Metronidazole Lasting Side Effects (Page 63) (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...

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Antibiotics like Cipro are horrible on your gut. I had keflex for a week. As a result, two months later, 40 percent of my hair fell out. I got leakey gut, irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerant to almost everything! Cipro, and all antibiotics can cause this. They kill the good bacteria along with the bad. Wipes out your vitamin b and d. Your hair goes into tellagan phase, before it's supposed to. And boom bye bye good locks. I have tinitus from it too. The older you are the more likely it is to happen. Your gut fills up with bad bacteria. You can treat with antibiotics, enzymes, and more hair loss. And the reoccurrence rate is high. It's forever. I suggest you buy some probiotics, they bloat also. Some vitamin d and magnesium. I know I'm never going near antibiotics again! Ruined my life! Good luck.

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Re: Erin (# 1236)

That is so true! They told me my hair fell out because of vitamin deficiency. If that were the case, it would have long before the keflex. I had a deficiency for years. Although, the antibiotics wiped out the little I had. When your digestive system gets a shock, like having all your gut Flora wiped out and vitamins, your body goes into fight or flight. Your body fights the infection. Your hair goes into tellagan phase too soon. In a couple months your hair feels like straw. You start shedding, the back of your head feels like it's on fire! Splitting headache, joint pain, dizziness. All the symptoms listed on the label. What is hidden, is the bad gut Flora takes over the good. The walls of your stomach are punctured. Welcome to leaky gut. Food is now going into your bloodstream. So now you have bacteria infection, and skin issues. Rocecia, puffy face, sinus infection, headaches, constant fatigue irritable bowel syndrome. Guess what they want to treat it with xifaxin or rixafaxin. Antibiotics. Wipe out your gut Flora again. More hair loss. Plus digestive enzymes, more hair loss. Antidepressants, weight gain. Cocorcortasone. Weight gain, possible hair loss. In fact all types of enzymes can cause it. Not everyone, but enough. NSAIDS also f*** you up, the same way. Been there, still there. Reoccurrence rate is high for antibiotics, to cure bacteria. It comes back, after a couple times of this, your done. And you still have it, and always will. IBS, it's forever to. You can heal Leakey gut. But that can come back to because of the bacteria. Never again will I go near them. Get probiotics, organics, or Maui shampoo and conditioner, take vitamin d and magnesium. Eat lots of spinach, leafy greens. Best of luck. I hope you come out of this better than I did.

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Re: Erin (# 1238)

It's been six months. If the damage is done, it's done! Period. I'm so sick of people down playing the damage they can do. What's really infuriating, is it's kept a secret. The companies that make it, don't put it on the warning label. And the inform and consent law is being ignored. Doctor's aren't talking either. This needs to change! Half the antibiotics prescribed aren't needed. I'm living this nightmare just because I had a bunion removal. Bad job to. My white cell count is through the rough now, when I finally was one point away from normal, first time in years. He knew all this, didn't care. It's all about money!

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Re: Happy at last (# 1240)

There's several theories as to why antibiotics do what they do--different classes affect the your body differently. Overall, any antibiotic can cause damage to your gut flora, leaky gut, and candida overgrowth; however, specific classes do unique things:

Cipro is a fluoroquinolone; when you suffer a serious adverse reaction, it is believed to be due to the antibiotic damaging your mitochondrial DNA--aka, your cell's energy source. Without your mito DNA, you die, so damage to it can cause disability, although most people do eventually recovery over time (I've been told the average is 2 years, but some people it's faster, some slower).

As for metronidazole, there are several theories as well. While it can damage your digestive tract, the most common issue is neurotoxicity, specifically to the back of the brain (your cerebellum and brain stem). This is what causes the head pressure and headache on the back of the head--it's due to damage in that area. But the cerebellum also controls fine motor control, and damage to it is known to cause issues related to mood and attention. The brain stem controls all the "automatic" operations of the body, including digestion, but also breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, saliva, swallowing, temperature regulation, and of course, your fight or flight response. People with metronidazole toxicity almost always have severe neuropsychiatric issues, especially raging anxiety due to constant adrenaline rushes. People with fluoroquinlone toxicity are known to go through this, too.

