Zithromax Z-Pak and stomach cramps

I was prescribed z-pak for a horrible cold I had. Immediately I had stomach cramps, horrible pain that would come and go...but I kept taking the medicine. Each day the stomach cramps were worse than my cold. By day 5 I broke out in a rash on my upper chest, shoulders and upper back...they were like pimples that itch. I am assuming since the zpak stays in your system for 10 days that this stomach pain and rash will continue. PLUS the zpak has not helped my cold/cough. I will never take the z-pak again and told others to never take it.

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 think I had an upper respiratory infection. This is my 3rd day taking the zpak and I have been experiencing headaches and am sick to my stomach. The first 2 days I had extreme stomach cramps but they have subsided. My infection is completely gone though. I feel much better even though the side effects suck.

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.

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.

Day 2 (took double dose yesterday, single dose today) -- have developed pretty constant diarrhea and stomach cramps. This week has sucked. I have suspected strep, fever, bronchitis and some kind of flu? I just spoke with my doctor who says that it can't be the drug since it's only the second day. Well, your comments here and other web research offers a different opinion. The doc is blaming in on my flu, but I didn't have any stomach distress at all until now. I'm hypothyroid, hypoglycemic and very sensitive to medication. The last thing I need is to have to deal with diarrhea. It sucks because my sore throat has improved, and so has my breathing, but I get dizzy when loosing fluids, no matter how fast I replenish. Female, age 35.

I am on the 6th day of my Z-Pak and I have to tell you, I was scared to death to take it after reading all the side effects posted here. But like many, I would rather deal with diarrhea and stomach cramps than the inability to breathe because of bronchitis. So, I took my chances.....

I don't know how I escaped it all, but I did not suffer one side effect! I wondered if maybe the fact that I no longer had my gallbladder had anything to do with it. Who knows? I feel better and wouldn't hesitate to take it again.

I started feeling better on the third day and feel better more every day.

Thank you!

I am on my 2nd day of the Z Pak. I started it last night after getting the ok from the pharmacist to do so. I ate a small meal with the 1st two pills. I was up with stomach cramps and diarrhea all night long. I had to get up at least 4 times during the night. I was nervous to take my 3rd pill today but I ate some light breakfast and took it and I am at work now literally bent in half. I think for some people with more sensitive stomachs, this med should be taken with caution. I'm going to finish it since I've started it, but will avoid taking this again.