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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Taken Sulfamethtrimethopine For UTI. Breaking Out With Hives On Chest, Arms, Stomach, Upper Thighs, Hands. About Could This Be Steve Johnson Syndrome?

I took sulfamethtrimethopine for 7 days for an UTI. About the 5th day I still felt like I had an infection. The Dr. Told me to come in Mon. For urinalysis. My last dose was on Thurs. And I started breaking out with hives all over my chest, arms, stomach, upper thighs, hands. I went to the ER that night because I was in severe pain & horrendous itching. The rash spread to my lips right inside and outside of my mouth. I started developing a fever blister. I was having chest pains, too. They gave me an adrenalin shot, IV with meds and a shot of steroids. I didn't even tell the ER DR. about The Sulpha drug because I have never had anything like this and foolishly thought if I took a drug & finished it, there wouldn't be a reaction like this. I thought it was a new herb I was taking. The ER Dr. put me on Benedryl & 40 milligrams of steroids for five days. On Friday I started breaking out with more hives, it covered my scalp all the way to my calves and my lips started swelling again. I went to a clinic on Sat. & the DR. In that office asked me if I had taken any antibiotics & I said yes. She asked what the name was & when I told her she said I was having a bad reaction to the Sulpha. She gave me a steroid shot, Benadryl shot and a prescript. for ATERAX. Almost 4 days out & I am still having hives break out all over. My hands & thighs & calves are the worst right now. My hands were itching for days & now the have kind of blister/hives on the back of my hand & fingers that are causing them to burn & swell up. If the emergency room wasn't so expensive I'd be there tonight. I was having extreme heartburn & my lips are starting to swell some with a burning sensation. Could this be Steve Johnson Syndrome? Do the have a test for it. I don't know what to take for severe pain. I have some hydrocodone but I don't know if it would be ok because it has NSAIDs in it?
I am running a low grade fever of 99.9-100.6.
Tue, 18 Jun 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi! Thank you for your question. First and foremost, I am strongly advising that you stop taking the sulfa drug at once. I do believe that your doctor is correct in saying that you have a sulfa drug reaction and this can range from developing low-grade fever, hives, or SJS. Continuing to take the sulfa drug will lead to worse symptoms so please, please do not take them anymore. There is no test for SJS and treatment for sulfa drug reactions is only supportive. Since this is a type of immune response by your body against the sulfa drug, the symptoms may persist for days. If they worsen, please do not hesitate in seeking medical care immediately. Thank you and take care!
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Taken Sulfamethtrimethopine For UTI. Breaking Out With Hives On Chest, Arms, Stomach, Upper Thighs, Hands. About Could This Be Steve Johnson Syndrome?

Hi! Thank you for your question. First and foremost, I am strongly advising that you stop taking the sulfa drug at once. I do believe that your doctor is correct in saying that you have a sulfa drug reaction and this can range from developing low-grade fever, hives, or SJS. Continuing to take the sulfa drug will lead to worse symptoms so please, please do not take them anymore. There is no test for SJS and treatment for sulfa drug reactions is only supportive. Since this is a type of immune response by your body against the sulfa drug, the symptoms may persist for days. If they worsen, please do not hesitate in seeking medical care immediately. Thank you and take care!