As for the hair loss...I don't know. I've heard of people having that--I think I've spoken to a couple people with that issue--but it's less common. I do have the ear ringing, which is better than when it first started, but I believe it's due to damage to the cranial nerves that attach to the brain stem.

If you look up metronidazole toxicity or fluoroquinlone toxicity, you will see a lot of stuff. Blogs, case studies...there's tons of patient reviews and medical literature about these particular drugs. Good luck.

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Hi please I used flagyl with azithromycin and doxycycline for a few days .. but I have been off it for about 2/3 days and I still have this constipated feel .. which I was told is a side effect of flagyl .. please how long will this last ????

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Re: Neks (# 1243)

If constipation is the only issue you get from this med you are extremely lucky. Try taking magnesium and or eating prunes.. and consider taking about 12 weeks of probiotics to get the gut going again.

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Re: Neks (# 1243)

I agree with Betty--constipation, although uncomfortable, is just one of a thousand things that can go wrong with this. Be fortunate it wasn't anything worse, BUT I did have constipation as well right after I stopped the drug, and taking some MiraLax helped some. The best thing I did was drink kefir--it's a drinkable yogurt and has tons of good probiotics. Those things should help.

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Hello everyone..My most disconcerting symptom is leg pain that is primarily in my calves and hamstrings. It feels like my legs are partially cramping (like you would if you were to get a Charlie horse) but not the FULL cramping. Feeling. The pain, although dull, is still noticeable while laying down. It first occurred the last day of my treatment and is still here 3 days later. It is worse at night. Anyone have this side effect? If so, has it gone away and how long did it take to go away? Any advice would be great. Two other less bothersome symptoms were mild heartburn which occured sporadically and insomnia...I was advised to use 500mg of metronidazole vaginal gel twice daily for 5 days and completed this treatment. My infection cleared up, so I’m grateful for that. However just concerned about how long this leg pain will last and why it’s happening. Took 1,000 mg of magnesium before bed and hoping it helps....

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Re: MakMama (# 1246)

I don't know if this is related or not. I know I have spent the last 18 months or so with what sounds like similar stuff. Would you be willing to try a simple experiement? about 2 weeks ago I was awaked AGAIN by this cramping in my lower leg. I've had it bad for some time and have to get up and walk around a bit to stop it. My mother used to have leg cramps and I remembered, in the middle of the night, what my older sister said about this (my mother is deceased). She said Mama put a bar of soap in the bed between the sheets and that worked. It really sounded crazy but I wasn't getting enough sleep so I did that. It did work. I've not had a single muscle spasm in my legs since then. And I have absolutely no idea why. Please try it and let me know if it works. Now I've gotten really curious about this.

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Re: MakMama (# 1246)

Magnesium is good, but add thiamine (vitamin B1) to it. Metronidazole destroys thiamine throughout your body--calf pain is a symptom of being deficient in it. I'd suggest thiamine HCL (you can find it at any whole foods store or pharmacy). I like the GNC brand, 300 mg's. But you have to take magnesium with it, so you're already halfway there.

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I was prescribed Metrodinazole for diverticulitis. After 3 days I had to return to the ER because I thought me infection had returned. I was in a panic and for the first time I experienced horrendous anxiety. I literally though I was dying. My doctor believed I was experiencing Side effects from this and switched me to a different antibiotic. It has been exactly one week since my last dose and I have extreme arm weakness in my left arm and I still feel spaced out. I pray it gets better

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Re: Lisa (# 1249)

Hang in there...it will get better but it takes time. I was prescribed metronidazole for diverticulitis too, but I took the whole dose. My anxiety didn’t start until a couple of weeks later and my doctor didn’t have a clue about side effects. This forum was a sanity saver for me. I suffered with overwhelming anxiety for probably 4 months as well as numb face, weak arm, tingling head, headache, and a feeling of being “off” in my perspective. I wanted to be happy and just ignore this but it was like something in my brain was being pushed down or held back. Eventually all of this subsided, but now a year later, I still have occasional bouts of the weird suppressed feeling, headaches, ringing ears, numbness and anxiety. It is manageable now but still disconcerting. I would suggest you read back in the forum...you will be encouraged by others similar experiences, and realize that you’re not crazy. Erin’s suggestions have been so helpful to me and I do take magnesium and B1 as she has suggested.

