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Bactrim SJS: From the Epitome of Health to Near-Death

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Mobile, ALAfter three days on Bactrim for a mild infection, Myra was so sick that she wound up in the ER with a fever of 104 degrees. And she got worse because the doctor told her to continue taking the sulfa drug. Finally a dermatologist saw her and diagnosed SJS Bactrim: Myra almost died from a severe allergic reaction to Bactrim that caused Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

Bactrim Victim"By the time my mamma drove me to ER I was throwing up," says Myra. "The first doctor I saw thought I had a virus and asked if I was on any medications. Mamma showed him the Bactrim bottle with 4 pills left and he told me to finish them." Of course that was the worst thing Myra could have done, but following his orders she took another pill.

"That night I started to get itchy and it got so bad that I wanted to scratch my skin off," Myra explains." The next morning I woke up to a rash covering my entire body. It scared my mamma so we went back to ER. I was so weak I could barely walk. They called in every type of specialist but had no idea what was wrong so they kept running more tests and admitted me. That night I took a turn for the worse—I had just finished all the Bactrim.

I am a black woman but my skin color is light—it turned black and I had welts all over me. By then I was in so much pain they kept me heavily sedated on Demerol. They were terrified I would be given the wrong thing and die because my kidneys started to fail. I had welts in my eyes; my mouth was all blistered and I was also burning up inside.

On the 2nd or 3rd day a dermatologist finally saw me and diagnosed SJS right away, but he didn't know how to treat it so he called another doctor who had already treated a patient with SJS. They told my mama there was a possibility I would pass away that night.

I don't even remember the days going by. Nobody could touch me—I would scream with the slightest touch. The hospital didn't have a burn unit so they wanted to transfer me but my immune system was gone to the point where if they tried, I wouldn't make it through the transfer. They brought in a special bed and treated me like a burn victim: My blisters were the size of golf balls and the nurses tried to keep them covered but when they tried to change the dressing, other people in ICU would hear me screaming. They didn't try to move me but sometimes they had no choice.

And my blood count was checked constantly to monitor my kidneys. The doctor had tried Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) on another SJS patient and it worked. 'There is a high probability that if we don't start this treatment she won't make it through the night,' the doctor explained to my mum and fiancé. ''Her kidneys already shut down and her major organs will follow.'

I remember signing the consent papers for IVIG treatment; I went through all of it in Mobile and they flew some more in from Birmingham. If it worked the blisters would begin to pop: they started popping a few days later. But it took about 2 weeks before I could be moved. And I was given heparin every day to keep my blood from clotting.

I didn't know that my skin had started to peel off. It started sloughing off my face and upper areas. I didn't want to look into a mirror. When I was finally able to get up and have a shower I still had blisters all over my body and my mouth and eyes were cracked. I felt like a child all over again because I could do nothing for myself. My family had to bathe me, everything. I felt awful because I was a grown woman being treated like a baby… I couldn't talk and I had a catheter for the first 2 weeks. It was horrible--I went from a healthy 22-year-old just finishing college to near death.

I had to start physical therapy because I had been bedridden for so long. I saw my skin coming off, just like a snake. And I had a pic line giving me all my medicines and foods. I cried when they had to change it from one arm to the other. 'We are so sorry but we have to do this,' the nurses said. I don't know how many drugs I was on, but I do remember that the nurses were wonderful.

Eventually I went home but my immune system was still compromised and I had to make frequent trips back to the hospital for check-ups, mainly to check my blood count. It was a shock to be home—I was an emotional wreck and on lots of pain meds. I couldn't take any meds without approval and no drugs with sulfa otherwise I would probably die (I now wear a medical alert bracelet). At that time the skin on my legs and feet sloughed off. I couldn't walk, I couldn't wear shoes.

I would look in the mirror and wonder who it was. I went out and people stared at me. It got to the point that I wouldn't even go to the corner store or church. If it wasn't for my family and praying, I don't think I would have made it.

To this day I don't know why a drug company would allow a drug to be prescribed for a simple medical problem knowing there is a possibility it could harm you. And in my case, kill you. Now I tell people to be careful of what you take.

