Hi siskiyousis, Yes Septrin is a sulfa drug, i just found that out too, the doctor came out to my home as i was really sick, and gave me Septrin, and i couldnt keep it down either. I found out years later, that Septrin is one of the drugs that can cause drug-induced Lupus, so maybe i had that for a while, than it may of developed into full blown Lupus, it was before i was diagnosed that i was given Septrin, its a horrible drug so is cephalexin, its one of the ones i am taking at the moment for my pneumonia. It has been making me feel so sick, and if i dont manage to get something down me eating wise like a dry buscuit then i am really sick. Its a heavy duty drug, cephalexin, it kills most bugs, and its normally given to people who have allergies to alot of other things, this is one of two i am able to just about tolerate, but its not nice. Anyway take care, bye for now, love and hugs Astrid40xoxox
siskiyousis said:
Septrin is sulfa based drug...when i looked it up online. Thought that was one of the drugs i took that made me sick...and when we researched found it was sulfa based. They can make it with another base but batch or company i got it from ...was sulfa.
I just did not get sore joints...but was throwing up from both ends of my body...nicer way to say it...plus hurt not just in joints but all over.
Maybe yours is just because you are sick....i literally could not keep it down it is that bad. Of course the first time it happen...i was not sure like you are not questioning it....my doctor said that he said he felt it was really possible for it to be the sulfa..this was back in early 80's.
Since i could not keep it down...he switched me to something else...which i immediately began to feel better. I than tried it once more...to make sure and sure enough i again got extremely sick from 1st pill. So we just have put i am allergic to sulfa drugs.
Did it cause a big long flare...no but i was sick a couple weeks...was it from the drug making it worse...or just the ear infection..well all i can say is with other drugs, i was over the ear pain within day of taking drugs and able to go back to work.
With the sulfa I was out over a week. So we deducted ..the doc and I, that sulfa clearly did not agree with my..no i cannot prove it made my lupus worse...but i sure seem to us that it did.
I cannot think of one other drug that I reacted to so intensely in a lupus way. I got allergic to pencillians but that is swelling of lips ...i did not get physically sick. I have got physically sick from Sevella but not where once i stopped i still felt sick like i did with sulfa.
I think that is tricky part about Lupus/ auto immune diseases is that with each person it comes out and reacts a different way may it be in the drugs we take, or how some cannot it gluten, or night shade plants, even stress i think can create different symptoms in people. I think this is where we the patient must listen to what our gut instinct is telling us and follow it.
Don't have them Joann, though I think I am going 2 try to get them from that doctor......I will let u know if I do....Thanks So Much!!! {{HUGS}} Suzie :0)
JoAnn O'Linger-Luscusk said:
Suzie, do you have the results of your Western Blot for Lyme disease from 4 years ago? I mean, can you find out which bands were positive? They actually do two tests: IgM and IgG. IgM antibodies are those that appear first, early during the illness, and IgG are those that show up later.
If you can share those results, I can at least tell you if any of the bands correspond to antibodies that are specific to Lyme disease.
