Sulfamethoxazole and negative side effects

I was prescribed Sulfameth/Trimeth DS 800/160. I have to take the pill 2 times a day for 3 days for a UTI. After taking my first pill the burning went away, but I woke up in the middle of the night with horrible abdominal cramps, worse than the ones I would get with menstruation. I also had headaches, neck aches, diarrhea, nausea and a wicked loss of appetite. I can't believe after all of these negative side effects the drug is still prescribed! I would rather have the UTI than have to deal with Sulfa ever again

I will NEVER take this medication again. I was perscribed Sulfameth 3 days ago for a mild UTI, and yesterday I called my doctor to have them call in a new perscription for me because I refuse to take that garbage any longer. I have had the most HORRIBLE headache I've ever felt, and I have a relatively high threshold for pain and discomfort. I've left work early due to vomitting and nausea, I've been dizzy, diapharetic, had a constant terrible taste in my mouth, I've experienced blurred vision and white spots in my vision, muscle aches, joint pain, muscle spasms, I've been unable to sleep even though I've been exhausted, I've been nervous, and near tears with a pounding heart beat and shallow breathing like an anxiety attack, I've had hot and cold sweats, indecisiveness, nervousness, intolerable neck and back pain, pain in my left kidney, and terrible sinus pain and pressure. This stuff is awful. When I went to pick up my new perscription for Cipro - something I've taken before with no negative side effects - the phamacist said I was probably allergic to sulfur drugs. Now I see that my experience was not unique. I wish I'd found this site before beginning Sulfameth. These side effects were terrible. I do not recommend this medication.