Anyone with MS have severe allergic reaction to sulfa drugs?
 

Hi,

I am still in limboland with no DX for MS at this time.

Last month I had an allergic reaction to a sulfa drug--Bactrim-DS and had to go to the emergency room for Solu-Medrol, Benadryl etc. This came out full force after a hot shower.

Now after having the flu again, I keeping breaking out with a rash on my body, redness of the face comes and goes, and occasional red round areas that come and go.

I am now wondering whether I have lupus instead of MS.

Can anyone help with any information?

Thanks....
Terri

I have MS and Ulcerative Colitis, and take a Sulfa drug for the UC. I have many sensitivities to meds (so much so that I don't take any of the mainstream drugs for MS), but I have no apparent problems from Sulfasalazine. I've been using this drug, as required, for over 20 yrs.

A disease which has many similar symptoms to MS is Porphyria, and Sulfa drugs (and many other meds) are NOT recommended with this condition!! Since you are not dx with MS yet, you might want to look this disease up to see if there is a fit (NOTE: I think there are 8 different "strains" of Porphyria, so look for descriptions on each).

Cherie

I am allergic to bactrim which I believe is a sulfa drug. I also had a rash when using this drug, but it went away after using benadryl for a few days.

I'm allergic to Bactrim, Macribid and Cepra. Are they all sulfas??

I'm also allergic to sulfa drugs.

I took for a uti, i vomited for 5 days, high fever etc.


So i will not take it no matter what.

Jim had vomiting with Macrobid at 100mgs and thrush with Bactrim. We think it may have been a fluke thing and at higher doeses he has reactions. However, we haven't tried it since.

"There are several sulfonamide-based groups of drugs. The original antibacterial sulfonamides (sometimes called simply sulfa drugs) are synthetic antimicrobial agents that contain the sulfonamide group. Some sulfonamides are also devoid of antibacterial activity, e.g., the anticonvulsant sultiame. The sulfonylureas (main article: sulfonylureas) and thiazide diuretics (main article thiazide) are newer drug groups based on the antibacterial sulfonamides.

Sulfa allergies are common, hence medications containing sulfonamides are prescribed carefully.It is important to make a distinction between sulfa drugs and other sulfur-containing drugs and additives, such as sulfates and sulfites, which are chemically unrelated to the sulfonamide group, and do not cause the same hypersensitivity reactions seen in the sulfonamides. . . .

Side effects
Sulfonamides have the potential to cause a variety of untoward reactions, including urinary tract disorders, haemopoietic disorders, porphyria and hypersensitivity reactions. When used in large dose, it may develop a strong allergic reaction. . . .

Adverse reactions
Approximately 3% of the general population have adverse reactions when treated with sulfonamide antimicrobials."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfa_drugs

Cherie

Me, me, me! I do. Big hives that lasted a week as well as swelling in the throat that lasted for a few days. No more of that stuff for me.

i can't help but wanted to say that if you're allergic to sulfa meds be sure you never take them again.

subsequent ingestion can make the allergic reaction more severe, even life threatening.

what does you dr say about your con't sx's?
hope you feel better.

Thanks for all comments....
 

Hi,

On my follow-up office visit the next week following my severe allergic reaction taking me to the ER, he just said that it was over, basically a post-traumatic talk being I was afraid of all meds.

After the last 5 years of being in limboland, I have never had these skin issues of rash, reddened areas etc. that is why I've been wondering MS or lupus?

Anyway, I will never take "sulfa drugs again" that is for sure. I know how close I came with this allergic reaction and I know the next time it would probably be worse. The doctors and nurses knew, of course, right away.

My PMD just basically treats all my symptoms I guess until the day that I might possibly be diagnosed.

Thanks for all the input from everyone....

terri