I know there are a lot of meds that are contraindicated in MG/LEMS, but has anyone had problems with Bactrim(Septra), or guiafinisen? I have had a really rough time the past week or so with an awful cold/cough and then on top of it got a UTI.

So, the Dr put me on bactrim, and I have taken guifinasen (sp?) as well (my ears are killing me).. I have felt awfully weak the past 2 days since starting these meds...I can't hold my mouth/jaw shut, everything is just flat out weak.. obviously the sicknesses both aren't helping much either.. blah!

Thanks!

I have a lot of experience with Bactrim. I have experienced no side effects from it.

I would say it's your sickness not the meds. When I get sick it knocks me on my bu**.
Mike

I have used Septra several times with no problems.

It is the illness making you have symptoms. Bactrim is many times used prophylactically in patients who are immunosuppressed to keep them from getting infections. I have been taking Bactrim 3 times a week for the past 2 years due to the high doses of cellcept and prednisone for the MG. I have experienced no side effects. When I get sick I am taken off of the cellcept and put on Bactrim twice a day for at least 10 days. I would worry more about any antihistamines that you might be taking as they can affect the MG. good luck.

Hello Bny, I don't know what the cause of your symptoms could be, however, I will tell you that I ended up in the hospital after taking Bactrim for an infection. It turned out that I have an allergy, to sulpha (sulfa).

My husband is a specialist and he prefers his patients to let him know if they are experiencing any difficulties with medications. He said he would prefer that they contact him and it turns out to be nothing.

Thank you all so much- I appreciate it... I have laid off the guiafinisen and seem to have less issues, though it could also be that I am getting better otherwise and that's why... I still definitely feel far from good/great or strong!

I think getting hit with a UTI and a bad bad cold/cough really did me in! I didn't want the meds to be making it worse!

I do get these really weird episodes, and have for a while, where I feel lightheaded - see spots etc.. feel super nauseated and have other GI issues.. these last for about 30 minutes or so, where I truly feel like I am gonna kill over... My husband says I do look a little pale when this happens. My heart is in the correct rhythm from what I can tell.. I"ve checked my blood sugar during these episodes and they are fine.. I do need to check my blood pressure though.. I wonder sometimes if it's something like Addisons (as I do have some hyperpigmentation). They checked cortisol one time and it was normal.. though i think it depends on what time of day, and since I work shift work that may mess with the results I would think!

Fortunas - thanks! Would I have a rash if it was allergic reaction - or mouth swelling/facial swelling? I took bactrim years and years ago, but haven't since I've been sick.. interestingly when I was in the hospital 2 years ago and got aspetic meningits to the IVIG.. they treated me with antibiotics, until the cultures came back negative.. i got SUPER sick feeling everytime they hung the vancomycin.. i mean dizzy, lightheaded, nauseated and just flat out ill... weird

who knows.. but it's been a rough rough week, I appreciate yalls help!

It could be the guafinicin making you tired. It has the opposite effect on me. If I take it feels like I have a hundred cups of coffee and can't rest and feel way worse than the illness I have. Hope you feel better soon!

Thank you Limpy! I have had a hard time getting over this, it's frustrating... I'm on the mend.. and stopped taking the guafenasin.... just in case.. I feel like my trunk muscles are just so weak, I feel like I have lost muscle mass in my trunk as well (my bum, chest, shoulders- front and back).. I just feel puny... not sure if it's due to not being as active as I used to be or a disease process.... I still lug around big kids all the time, and run around constantly.. so i'm not that inactive.. just more so than usual

I just got off a bout of sulfameth/trimethoprim which is a sulfa based drug like bactrim. I have an array of problems because of it. Most have nothing to do with MG as far as I know, but I do have increased weakness which is most likely MG. The other symptom I experienced were that I was having a hard time urinating even though I was drinking enough water; breast tenderness, and a sinus infection which is causing some aspiration because of the weakened muscles. I'm going to put this on a list of "do not take" meds. I'm sure a lot of people don't have a bad reaction, but if you do, then be careful.