HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

An antibiotic side effect--very surprising and unwelcome

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/4/2019 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
I recently had a UTI and was given a prescription of Bactrim. I had never taken it before. All was fine for a couple of days, then, overnight I woke up to extremely tight muscles, cramping in my legs and feet, and a feeling that "a million" tiny nerves on them were in strong spasm. Really horrible.

It was so incredibly touchy that I couldn't even lie in bed--that slight pressure on my legs sent them into orbit! So, I got up to go sit on the couch. I couldn't do that, either! My feet were also affected and were very tight and stiff. I had a very strong pulling on the front of one leg, and a muscle cramp in the back of my other leg. Going to the bathroom was not easy, either. sad I really couldn't bend without major pulling and pain.

Okay--I thought maybe I just had a bad fibro night, and took my neuro condition into consideration. I was okay walking around the next day, though I was tired and a little more stiff than usual. That night, the same thing happened--muscles as tight as drums, nerves going crazy and spasming, muscle cramps, and I found I was even clenching my teeth, evidently, as I slept. We are talking tight, tight muscles!

So, I checked for side effects of Bactrim and yes, restless legs and cramping were quite common. Of course, having the fibro/neuro stuff going on, it was even worse.

At least this happened at the end of taking this antibiotic. But I'll sure never take it again. I also read recently on People's Pharmacy that Cipro and Levaquin can sometimes cause damaged heart valves! Eek--who knew?

I just wonder if there is a "safe" antibiotic to take, especially considering how our fibro muscles misbehave most of the time. I hope I won't need one for a long while, but it's not too early to research.

Any suggestions?
Posted 10/4/2019 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
I have taken Bactrim before and I never had a problem. Levaquin caused huge problems for my niece.She was bedridden and had an infant along with a toddler and had to call her mother in Serbia to come here and help. She will never take Levaquin again and I won’t take it either.

I am glad you’re at the end of the Bactrim and actually I don’t think I would’ve taken anymore after having that reaction. But I know that you weren’t sure what was causing the problem. I used to be able to take amoxicillin and had absolutely no problems but then I got a rash and now I can’t take that. You can have an allergic reaction to medications that you’ve taken for years and it just doesn’t make any sense to us but it happens to many people even people Who don’t have fibromyalgia.

One antibiotic I’ve had good success with it’s called Keflex. Maybe that would be a good medication for you if you need it. Meanwhile drink lots and lots of fluids so you don’t get the UTIs. I used to get them all the time but I don’t anymore. But I do hope you’re feeling better and you won’t have to take anabiotic’s for a very long time.

Sherrine
Posted 10/8/2019 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Sherrine. Sorry for the delay in responding--feeling better and catching up on a few little projects.

Eek--thanks for the heads up on Levaquin! I guess we never know how we'll react to antibiotics, and we're all different. Your poor niece!

Also, thanks for bring up Keflex. I'll make a note of that, but hope I won't need it.
Yes, I'm drinking lots and lots of water--lesson learned! I always thought I did okay re drinking fluids during the day, but thinking about it more, there was room for improvement.
If I need to use the bathroom overnight, I later stop in the kitchen and drink a little water. Good "insurance." smile

Another consideration is that so many of our meds are drying; some more than others. I really push the fluids if I have to take any of them.

Thanks again and have a great week! smile
Posted 10/8/2019 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
I have a 16 oz. insulated plastic “Jug” filled with ice water at my side all day long and take swallows frequently. It’s refilled several times. Then before I go to bed I fill it again and it goes in the bathroom so when I get up in the middle of the night I can take a few more swallows. I also have an insulated cup I fill with ice water when I head out in the car. AND I have a 1/4 pint bottle of water in my purse. You’d be surprised how many times I’ve pulled that out! I used to get UTIs frequently until I started this regimen. I never have a UTI now and water is so healthy for us. It flushes the toxins out of the body and feeds our cells. And don’t forget that 60% of our body is made up of water!

Needless to say, I’m glad you will be drinking more water. And you will be visiting the bathroom more frequently too. 😂

Sherrine
Posted 10/10/2019 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
That's a great idea, Sherrine--to have the ice water so handy all day long. And, as you said, not to forget to drink overnight or when out and about. Good idea to keep it in the bathroom where you'll see the jug! I sometimes get distracted, so I put a "Drink water!" sign above my kitchen sink. smile

I took a few plastic Coke bottles, washed them, then filled them half full of water, and laid each partially sideways in the freezer. Then when I go somewhere, I fill the bottle with water. It takes a while for the ice to melt, so it stays cold for quite a while.

I only wish that water would have a little better taste! I do sometimes add a little lemon juice and I once read that that's helpful to prevent UTIs.
Posted 10/10/2019 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
I happen to love ice water but it was an acquired taste for me. I just drank it and then got to love it. about once every two weeks I will have a diet soda. I love the diet A&W root beer, diet Sunkist orange, and Fresca.

But I’ve lately found something wonderful...and it would be wonderful for you and your bladder. Ocean Spray has come out with a juice called Diet 5. There are only 5 calories, 2 carbohydrates, and 100% of your daily requirement of vitamin C in a 8 oz. glass! It comes in many flavors but the cran-raspberry is my favorite. So do check these out. Many times I see them at buy one and get one free. I haven’t been able to drink juices for 25 years because of my diabetes but now I can drink these since there is almost no sugar in them. 😊

Sherrine
Posted 10/18/2019 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Luvzminis,
Have you ever tried the antibiotic Z-pak? I just finished a 5 day course and I need to be choosy bc of my ulcerative colitis, and I find it's well tolerated (on that aspect anyway). I'm not sure about the muscles being affected for you or the threat of tendon tears like Levaquin, but you could ask your doctor about trying Z-pak next time. But let's hope there is NO next time!! Lol
Posted 10/21/2019 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sherrine: Thanks for the info about Ocean Spray diet 5--I have never heard of that! I've been really pushing the water, including ice water and water with some lemon juice. This sounds like a nice change, and helpful. I've been cruising the juice aisles in the stores lately, and this is a new one for me.