Sometimes it takes lawyers for people to be aware that a drug such as Bactrim can cause death. I feel blessed because I am still alive; SJS is supposedly rare but I have heard that a lot of people have suffered from this terrible disease.

This happened to me in 2007 at a time when nothing was written on the Bactrim label about SJS. I'm in the habit of reading the information label that comes with a drug before taking anything. And my doctor didn't mention any potential side effects. And the medical bills! Luckily we have insurance but my actual bill was over $100,000. We felt blessed because if it wasn't for insurance, there is no way we could have paid for this. My medication alone was over $60,000. The Bactrim makers should be paying this bill, at the very least."

According to drugs.com, Bactrim and other sulfa drugs are linked with Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Sulfamethoxazole, an ingredient in Bactrim, is one of a group of drugs called sulfonamides, which prevent the growth of bacteria in the body and which can trigger the life-threatening and devastating Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, known as TEN.

In the 1960s, Wellcome, the maker of trimethoprim, and Hoffman-La Roche, the maker of sulphamethoxazole, combined their drugs to make Bactrim. As cases of Bactrim-induced Stevens Johnson Syndrome were reported, it has become one of the top drugs associated with the potentially life-threatening disease.

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READER COMMENTS

Posted by

on
I was taking Bactrim for 5 days (2 pills a day) before my symptoms started. My head and neck were extremely sore to were I could barely hold my head up. Total body/ joint aches. I had confusion and problems focusing, I had to leave work early. I went to an immediate care and they took blood and urine samples. Expecting it to be a virus and sent home, I was shocked to find ALL of my labs to be waayy off! It was shocking! They sent me to the closest ER for higher level of care. I was given a liter of fluids and sent home because I had no signs of an allergic reaction. Over night I started shivering and burning up at the same time. By morning, I had a rash on both upper arms and a temp of 102.5. I was taken back to the ER because I could barely move. My whole body was painful to the touch, it was excruciating! I was having trouble seeing clearly, normal needle sticks were crazy painful!! Just having my blood pressure taken was extremely painful compared to normal. The doctors finally figured out it was a reaction to Bactrim, even though I had taken it before without any issues. Now, I had BIG issues! I was given IV steroids and Benadryl and almost immediately the body pain stopped. It was unbelievable! The next needle poke felt normal. One of the craziest experiences of my life for sure! I'm just happy to have lived to tell my story. The ER doctor said it will get worse before it gets better. The next day my body was covered in hives (head to toe) and the next day I was so red, I was pink! I was taking large doses of Benadryl daily and ibuprofen for residual pain. After a few days I was able to go back to work. I'm so grateful for the nurses and doctors that saved my life! I had no idea this could happen after already taking it before with no problems.

Posted by

on
Bactrim is the devil's drug. I had an infected abscess on my thigh, went to the Dr and he prescribed Bactrim. By the next day I could barely walk I was so weak, my stomach was severely upset, I had a fever of 102 (my normal temp runs around 97) and I had the rigors so bad I was shaking the whole bed. My head felt like it was going to split in two from the headache and my entire body ached especially my back. I went to the ER where they drained the abscess and gave me Keflex to take in ADDITION to the Bactrim. While there they did bloodwork and all kinds of medical tests. My bloodwork was all over the place, nothing was normal. My kidneys and liver were failing, my platelets, white blood cells and anything else you could imagine were totally out of whack. This is from two days of Bactrim. Finally my Dr. said to stop the Bactrim and the Keflex. I did but I was still severely dehydrated and ended up back in the ER for IV fluids. Two weeks later I'm still not feeling all that great and my bloodwork still shows abnormalities. I was a healthy woman and three days of Bactrim debilitated me and I hate to think what would have happened if I had continued taking it. My Dad was severely allergic to Sulfa drugs when he was alive and apparently I followed in his footsteps. My Dr. said that in his 30 plus years of practice he has only seen this violent reaction to Bactrim once before. I'm considering getting a medical alert bracelet because I don't ever want to go through this again.

