Bactrim and sleep

I was given Bactrim for a Severe Bladder infection. I got hives all over me Just big itchy bumps, I felt like needles were going through my body especially my feet. Absolutley Couldn't sleep. Legs shook nonstop. Horrible experience for me!!!

I stopped taking my Bactrim last night after a trip to the emergency room. From the first day of taking it for bronchitis, I started having headaches, pain behind my eyes and could not sleep well. On my sixth day of the medication, I started feeling dizzy and nauseated constantly. By day seven I was running fever of 101 and that evening, broke out into a rash from head to toes. My skin was itchy and tingling and it was getting difficult to breath. I immediately went to the ER. They have me taking Benadryl 3 times a day for 3 days until the rash clears up. I am not a fan of this medication….and I still have bronchitis!!

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

I was started on Bactrim 7 days ago. The first two days I felt fine, but the 3rd night I got cold...very cold and could not stop shaking for about two hours. My heart was racing and I was nauseated and couldn't focus. This went on for about 8 hours before going to the ER. Upon arrival I had elevated BP and pulse, but after a couple of hours it went down to normal. I saw a new doctor who said it sounded like I had a hypoglycemic attack!! I never had one of those before!! So, I'm figuring I'm getting sicker and maybe it is not from the Bactrim so I take it again and last night was another horrible night!! Racing heart, confusion, and urinating every 30 minutes. Thinking maybe I'm having another attack I get up and eat some applesauce and my husband gives me some sweet tea. I promptly threw up a few times and then we went to the computer to look for ourselves the side effects of this drug. Guess what? It causes hypoglycemia, racing heart, confusion and does something to your kidneys and makes you urinate too much and could be very dangerous!! That was it for me!! I didn't sleep the rest of the night but slept on and off during the day and felt like myself today for the first time since taking the drug. I don't know if it has done any permanent damage, but I will let everyone I know about this awful awful drug!!

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 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.

THis website has been a tremendous help for me. Two days after I was prescribed 500 mgs of Bactrim twice daily, I started feeling really odd. First the achiness, then my left leg began to swell. I am not taking the meds anymore, but am now so fatigued, and sore, I feel as though I have had the flu for a week. I honestly do believe that it also has a negative effect on the liver. Just from the almost constant ache , I have on my right side. I just want to sleep all the time. I have not taken the meds for two days, and yet, the effects remain. Beware of this nasty medication. I don't know why the FDA allows its distribution!!

Hello all, I am feeling the bactrim pain. I came in for a staph infection which turned out to be the pesky MSRA. I have been taking 2 800mg tablets/day for about 5 days until I went back for a check up. My dosage was then doubled and to be continued for another 10 days. Also I was given 8 tablets of 150MG Cleocin because the staph wasn't clearing. All seems fine until about the 10th day of the continuation. I started tingling, iching from the ears then later noticed a rash developing down my arms, and back and chest. Now it is everywhere, even on more severely my legs and knees. Seems also folliculitis(infected hair follicles) are popping up with the hellish itchy red spotty rash that is everywhere. I went to the doctor for the rash today(day 2=much worse than day 1). The Doctor said it was an allergic reaction to the Bactrim. I remembered already asking the doctor from the last visit about 10 days earlier if i should be concerned with any allergic reactions. He laughed and said 'why". Well, this time I was give 10 more days of 4 dosages 300MG of Cleocin for the staph and steroid shot for the rash. Also I have this nose stuff for the staph to put in my nostrils twice/day for 5 days to help kill the staph which resides in my nose. OMG, i itch. I really appreciate all the information given here. It is somewhat comforting. I had just taken some benadryl from reading this forum in hopes of combating the rash. Finally, I can't sleep and just want to cut off all my skin.
Take care all and have a happy life.

Much like others, I was prescribed Bactrim for a UTI. I had only taken 2 pills before I noticed the strange blister/knot on the top of my tongue. I was terribly achy, but did not associate these symptoms as drug allergies as I have never been allergic to any antibiotic in the past. I went to sleep- weird dreams. Woke up and the "knot" had moved toward the base of my tongue, my neck/glands were sore, my speech was slurred due to the knot and the numb tongue. This site has been most helpful. I stopped the med and will not be taking it ever again.

I was prescribed Bactrim for a UTI. I took it around 6 and by 8 I was face down the toilet bowl. I had some of the worst nausea and vomiting I have ever had in my life (and believe me, I had the worst morning sickness when I was pregnant. I was so bad I had to be hospitalized. This was worse than that). Even water made me vomit. I couldn't sleep. I could eat ice chips and that was it. My entire body hurt. Not very nice with a newborn to care for. I was afraid to take my next dose, but I'm toughing it out.

I completed the cycle of taking this drug. The next day I started to itch all over the body, followed by numbness in my jaws, pain in all joints of the body, chest pain, back pain and cramps in my leg. Lack of sleep due to itching. I continue to have this and it has been nearly two weeks. The doctor has advised me to take Advil (200mg) three tablets three times a day and to take a Benadryl at night time. I started this yesterday and it gave me some relief continue to see when I will be fit again. I recommend that this drug should be banned.

Was taking Levaquin for UTI and prostate infection, which caused horrible side effects. Now taking Bactrim and feel terrible, do not sleep well and get up feeling so tired cannot do daily chores. Guess will have to tolerate all this in order to get rid of infection, but wonder if there are not some antibiotics that do not have all this terrible side effects and still do their job.

