Author Topic: Updated OK-I'm Starting to Freak Out a Bit - SJS? (Read 7239 times)

northernguy · « **on:** March 12, 2007, 10:09:54 pm »

As mentioned in a thread below. My doc says I'm having an allergic reaction to Bactrim (which I stopped Saturday night). He said wait it out and the rash should be gone in @ 48 hours. But I went on the net looking for Bactrim allergy and noticed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome can occur with Bactrim. Now I'm starting to freak out!!! How do you know the difference betwen a rash and developing SJS?!

libvet · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2007, 10:30:29 pm »

Quote from: northernguy on March 12, 2007, 10:09:54 pm

As mentioned in a thread below. My doc says I'm having an allergic reaction to Bactrim (which I stopped Saturday night). He said wait it out and the rash should be gone in @ 48 hours. But I went on the net looking for Bactrim allergy and noticed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome can occur with Bactrim. Now I'm starting to freak out!!! How do you know the difference betwen a rash and developing SJS?!

Generally, the first sign of SJS is not a rash, it is a fever, sore throat, and headache, followed by a rash.

Keep an eye on it, but don't panic at this point.

northernguy · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2007, 10:46:40 pm »

Quote from: libvet on March 12, 2007, 10:30:29 pm

Generally, the first sign of SJS is not a rash, it is a fever, sore throat, and headache, followed by a rash.

Keep an eye on it, but don't panic at this point.

Thing is, I have a very mild fever (99.2) and yesterday a bit of a headache (thought it was sinuses). Has anybody on the board gone through this?

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2007, 11:30:02 pm »

Yairs, I have. Rashes can be bad things. If you're concerned you need to see your doctor.

MtD

jkinatl2 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2007, 11:43:06 pm »

Honestly, if you are as frightened as you indicate, you would be better served by calling your doctor ASAP and going in tomorrow. Perhaps even to the Emergency Room. SJS is nothing to play with, and nothing to diagnose over the phone nor internet.

If it turns out to be nothing, you can easily feel embarrassed. Last time I checked, feeling embarrassed did not kill someone. SJS, however, can.

Why a doctor would disregard a rash is beyond me, especially when a small but significant percentage of those on these drugs experience a very medically dangerous effect.

milker · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2007, 12:05:27 am »

The problem with us is that we're over educated by reading so much about all those diseases that can happen when we're a bit weak, so I"m sure you read about every disease that can happen when you're hiv positive like I did, and now anything that goes wrong and you find the exact same symptoms online and you think you have the disease.

I'm not blaming you i'd do the same!!!!!!

But only a doctor can diagnose your problem. Go see a doctor and get him to do the appropriate tests.

northernguy · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2007, 12:06:48 am »

Quote from: jkinatl2 on March 12, 2007, 11:43:06 pm

...
Why a doctor would disregard a rash is beyond me, especially when a small but significant percentage of those on these drugs experience a very medically dangerous effect.

Well, he didn't really didn't disregard it. More like acknowledged it, gave me some antihistamines and expected it to resolve. He's poz as well, so I'm quite confident in him. Just freaked out. Sorry, I'm still relatively new to this.

budndallastx · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2007, 06:57:05 am »

I had a bactrim reaction and ended up in the emergency room with a fever, very low blood pressure and a rash all over. I just started to feel really crappy and it just got worse. Luckily it was only an allergic reaction instead of SJS.

How are you doing today ?

northernguy · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2007, 10:41:06 am »

Woke up this morning after a good sleep. The rash is a worse, but definitely no sore throat and my temp is it usual 98 (below normal). I'll give my doc a call and see what he says.

Bud, what did they give you in the emergency room?

Ihavehope · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2007, 10:45:06 am »

Keep us posted honey. Good luck.

northernguy · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2007, 01:50:04 pm »

Thanks evryone for the advice and PM's. I guess I'm freaking since this is the 1st definitely HIV related thing that has happened to me. Plus the rash is so visible. I just wish the antihistamone (aerius) would show some effect. But I gather it can take a while for the reaction to subside. Its weird, you think bactrim would have left my system by now.

northernguy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2007, 06:53:29 pm »

Just to update: saw my doc again today. He said: yes the rash has gotten worse and is a classic allergic reaction rash. He's given me a perscription for prednisone, Hopefully this will do the trick. Interestingly despite his large AIDS practise he has yet to see a case of SJS.

