Thursday, January 27, 2011

The best (or worst) drug I've ever been prescribed

So I'm allergic to TONS of stuff normal people are not allergic to, including but not limited to milk (NOT lactose intolerant, actually allergic like a nut allergy), wheat gluten, and most antibiotics. This causes a lot of difficulty when I go out to eat at other people's houses and also whenever I get an infection.
In fact, there are only 1 or 2 types of antibiotics I'm NOT allergic to, so doctors are always super hesitant to prescribe me an antibiotic in case I become desensitized or allergic to them as well. I recently went in to the doctor because of a raging sinus infection. I was prescribed Levaquin, which I've never been given before. I was told I could try it, but should be careful about watching for possible side effects.
Well, three days in I haven't had any hives and my throat hasn't closed up, but I have had some of the most bizarre side effects I've ever received on a medication. I've been awake for 3 days straight now because the meds give me night terrors and also severe night sweats. Wow. Example: Last night I dreamed that I was wandering around a historic home looking at a pretty mural when something invisible charged at me from behind, screaming, and began choking me to death. Pretty much my worst nightmare. I woke up literally in tears of sheer terror. It was not the only time I woke up screaming and crying last night, or in the previous 2 nights.
The Levaquin package actually lists the following as possible side-effects: "symptoms of nerve problems (eg, changes in perception of heat or cold; unusual burning, numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness of the arms, hands, legs, or feet); tremors; new or worsening nightmares; mood or mental changes (eg, agitation, confusion, depression, nervousness, new or worsening anxiety, restlessness, sleeplessness);" as well as several other equally horrible and more common things.
The bad news is that I can't take amoxicillin like a normal human being, and that I have 2 days more of treatment. The good news is that I am not crazy, and I can look forward to 2 more nights of fun and sleeplessness. WOOT!

1 comment:

Natalie said...

Chad says he rarely prescribes that drug because of the horrible side-effects. Sorry you have to go through that.