Metronidazole Lasting Side Effects (Page 30) (Top voted first)

I have been taking this medication for 7 days and off of it since a week and still have severe side effects, abdominal cramps, severe headaches, dizziness, unsteadiness... How long is it expected to last? It was prescribed with Ciprofloxacin to me and I take Entrophen on a regular basis...

REPLY

REPORT

Cyrill . You where writing alkalize your water, what do you mean about that ?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi, everyone. I just found this thread today, and wanted to tell you that if you've had difficulty walking (not pain or numbness, but actual difficulty using your legs), slurred speech (or difficulty speaking), an "altered mental state" (typically, confusion, hallucinations, and/or extreme anxiety), vision problems, and/or seizures, then what you have has a name--it's called "METRONIDAZOLE-INDUCED CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM TOXICITY." I know because this happened to me--slurred speech, difficulty walking and the absolute worst anxiety of my life. Plus, loss of appetite, extreme insomnia, weakness all over (like I had the flu), shortness of breath, muscle twitches in legs, tremors in hands, and that awful, awful brain fog. It has nothing to do with yeast overgrowth--it's not due to gut flora problems. If you are having motor control issues, then that's a clear sign that LESIONS HAVE FORMED ON YOUR BRAIN. That's what the drug does--it causes lesions to form and they shrink when you discontinue the drug. Some people get better within days--others...never completely do. It's 7 months for me, and I'm still not 100%. But I can give you the stats--you have a 65% chance of complete recovery, and most people at least improve over time. I'm greatly improved, but from where I was?--the only way I could have been worse is if I had died, but I'm back to work and independent again. Doctors are clueless about this, so it looks like we just have each other. As for the painful hands and feet that I read in some comments...that's metronidazole-induced peripheral neuropathy. Google it--you'll see. Sorry for the scary news, but knowledge is power and all that.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi Erin
Thanks for writing here
I do belive i have that to
Ended up in Er, with slurred speach , couldnt walk, my heart was rasing bad, and kind of a seizure. It was awful. Also have neuropathy neuropathy now.I also have severe insomnia , bad headaches , vision problems, ear problems, my balance is way off, depression , anxiethy and i can go on and on.
Im happy for you, that you have been better. How long did it take for you to start to feel better? 9 weeks since i stoped The flagyl, but i havent improved anything yet, its so Hard this. Also have brainfog and severe fatigue, really Hard to stand up because of it, shaking all The time in my hands, and arms, muscle twitches. hope i Will heal like you do. What kind of side effects do you still have? This is The most scariest thing i have been through. Sorry for my bad english

