Why do I always get side effects?

[Nikia]

I took the first dose of a new IBS drug this morning. Strangely, my side effects didn't show up right away but when they did, I had about every possible common effect on the sheet I got from the pharmacy and a few that I didn't know about until I looked them up on the internet. I wonder if I should take it tomarrow. I want to get better and don't want to keep telling the doctors that I can't take something after only one dose. With some drugs, such as a few antibiotics, the side effects have lessened after a couple doses. On the other hand, I almost died from a side effect the summer between high school and college.
I seem to get side effects from every perscription drugs with the exception of ones that are really OTC medicine such as Claritin's preescription form and larger OTC doses, birth control pills (although it might be connected with my blood pressure rise), my beta blocker, atenenol, and amoxicillin. Every other drug, I have been sensitive to. If fatigue or dizziness is a side effect, I get it. If nausea is a side effect, I get it.
Am I some freak who can't take medicine? Should I try taking another dose tomarrow morning and hope the effects lessen?

[goclark]

1. I'd still call the doctor

I'm like that too.
I am now on my third cholesterol medication.
My muscles have gotten weak with the first two.
Now I'm on Ziatia (spelling)

Good luck, I know the frustration.

[unblock]

2. many people are like this

me too. drowsiness is my big thing, followed by dry mouth.

note that often, side effects diminish or even disappear once your body has adjusted to the meds. if the med holds any actual promise, try to stick with it through at least a month or two, then re-evaluate. of course, you can also tinker with the dosage to moderate the side effects.

my first few doses of imitrex hit me like a mack truck. but now it's almost like taking candy.

[LynneSin]

3. Same thing happened to me

I was doing a great job losing weight, eating healthy (started low carb, but I was at the point that I was eating a pretty balanced meal everyday with all the standard foods) plus exercising.

Around my birthday, my lexapro was increased and in a few weeks I suddenly didn't have the urge to do anything incluing exercize and take care of myself. Then reading discussion groups and side affects about Lexapro I found that one of the biggest problems with the drug is lack of energy and even suicidal thoughts. I got the doc to wean me off of the drug.

[Nite Owl]

4. Can you call a 24 hr pharmacy

anywhere and explain the side effects to them? I get side effects from most things too. I can take Claritin but not Claritin D. I can hardly speak with that stuff. The only antibiotic I can take is the Z-pak stuff.

[Nikia]

9. I think that I'll call tomarrow

Unfortunately, many of the people I talk to, nurse or pharmicist really aren't that much helpful than info I can get on the web.

[flamingyouth]

5. Have you been tested for the c. diff. infection, by chance?

I'm just wondering, given your history of problems taking antibiotics, etc. I had that following a kidney stone/infection problem years ago. I had a lot of the same symptoms; couldn't eat, other gross things I won't go into here, etc. Anyway, I hope you feel better soon.

I think IBS is one of those umbrella diagnoses they use when the doctors can't figure out what to do with the patient. I've used some dietary modifications with some success. I'm sorry you're feeling lousy still.:hug:

[Nikia]

6. No, I don't have elevated white blood count though.

That's why they don't think that I have any kind of infection. I am supposed to take this medicine for 2 weeks. If I don't improve, then they will do an upper and lower GI. I'm eating again, well until after I took the medicine today.

[flamingyouth]

8. I'm not sure this kind of thing shows up with a white blood cell count

It's something they have to check via a ... (cough) sample, AFAIK. You might want to ask about a candida (yeast/fungal) infection. If you are still sick tomorrow, don't take the pill any more; it's more important to eat. Poor you.:hug:

[Tangledog]

7. You are not alone

Definitely, talk to your doctor, and I'd urge you not take any more of this before doing so. It could be a result of the combination between the IBS med and the beta blocker or something else. I'd also ask that you urge your doctor to report any of his or her findings about the adverse reaction.

Ms. Tangle (not a DUer yet) has a similar history of adverse reactions. A couple of weeks ago she took a Cipro-like compound for a chronic croup, and after a few minutes said, "I'm getting Floxed." She managed to hork up what was left of the antibiotic and is better now, but it took a couple of weeks. I think there are people who really can't take medications, or who have extremely long term reactions. I could speculate on the causes of this, but I'm not a doctor and they don't let me play 'em in the movies :) .

I do hope you are feeling better soon.