posted
So what's happening DLL, I thought you were done with abx? Did your Dr decide that you were relapsing?
You don't have any definitive proof that you are allergic to penicillins do you? Isn't it that you suspect that you might be allergic based on a response to bicillin that didn't even happen until after quite a few shots? It is possible that you were only experiencing a herx. But even if you are allergic to penicillin, you still might be able to take cephalosporins.
I had taken an Elisa allergy test which said that I was very allergic to Amoxicillin. I ended up trying bicillin anyways and haven't had any problem with them. I also recently started Ceftin and haven't had any problem with it. I do keep an Epi Pen handy just in case anything should happen.
-------------------- You're only a failure when you stop trying. Posts: 945 | From U.S | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
hi liver - i became very allergic to pcn 30 + years ago - swelling, hives, itching - was finally hospitalized as they were afraid i would stop breathing (didnt!) anyway, i had some trepidation the first time i tried a cephalosporing but have had no probems - at one time considered cipro a wonder drug - but then it stopped working...have now been on rocephin 3 months....so for me, there's never been a problem with cephalosporins... good luck, deb
Posts: 122 | From richmond, ca, usa | Registered: Feb 2004
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dontlikeliver
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posted
Micul,
I WISH I was done with antibiotics. I have had almost as much time OFF abx in the last 10 months as I have been on them because I would get diarrhea/gas/bloating/stomach aches often and sporadically on the ketek even though for the first few months I had NO side effects at all, and then when I went back on Biaxin instead about a month ago, the diarrhea was worse after only 3 days. And, I have always taken truck loads of yogurt and probiotics...and despite that Great Smokies stool test said I had NO lactobacillus.
I then found out that I had a Klebsiella overgrowth in gut, so treated that with Septrin.
I am NOW ready to try the abx again, I HAVE to because the length of time I've been off is now int he RIDICULOUS range, and I have relapsed also. Not back to square one, but relapsed still.
When I did the Bicillin over a year ago, on my first shot I went bright red and hot on my head and had a weird brief feeling in my lung area....
Then I was OK for the next 18 shots or so, then after the 19th shot I think, after a few minutes I suddenly got a feeling like I would pass out, and it would come over me in waves about every 2 minutes with like a 'heat' inside and nausea.
I had a few more bicillin shots after that and was OK other than severe sciatica inboth legs. My LLMD was not happy about that and took me off the bicillin then, plus I was almost worse and he thought I might have serum sickness, which I did not.
It was then February this year when I got strep throat and was given Penicillin V that on the fourth dose I think, I got a weird cough followed by a weird squirmy/anxious coouldn't lie still feeling...didn't think much of it...but just after I took my fifth dose, within 5 minutes, I got that strange heat in my chest again, but this time with a pressure like someone pushing up inside under my diaphragm, and waves of feeling like I would pass out, my heart going nuts, etc etc
So, I do not know if this is a true allergy. Alllergist said that 'the heat feeling' sounded like a 'true allergy'...but no skin symptoms and I could breathe... So, I don' tknow but suspect it is allergy that might be atypical or something...I am too scared to try penicillin again.
I then had skin test for Cephalosporin, which was negative, but then read somewhere that no matter what people who are allergic to Penicillin are taking too much of a risk with Cephalosporins, but am not sure about the truth of that either because why would my LLMD tell me to take it then.
Usually with anything it is AFTER the first exposure one has an allergic reaction, isn't it? I am just wondering then how they can determine also from a skin test, which is the first exposure to that substance, that one is not allergic if the reaction would not be till the second expsure, can someone explain?
I am supposed to start Cefuroxime. I am scared about it, so I wanted to see how others with Penicillin allergy got on with that drug. ]
Deb Obrien, I'm encouraged that you have had no problems with cephalosporins after severe allergy to Penicillin.
DLL
Posts: 2824 | From The Back of Beyond | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
Thanks for splaining. I understand your concerns. I do get some weird feelings after some bicillin shots, but I chalk it up to a tiny bit of the bicillin getting into the bloodstream by nicking a small blood vessel. Whatever is happening, I don't think that it is an allergic reaction because the next shot will be fine. It's a tough call for you tho, and I understand your fear. IMO it doesn't sound like you are allergic, but apparently your Dr must think so. What a shame that you lost so much time due to the Klebsiella and weird reactions to abx!
-------------------- You're only a failure when you stop trying. Posts: 945 | From U.S | Registered: Oct 2004
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dontlikeliver
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posted
Sorry, that was a bit of a long-winded explanation, wasn't it? Posts: 2824 | From The Back of Beyond | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
I am allergic to penicillin and was able to complete five months of rocephin which is a cephalosporin.