Hi Suzie D, i had a look at which antibiotics i had been taking for the MRSA and the pneumonia and ear infection with the MRSA and one of them is the Cephalexin, i have three weeks of them to take, and the other one is called Doxytetracycline, that one is so horrible, it made me violenty sick for the first few days, so the doctor changed it to another tetracycline based drug. When i take the cephalexin as they have to be taken at different times from each other, i feel so yuck, and i have to get a dry buscuit down me quick, this is the one i was saying about that has an effect on whatever pain killers you are taking, it makes them less effective, therefor more pain, i didnt realise earlier that this was one i was on, sorry about that. I have been feeling absolutely horrible, i have had swollen hands, my legs and all over my body is killing me. Like i said it makes me feel sick too, i really dont like having to take it, but as i am allergic to alot of other things i dont have much choice if i want to get better, which i do obviously. The two antibiotics i am on are making me feel wretched at the moment, and taking the two is really awful. So i do understand how you feel, but i would still get to the doctors and ask if what you are feeling is right, as we are all different. Take care my precious friend, love and hugs Astrid40xoxox
Hi MegLupusNewbie, i know what you mean i am having to take cephalexin in high doses for the MRSA on my lungs with the pnemonia, and another one called Tetraclycline by another name, and they are both making me feel really awful. Trouble is i am allergic to so many antibiotics, that i have to have these two as they are the only ones that i can actually keep down, and thats only i am quick with getting a dry buscuit down me, otherwise i start to be violently sick. I was given another one called Doxytetracycline, and this one made me so ill, i had to say no way can i take this drug, and my doctor then changed it to another one of the Tetracycline drugs, neither Tetracycline or Cephalexin are very pleasant drugs to take, i have got three weeks of them to take, i have nearly got through my first week now, and have two more. I might even have to have more, as i have just found out the MRSA is in my urinary tract as well, it has been spreading itself through my body. Just having the pneumonia is enough, let alone all the rest of it on top. I have this awful cream i have to put inside my nose and ears, its horrible, thats life though sometimes isnt it? But at least i am not in hospital at the moment, thank goodness. I also got a new bed today which is going to be a help, even though at the moment, the mattress is abit harder than i would usually have, but thats not a problem it can be sorted. Social Services got me a hospital bed, as i am so ill with the Lupus at the moment it has been really scary. Even if it is the antibiotics causing whatever symptoms its still always best to check with a doctor isnt it, just to make sure. Anyway take care, look after yourself, bye for now, love and hugs Astrid40xoxo
MegLupusNewbie said:
Hi Susie,
Before I was diagnosed I had a bunch of infections and kept getting sulpha antibiotics and I knew that everytime I took them I got even more sick, rashes, fever ect. One time I took 3 back to back rounds of antibiotics for what they thought was an infection in my salivary gland and I had to be hospitalized with "a flu like illness" I am sure now was lupus. I got a full body rash, pain everywhere, high fever that did not respond to advil, mouth sores, lost 15 pounds in 10 days. After that I always told the docs I as allergic to sulpha drugs. I read somehwere that a lot of people with lupus are sensitive to sulpha drugs. If I were you I would ask for a different kind of antibiotic - there are some that are not supha related.
sorry everyone ....for misspellings..i wake up at night and cannot sleep due to pain. SO i know i put it instead of eat..sure i made others and will....again so sorry.
Now way Ann they let you build a new housing development right next to dairy farm!?!! That is going to smell great in the summer with all the manure plus the flies!! Having grown up on dairy farm....you can keep it spotless but you still have manure and flies!!
I live in deer, coyote, bear, fox, mtn lions and most best the bald eagles who dump 10" trout on my lawn that catch from hatchery few miles away lol!!
From what I can tell ...lyme disease can be caught out here, but East Coast is still much worse. I know you have different kind of deer...we have Mule, white tale and Coastal depending where you live in Northern Calif. I am on cusp of Mule and white tail. We do get ticks on us....i always wear large brim hats in summer ...all year really and think that helps since ticks tend to drop on us and critters.
I see articles and states for you Easterners to wear long pants/shirts brimmed hats and boots in the summer! Oh i hate that....i love wearing shorts and t shirts! But than i also read how Plains and Eastern Deer also had mad cow disease so hunters should have their meat tested. This was few years ago i do not know if same or not. I sure be careful ...just because.
Good luck...oh also where ever there are cows there will be deer generally. They like each other, plus eat same stuff so easy pickins for deer.
One day on hike...my dogs ran into a month old fawn...it had not impression yet on mom fully....it let my dogs walk right up to it....my heeler kissed it than so did my lab...we called them back but boy i wish i had camera!!
I am sorry for all problems you have with lyme...i did get bullseye long time ago..went on month worth pills..hopefully it will stay away
I'm from Northern CA and have to say that California is just as bad now for Lyme disease as the East Coast....especially Northern CA. The fact that you actually had a bullseye rash years ago is interesting... just a thought, but are you sure that you don't have Lyme now? I mean, the symptoms of Lyme and lupus are almost exactly the same, which is one reason (out of many) that doctors have so much trouble distinguishing between the two.
A month of antibiotics is usually not enough to get rid of Lyme, unless you caught it immediately. I've been on antibiotics for more than two years for Lyme, and apparently still have a ways to go.
