Cipro and pharmacy

I was prescribed Cipro for 2 surgeries I had last week. When I picked it up from the pharmacy, the pharmacist told me to drink a lot of water as much as possible because it has a dehydrating effect and he told me it makes you more sensitive to the sun so if I have to be outdoors, to limit my time and apply sunscreen with a high spf as often as possible. I didn't go outdoors because of that, but Cipro made me very thirsty, but I expected it and drank plenty of fluids. Other than than, I did not have any problems. I never got constipated, it didn't bother my stomach but I always eat something when taking medications because I can't take them on an empty stomach. I didn't have any allergy problems, diarrhea, breathing problems or anything else. In fact, I liked this antibiotic much better than any other one I've ever been on.

I was prescribed 500 mg, twice a day for 5 days for a UTI. Immediate side effects were insomnia, restlessness and feeling sick to my stomach when taken without food - but I didn't really think twice about it. Approx 2 days after my first dose I woke up, was making coffee and got a sharp, VERY painful feeling in my abdomen. Ran into the bathroom and was shocked to see blood in the toilet, along with what appeared to be mucous. The pain went away and I just didn't feel "good" the rest of the day. Went to the bathroom twice with nothing until it happened once again. I went from thinking I had hemorrhoids, cysts, diverticulitis, etc. and almost went to the emergency room until we read the insert that came with my prescription. All of these were clearly listed in it. I stopped taking immediately and it has not happened since. I feel back to normal.

I am a healthy and active 26 year old who couldn't believe this happened. I am now taking Florastore (a probiotic you can buy behind the counter at any pharmacy) and eating Activia yogurt. Wish I had seen this message board before I began taking Cipro.