Posted by

on
I'm so sorry for the pain that you endured. My story wasn't as severe but significantly changed the course of our lives. I was first given Bactrim for a UTI. I took two pills a day for seven days. On the eight day I had symptoms of a severe flu. Vomiting, diarrhea, chills, fever horrible abdominal pain that radiated to my back. I went to the ER and was told I had pancreatitis. At the time the doctor swore there was no way Bactrim could have caused it and said it was idiopathic. I was hospitalized for more than 14 days. Upon release I suffered from GI problems for six months that included severe cramping, pain, and diarrhea. Two years later after the birth of my son I had a UTI that resisted the first round of antibiotics and an infected cut on my finger. I was sleep deprived with a new born and a husband in Afghanistan. I didn't even realize they had given me Bactrim until shortly after I took my first dose. I had the flu like symptoms almost immediately. I checked the bottle saw it was Bactrim and went straight to the ER. I was diagnosed with Pancreatitis once again. Spent over 15 days in the hospital, with a newborn and a husband fighting a war. I had to quit my job and my husband eventually left the military. A year later I was still suffering from GI problems. My gallbladder went bad and had to be removed. I still have GI problems to this day. I swear the drugs damaged my internal organs but of course the GI "ARMY" doctor swore there was no way BACTRIM could have those effects. He also said that once the drug left my system it couldn't continue to harm me. He was an idiot. Now I suffer from migraines and memory loss and the neurologists informed me that sulfa drugs have been linked to neurological disorders as well. I honest to god feel like my health has declined tremendously since taking Bactrim. Like you I read the pamphlet that comes with the drug but nowhere did it list pancreatitis as a side effect. I now will not taking any medication I have not had before. I wish there was away to have this drug removed from the market the risk are not worth the potential benefit.

Posted by

on
I am broken hearted to read these posts...I am on here because I just took this medication two days ago. I am healthy and have never been allergic to any meds. I am not on any medication at all. I was prescribed this for ecoli under the name APO-SULFATRIM 800. I was prescribed 2 pills a day for 3 days. I got the script in the evening at took one pill at 7pm. Around 1AM while asleep, I woke up to feel my lip swelling. I was very thirsty. Over the next few hours I became nauseus, and got a horrible headache. My face became red and hot and my throat began closing. Fortunately, I was able to see a local doctor right away who gave me prednisone. I had the worst cramps in my muscles. My knees especially. All day into last evening my head was pounding and I was aching all over. I went online to find these heart breaking, horrific stories! Why is this drug not banned completely?! I am in Canada and just reported to Canada Vigilence. I am so sorry for those who have suffered so greatly! This drug should not be out there! There are much safer drugs to take! BAN THIS!

Posted by

on
my husband took bactrim due to infertility problem, thought he was just coming down with the flu, with neck pain and fever and then ended up in the er, and passed away. what sent him to the er we are sure it was the bactrim. medical files are still being reviewed. we were just married 10 months, i was unaware of any such side effects as i had taken it for a spider bite 4 years ago. we kept telling the drs that he was on bactrim and wouldn't even think to tell us that was what happened. they wanted to tell us he had some kind of virus, that they couldn't figure out and then said he had meningitis which he didn't, every test came back negative. he should still be here if it weren't for the bactrim and the stupid drs and nurses.

Posted by

on
Thanks for this site...I took Bactrim on Wednesday for a UTI, the course was to be 6 pills over three days. After three pills my neck became so stiff and rigid that I could barley turn my head or stand upright. I discontinued use immediately and have drank as much water as possible. It's 24 hours later and although much of the stiffness and neck paralysis has lessened, I am still struggling to hold my head completely upright. I feel like a very elderly woman hunched over with all of the tendons strained in my neck. These powerful effects are frightening and frankly unbelievable. My neck doesn't look the same as it did 24 hours ago. I am waiting, hopeful to return to my limber self, while I wait for my Doctor to return my call. This drug is toxic and extreme. I can't believe they still prescribe it. All the best to anyone affected...Amy

Posted by

on
I was prescribed bactrim for a sinus infection and by the 6th day, I also developed a rash. Fortunately for me and Facebook, one of my nurse friends told me to stop taking it immediately...I also ended up in the Er as I started vomiting, high fever, couldn't eat or drink but I thought it was the flu. By the time I realized it wasn't and ended up in the ER...My heart was in afib, kidney failure, very low blood sugars and as the Er doc said "beyond severely dehydrated"

I too feel that this a a very dangerous drug and should be used in only very special cases. I could have died, almost SJS and might even have had a stroke. I now do not trust any prescription medicine or even over the counter.