Of course I wouldn't want you to have Lyme, and I too hope that it's not Lyme that you're dealing with now. But wanted to mention that your neck of the woods is a prime place to catch Lyme.. please do tick checks every time you've been out!
((((((((hugs))))))))
JoAnn
siskiyousis said:
sorry everyone ....for misspellings..i wake up at night and cannot sleep due to pain. SO i know i put it instead of eat..sure i made others and will....again so sorry.
Now way Ann they let you build a new housing development right next to dairy farm!?!! That is going to smell great in the summer with all the manure plus the flies!! Having grown up on dairy farm....you can keep it spotless but you still have manure and flies!!
I live in deer, coyote, bear, fox, mtn lions and most best the bald eagles who dump 10" trout on my lawn that catch from hatchery few miles away lol!!
From what I can tell ...lyme disease can be caught out here, but East Coast is still much worse. I know you have different kind of deer...we have Mule, white tale and Coastal depending where you live in Northern Calif. I am on cusp of Mule and white tail. We do get ticks on us....i always wear large brim hats in summer ...all year really and think that helps since ticks tend to drop on us and critters.
I see articles and states for you Easterners to wear long pants/shirts brimmed hats and boots in the summer! Oh i hate that....i love wearing shorts and t shirts! But than i also read how Plains and Eastern Deer also had mad cow disease so hunters should have their meat tested. This was few years ago i do not know if same or not. I sure be careful ...just because.
Good luck...oh also where ever there are cows there will be deer generally. They like each other, plus eat same stuff so easy pickins for deer.
One day on hike...my dogs ran into a month old fawn...it had not impression yet on mom fully....it let my dogs walk right up to it....my heeler kissed it than so did my lab...we called them back but boy i wish i had camera!!
I am sorry for all problems you have with lyme...i did get bullseye long time ago..went on month worth pills..hopefully it will stay away
Sorry that I cant help you out on this one, because I am actually allergic to anything that has sulfur in it, it makes me severely short winded. I hope that you find you some kind of relief, I will pray for you. Many blessings and hugs xoxoxo
I live in Northern calif too.....now MT Shasta back than when i got the bullseye...was Napa, Vacaville area of hiking.
I went in immediately...took tick out...with bulls eye already forming by time i went to my reg doc the next day was full blown. It might have been longer that i took pills...was a long time i recall that. this was after i had been diagnosed with lupus, but i do recall that she ran a test six months down the road to make sure i was clear of it. She was excellent doctor!! I miss her greatly.
See...I have been back east and they have commercials etc warning people to wear long pants etc. I have yet to see one ad asking us to do that up here? I do check for ticks after hiking....because i understand it is not a pleasant disease to get.
I wonder if where you live...if it is possibly in Bay Area...East Bay area? my husband worked as CHP in that area about 20years ago and he said that there were just way too many deer over there.....guess all the predators where not around..which would be Mt Lions. But he saw so many deer hit by cars at night he just felt it was sad. They had those whistle things put on front of patrol car and that really worked.
Now in Napa/Sonoma...my mom and friends have not ever warned me about to be cautious about lymes and my sister in law lives out with ll these oaks hanging over her house....feel like every time you go out possible to get a tick on you!
So glad you said that...i know up here since it is colder we have smaller season....but seriously...i have yet to see or hear one advertisement or article about how lymes is huge problem back here. I have never once had doctor even ask me if i have been bit by tick after they hear i go hiking out in woods daily. So maybe...more bay area? I do not doubt you....i have to ask my mom and friends ...just see if they forgot or assumed i was getting same messages up here. Thanks ....
I worry more about my dogs....i almost lost a dog to type of tick...erlich something i think. They did not know it had traveled here to the west...but i did test to confirm it and proved it. Was 100 bucks but they posted it to all vets in area...they called me about few weeks later and said 2 other dogs had it and by doing that test saved those dogs from suffering what my poor lab pup had gone through.
SO people ...not just us but our pets we need to protect!! Thank you i will spread the word up here...ask doc how is it up here. We might just be in lucky pocket. BUT thanks again Joanne...nice to meet someone from n calif!!