Diagnosed with MRSA on my right leg 2 months ago, was prescribed Bactrim(2 a day for 7 days) and didn't have any major side-effects. I now have MRSA again and have been prescribed a higher dosage of Bactrim and have some possible side-effects as well. As noted by others, I can not sleep (as is evident by this posting time, if its EST), but I am exhausted! Also, I have occasional shooting pain down my right arm and my fingers on my right hand are numb. This usually occurs while I'm lying down.

Not sure if these are directly related to the Bactrim, but thought I'd post in case anyone else has had something similar. Seems not too much out there regarding the arm pain (as I try to self-diagnose in the middle of the night :) ).

Hi everyone! I am a 20yr old female who went to the ER with a seriously infected bug bite that had a red streak leaving the bite. The ER doctor told me it was a staph infection and I was very lucky to have come in when I did. He gave me Bactrim for 10days, twice a day. First things first BACTRIM DID heal my staph infection beautifully! BUT On day 8 around my P.M. pill I realized that my thighs were COVERED in a red rash that didn't itch and did not have any kind of bump to it.. In panic because of what I had just gone through with having a staph infection I ran to my mother who looked online and we found this site.. I agree with ALL of you who say this drug should be taken off the market and also before I take any drug ever again I will be looking at this site and to people like you who apparently care more than the doctors do. On day 8 I NOT ONLY had the rash (which by day 9.. today has spread everywhere but my face and hands pretty much, developed some bump and itch) I have the worst stiff neck and swollen glands!!! Behind my eyes KILLS to look in any direction or strong light.. I am always tired and have weak arms and legs... Tomorrow is my last day on the pill and Wed I will be seeing my regular doc for a routine check up... Note as well that yes I have been able to sleep but since the very first night on Bactrim I have been having very weird and very realistic dreams!.. I'm sorry if this is scattered in thought but I just want to put out there what I have as well to help just like most of you helped me.. and saved me from a complete panic attack.. also watch for signs of depression.. I used to take pills for depression and scary enough my mother since I have been on Bactrim has been saying shes seeing signs of my depression returning.... DRINK TONS OF WATER & SLEEP AS MUCH AS YOU CAN... If you are on the last few days of the medicine stick it out and bitch like hell to your doctors.. maybe if enough of us to we can get this crazp off the market

Other what seems to be common side effects: Along with the rash, swollen glands, stiff neck (mostly on the right side), fever, chills, always tired and weak, EXTENDED period.. sorry ladies!, funny stomach feeling where it doesn't hurt but it does not feel good, starving or nauseated by the idea of food, gass (gross), and the funny dreams. This stuff is HORRIBLE and I cannot wait for day 10 to be over and done with so I can get back to normal.. Good luck to everyone else!... Also I have to pee a ton!!!

I'm very very VERY sorry to all of those who lost loved ones because of a medicine.. that should never happen and I truly am so sorry.

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 had been taking bactrim for a week when one morning i woke up feeling achy, tired, and light-headed. I noticed a slight rash forming on my arms but didn't think much of it bc i had been on the Bactrim for a week already. Then the symptoms got wayyyyy worse. I started to form lesion like sores on my vagina, and I immediately saw a doctor to get tested for STD's. The gyno examined the area, and she said it did not look like herpes but that she would test for it just in case. She put me on augmentin bc she said I definitely had some sort of infection down there. After taking 4 doses of augmentin almost all the lesions went away. The STD tests (blood, culture, and urine) all came up negative, as I expected they would. Has anyone else had genital reactions to bactrim???? Because as of right now the doctors are unsure what caused this outbreak/infection.

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 !

I have a history of UTIs and have taken several different antibiotics over the last few years. Currently I'm taking Bactrim and I took it last time I had a UTI as well. Last time it caused me to get a yeast infection, an no other antibiotic does this for me and I woke up with a HUGE swollen lip. I didn't think anything of it and figured I had bit my lip in my sleep, but I just started taking Bactrim again a couple days ago and here it is again: Another yeast infection and my top left side of my lip ballooned up. My doctor ignored my statement about the yeast infection when he prescribed Bactrim last week, but you can bet he's going to listen when I go back tomorrow!! I already took tonight's dosage, but I'm not going to take tomorrow morning's and get in to see the doctor asap. Not only is my lip swollen, but it gets more and more painful as time passes and it slightly itches.

I started Bactrim for a UTI and felt horrible the whole time. Sick to my stomach, trouble breathing, headaches, loss of appetite. Once I asked my husband to call 911 because I almost passed out. But then I said, wait, let me settle down. I did that and continue with the medication thinking it was the UTI. Then I went to urgent care because I was suffering from a yeast infection from the Bactrim too. The 9th day on Bactrim I got worse, I started to break out in hives. By the 10th day I rush to urgent care covered head to toe in hives with trouble breathing and bumps on my tongue and mouth and throat. The doctor said, you're are having an allergic reaction to the Bactrim. He gave me a shot of cortisone and Prednisone l for the inflammation. My stomach is swollen, my body aches, I still have a terrible yeast infection and read that if you have fungal and are taking Prednisone, that's not good either. So I am at odds because my breathing is labored and I am hoping the Prednisone works and I can make it another day or else, I will go to the emergency tonight. This is no fun....I sent this list of complaints to the FDA's attention today. I hope they listen and look at this page seriously and all those who continue to write.

I am a 38 yo female. Took bactrim for UTI. Two and half days into treatment, I could not sleep. Strange dreams, agitation. Next day, absolute feeling of panic, anxiety, restlessness, loss of appetite, weakness in hands, confusion, sweating, heavy heartbeat. Went to ER, they were unfamiliar with this reaction. Seems to take quite awhile to get the medication out of your system. I will never take bactrim again.