Bactrim and medications

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 was prescribed Bactrim DS to treat an ORSA Staph infection following some vein surgery in my right leg. The original prescription was 1 pill 2xday with a refill after 7 days if needed. Since the infection did not seem to be responding very well and I had not developed any side effects (at day 7) I told my Dr. I was going to refill it. I continued to take it another 4-5 days when I then developed bumps and a slight rash on both of my lower legs. I went to the Dr. (my primary physician - not the vascular surgeon - who had originally prescribed the Bactrim) and was told it didn't "appear" to be an allergic reaction to the medication since it wasn't on my torso. Within two days the rash had intensified and spread all over my legs. Then within another 3 days it spread to my arms. The itching is relentless and varies between raw, searing, burning pain and plain old itch. Last night I cried myself to sleep for lack of any way to relieve it. The newest side effects are nagging pain in my right knee ( I've never had any joint pains before) and a feeling of tightness in my chest. I'll be calling my Dr. back tomorrow, if only to find out just how long I can expect this joy to last.

I will never, ever, take Bactrim or any related medications again.

Someday, some genius research scientist will invent a test to determine an individual's tolerance to this drug - BEFORE they take it and develop side effects.

Hi, I am so thankful for finding this site! I went into ER on January 31, 2008 because my bladder was contracting so badly i couldn't walk. I had severe backache right where my kidneys are. I knew I had a severe bladder infection. I am no stranger to bladder infections but, I usually get rid of them on my own (for the past 10 years) but, with all the hustle and bussle of the Holiday's I let it go and I apparently let it go too long. Anyway, my husband rushed me to the ER frantic thinking I had appendicitis and it was going to burst at any moment. Well, once I finally seen the doctor he said it sounded like a bladder infection that had gotten real bad. He tested my urine and just by looking at it he knew it was in fact a UTI. He did send it to the lab which also confimed it. The doctor gave me PHENAZOPYRIDINE to stop the bladder contractions and the burning when urinating and oh my GOD did I feel so much better. He also gave me a Bactrim right at the hospital. He also gave me a Prescription for both medications. I noticed after taking the first Bactrim I was feeling extremely nausea which I was told was a side effect so I just let it go. The next morning I had zero energy and when I walked I felt short of breath I also, noticed that when I layed down and stretched my legs they would cramp up terribly. I continued to take the Bacrtim because i just assumed that I was having these symptoms because I had been in so much pain that having some relief my body didn't know how to react. I was prescribed to take the Bactrim 2 times daily. So by the third day I was in agony. My lower back was hurting me so bad right at my spine and when sitting in our car it traveled to my left buttock and made it impossible to stay in a sitting position I told my husband I may have to go to ER again and I thought the Doctor had Miss Diagnosed me. My husband brought me back home where I decided to look-up side effects of bactrim and I came across so many sites with so many people having problems after taking this drug I decided that very moment not to take it anymore. I began drinking tons of filtered water to help clean out my system. The next morning I had so much of my energy back and my back and neck pain were at least tolerable. That day, Yesterday Sunday January 4, 2009 I began a full body cleanse product i found at rite aide (not cheap) but, today Monday I woke up and I have my energy back almost 100% no neck pain and very little back pain. What I have a hard time understanding is why the ER doctor gave me a broad spectrum drug knowing I was allergic to 3 other antibiotics. Doesn't that put me in a category of don't test other drugs on me? Anyway, I will never take another antibiotic for the rest of my life. I went 10 years with out taking any and I think I have just re learned why I have no faith in doctors. Thank you for this website I really needed to vent and get some assurance that the drug was in fact the reason I was so ill. I FORGOT TO MENTION ABOUT THE BACKACHE: I FELT AS IF MY BODY WAS BEING SPLIT UP THE MIDDLE OF MY SPINE. I THOUGHT I COULD TEAR APART AT ANY SECOND AND THE ONLY RELIEF I FOUND WAS GETTING ON MY HANDS AND KNEES IN THE SHOWER AND ALLOWING THE WATER TO RUN DOWN MY BACK. HOT,HOT WATER. I ALSO USED A HEATING PAD.

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.

Was prescribed generic for Bactrim (10 days) for UTI and started to get headaches almost immediately. Along with neck discomfort, constipation, eyes sensitive to light, mild nausea, unusual dreaming and aches in the mid-section. Wanted to stop taking but the docs said to finish it all, but after seeing this site im stopping 3 days short.
Now I wish i would have treated it at home with natural and safe methods. I have come to not trust all of these medications. Please don't take it if it can be helped!

Just got prescribed Bactrim today for a URI. I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and am very sensitive to ANY medications anyway. THANK GOD I had the brains enough to be cautious and only take a 1/2 of a tablet (I am the butt of many jokes in my family because I am almost medication-phobic due to side effects) but I just took a 1/2 a tablet and 11 hours after taking it, I have a swollen face, eyelids, etc., a bloodshot eye, nasal passages are swollen completely shut, have heart palpitations, and my urine is BROWN. Yes, BROWN. OMG I am not taking another pill, it should be removed from the market. You all know that SOME day, we'll be seeing some attorney commercial on TV asking for people that have been injured/death from side effects of this drug......unbelievable doctors are still prescribing this as I believe they've got to be getting complaints about it all the time. I had a friend that worked for a doctor and she told me that SOME doctors push certain drugs to their patients based on the good "perks" the drug reps give their office (lunches for staff, vacations for doctors, etc) shouldn't be that way but is for compensation for prescribing their drugs more than a competitors. Sad. Pray for me no long-term damage has been done.