JoAnn O'Linger-Luscusk said:
Hi Siskiyousis,
I'm from Northern CA and have to say that California is just as bad now for Lyme disease as the East Coast....especially Northern CA. The fact that you actually had a bullseye rash years ago is interesting... just a thought, but are you sure that you don't have Lyme now? I mean, the symptoms of Lyme and lupus are almost exactly the same, which is one reason (out of many) that doctors have so much trouble distinguishing between the two.
A month of antibiotics is usually not enough to get rid of Lyme, unless you caught it immediately. I've been on antibiotics for more than two years for Lyme, and apparently still have a ways to go.
Of course I wouldn't want you to have Lyme, and I too hope that it's not Lyme that you're dealing with now. But wanted to mention that your neck of the woods is a prime place to catch Lyme.. please do tick checks every time you've been out!
((((((((hugs))))))))
JoAnn
siskiyousis said:
sorry everyone ....for misspellings..i wake up at night and cannot sleep due to pain. SO i know i put it instead of eat..sure i made others and will....again so sorry.
Now way Ann they let you build a new housing development right next to dairy farm!?!! That is going to smell great in the summer with all the manure plus the flies!! Having grown up on dairy farm....you can keep it spotless but you still have manure and flies!!
I live in deer, coyote, bear, fox, mtn lions and most best the bald eagles who dump 10" trout on my lawn that catch from hatchery few miles away lol!!
From what I can tell ...lyme disease can be caught out here, but East Coast is still much worse. I know you have different kind of deer...we have Mule, white tale and Coastal depending where you live in Northern Calif. I am on cusp of Mule and white tail. We do get ticks on us....i always wear large brim hats in summer ...all year really and think that helps since ticks tend to drop on us and critters.
I see articles and states for you Easterners to wear long pants/shirts brimmed hats and boots in the summer! Oh i hate that....i love wearing shorts and t shirts! But than i also read how Plains and Eastern Deer also had mad cow disease so hunters should have their meat tested. This was few years ago i do not know if same or not. I sure be careful ...just because.
Good luck...oh also where ever there are cows there will be deer generally. They like each other, plus eat same stuff so easy pickins for deer.
One day on hike...my dogs ran into a month old fawn...it had not impression yet on mom fully....it let my dogs walk right up to it....my heeler kissed it than so did my lab...we called them back but boy i wish i had camera!!
I am sorry for all problems you have with lyme...i did get bullseye long time ago..went on month worth pills..hopefully it will stay away
I know sweetie, that's the BIG problem, we need public awareness of the extent of Lyme disease. They have now found ticks with Lyme in all 50 states now but people (including doctors) just don't realize this, because it's not publicized!
It's mainly because the CDC (Center for Disease Control) continues to believe the false statements put out by the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA). The IDSA currently says Lyme is rare, it's "hard to catch and easy to cure". They claim that 2 - 4 weeks of antibiotics will cure any case of Lyme, and if you have symptoms after that, well, it must be in your head! All of that is ABSOLUTELY FALSE.
There is another group of doctors, the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS), who have dedicated themselves to treating Lyme patients with long-term antibiotic therapy. In many cases these doctors have been harassed and even threatened with suspension of their licenses! It's really sad, and so many people out there have Lyme and don't know it. :(
The best way to find a REAL Lyme doctor is to ask turnthecorner.org or ILADS to help you with the search. Also, in California, there is a Yahoo group that you can join: health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CaliforniaLyme/
In fact, in any state one can find the local Yahoo Lyme group by going to health.groups.yahoo.com/group/YourStateLyme/ (substituting the name of your state where it says YourState, of course).
Thank you for being concerned for your community and being willing to spread the word! Northern CA is a hotbed of Lyme disease now. Just watch this free documentary (Under Our Skin) online to hear a former Forest Service Ranger tell his story about catching Lyme disease, not too far from where you are: http://www.hulu.com/watch/268761/under-our-skin
Hulu does show commercials before and during the movie, but it's really worth watching!
Take care!
(((((((((((hugs)))))))))))
JoAnn
siskiyousis said:
I live in Northern calif too.....now MT Shasta back than when i got the bullseye...was Napa, Vacaville area of hiking.