Especially since I was called for a job interview

I must admit, this whole episode has made me very wary about switching jobs and insurers etc.

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2007, 07:03:22 pm »

He's given me a perscription for prednisone, Hopefully this will do the trick.

Oh babe, prednisone will do the trick alright. Be sure to make yourself familiar with the side effects of this potent cortico-steroid, just so you don't get any nasty surprises.

MtD

northernguy · « **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2007, 07:10:52 pm »

Thanks Matty - might this include something like projectile vomiting during my interview? I do worry something like that might cost me the job. And I will have to find a suit and tie colour that downplays my splotchy red face - green perhaps?

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #14 on:** March 13, 2007, 07:15:17 pm »

Thanks Matty - might this include something like projectile vomiting during my interview? I do worry something like that might cost me the job. And I will have to find a suit and tie colour that downplays my splotchy red face - green perhaps?

Well taken on an empty stomach prednisone can cause nausea, so drop it with a feed doll.

Good luck with the interview.

MtD

milker · « **Reply #15 on:** March 13, 2007, 08:02:57 pm »

hey northern I was on prednisone recently and the side effects I had was tingling and being high 30 minutes after I took it for about 2 hours. I felt like I had a big head (which would go well with my big mouth and my big................................................fingers).

tigger2376 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2007, 08:26:52 pm »

I seem to remember my consultant saying that the chances of SJS were almost literally one in a million..when I got it!
Don't beat yourself up for worrying, better to get things checked..hope you feel better soon and good luck with job
(and may sound mad but you can get a pale green foundation cream which takes out the redness in your skin and doesn't make you look like an alien!)
Jo
x

northernguy · « **Reply #17 on:** March 13, 2007, 08:42:45 pm »

Thanks all. Bit of a downer, the message from the employer wasn't to schedule a second interview - it was to tell me they had selected someone else. Bugger. Oh well, better go drown my sorrows with tequila and prednisone.

northernguy · « **Reply #18 on:** March 13, 2007, 10:46:05 pm »

Quote from: tigger2376 on March 13, 2007, 08:26:52 pm

I seem to remember my consultant saying that the chances of SJS were almost literally one in a million..when I got it!..

Thanks Jo, was your Bactrim related? I found an interesting site from the UK(hope its not too conspiracy-theory for some) about Bactrim: http://briandeer.com/septrinindex.htm

Incidentally, two hours after the first dose of three 5 mg prednisone and the rash has subsided dramatically!

Matty the Damned · « **Reply #19 on:** March 14, 2007, 01:27:17 am »

Incidentally, two hours after the first dose of three 5 mg prednisone and the rash has subsided dramatically!

Oh babe, when it comes to shutting down inflammatory responses prednisone is Teh Shit. And, as you've noticed, it works fast. Now you've started it, you have to take it EXACTLY as the doctor prescribes. You can't just stop taking it suddenly.

15 mgs should be fairly light on the side effects. You might experience some water retention and some weight gain. Also, your CD4 counts may well drop. Don't fret if they do, they'll bounce up again when you stop.

MtD

northernguy · « **Reply #20 on:** March 14, 2007, 06:45:40 pm »

Thanks Matty. The best side-effect I found listed for prednisone was "inappropriate happiness". One does hate getting happy at innopportune times. Thank heavens I don't have a funeral to go.

tigger2376 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 14, 2007, 08:30:33 pm »

Speaking as someone who giggles at funerals, don't need drugs for 'innapropriate happiness!'...know its nerves but does look bad

And my SJS was related sustiva...HIV, the disease thats like christmas, coz its always giving you gifts!
Seriously, glad the rash etc seems to be sorting itself out
take care, and let us know how you doing
xx

david25luvit · « **Reply #22 on:** March 18, 2007, 12:05:38 pm »

Having had a severe case of SJS I am relieved to hear you are doing better, Northernguy....
Imagine being microwaved for a half hour and that was me....my tongue and the inside of
my mouth peeled, lost all my fingernails, and toenails...went rabid for four days
had severe chemical burns to my trunk, arms, legs
and feet and we won't even talk about the inside of my anus and my penis

.
I know its been a while but I
hope you're feeling better good buddy

Forums Index

Welcome

Author Topic: Updated OK-I'm Starting to Freak Out a Bit - SJS? (Read 7239 times)