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi, Anna. I'm really sorry to hear that. I'm doing a lot better now than I was when this first happened and the first two months were the worst. This might not be the answer you're wanting but I was put on an antidepressant called mirtazapine and it really helped with the insomnia and mood problems. It won't help with the physical things like the weakness, fatigue, brain fog, but those should lessen as time goes on. I always end up getting two steps ahead and then get pulled one step back...three steps, then two steps back...very frustrating but gradual improvement. Google metronidazole-induced central nervous system toxicity and case studies should pop up. Take them with you if you visit a doctor--it shuts them right up ("oh, it sounds like panic attacks to me...wait, what? There's scientific evidence that backs you up...well, uh...what I meant to say is I think it's neurological." It's amazing how quickly a doctor will put his foot in his mouth when you show him evidence of what you're saying.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I was put on it two different times. I think drs are too quick to prescribe it. My GP said I must have C-diff because I had IBS. Before the tests came back (Negative for C-diff) she said I must finish the course of metro since I had started it. I was a real mess from the medicine. The first time I took it 3 years before, I had vertigo that lasted for over a month. I was treated for BPV and received all sorts of tests including MRIs. The second time ... 2015... same results. I was so incredibly dizzy for close to a month. It is an awful drug. It tears your insides out.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi Anna, it has been roughly 9 mnths since flagyl and 5 1/2 since b12 shot. But I actually had more like chronic fatique after flagyl then got shot and had pure adrenaline and insomnia since. Soo far b12 pill form small doses help brain fog and depersonalization and I think foods with iron. Never had health issues prior now lost 40 pds still losing though I'm eating. Maybe anemic showed up after shot iron deficient b12 deficient and vitamin d deficient. I think when b12 very low I have symptoms and still get lethargic. Recently been to endocrinologist said feels lump on thyroid and high in hormone called prolactin. If I find anything out I'll let u know. I also notice my blood pressure was severely low after flagyl skyrocketed after shot and now when low feel depersonalized out of it.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi Again Erin
I do understand why you eventually took antidepressants. I have thought to take it many Times now, because of The depression and The severe insomnia. First i Will try accupuncture and some herbs, but if that dosent help, then i Will probably ask The doctor for some antidepressants. Because no sleep , Will not heal The body.
I have been reading alot on The internet about this, and like you say, it seems to be to steps forward and then back Again. I havent had any steps forward yet, but i hope that day Will Come, when i see some changes . Did you also had ear problems, and problems with The balance ?
Good advise, i will write that out , about nervous system toxicity, and show my doctor. Because she dosent belive me. She says The flagyl should be out of my system now, and that im a little sensitive . I was so angry when she said that , like im crazy . If she would feel what had happened to me, she would belive me. Its awful .I hope this Will not take years to recover from, and that its not permanent. Do you take any supplements Erin ?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi melissa
Im so sorry , that this happened to you to.
Then i Will not take a shot, do not want to have more insomnia. I cant sleep at all now, if i have a good night, i sleep 3 hours. Many nights i dont sleep at all.
My blood pressure has gone Wild since this happened , its so high now . But im eating medication for it, but still have high pressure . Yes do that, if you find something, let me know. And if you have other suggesstions let me know. Do you take any supplements ? I take probiotics for my stomach , d vitamin , magnesium for my neuropathy , chlorella. Maybe i Will start with a small doses of b12 Again .
I also have lost a lot of weight. Im also eating, but it dosent seems to matter. But im over weight, so i have a little to take from my body. But its scary to lose weight in this way.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Doctors are clueless when it comes to recognizing adverse drug reactions. It's not even funny--it's downright dangerous because they are in a position of power to determine how to treat you. Along with printing out case studies (there's one specifically called "Metronidazole-induced Central Nervous System Toxicity" that is a combination of several case studies and it usually pops up near the top of the page if you search for its title), I would also suggest to record the conversation with your doctor on your cell phone. You have a voice recorder--in 38 states, it's perfectly legal and you have proof you showed her this study in case things still don't work out. Many of my doctors believe me now (therapist included)...but not my doctor. She witnessed me lose the ability to walk and speak, and told me 2 months after my reaction that I had broke down mentally (aka, altered mental state)...but when I found the case study and showed it to her two months later, she wrote in my medical records that I had none of the symptoms. So my doctor is actually LYING on my records to cover her tracks. But lucky for me, I recorded that conversation on my cell phone and have it on record that I reminded her about my difficulty walking and speaking. I don't know what I'm going to do with it, but I will say this...I've never been so angry in my life.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Anna, I tried herbs and acupuncture, and they did very little. The problem isn't your body, it's your brain. The metronidazole has had a neurotoxic effect on your cerebellum, causing Parkinson's-like symptoms (anxiety is a common problem for people with Parkinson's). Now that being said, there are some things that might help calm symptoms--magnesium water for your racing heart and stress (go to amazon and look up "Natural Calm"--just be careful, too much magnesium and you'll get the runs. Start small). Kefir has become my new favorite food; yummy drinkable yogurt with tons of good probiotics. Really helps the gut. Avoid caffeine right now--I know the fatigue is awful but the caffeine will feed the anxiety. No stimulants! I know some people on here are talking about B12 shots--here is why I wouldn't recommend it. You're not lacking B12, so you will imbalance your body even more and also, it could act as a stimulant. I tried Prozac and Paxil before I was put on mirtazapine--the Prozac helped with the fatigue, but made everything else WORSE. Mirtazapine has a sedating quality to it--you take it a night to help you sleep. I went from no sleep for 8 days (even Ambien couldn't put me out) to 12 hours the first night I took mirtazapine. I still struggled after that, having one night with 10 hours and 4 hours the next. But it started me on the road to recovery. And now that I've done some research into this, I know why--THERE IS A TREATMENT FOR METRONIDAZOLE TOXICITY...FOR DOGS. Yes, dogs (but not humans). It's a drug and when I first read it three months after my reaction, everything clicked into place. The drug is Valium. A SEDATIVE. Your body needs to be calmed down, not hyped up. I know the fatigue is debilitating but when you're able to sleep, it will slowly get better.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi Again Erin
I also read yesterday about when dogs get neurotoxic , that they give them that. Its so strange , dont they belive People also can get neurotoxic ? Flagyl is just poison .
I did take b12 before , but i didnt take that now, because i read that it can make The insomnia even worse, but this fatigue is so Hard. Some days i have no energy to stand up. It do feels like parkinsons , because im shaking very bad in my hands and arms and legs all The time , is this because of The neurotoxicity also?
I do take magnesium , but in small doses, because my stomach can not take more. And i also put magnesium oil , on my legs, where it hurts. Many People in other forums , are taking about alkalize your water, is that necessary?
I also only eat organic food now , and Coffee i had to quit, became very ill when i tried that, so now i Will stay away from it.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I had twitches in my legs and tremors in my hands that my doctors (once again) attributed to anxiety. It was NOT anxiety. The insomnia made it worse, and I will say, I still have minor vibrations in my hands but it doesn't impede my fine motor skills and my legs twitch more than they used to. Valium also helps with the motor skill problems--I don't know exactly how, but it speeds up recovery in general. I have not tried it; I found out about it too late to try it.
As for your doctors...doctors are clueless when it comes to adverse drug reactions. It's not just scary, but dangerous how clueless they are. I took 3000 mg more of this crap because my doctors insisted my symptoms couldn't be due to the metronidazole. I would suggest googling "Metronidazole-induced Central Nervous System Toxicity" because there is a case study that is a combined study of dozens of different reports of this and that's its title. It gives percentages of recovery, the brain lesions--everything--and show it to your doctor. But also...secretly record the conversation with her on your cell phone. It's perfectly legal in 38 states and proves you talked to your doctor about this. My doctor witnessed me lose the ability to walk and speak in June, and yet still refuses to believe this is what happened to me. She actually wrote on my medical chart that I had experienced none of the toxicity symptoms even after I showed her the case study. But I recorded the conversation, so I know what we talked about and I can prove she's lying. What I plan to do this evidence at this point, I'm unsure, but I've never been so angry in my life.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Erin I also have twitches , in my hole body , but most in my legs and arms. But these tremors , i have it all day long. And like you say, its not because of anxiethy. I cant even control it. Feels like i have parkinsons.
I also took more of this poison. Ended up in ER, and The doctor said that i should continue with flagyl. I did that one more day , and then i couldnt take it anymore. So totally 6 days , 400 mg 3 Times a day.
But The tremors has reduced a bit for you? When did it began to go away a bit for you? I feel like my hole body cant be still. And im waiting up with twitches.
The doctors blame The anxiethy for everything , they are good at that.
Its good that you recorded The conversation, so you can prove shes lying.
Im gonna report The ER over here in my country, because they didnt changed flagyl to another one. They did a mistake. A big one. Certainly nothing is going to happen, but i Will report, to show that what they did wasnt right. it can not take away my pain thou.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi Erin, so mirztipane worked well for you? Did you have any side effects ? It was fast acting? My dr suggested lactimal a bipolar med because i have severe symptoms prior to period being worst and then can't sleep since b12 and was on low dose of effexor prior for migraines. Lactimal is for mood disorders I'm like what I don't wanna be more messed up I don't have mood swings or ever considered my issues bipolar. He offered then klonopin, did you ever try that? Been taking Zanex or Benedryl to get to sleep but drying out my whole body. I did contact a Raymond Singer neuro toxicologist but he doesn't give you a write up or investigation until few meetings dunno if I should see him because don't know if he will have a fix or just use his paperwork for sueing. But I've read you can't sue if you received generic meds. Have you seen anyone in toxicology. I had hard time getting apt with a toxicologist. Thanks Melissa