I went in immediately...took tick out...with bulls eye already forming by time i went to my reg doc the next day was full blown. It might have been longer that i took pills...was a long time i recall that. this was after i had been diagnosed with lupus, but i do recall that she ran a test six months down the road to make sure i was clear of it. She was excellent doctor!! I miss her greatly.
See...I have been back east and they have commercials etc warning people to wear long pants etc. I have yet to see one ad asking us to do that up here? I do check for ticks after hiking....because i understand it is not a pleasant disease to get.
I wonder if where you live...if it is possibly in Bay Area...East Bay area? my husband worked as CHP in that area about 20years ago and he said that there were just way too many deer over there.....guess all the predators where not around..which would be Mt Lions. But he saw so many deer hit by cars at night he just felt it was sad. They had those whistle things put on front of patrol car and that really worked.
Now in Napa/Sonoma...my mom and friends have not ever warned me about to be cautious about lymes and my sister in law lives out with ll these oaks hanging over her house....feel like every time you go out possible to get a tick on you!
So glad you said that...i know up here since it is colder we have smaller season....but seriously...i have yet to see or hear one advertisement or article about how lymes is huge problem back here. I have never once had doctor even ask me if i have been bit by tick after they hear i go hiking out in woods daily. So maybe...more bay area? I do not doubt you....i have to ask my mom and friends ...just see if they forgot or assumed i was getting same messages up here. Thanks ....
I worry more about my dogs....i almost lost a dog to type of tick...erlich something i think. They did not know it had traveled here to the west...but i did test to confirm it and proved it. Was 100 bucks but they posted it to all vets in area...they called me about few weeks later and said 2 other dogs had it and by doing that test saved those dogs from suffering what my poor lab pup had gone through.
SO people ...not just us but our pets we need to protect!! Thank you i will spread the word up here...ask doc how is it up here. We might just be in lucky pocket. BUT thanks again Joanne...nice to meet someone from n calif!!
JoAnn O'Linger-Luscusk said:
Hi Siskiyousis,
I'm from Northern CA and have to say that California is just as bad now for Lyme disease as the East Coast....especially Northern CA. The fact that you actually had a bullseye rash years ago is interesting... just a thought, but are you sure that you don't have Lyme now? I mean, the symptoms of Lyme and lupus are almost exactly the same, which is one reason (out of many) that doctors have so much trouble distinguishing between the two.
A month of antibiotics is usually not enough to get rid of Lyme, unless you caught it immediately. I've been on antibiotics for more than two years for Lyme, and apparently still have a ways to go.
Of course I wouldn't want you to have Lyme, and I too hope that it's not Lyme that you're dealing with now. But wanted to mention that your neck of the woods is a prime place to catch Lyme.. please do tick checks every time you've been out!
Hi fighter, this is interesting, as i was wheezing and breathless the other day, i just thought it was probably just because of the lung involvement i have, but maybe those antibiotics could of contributed to it, who knows. Anyway thankyou for the information, take care, look after yourself, love and hugs Astrid40xoxo
fighter said:
Sorry that I cant help you out on this one, because I am actually allergic to anything that has sulfur in it, it makes me severely short winded. I hope that you find you some kind of relief, I will pray for you. Many blessings and hugs xoxoxo
i went on your the site...actually where i live is safest. Map shows 0 cases for part of area i live in and other part is next lowest at 0.01....
So that explains why up here we are not hearing a great deal about it. If i go down in to the bay area ....where deer are just so abundant it is kind of sad....they have no natural predators except vechiles to kill them. so they are over eating and getting diseases.... But i think it is perfect climate for them little bugs to survive as well.
I see that on Easter Sierras also they are heavy. I am way up in the Cascades......less than hour from Oregon.
I will always be careful though. I tend to wear deterrents...you can buy clothes now that has deterrents in them so you do not stick. Sierra trading post is on place one can find sporting items including clothes at reduced prices and very easy to return. I strongly recommend them/
But i will pass on the maps and sites to rest of my family and friends who do live down in the danger areas...thank for passing on this info. Plus, like i said...not just for us humans but dogs can catch these disease as well or diseases from ticks.