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Re: Karol (# 1250)

I would really like to know what symptoms you have that are a diagnosis for anxiety? I'm having difficulty walking any distance and if I do I hyperventilate - never had this happen before... and my legs are weak.... I'm tired and sleeping a lot more, including naps, which I never do... and I've had lung and heart tests and nothing is wrong... so my doc suggested it was anxiety. I'm really confused.

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Re: Betty (# 1251)

My anxiety was fast heart rate, and a very unsettled feeling...I thought I was dying from something. Very fearful but knowing there was nothing wrong and no reason to be afraid. I would characterize it as extreme apprehension and nervousness.

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Re: Karol (# 1252)

Well that doesn't fit my condition at all. My heart rate is steady unless I walk more than half a block. I don't feel apprehensive but am very involved in the community and happy working with them and teaching my classes, etc... And I struggle to work in my garden but manage to do it little bits at a time.

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Re: Betty (# 1251)

Betty, that's what I've had problems with, but when I was on the drug, I actually lost the ability to walk and speak, and breathing was greatly shortened. In fact, when I was in the ER and tried to talk with my mom, the oximeter (that think that measures you blood oxygen levels) went crazy because it kept dipping when I tried to speak.

These are classic symptoms of metronidazole toxicity. The drug causes damage to the back of the brain, specifically the cerebellum and brain stem, and the reason your legs get weak and your breathing is labored is because of this. The cerebellum helps control things like walking and talking, and the brain stem controls everything from heart rate to digestion to breathing...to your "fight or flight" response. In fact, anxiety (aka, neuropsychiatric issues) are usually the first warning sign of this, but not necessarily (it wasn't for me, but trouble breathing was the first sign and it had nothing to do with anxiety).

Doctors misdiagnose adverse drug reactions constantly. I'm sorry to say it, but your doctor's response is just typical of this. If you want to check out how you're breathing on your own, I'd suggest buying your own oximeter. They're usually $30 at the local superstore, and just put it on when you feel short of breath. Anything below 90 is considered abnormal.

You can take pictures if you want, but the last time I did this and showed it to a doctor, he accused me of holding my breath. Yes, they are that much in denial about this drug (and most drugs, in fact).

In the meantime, try to rest as much as you can, but if you feel you can walk short distances, then do so to keep up your endurance. Over time, if you feel up to it, try strength training instead of hard cardio--it'll work your lungs but usually not to the point of causing a flare up. It should help your breathing issues over time--it does me. Good luck.

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Re: Erin (# 1254)

Well, I think I got over the effects of metro... can't spell it... but this recent episode is from cipro I think... I've checked my oxygen with the meters, a friend loaned me his..and it agrees with what the doctors meter shows...always above 90.... so I've no idea... thanks.. I really think I'm just going to give up!

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Re: Erin (# 1248)

Hello! Thank you for this. I bought the supplement and will try taking it with the mag today! Yesterday, I got a B-complex shot which included B1 and it seemed to help a lot. I wonder how long it takes to restore the B1 levels... it’s interesting you mention this because on the nutritional test I had done 4 months ago, my B1 was the lowest of all of them, which is likely why I’m feeling symptoms of the deficiency after the metro stripped more of it away. You rock!! Thank you Erin.

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That sounds like allergic reaction. I took keflex, it's also a antifungal. I had all those symptoms, except blisters. Instead 2 months later, thirty percent of my hair fell out. It and INSAIDS like mobic are the number one meds that can do this. You better start probiotics the second your done with Cipro. It wipes out your gut Flora. Good and bad. When grows back. The bad can overcome the good. And boom. Bacteria infection, IBS. If you're hair feels dry in a couple months, it's getting ready to fall out. You won't go bald. It's like an all over thinning. Feels like a blow torch to the back of your head. If this happens. Get Organics shampoo and conditioner. Leave it on for five minutes. Rub in your scalp. Use pure aloe gel root to tip. Leave it on until it dry. I was only on it for a week. And it ruined my digestive system and my hair. Doctor will say it's vitamin deficiency. It doesn't show on perscription, doctor's don't warn you either. You have to Google it to find out. I know this is off track, but I'm just trying to warn people what can happen. The other side effects you have, I had to. They didn't die off quickly . Good luck! ??

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Re: what now (# 3)

Please tell me you got better. I’m going through thai exact stuff right now and have been off the meds for almost a month.

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