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi Anna, I am sorry for you as well. This has really been the hardest thing and no one besides others like us can understand. What do you take for your heart? Were you on any meds prior? Are you taking anything to sleep? Were your b12 levels checked? For me my period brings on some brain fog and depersonalization and at this time my blood pressure lowers and think it has to do with iron or b12 deficiency. If I eat red meat with a ton of iron or a small small dose of b12 helps. Tylenol pm helped me to sleep but can become addictive and dry out whole system. I would take it for only a few nights a week until u figure it all out. Def keep away from ibuprofen, and Aleve pm made my symptoms worse. My blood pressure and heart rate have been all over the place as well, when its high since the shot def keeps me from sleeping.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Melissa
Yes , only we , Who are in this , know how it feels to have been so Hurt by this drug. I have support from my parents and my boyfriend , but even they cant understand The whole thing and how Hard it is. Some days , a lot of them, i wish i just died instead.but i hope this Will go The other way soon, or maybe see some improvments, its so sad, have been 9 weeks now.
I take medication for my heart , i have high blood pressure, have been eating it for years. But before this , my blood pressure was fine, so The doctors said that i could probably quit The medication within some months. But since this happened, my blood pressure has gone Wild , so i have so high pressure now instead. So maybe i have to higher The medication. Its so sad , i was so happy that i could probably quit it. I also have medication for my stomach, acid reflux , but now my stomach is really bad, and I have to take more medication for it.
I have sleeping pills, imovane. But i take it only if its necessary, because i feel more of The side effects i allready have. I do not want to take them , but when i havent slept for days, i have to . But even then, i can not sleep more then 4-5 hours. But i need sleep to heal.
How bad is your insomnia ? Is tylenol a sleeping pill ?
I can go days, with no sleep. I can be so tired, but i cant sleep anyway. Its like my body, cant be still and relax. My heart is also racing The whole night. I wake up with nightmares also , every night, do you also have that?
Yes The doctors have checked my vitamins in my body, and they are saying , that all is fine. But you can have lack of it anyway. So i take magnesium, chlorella, omega 3, vit d, and probiotics for my stomach. But my stomach Hurt so much, so maybe i Will stop everything. I have seen a little change in the fatigue with The vit d, so i do not want to quit that. do you also have problems with your stomach?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hey, Melissa. I tried Ambien, but by the third night, could only get 2 hours of sleep. This is coming from someone who's never taken a sleeping pill in her life, and now Ambien can't put me out. The mirtazapine was much better--it's different for everyone but I've had no side effects. The most common side effect is weight gain, and that didn't even happen, but I'm literally on half of the lowest dose. Hypersensitive to drugs and all. As for suing, I don't know what I'm going to do. Technically, my doctors can't find anything wrong with me. They finally did an MRI but it was so far out from my reaction that nothing showed up (which is typical). But I still haven't seen a neurologist because, if he sees my medical chart where my doctor flat-out lied, he's not going to believe me. I will have to take my entire medical chart, show him the one or two times my doctors did write things out, and spend the entire appointment proving to him this is what happened. And then...he still might not believe me (what's wrong with doctors?). I don't want to sue big pharma--I want to sue my doctors for misdiagnosis and negligence (I took 3000 mg more of this crap because they "reassured" me the drug wasn't causing my symptoms, even though I argued with them endlessly about it).