Hi Goldie, this is a relief, that cephalexin isnt a sulpha drug, i remember now that it has something to do with penecillin, as i am usually allergic to penecillin, but this drug is the only out of any with penicillin in that i am not allergic too, i have trouble with antibiotics too, and nearly everything they give me i am really sick with. I have worked out i have actually got three types of antibiotics i can take, i did think it was just the one which is cephalexin, but i can also take tetracycline, but it still makes me sick, i have to anti sickness tablets with it. They gave me Doxycycline for the MRSA and that one made me really really ill. So, when i caught the MRSA it was a real worry that i would be able to have something that would actually get rid of it. I am still on antibiotics now, after three weeks and will have to have a couple more weeks and some heavy duty pain killers, as i said the cephalexin has this adverse affect with the pain killers making them less effective than usual, so it has been a hell of a few weeks for me. I could of screamed at times, but i have been getting through it with the help of some really lovely friends on LWL keeping me going and keeping my spirits up, thanks to them i havent cracked up yet, hehe. Its Septrin thats the one that no-one should have really, as Septrin can bring on drug-induced Lupus. No antibiotic is good though for anyone who has Lupus, as our bodies are fighting hard enough as it is, and adding something else into the equation makes things even harder. Anyway thanks for that Goldie, its so easy to forget which is which, there are so many different side effects with different antibiotics, bye for now, love and hugs Astrid40xoxo
I think....that no one can say for sure what causes a flare in one person and not in another. That is what makes SLE such a difficult disease...it is not at all black and white.
Yes..i know for sure in myself that not only does it cause a flare ....but i am flat in bed for minimum of 3 /4 for taking just one pill of it.
Like my doc said....this is the stuff that you yourself have to listen inside yourself and know for yourself and do not let anyone speak for you.
I do not have to prove it ...it is enough that i get sick taking it so i just avoid all sulfa drugs....if it makes anyone else sick...than avoid it...if not than fine take it. When you read about the history of Lupus this is what made so confusing to doctors....was how one patient would get sick than other not so do they have same disease or not?
Hi Goldie, I have MRSA on top of having Pneumonia and MRSA in my Urinary tract, so thats why i have been given so many weeks of Cephalexin and another drug, both to be taken at the same time. They do say you arent supposed to have the Methotrexate whilst you have an infection, as it can actually make us worse. As the Methotrexate dose we are on is a low dose of chemo, and as it kills of good cells as well as bad making our immunity lower, not to the extent of someone who has cancer though. We have it obviously to dampen down the immune system, but i was told never to have the chemo or any other immuno suppressive drugs whilst i have any infection, as it makes it harder for us to get better, as the body has to fight harder if we are taking the immuno suppressive drugs. If you are on about taking the Cephalexin, then i think you may have to try and take it, and see how you feel. It does have the added thing of that if you are on pain killers of any sort, it makes them slightly less effective when on this drug, and any antibiotic can make it easier for us to have a flare, as our bodies defences are down already with the infection let alone adding something foreign into our systems for our body to deal with. I think the best thing if you are really worried is to have another chat to your doctor or Rhuematologist if you are not sure what to do. Anyway good luck, take care, hope you are feeling abit better soon, love and hugs Astrid40xoxo
Goldie said:
Interesting you say this is a sulpha based drug, I too have both a UTC and am battling bacterial pneumonia. I saw my GP yesterday and he prescribed this same stuff, I saw my Rheumy two days before that and she said no Sulfa drugs but that Keflex was ok?? So now I am really worried, I do not take the first dose until after I go to the lab for a urine culture which is in a few minutes. I am supposed to take 500 mg twice a day too.
My rheumy said no to Sulfa because of the other meds I take, methotrexate, plaquenil and Enbrel to name a few.
She told me to not take the Enbrel or Methotrexate until after the infections are cleared. So for at least two weeks.
I just saw a rhumatologist for the first time Friday. He noted that I'm allergic to sulfa drugs and said one of the things that commonly happens is that people with Lupus are frequently allergic to sulfa drugs.
Your doctor should have known that sulfa drugs are contraindicated for people with Lupus. Don’t take them for any reason if you have SLE. There are plenty of other antibiotics.
Good luck to you.