Flagyl reaction after so long? Question

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JSMom
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Flagyl reaction after so long? Question

Postby JSMom » Sun Aug 17, 2014 8:33 pm

Hello:

I am on my second course of Flagyl 500mg tid - the dr. said if I felt better I could quit at the 10 day mark. I also went to see a naturopath who gave me some heavy duty probiotics (I have been taking probiotics all along since I got c.diff but these were a multi strain) So on FRiday I took the probiotics before bed. Woke up in the morning and had a NORMAL BM!!!!!!!!!! First time since getting c.diff. Later that day I got itchy on my elbow - thought it was a bug bite then I went home - ate and took my next dose Flagyl...went to the neighbours and thought I was getting bit by mosquitos. CAme home -went to have a shower and had a rash on my groin -both my elbows, arms around my ears/neck...then my fingers started swelling....everyone said it must be the probiotics but I wondered/worried. So I didn't take my Flagyl last night and took Benedryl. WEnt to pharmacist and walk in today - both don't think it's the probiotics (although I am not taking them until I speak with naturopath) but dr. said I could get an allergy to Flagyl...but at this late date??? He told me since I don't have D now to take a wait and see approach as I would have to go on Vancomycin if I relapse at this point anyway. Has anyone ever heard of someone getting an allergic reaction AFTER a second course of Flagyl? Or such a severe reaction to a probiotic? I am not allergic to milk or soy btw and have had no IBS problems in the past. Thanks.

Barbara

code3rn
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Re: Flagyl reaction after so long? Question

Postby code3rn » Sun Aug 17, 2014 8:50 pm

Yes it is possible to have a reaction the second time taking it. Your first time taking the flagyl (and part way into the second), your body misidentified the medication as harmful and began making antibodies against flagyl. Now with the exposure a second time, your body's antibodies remember the "harmful" flagyl and activate the mast cells which cause the allergic reaction to
flagyl. I would be careful taking flagyl again because the next time your reaction could be much bigger such as anaphylaxis. Hope you won't relapse again and this second round will have done the trick.

beth22
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Re: Flagyl reaction after so long? Question

Postby beth22 » Sun Aug 17, 2014 9:28 pm

I was never allergic to penicillin, but then one day, I was and I can't take it anymore. So, that is one possibility. I can't take Saccromyces boulardii because it gives me a rash - that is Florastor, a probiotic. So, it is possible to react to probiotics too.

JSMom
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Re: Flagyl reaction after so long? Question

Postby JSMom » Sun Aug 17, 2014 10:03 pm

Thank you. I just hope it was enough to kill the c.diff but if not, I would have insisted on vancomycin the next time as the Flagyl was so hard to take.

Beth: I have been taking sacchomyces boulardii for over a month - could I develop a reaction to that as well after that long? The probiotics for the dr. didn't contain that so I take it separately.

Barbara - who is itchy again as the Benedryl is wearing off.

beth22
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Re: Flagyl reaction after so long? Question

Postby beth22 » Sun Aug 17, 2014 11:23 pm

I took the Florastor for a week or two at first and only noticed a lot of gassiness, so I stopped. Later, I tried again and not only got the gas, but the rash. I tried a different brand and got the rash right away. The doctor said I probably had a yeast sensitivity. If you relapse with c diff (hopefully not) I would take either vanco or Dificid. Neither one get absorbed in your system - they are supposed to just stay in the GI tract.

roy
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Re: Flagyl reaction after so long? Question

Postby roy » Tue Aug 19, 2014 3:15 am

You can't be allergic to something the first time you encounter it.
You have to be exposed to it for a while and then as code3rn says your body produces antibodies.
you have introduced a lot of new stuff recently so its hard to judge what your allergic to but personally I would cut out the things I added last week

RNBSNCDIFF
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Re: Flagyl reaction after so long? Question

Postby RNBSNCDIFF » Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:07 pm

I recently experienced the same thing and will NEVER take Flagyl again! Yes the more you are exposed to something the worse the reaction will become. I too was on my second course of Flagyl. Fortunately I was on my 10th day when the reaction became so bad I went to the ER. My primary care doctor didnt see to be concerned unfortunately. But as I knew something was not right. So I stopped taking the Flagyl and I havent had any CD symptoms and my reaction symptoms are getting alot better as well. I have a prescription for Vancomycin waiting for me if I need it. So I say the wait and see is honestly the best approach. Im in this boat with you. CD is a very scary disease and very painful and debilitating. I will never look at it the same ever again.

