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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Severe Weakness And Diarrhea Post Intake Of Sulfamethoxazole ?

My wife (78 years old) recently fell and shattered her elbow. Six days later she had a very long surgery and stayed in the hospital overnight. By the third day home, we felt she must have contracted urinary tract infection there, and when urine samples were taken, it was true. Our family doctor put her onSulfameth/TMP 800/160 mg, twice a day for ten days. During that time she experienced extreme weakness, some diarrhea, complete loss of appetite, and pain in her right leg as it decreased in size. She finished the treatment two weeks ago, but still has the extreme weakness, actually passed on in the bathroom during the night two nights ago, and can t tell whether she is constipated or blocked or has strange diarrhea (now small lighter-colored stool). We were finally able to get an appointment with the doctor for tomorrow morning. Do you have any opinion on this matter (we had assumed much of the weakness was due to the infection itself, but now wonder if it is all adverse side-effects of the drug?) Do you know of any drugs for e-coli that do not have such severe and lasting side-effects. The sheet the pharmacy gave us indicated that some of these symptoms might occur even months after she has been off the drug. Thanks. Well, now that I see you charge for your services, and we know nothing about you, forget it!!!!!
Wed, 8 May 2019
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General Surgeon 's  Response
Hi,

Noted the history about your 78-year-old wife having fractures, gt urinary tract infection hence subjected to Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim for 10 days.

Sulfa causes fixed drug reactions causing black itchy spots under the skin, but if this has not occurred then the cause of her weakness can be related to the fractures or associated anemia or so.

Going through fracture management in this age itself can cause a lot of problems. Loose stools can be caused any antibiotics and taking probiotics will help. I would advise her to go to a Primary Physician so that a proper clinical evaluation can be done to know the cause, investigated accordingly and treated well specifically.

Reassurance is also very important and helps in many circumstances. I hope the urinary tract infection is well under control and if not the best way is to go for a culture and sensitivity of urine and blood to get an appropriate reports so that any other antibiotic as p[er the report can be started and this cured.

Also needed is to go for ultrasonography of abdomen for urinary system in particularly.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. T. Chandrakant,
ENT & General Surgeon
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What Causes Severe Weakness And Diarrhea Post Intake Of Sulfamethoxazole ?

Hi, Noted the history about your 78-year-old wife having fractures, gt urinary tract infection hence subjected to Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim for 10 days. Sulfa causes fixed drug reactions causing black itchy spots under the skin, but if this has not occurred then the cause of her weakness can be related to the fractures or associated anemia or so. Going through fracture management in this age itself can cause a lot of problems. Loose stools can be caused any antibiotics and taking probiotics will help. I would advise her to go to a Primary Physician so that a proper clinical evaluation can be done to know the cause, investigated accordingly and treated well specifically. Reassurance is also very important and helps in many circumstances. I hope the urinary tract infection is well under control and if not the best way is to go for a culture and sensitivity of urine and blood to get an appropriate reports so that any other antibiotic as p[er the report can be started and this cured. Also needed is to go for ultrasonography of abdomen for urinary system in particularly. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. T. Chandrakant, ENT & General Surgeon