I did exhibit a sensitiviity to the rocephin upon the first infusion but it was not an allergic reaction to it. This sensitivity was observed by the nurses upon the first infusion done at the hospital right after my picc line placement procedure. Thus from that point on, my doctor had me premedicate with benadryl prior to each infusion, infused 1 gram twice daily, increased the dilution. amd slowed down the drip. That seemed to help alot
At the end of five months of rocephin I did seem to develop some kind of reaction which was never determined to be an allergy or not. I developed throat constricture type feelings and I felt really "reved" up - jittery like. I was able to breath (but my chest felt heavy/tight like but my tongue did not swell and there never was a rash.
My doctor stopped the rocephin due to what he felt were potential life threatening reactions. The reactions were definitely connected to the rocephin in that when we stopped the infusions the reaction would clear in a matter of days. When we restarted the rocephin the reactions would appear within the first hour of a slow/well diluted rocephin drip.
I don't mean to needlessly warn you since we never really understood what took place in the end. I was told by my doctor that allergic reactions to penicillins of older generations do not necessarily mean that third generation penicillins (cephalosporins) will necessarily result in an allergic reaction. I was told that third generation penicillins are more pure than that of earlier generations of penicillins like when I reacted with hives in the mid sixties at age six from penicillin.
I was apprehensive upon my first infusion, but in thinking back, I am satisfied that we did do the right thing in using the rocephin. The benefits certainly outweighed the risks in my case.
I recognize that each case is different and a variable host of scenarios can potentailly play out. However, I do wish to offer to you what my personal experience was without swaying your decision in any way. It does seem encouraging that your skin test for cephalosporin was negative.
I hope this is of help and I wish you all the best.
Debbie
Posts: 162 | From RI | Registered: Aug 2003
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dontlikeliver
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"At the end of five months of rocephin I did seem to develop some kind of reaction which was never determined to be an allergy or not. I developed throat constricture type feelings and I felt really "reved" up - jittery like. I was able to breath (but my chest felt heavy/tight like but my tongue did not swell and there never was a rash."
Deb, that is similar sounding to what I experienced on Penicillin, no swelling or rash but a weird pressure in my chest as is someone pushing a fist up towards my diaphragm, along with a feeling of internal heat in that area....and with a jittery feeling (and urge to to go bathroom for no 2).
Nobody has been able to tell me for sure what that was, but the allergist told me that the heat indicated 'typical allergic reaction' however, after verbally tellilng me that, he wrote to my LLMD that it was probably a herx. (even though it happened 4 minutes after I took my last Penicillin).
DLL
Posts: 2824 | From The Back of Beyond | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
I get a rash from PCN but no problems with cephalosporins. From my experiences as a nurse, very few people react to the cephalosporins who are allergic to PCN. However, the risk is still there and people are watched closely for a cross reaction.
Posts: 340 | From Ohio | Registered: Oct 2005
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dontlikeliver
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posted
Thanks.
Posts: 2824 | From The Back of Beyond | Registered: Oct 2003
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Hi ,The 1st IV abx. I was on I got a reaction from IV Primaxn ( an imipenim- likely spelled that wrong) but this is a similar family of drugs to cephlasporins( cousins so to speak- and can be cross allergic reactions for some),
at first it was the usual type of anaphylactic reaction, throat tightning , dizzy, heart palps, and later mild heart pains ,slight shoulder rash,very sick feeling & headaches , weak,
basicly serum sickness, and was repeatedly told to slow down the drip both over the phone during the 2nd infusion ( but my 1st at home)and after a few more calls, couldn't get thru to LLMD instead call were in tercepted by IV nurse each time,
I said something about having to slow the drip from the orig. infusion time of 30-45 min/normal to 2 1/2 hours ea. bag ( not normal)..to every one each time I was in, or called..
no one seemed too concerned. On the 5th week I had a full body rash that broke out within minutes on 95% of my body - severe.
.I stoped all meds , called them, they doubted it was the primaxin as it had been 5 weeks now. I knew it was( because I had been miserable)And knew how it reacted at a normal dose/ normal drip time.
They had me come in to see the rash- and concluded it was a classic obvious drug allergy. They insisted on infusing it one more time in thier pressence ,
so I let them and had a reaction, tingling all over & extra itching -poping out sensation where the rash was( most everywhere)My throat felt like it was slightly closing up , and I felt paniced.. they stoppped the drip.