JSMom
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Re: Flagyl reaction after so long? Question

Postby JSMom » Sat Aug 23, 2014 1:50 pm

Hello- thank you for the reply. I got the rash that went to dr. said to stop Flagyl and see how I do. Was on Day 9 of second course. So Monday I still had rash -some swelling -took my probiotic that night -Tuesday had some stiff in joints and swelling in fingers some pain in right knee. As the day wore on I got more and more pain in those joints - went to watch my daughters ice skating for an hour in cold - came home was not walking good - left knee in a lot of pain - right hand/knuckles getting sore. By 930 that night I was in such pain I could NOT walk - was crying and so scared. Looked online re: serum sickness as dr. had mentioned it but I said I didn't have joint pain (at the time). Took 2 advil hot water bottle and felt a tad better also took an antihistamine. Next day went to dr. and naturopath. Dr. said my blood was okay -no kidney damage and the reactive arthritis would go away....wait and see re: c.diff....said no way probiotics could do this and keep taking them. My naturopath did a full neurological exam to see if I had neuropathy and said he researched probiotics and never found anyone who had a reaction like this BUT to stop for a few days just to give my body a break. Told me to swim if I could to move joints and go from there - stay on the antihistamine and advil (although its not good for gut it eases the inflammation and pain) By Wed night couldn't use my right hand and my left hand was now getting sore. Pain again worse by night. Thursday felt a bit better - pain had eased in the left knee and my right hand BUT had moved in the left wrist and right hip. Again at night way worse. Friday - stiff until Advil kicked in but good day - pain had gone in right knee and right hip and right hand but was on the outside now of the right wrist joint. Now my left knee was sore along with the right shoulder. By late afternoon my left knee was getting increasing sore so I was limping. Went to my daughters ice skating and watched for a hour -later flared really bad - also now had pain in the joint BEHIND the right knee ....pain so bad I could hardly take it - crying (which I have to say I have been doing each night due to pain but this was worse) severe pain the advil didn't even touch...had a hot bath felt a bit better but couldn't walk and needed help to move and did I mention the pain???? Did hot water bottle and took my next advil dose early....by 130 am I could not be in agony due to pain...and was able to shuffle and get to the bathroom at 630 am. This morning the pain behind the right knee is gone - the left knee is still sore and stiff along with the right outside wrist joint and the right shoulder. My left side hip pain is gone now. Along with the severe pain when it hits -the swelling - is a weakness ....this has to be from the Flagyl how could a probiotic cause this. My naturopath said there is different views on the second round of flagyl and that it might have been better for to be put on Vancomycin especially due to the toxic effects of flagyl and that there was only 6 days between dosing. I am so upset - scared of everything now - don't know if I should take probiotics but I have been taking them for so long with no effects -how could they do this? My bm are not right BUT not diarrhea so I am praying that is gone and I am praying that I will get better and recover from this. I also want to report this somehow to the Canadian Drug assosciation as I am sure this is from Flagyl...can't see how a probiotic could do this. Thoughts?

Barbara - who is so depressed and sad and my whole summer has been taken over by this crap and I mean that literally :'-(

beth22
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Re: Flagyl reaction after so long? Question

Postby beth22 » Sat Aug 23, 2014 5:11 pm

It probably is not from the probiotics, but it is possible. When we have intestinal infections, many people get a "leaky gut", which allows things that ordinarily stay in the GI tract to go systemic. I guess it is possible that one of the bacteria strains in the probiotic could have gotten into your bloodstream and done this, but more likely the Flagyl. If it occurred while you were taking the Flagyl, then I doubt it was toxins from c diff because the Flagyl would have prevented those. It's really hard to say. Have you had your B12 and vitamin D levels checked? Deficiencies in those can cause pain like that - more the B12 than the D, but I've had bad bone and muscle pains when I was low on D. A lot of us that have had c diff wind up low on something.

RNBSNCDIFF
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Re: Flagyl reaction after so long? Question

Postby RNBSNCDIFF » Sat Aug 23, 2014 7:33 pm

Barbara. I am 100 % sure it was the Flagyl. My symptoms have almost cleared up since I stopped taking it. I was on it for 2 weeks and then off for a week and then on it for 10 days for my second round but the symptoms showed up at day 7. Been off the Flagyl for 6 days and unfortunately the CDiff is still there. So I started the Vancomycin.

patticake
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Re: Flagyl reaction after so long? Question

Postby patticake » Sat Aug 30, 2014 10:30 am

I am new to this site and so glad I found it to help me through my crazy periods of ups and downs. I to started a second course of Flagyl and broke out in a terrible case of hives. The hives would hurt and burn and itch and then in about 5 hours the top layer of skin would peel of, like sunburn. Went to see my GI and he said it could be the Flagly or a reaction to the C-diff germs dying off in my gut..He says the dying c-diff can give off toxins that can cause the rash..He treated me with Solu Merol IV. He was very concerned because of the peeling skin..He called what I had Stevens Johnson Syndrome...he said it was only the second case he has seen in 20 years in practice. I am left with very itchy palms..but I just put up with it as the palms didn't peel..I am just really down because I have a hard time eating..Never hungry and always feel like the food is sitting in my throat..I have lost 10 pounds and getting nervous. I weigh 113 and can't afford to lose much more..I look like a bag of bones and my face wrinkles have wrinkles...lol..this disease which I have only had for 25 days has aged me . I too have good days and bad..one day I have some energy and the next I am a walking zombie...Very loose BM but today no D....but had a bad case of D the other night...M and D all night ..Wore me out...I am taking Wel Chol to try to bulk up my BMs...think it is helping ..I get so scared every time I get D thinking it is coming back but that horrible smell isn't there anymore and I hope that is a good sign..I want to thank everyone for their posts...I just read and read and read..when I am having a bad day and usually find a post that sounds like what is going on with me at the moment and it gives me calm..I did find a new Kefir at the store yesterday and it has no lactose...Tried 2 oz and I think I am OK....thanks again.

