SMZ-TMP DS and antibiotic

I started the antibiotic on sept 23rd at night. Everything was going good until Monday night. I started having problems sleeping. Tuesday I went to work tried to run but I almost fell. Went to the emergency room with burning pains in my chest and my legs and hands kept trying to make me do a back bend. The doctors told me there was nothing wrong with me and they gave me a shot for pain. It didn't help. I tried to walk my calves were really bruised. I could not go out in any form of heat. My lips would become white and I would have problems breathing. The doctor checked my sugar and said it was at 117 a little bit high for someone who wasn't eating. So he did lab on me. My medicine was for 2 weeks and 1 extra day. The doctors lab took about a week and by the time I had gotten the results I had already finished the antibiotic. He told me I had Steven Johnson syndrome and that I was his second case he has ever seen. My hands hurt to lift or touch anything. My feet swell and turn purple. My lips become white and I have some problems breathing. And that's because it's over a month already since I have taken it. I still haven't gotten my appetite back. During the 2 weeks of taking this medicine I lost 13 pounds. Doctor told me he was glad that I didn't get the blisters. I drenched my skin in Vaseline and then I would take a bath. I took about 5 baths a day and drank about 7 bottles of water. I should be better before Christmas.

I have been on this for 6 days for a UTI. I personally am not allergic to sulfa drugs and have had absolutely no problem while on it so I can't speak to specific side effects but I do have something to say about it. I'm a little confused as to why so many of you believe that this drug should be taken off the market. Surprise, a lot of people are allergic to sulfa drugs which accounts for the vast majority of adverse events described by nearly everyone on this post. And guess what, every single drug comes with side effects (Tylenol, Advil, Tums, etc. are no exception) and you accept the risk of those side effects when you put it in your body and weigh that risk against the possible benefits. It's not your doctor's or the drug company's fault you're allergic! Antibiotics, including this one, have saved millions upon millions of lives. It seems intuitive but it evidently must be said: if you're allergic to it STOP TAKING IT and call your doctor so he can prescribe a different antibiotic. Seriously people, it's not rocket science. Hives are a pretty straight- forward symptom of an allergy and one that can be diagnosed by the lay person. I am a medical professional, but even if I wasn't, you don't need an MD behind your name to figure that one out. Why would you continue to take it after having an obvious reaction? (a reaction that, by the way, is a well documented, clearly stated possible side effect of this particular medication if you'd taken the time to ask any questions whatsoever regarding your own health, not a surprise adverse event of a bad drug) It's not rocket science, it's common sense people. When I'm prescribed something I'm not familiar with, my first question is, "What do I need to know about this." Even after a satisfactory explanation, I look it up before taking it. In fact, that's how I found this post. Which brings me to my last point, why is it that people blindly put things into their bodies that they know nothing about. If the pharmacist doesn't explain drug information to you in person, that's what the little drug safety pamphlet attached to your Rx is for. Read it, that's why it's there. OR, there's always the option of using this wonderful resource called the internet. Use your brains for god sake and take a more active, responsible, and informed role in your own healthcare process. You are ultimately responsible for your own health, and to be completely honest, you're one of the only people who actually cares about it (guess what, your doctor probably isn't one of them because he has a hundred other pain in the ass patients with no common sense to keep track of). Think people...

I started SMZ/TMP DS 800-160 tab 2 days ago. I have bad feelings about this drug and today is 4th July and the weekend. I will quit it to get some other drug for my UTI. But it won't be for 3 days because the doctor is out till Monday to get another drug. Someone tell me a drug that does work for UTI. Someone mentioned Amoxicilln? Can that be used? The headaches are awful. I can't seem to empty my bladder at night so I never really sleep since I pee every 20 mins a few drizzles. I also was given that drug that makes the pee orange. It is Phenazopyrid 200mg. It relieves pain, burning or irritation of the lower urinary tract. Someone offer us info on a positive good drug they have used to help UTI. Thanks!

I took one pill on the day the Doctor prescribed them for a urinary tract infection, and had severe leg cramping to the point where I could not walk, lay, or move without major pain. I couldn't have anything touch my legs without being in agony. It lasted hours. Likewise, several days after, I have tingling in both hands when sleeping at night.

I stopped taking it immediately. Last year, I also had a urinary tract infection, and forgot the name of the antibiotic I was prescribed, but believe it is the same as this time which is SMZ-TMP DS, and had the same leg cramping and tingling in my hands, but at first did not know it was a side effect of the medication. So, I suffered through severe leg cramps, and tingling hands for days until I finally called the Doctor, and he said it was strange but was an allergic reaction.

I've had frequent urinary tract infections throughout my life, and never had an issue with antibiotics prescribed up until this one came along. I think it's dangerous and needs to be re-evaluated.

I recently was prescribed the sulfa type antibiotic, smz/tmp double str Tb MPC - and with one left to take, started to itch. I noticed small red bumps on the tops of my thighs, the underside of my arms and some on my belly - all of which have been itching.. So, I am using an Aveeno hydro cortisone. The chest cold/crusted eye syndrome I was experiencing for most of the month of Dec 2005..has now died away. It is the day after Christmas and I feel like I've been attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes. I will be sure never to take this again!