and joint pain although I think it has helped the UTI.

I'm not a person that necessarily thinks the drug should be removed from the market because of what I've read here. We aren't reading posts from the thousands of people that it has helped without ill effects. All drugs potentially have side effects. There is always the potential for adverse reactions or allergic reactions. As a matter of fact, many people on this forum continued to take the medication when they were clearly having allergic reactions making themselves sicker in the process. We must be diligent and educate ourselves about medications and not just rely on someone else to tell us that it is fine. That being said, I feel for those on this board who have endured such suffering and hope that they recovered without incident.

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 started taking Bactrim for a UTI on a Monday night. Tuesday morning I work up with a intense headache I took the second pill that morning, by mid morning I started having pains in my left hand wrist, than having severe pain in my left leg making it very hard for me to walk, leading to fever and pain all over my body i.e., neck pain, lower back pain, joint pain I just hurt from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. I went back to the doctor that day (Tuesday) and was told I might have the flu after taking two flu test and both coming back negative I was given something for the pain and told to come back the next day if I did not fell any relief never the less I did not feel any better the next day in fact I was worse, I had a fever of 103.3 and climbing after returning to the same doctor for a third day and the doctor not having any answers for the way I was felling I, was advised to be taken to the ER on Wed and later admitted to the hospital and released with out being told what was causing me such sickness. It was not until the following week that I was told by my regular doctor that I was having an allergic reaction the Bactrim, it has been 9 days later and I still have swelling in my hands and feet and pain in my neck and legs. When will this end