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi there, Just wanted to mention that legal suits are pointless. Lots of negative energy and the only ones who win are the lawyers. Most drs keep their assets out of their names and carry no liability insurance. Pharma companies will out lawyer you. A strong lawyer won't take your case unless you can show extreme financial damages. Not physical. The odds of being compensated for your pain are almost zero. The odds of increasing your stress and making yourself sicker and 100 x plus.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

When is this going to be a little better, cant hardly stand this awful side effects. Over 9 weeks, and nothing has improved. So sick of this. I know a positive mind is better then too be negative, but this is just torture.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

You can't imagine the joy i had finding you guys, then just as quickly followed by my own agitated situation. My doctors all knew i was allergic to this medicine, yet informed me that it was the only antibiotic strong enough to fight my infection. I began my medication 12/05/2015, completing a 7 day dose of 500mg, 3 times daily. My chest is on fire, the hives and welps cover my body and just yesterday woke up with no balance. I felt like i was extremely high on something. Anyway after about 4 Steroid shots, 2 benadryl shots and some hydroxyzine tablets, i am still suffering. So please keep your tips on ways to help alleviate this awful awful mess. Hoping for relief soon.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I used flagyl almost 4 months ago for 7 days. I still have a terrible, sometimes salty, sometimes metallic taste in my m...

3 REPLIES

I have a tingling sensation all over the body! ## Has it changed or improved any yet? Learn more Metronidazole details h...

24 REPLIES

Hy,i am 13 weeks preg,and i had an abdomen pain so I went to the clinic the nurse gave me Bio-metronidazole 400mg,she ad...

5 REPLIES

I was on Metronidazole for 7 days & finished it 3 days ago. I experienced some nausea & even vomited a couple of...

5 REPLIES

My doctor provided me with this and i dont know what the side effects are? ## Hello, Ladypink! How are you? The side eff...

1 REPLY

Ive been on pliva334 for 4 days now. I have noticed a change in the color of my pee, it the normal? ## Metronidazole is ...

3 REPLIES

I have been taking this medication for three days now, 3 times a day for 7 days. I have noticed an increase in my appeti...

1 REPLY

I am on metronidazole 500 mg, 3 times a day, and doxycycline 100mg, twice a day. I am almost finished with them. But can...

2 REPLIES

I had to take plan b in early November, and ended up having two periods a week apart from each other. 11/14-11/18 and 11...

2 REPLIES

## what is this? ## WHAT DOES THIS DRUG DO TO ME.......... ## There are several brands with this active chemical; Please...

5 REPLIES