Zithromax Z-Pak and sleep

Just took the first dose of the Z-pack (the two pills) on a full stomach and I feel like I'm going to die. I've been through the pain of childbirth and this can almost compare...the stomach cramping is severe and the diarrhea is immediate (you know, the "peeing your poop" kind of thing). When the cramping began, I got cold sweats...I'm still up, unable to sleep, because the stomach pains are SO bad. I know you're supposed to keep taking the pack but I am so ill I can't even imagine doing so right now. I had a similar reaction to Z-pack in 2004 but thought it was because I took a dose on an empty stomach. This confirms that it can happen anytime.

I'm taking the Z-pack to get rid of a sore throat. This is terrible. I'm almost in tears. :( I wish I could just throw up but my throat hurts too bad. I'm allergic to penicillin, so this was what the doctor prescribed. :(

I was given 6 tablets to cure a sore throat. After the first 2 tablets, I suffered severe abdominal pain and was told to take Imodium to relieve the pain. When the pain went off, I continued taking the third and fourth pill but stopped taking it when I felt unwell. Then the chills and the crying started. I couldn't sleep and thought I was going crazy. I didn't make the connection until I read this website. It has been almost a month since I stopped taking the medication and like most of those who had suffered similar symptoms, I have never had any emotional or mental problems and this is scary. Someone should tell the drug company to post a serious warning on this awful side effect which can really destroy lives. Can someone who have found a solution tell me how long will this last and if there is any way to expedite relief of symptoms because I cannot even concentrate on work, sleep and carry on effectively with daily activities. Thank you.

I was just prescribed a 5-day course of Zithromax Z-Pak for Strep throat. Within hours, my throat started feeling better. Within 24 hours I was back on my feet;however, I was left with a terrible side effect --- silivia the consistency of foam --- yuck!!!!! The only relief I get from this is when I sleep. Hope it disappears after I finish the course - in 3 days. The last time I experienced this foam like saliva was during my 4 pregnancies. I know for a fact I'm not pregnant again. Has anyone experienced this problem after taking Z-Pak? If so, how did you get relief? Did it disappear after you finished the course?

started Zpak last week for a lingering sinus infection. I live in an area where the weather changes constantly. Two days after I finished the 5day Zpak I began experiencing horrible and flu-like symptoms and worse. I can hardly breathe out of my nose. Heavy chest congestion. Lots of diarrhea and even blood in the stool one day. Taste buds are gone. Here I am a week after finishing the Zpak feeling HORRIBLE. I'm afraid to go back to the doctor (uninsured) only to be prescribed something else that might bring on more side effects. Right now I'm taking Sudafed PE and hoping that kicks it. I've been on a Zpak before but NEVER had side effects like this. I don't wish this on anyone. and I'm wondering how long the Zpak stays in your system? It is possible to make you sicker? Seems so in my case and many others here.

I was prescribed Z-Pak on Dec 31 2008 and it did help my bronchitis and pneumonia, however the side effects are horrible.....I still have a nagging cough but my breathing is better. I had to take gravol for three nights with this med as I was so nauseated and dizzy. Worse, I have agitated sleep and needing 10 to 12 hours of sleep because of awful sleep I am getting. I stared with diarrhea and hemorrhoids, and vaginal yeast infection. Losing urine with coughing which is due to my age and past pregnancies (53 years old), sore breasts and very sore nipples. Heavy period started 3 days ago.....which has shaken me...... as I went through menopause 11 years ago, yes 11 years ago! I had ringing in my right ear (never before) for 24 hours this week and have altered and less hearing in ear now). This is my 53rd birthday and I will call doctor Monday and see her asap. I am freaked out! Is this all from that med or do I have uterine cancer???

I took z-pak this week, and I've had some stomach cramps. The first night I took it it was the worst, but they've gradually gotten better.
But does anyone know if it can cause vivid dreaming? Every night I've taken it I've had some extreme dreams (one included both Obama and my HS sweetheart, if that helps to explain how intense they were). Has anyone else had this problem? I tried to find out if this was a common side effect, but couldn't find anything.

Taking Z-pak for the second time this week. Each day has gotten worse. I take them at night, figuring that the worst of the effects would be during my sleep. Well, that's not so. Starting about 9am each day, I get horrible dry mouth, chills, and pain in my chest that rivals any pain I've ever felt. I have trouble eating and I feel super weak - including some tingling/pins and needles in my hands and feet. It usually goes away by about 6pm and I start feeling better. I do take my Claritin at about 8am every day. Could there be an interaction? It seems odd that I feel OK on waking up, but feel terrible for hours after taking the Claritin while on the Z-pak. Has anyone ever experienced this? Any advice on how to handle it? I have company in this weekend and I can't even function to entertain them!! Thanks!!

Started the z pack for bronchitis and sinus infection. First symptoms was stomach cramps, diarrhea. The next and most disturbing symptoms were extreme agitation, anxiety, depression. Have finished the last of the medicine 4 days ago and am still feeling the residual anxiety, agitation, general feeling of unease. Will never take this medicine again.

I was prescribed the 5-day Z-pack for bronchitis and after two days I quit taking it. I am not psychologically and emotionally perfect (who is) but this drug is causing extreme agitation, nervousness, hard intense dreams that leave me fatigued even after a full night's sleep, and depression with crying spells. I am aware that this drug stays in your bloodstream for a long time. It's half-life is 68 hours and after taking 500 mg. on Feb. 6 and then 250 mg. on Feb 7, I still have somewhat less than 200 mg. in my blood today, Feb. 13. Even at today's level I still have no relief from my symptoms and I am praying that this will all go away when the level of the drug gets to a certain point.
My bronchitis is gone and I am trying to live my life as if I have no symptoms (I teach 7th grade U.S. History) but I cannot ignore the fact that I feel like I am cracking up.
I am not trying to bash this drug. Most people are fine with it. Good for them. But some people have these types of problems because I have seen stories like mine on many internet places.
Hang in there anyone who is suffering like me. I hope it goes away and I can return to my life where I get nervous now and again and maybe once in a while I do not sleep well.
This is horrible.
Anyone who has gone through this and returned to normal please respond. I need to hear some good news.

I have taken Zithromax before without any problems but this time around I have had difficulty sleeping, have felt extremely anxious and very emotional. I am also pregnant, but the week I was on the z-pak, was especially charged with emotion. I have also felt extremely fatigued and am having difficulty concentrating. Day 4 & 5 on the meds were the worst for me. Not sure why this drug causes these symptoms. Does anyone know?

While I have taken it before, I don't recall having anything but very mild side effects (maybe a little discomfort in my belly). This time, however, it is different and I am owing it to the beauty of aging. I just took the second of the three pills (and yes, I've had the three pill one before). My bronchitis is clearing but this afternoon I had really bad abdominal pain and I have a continuous headache in the back of my head, where my spinal cord ends. It is not as bad (so far) as the one I had with Biaxin (I refuse to take that). The only bright side is that it made it a really good time to join Weight Watchers because I do not have much appetite. I was able to sleep last night, at least, because my cough decreased. The verdict is still out on whether I would do this again. Problem is, I am allergic to Penicillin.

Severe fatigue, sleepiness. Depression which became severe by 5th day. Terrible cough especially at night. Also, problems sleeping, not being able to go to sleep at night or waking up several times as well as being terribly sleepy during the day.