England has banned Bactrim except for extreme cases. It should be here also

Posted by

on
The Same Thing Happened To Me Too! I'm 24 Years Old & It Was Back In November 2012 It Was Terrible, I Was Comatose For Almost A Week, Can't Remember Alot That Happened But What I Do Remember Was Scary! I Heard Voices Asking Me Questions & I Answered Back Which Freaked Me Out Because I Was In & out Of It. Thought Everyone Around Me Was In A Cult Together! I Woke Up Crying Hysterically Feeling Terrified & Thinking There Was A Bad Presence In The Room With Me, And No I Did Not Have A Nightmare I Would Have For Sure Remembered A Bad Dream Once I Woke Up The Feeling I Had Was Too Terrifying. The Pain Was Excruciating & Was Being Pumped With Different Strong Pain Med Every Four Hours. Had Feeding Tube, Catheter, Central Line & Had A PICC Line For Ten Days After Leaving The Hospital & 3 Days Before Leaving. Doctors Told My Family To Prepare For The Worst. It Left My Vision So Blurry It's Hard For Me To Read Without Magnifying The Page To 175% I Have Chronic Pain In My Joints & Nerve Pain, My Nails Hurt & Aren't Attached At The Tips On My Thumbs, The Rest Of My Finger Nails I Managed To Save By Gluing Them Down With Nail Glue & My Toe Nails Are In The Process Of Coming Off, Trying To Save Them Too. I Think Bactrim Is The Worst Drug Ever & Has Ruined My Life For The Past Year, It's Hard To Enjoy Life & Move On When My Body Constantly Hurts & My Eyes Burn & Blur My Vision, My Feet Still Throb Because Of Huge Blisters On My Heels, Doctors Called It Floating Heels. I Couldn't Walk For A Month & Was So Weak By The Time I Got Home I Still Couldn't Do Anything For Myself. I Sweat Like Crazy Now Due To Pores Scarring Shut. Dry Mouth & Throat, My Nose Burns Sometimes & Get Migraines From Hell. I Feel It Has Affected My Memory & I Now Have Trouble Speaking, Like I Get Tongue Tied & Forget What I Was Trying To Say. I Feel Like An Air Head Basically.

I Hope We Can Ban Bactrim From Being Sold In The USA. There Are Some People I Know Who Now Refuse To Take Bactrim Because Of What It Did To Me & They Surly Don't Want Any Of Their Friends & Loved Ones Taking It Either. It's Not Truly A Medication If It Kills People & Surly Shouldn't Be Distributed Any Where For That Reason.

Posted by

on
Wow, I was recently prescribed this medication myself and ended up in the ER as well. I looked like the red elephant man, and felt like it too, it was such a horrendous experience!!! This is a horrible drug and needs to be band and the company held responsible. I am so sorry for what happened to you. I burned up too, but not as bad. I have learned this stuff burns you from the inside out! It is awful awful stuff and needs to be taken off the market before it hurts more people. I like you and many other's have not been warned about the horrible side affects that apparently are MUCH more frequent than what is said. DO NOT TAKE THIS JUNK!!! Warn Everyone!!! Sulfur itself is toxic so why the hell are they putting this crap into so called medicine?

Posted by

on
My son-in-law died one month after going to the ER and taking Bactrim for an infected finger. His death was hellish and he suffered greatly from all the symptoms associated with Bactrim side effects. My daughter was uninformed about his illness until we started researching his symptoms. This took place in 2011. Any doctor that I have spoken to is defensive about this drug and argue that all drugs have side effects. This drug is banned in the UK. But the drug is making millions and causing how many deaths? Hard to get that information. I have a very dim memory of my mother telling doctors I was allergic to sulfa drugs but I did not remember it until my son-in-law died.
I am glad you survived this terrible drug. Are there any activist organizations against Bactrim so we can get it banned permanently in the US.

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