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Drug reaction (sulfa) - when will I get better?

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Posted 2/25/2009 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
All,

I usually post on the Anxiety/Panic Forum, but I've been out of commission for nearly three weeks now due to an allergic reaction to a sulfonamide antibiotic (Bactrim).  I had what we thought was a bad virus: a week's worth of recurring fevers (6-7 break and resurge a day), weakness, no appetite, a little joint pain, and then on Day 8, the rash.  That's when I stopped the Bactrim: eight days in.  By the way, no anaphylaxis, but BP was low for me (115/75 so docs weren't worried - but I'm usually 160/100) and pulse was high (110 as opposed to my current 65).

I'm still struggling with bouts of weakness that leave me unable to do anything but the necessities at work - little energy to be on the forum, go online at home, do household chores except when I absolutely HAVE to.  Any advice, commiseration, suggestions on when this weakness will go away?

Also, glucose level was up some, sodium down while on Bactrim, improved considerably a week after I stopped but still not at normal levels.  Nurse practitioner has ordered another series of blood tests in May.

Thanks in advance,

percycat

Posted 2/25/2009 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
Make sure you are well-hydrated, that will help your body eliminate the sulfa reaction. Also, try taking Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin, or another antihistamine to see if that also helps. Vitamin B12 may also help, because it is necessary for the body's processing of some sulfur compounds.

Take care,
Posted 3/9/2009 6:59 AM (GMT 0)
make sure the b-12 is the methyl....(sorry forget the scientific name exactly) jarrow has a great one and also bronson's mail order. Take with 1000 mg vitamin C, also CoQ10.
Posted 3/10/2009 4:20 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Razzle and naturalhealth, for the good advice. I started doubling up my multivitamin packet - taking them twice a day, not once - and have been feeling a lot better. I'm pretty much my old self now. Boy, what a long haul it was, though! I had no idea drug reactions were like this.

Hats off to all of you who fight allergic conditions every day - it takes real strength.

percycat
Posted 3/11/2009 10:56 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds more like side effects. You might have encountered the rare ones too. try googling
Posted 3/11/2009 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Now that would be great - I'd much rather it be bad side effects than have to fear a more intense allergic reaction next time. Anyway, I finally have an appointment with an allergist next week to get my questions answered about dealing with Bactrim in the future.

percycat
Posted 3/12/2009 9:18 PM (GMT 0)

I had the same thing happen. Was on bactrim and immediately got worse. Fever went higher and just figured I was becoming more ill. I only waited two days though and I went back to the doc. Drew blood and said it was an allergic reaction to the sulfa.

Good luck.

Teresa

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