Pat

ResearchGrandma
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Re: Flagyl reaction after so long? Question

Postby ResearchGrandma » Sat Aug 30, 2014 1:14 pm

Sorry to hear about all your issues. Steven-s Johnson syndrome is serious. Has your skin healed yet? You need careful follow-up now for both the C. diff and the skin problems.

beth22
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Re: Flagyl reaction after so long? Question

Postby beth22 » Sat Aug 30, 2014 1:50 pm

Be sure to put Flagyl down as one of your allergies. It is used in skin creams and vaginal gel, so make sure you don't use either of those either. If you need to go on more c diff meds, there is vancomycin and Dificid. Hopefully, you won't.

seekingcure
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Re: Flagyl reaction after so long? Question

Postby seekingcure » Sat Aug 30, 2014 2:17 pm

Barbara, I hope you are doing better. I, too, believe your reaction was more likely to be from the Flagyl than the probiotics. It's a hard drug to take and I had a lot of side effects from it as well. I did much better on Vanco. Are you still on the probiotics and, if so, how are they working for you now?

Pat, I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome you to the site. We are so glad you found us and have been able to get some help from our posts. Some of our members have had good results with a probiotic(Primadophilus L reuteri) helping to restore their appetites and allow weight gain. I believe kefir has l. reuteri in it, so the kefir may help with your appetite. If not, you could always try the L. reuteri capsules. Flagyl really affected my appetite as well, but after a couple of weeks off it and on the Vanco, I was able to get down more than a half sandwich at a time. Now, after nine months off Vanco for c-diff, my appetite is, once again, too good and I have gained back what weight I lost (which I didn't need to, as I struggle with being overweight.) It takes a long time to recover from c-diff and the real healing doesn't start until you are finished with the medications. Hopefully you are through with meds for c-diff and can begin to get your gut, and your life, back to normal.

Here's our standard introduction:

Welcome to the site. Read the first forum “All Users Read This First” and subtopics “Site History” and “Information and Guidelines for Posting to our Discussion Boards.” (Note limits on posting.) This will guide you in using the site and answer some of your questions. Read Dr. Borody's articles. Also see the topics under “CDI” – particularly Recent CDC Report, The C. diff. Bible, Tests, Antibiotics, Hygiene, and Nutrition.

“Doctors” lists physicians our posters recommended and also a list of C. diff. specialists throughout the world with contact information. (Many perform FMT's.) See the new forum “FMT’s and FE’s” or “Media Reports” for new information on C. diff.

The majority of patients (about 80%) recover with one to two rounds of Flagyl or Vancocin. An unfortunate small percentage doesn’t and can suffer for months. Most recover unless there are factors such as advanced age or other severe health problems. New treatments include FMT's, which have a high cure rate, and Dificid. Other drugs and treatments are in the pipeline, and there is increased recognition of C. diff. You can help by educating your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Help us make others aware of C. difficle – which will lead to further advances in treating and/or preventing the infection. If antibiotics contributed to your C. diff, be careful about taking them again. Some people tolerate them; some develop C. diff again. Don’t take medications for C. diff. unless you are tested.

If a medication contributed to your case, please fill out an Adverse Event Report online at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm. Under "Resources for You," in left-hand column, click on "Report a Serious Medical Product Problem Online." (Allison provided this information.)

The best protection for you and others is thorough hand washing and good hygiene. (See Dr. Borody’s articles and “CDI.”) For more information, see other support groups on Facebook, including http://www.peggyfoundation.org, the Mayo Clinic and Web MD web sites, and “The FMT Foundation” under “Links” on the homepage.

This is a support site not a medical site. We can’t give you medical advice but can tell you what worked for us and offer support. No one will understand what you are going through except someone who has/had this unpredictable disease. All of our moderators and frequent posters had/have C. diff. (or a loved one with it) and know how physically, emotionally, and financially disabling it can be.

Again, welcome. Remember, the odds are in your favor. (End of letter.)
Bea

patticake
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Re: Flagyl reaction after so long? Question

Postby patticake » Sat Aug 30, 2014 5:37 pm

Thanks for the welcome to the site...I am off all meds except the Wel Chol...some kind of resin ?? I tried Phillips colon Health and it didn't agree with me..I even tried half a capsule...The Kifer seems to be ok for the past 2 days..and actually after I drank 4 oz of the lactose free kifer this AM some of the nausea left...it usually feels like my food is sitting in the back of my throat...will be trying to take it slow and do expect ups and downs..Will have a scope in the docs office on Thursday and it will be interesting what he sees..There is no prep so I don't know what he can see...lol...I am so lucky that I am retired..I can't imagine trying to work or run a family with this beast in me....thank you again for the site.

I wanted to add that I had the pains under my ribs and my doc told me it was acid reflux ..and he said when it happens get up and drink a hot cup of water...and it really did work..I also take some Gas -X if it is really bad..hope that helps someone else..

Pat


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