SMZ-TMP DS and emergency room

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 have been on SMZ-TMP for a UTI for about 9 days and I ended up in the emergency room last night for severe rash, and fever of 102. I have had the most horrible back pain, leg pain, cramping, joint pain, muscle weakness and migraine since I started taking it. I thought most of that was due to the UTI/kidney infection and didn't realize that I am allergic to it. I stopped taking it 24 hours ago, and while I still have a slight rash, headache, slight fever and body aches I feel a helluva lot better than I have in over a month. People need to be aware that the sulfur in this drug can cause serious problems.

my 95 yr. old mother was given 2 SMZ/TMP pills 12 hrs apart and within hours after the 2nd one, spiked a fever and became flush around her eyes and then her entire face. She ended up in the emergency room. Several days later she broke out with hives, red blotches, arm bruises, a skin infection, and blood vessel breaks on her arms and legs. She also itched terrible all over. Doctors thought it was her blood platelets causing this but they were wrong. She is allergic to sulfur drugs. Finally after 5 weeks now she seems to be improving. This is a very dangerous drug for some.

Prescribed SMZ/TMP for Bronchitis and within two doses have noticed night sweats, headache, upset stomach, insomnia (this is real abnormal I can sleep anywhere/anytime) and the worst symptom is the spots on my hands that itch like crazy. I called the doctor and she informed me to stop immediately and asked if my lips were swollen or I had a hard time breathing. She told me to go to the emergency room immediately if I got swelling of the lips and labored breathing. Why? Well, after my own research I found SJS - Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a bad if not deadly side effect. With life lasting trauma to the body.

I have been sick with Bronchitis for two weeks and after taking this medication DID NOT GET ANY BETTER. But, soon as I got off the pills, my breathing is better and I feel better already. Just need to know when the itchy hands will go away?