After a healing period of 10-14 days while I was compromised , tI resumed just oral zith s the only abx. with my symtom meds.While it was also the Christmas Holiday , I went back in 3 weeks and it says in the" doctors notes" which I recently read
that he was considering trying me on they Rocephin evluted what to do next & decided on Rocephin IV Cephlaspporins ( Rocephin) In spite of a possible risk of reaction,similar family.. I did fine on IV Rocephrin and can take Ceftins, cephlaspons of all types so far as well,I was on iv rocephin for almost a year with other IVs and orals as well in combos.this was 2002/2003
BUt... Recently I took an Amoxicillian( I had been on many times before or the generic /Augmentin, never had a issue till this one time, was rushed to the er after turning paLE face, lips blue,Bloodpessure was insane, and even expelled BLOOD all over everyone & my kitchen when the
PARAMEDICS tried to insert an IV, At the time of the reaction , couldn;t answer quesions,I could not talk, breath , extremities were tingling ,weak and numb. They saved my life-I know. paramedics are awesome.They concluded I am also now allergic to penicillan family of drugs, and should stay away from these as well.
By the way I also had severe tendon and low back,joint? wrist ankle and achilles, shoulder pain with first Cipro then later Levaquin. Some of this has lasted 3 years after treatment with the floaquinalones so be careful there as well.. I never used to be allergic to anything at all that I know of then about 20 years back I began with seasonal allergies,
which eventually became fall & spring then, indoor & outdoor, then I suspect some food allrgies as well now.
Lastly now multiple meds it seems..Make sure you keep a current epi pen ..just in case
-------------------- Sandi ( badkitti30043) Posts: 664 | From Atlanta Ga. | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
Sorry, somehow I caused a triple post. Anyway, I am allergic to penecillin & duricef & pharmacist said very likely allergic to all cephlasporins.
Posts: 213 | From ohio | Registered: Jul 2006
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Our experience does sound similar in ways, but I did not experience any burning sensations. I wish I had a definitive answer as to what happened with me.
I have asked myself that if need be would I do another round of Rocephin and I would have to honestly say I think I would. However, maybe next time with an epipen nearby and a phone hanging around my neck with 911 set on speed dial, Lol. I will say that I always kept my cell phone or portable house phone near while infusing when home alone. My sensitivity to the drug was an issue from the get go even with premedicating with benadryl, thus I tried to be smart in the area of safety but not paranoid.
The question of the necessity of IV meds shouldn't be taken lightly; it surely is a big decision where by the gains should out weigh potential risks.
I know whether or not to do IV meds was something you grappled with a year to two ago, as I recall. Unfortunately, I have been around this board long enough to remember such a thing. I am sure you will come to the best decision that works for you.
If I may say, whatever your decision becomes, try to make it based on the best facts and information you can obtain and not from pure fear. Listen to your heart and I know you will make the best decision for you; it is no easy task for sure but it will be so important.
It is late, I have rambled and should give you a break. Please keep me updated.
posted
Allergic to pennicillin, OK on cephalosporins, but have only tired oral cephalosporins.
Posts: 169 | From former Philadelphian | Registered: Jun 2006
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Health
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Member # 6034
posted
I was told since a child I was allergic to penicillin, I have never tried it because of this.
I was put on Ceftin by the LLMD and seemed to be ok with it, I had some breathing issues, I herxed on it, felt STRONG on it, strongest I have
ever felt on an antibiotic, actually had to cut down the dosage of it. But then by the 7th day or so,
I started to itch, and swell down below, I am a female, I was raw down there, my bowels were raw, I wont go into detail, but this
was not a yeast problem, it went beyond yeast, I thought I was going to pass out when I had a bowelmovement, the inside of my bowel felt
RAW. I then felt I was having some kind of reaction from it, and stopped it and switched to minocycline.
I had this horrid rawness go away within 1 week or so and never had it on another antibiotic.
So for me, I would never go throug this again, it was like I was raw inside, and believe it was some kind of reaction, because
i never had it on any other antibiotic, like the flagyl, the Doxy, the Biaxin, the azithromyin, and so on.
I felt strong though, so strong on the Ceftin, I wish it would have been ok for me.
I think? maybe I felt strong because it was bacteriacidal,
I think the macrolides are bacteriostatic, like the mino and Doxy.
Trish
Posts: 1250 | From Canada | Registered: Aug 2004
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Boomerang
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posted
Hubby is allergic to penicillin. He couldn't take Ceftin. Had reaction as soon as it hit his stomach. Definitely wasn't a herx type thing.
He was allergic to Ceftin.
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