Hi decaf4me: A Z-pack may be the way to go. No, I've never taken one, but have heard from some who have. As far as I know, none of them have had a bad reaction. It sure doesn't hurt to ask! I really appreciate the suggestion--good catch! So glad it worked well for you.

(P.S. I always get a laugh from your name "decaf4me" (I'm with you on that!) and got a double one this time, reading your last line. LOL!! smile

Hope you both have a wonderful week!
Posted 11/9/2019 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
It's curious how antibiotics affect people differently. I think using various ones for several months after I got influenza, then pneumonia, then ear infections, ruined my GI tract, and maybe lots of other things.

I did take Cipro in my 40's. What I can't remember is if I began to have peripheral neuropathy after that. It's all been down-hill since then. Then.... a couple years ago I had diverticulitis and they asked if I wanted Cipro or another antibiotic, and I said Cipro. Dang. After that the peripheral neuropathy got worse. That's when I started realizing that maybe it was all started by the first time I had Cipro. I started reading about all the long-term problems it can cause.

Anyhow, Luvzminis, I guess what I am saying is it is possible for all of them to have different effects on different people. I wonder if your reaction was sort of a light allergic reaction? I sure wouldn't take anything in that family again.
Our fibromyalgia bodies are so weird, though, it's hard to know what causes what in us anymore.
Good luck to you!
Posted 11/12/2019 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cathy: Very sorry to hear about the antibiotics ruining your GI tract--ouch! By any chance, were you prescribed anything like naproxen? I developed a horrible bout with gastritis after taking that after having surgery for a ruptured appendix.

Also sorry that you have the peripheral neuropathy. I wonder if it was caused by taking Cipro? It sure is risky these days to take so many of the medications that are out there. I think they should be doing a much better job warning of side effects, Well, they do warn sometimes---and sometimes when I hear a big long list of possible reactions, it makes me want to run away from taking much of anything! But there is a place for some meds, for sure.

I've been using more topicals lately and really like the Smith's Amish Arthritis cream for daytime use and the Magnilife Relaxing Leg Cream for nighttime. They really seem to help, at least so far, so good.

I also found something that seems to be helping me sleep better--a self-heating blanket. I found it at Starcrest ("dual-sided heat blanket") and it didn't cost much. It's not real heavy duty, but I sure notice the difference. I'm actually dreaming again at night, which I haven't done in a long, long time! I keep it under the fitted sheet.

And, I think you're right about a possible allergic reaction to the Bactrim. In fact, when I phoned my clinic, a nurse said she would put in my chart that I shouldn't have anything from that particular "family" of antibiotics. So, I'm glad it's written down there.

Yep--our fibro bodies are weird! Right now my body is trying its best to flare because it's been unbelievably cold outside--already sub-zero temps. I notice it's affected my digestion a bit, too. I think I get cold and everything stiffens and spasms.
Right now, I'm longing for a warm, sandy beach and lots of sunshine! smile Ha ha. I'll have to dream about that one for quite a few months.....

Hope you are doing okay!
Posted 11/18/2019 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Luvzminis.

Yes, I've taken many of the NSAIDS earlier in my life (40's and 50's), and now I can't take any of them. They immediately burn my stomach. I haven't read exactly why Cipro can cause nerve damage, but supposedly the biggest thing it is "famous" for, is causing a ruptured Achilles tendon. How the heck could that happen?

At the moment, I'm having the mother of all flares......both with Fibro and osteoarthritis. All of a sudden in the past few months, my wrists have caused problems. The hand doc says if the steroid shot and wearing a splint doesn't help (whch it isn't helping), then he'll need to take a section out of my ulna and put a plate in, in order to shorter the ulna. Uh.......I don't think so. I guess it doesn't always help, and I'd rather deal with the pain. I am also looking for other ways of treating pain.......like creams (thanks for suggesting those that you are using), and I just ordered some big gloves filled with flax seed and clay beads to heat in the microwave. They have great reviews and I'm hoping that helps with my wrist and bent fingers pain.
I guess I appear as a non-compliant patient at times, but it seems so often that docs recommend things that aren't always the best route to take, and many times just cause more problems.
I'm going to look into those things you suggested. At this point, I don't want to be perfect....I just want times of being able to control pain. I'm also becoming very aware of how drastically my body responds to fluctuating weather. Maybe I've said this before, but when I told my doc that something bad happens to me every late summer, early Fall, (flare ups) he said "Oh! You're deciduous!" How true he was!
Thanks again Luvzminis!
Posted 12/15/2019 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a Lyme herx to antibiotics. Ever consider Lyme?
Posted 12/15/2019 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Most of us have been tested for Lyme disease. People have reactions to antibiotics and it has nothing to do with Lyme disease or herxes.

I appreciate your concern but we do consider Lyme and other things that can be causing problems. I send people to the Lyme forum if they are concerned they might have Lyme disease. But since this is the fibro forum, we stay on topic and discuss fibro. Thank you,

Sherrine
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply