Allergies to six antibiotics and understanding testing.

[Constantly sick]

Hello!
I have recently added 4 antibiotics to my list of medications I cannot take. Here is a list of what I am "allergic" to and what the reaction is:

• Ceclor: vomiting and hives
• Augmentin: vomiting and severe hives
• Zithromyacin: vomiting and fainting
• Doxycycline: severe stomach pain and vomiting
• Bactrim: Anaphylaxis
• Omnicef: Anaphylaxis

I am wondering if any of you out there are also in the same boat as I am. I and looking for information on the testing process for antibiotic allergies. The reason I am posting this is to see if anyone else has had this done, has similar allergies and can share their story!
This all started at age 4 when I had tubes put in my ears for excessive ear infection. I still get frequent ear infections and that is the main reason for my taking an antibiotic. I am now 23 years old and have added the last four antibiotics to my list of allergies in the last 4 months.
The last antibiotic on the list, Omnicef, is a third generation to Ceclor, but the doctor wanted to see if I was able to take it and only have mild effects. She did prescribe an Epipen which I know how to use via my profession, but not sure when I should use it. Yesterday was my second anaphyaxis reaction in 3 months, to two different antibiotics, and I am not sure if I should have used the Epipen or not. I ended up not using it and barely made it to the ER with acute distress. Oddly enough, when they injected benedryl, another drug I'm not sure what it was, and Pepcid, I had a more severe reaction where I was shaking uncontrollably, vomiting, my BP dropped extremely low causing me to pass out and my heart rate jumped to the 200s.
I'm sorry for the novel, but hopefully the more details I give, the more answers I can get!
Please share your story!!!

 

[Titchou]

Well, I also think that overdosing of antibiotics when I was a child has led to my adult issues with antibiotics. I am allergic to sulfa drugs (which causes me not to be able to take a whole host of other meRAB) - various bad reactions mostly digestive and hives, tetracycline - can't keep it down so no point in taking it, Zithromax - blistered lips and spike a fever,and penicillin - anaphalaxis.

I did talk with my allergist about testing for the penicillin since that reaction was in my teens. They scratch your arm with a small amount just like in regular allergy testing. If that doesn't show a reaction, then they inject a small amount under the skin. I've decided against testing because with all of these drugs I had used them many times in the past and had no problem - till I had the reactions. So, what's to say the same thing won't happen again?

It is almost impossible for me to get a scrip for any antibiotic as none of my doctors want to be "the one." I can understand that. Luckily, since the reaction to the Z Pak about 4 years ago, I haven't had any problem that required an antibiotic. Have had a couple of issues that we just decided to "gut it out" and do without.

The concensus among my doctors seems to be that if I develop something that really truly requires one, we're going to try Cipro with the advance understanding that it's probably, at the least, going to make me sick but might not actually be an allergic reaction. So I just try to stay away from sick folks and I wash my hanRAB all the time!

As to the reaction you had this week, yes, you should have used the Epipen or at least taken a benedryl. Don't mess around again!


Good luck.

 

[pattieyoung]

i also have become allergic to many antibiotics. i am 62. 5 years ago i was given cipro for a sinus infection. from the first pill i have had several health problems. hives are awful. i am allergic to keflex,augmenten,cipro,kyteck,and more . the only one that has least effect on me is bactrum. but who knows tomorrow i may be allergic to it. i have taken all these antibiotics all my life and all of a sudden i am allergic. it is very frustrating. hang in there and hope it gets better.