Antibiotics messed me up

[[Da...]]

I've dealt with floxing before - in October I was prescribed levaquin. So I was concerneced when I needed an antibiotic for an ear infection. First the dr called in just antibiotic ear drops. They weren't helping so she called in keflex.

 

Fast forward 2 days and my anxiety has skyrocketed, my mind was completely out of my control, shaking and panicking 24/7, dizzy, lightheaded and feeling faint,constipation and abdominal pain, pains shooting through my body, and insomnia.

 

My withdrawals had calmed down so we're pretty convinced it was the antibiotics and I stopped taking them 2 days ago. But im still having anxiety and pains. The panic and shivering has gone and I've slept like a baby the last 2 nights.

 

Has anyone else had issues with "normal" antibiotics and how long does it take to settle down your nervous system again?

[[fa...]]

Even if you're not taking an antibiotic of the dreaded quinolone/fluoroquinolone class, you can still have a reaction.

 

Antibiotics, in general, have pretty potent anti-inflammatory properties. This helps reduce inflammation and metabolic demand, which allows the immune system to make greater strides in eliminating the pathogen.

 

It is thought that the GABA receptor has a binding site for anti-inflammatory agents. Moreover, this would invariably have an effect on glutamate, which could result in some of the symptoms you described.

 

You're definitely not the first person to experience this. Since sleeping has re-asserted itself, according to what you stated, you're likely on the downward slope and things should resolve fairly quickly.

[[Da...]]

Thanks for the reply. I finally started to stabilize and wham!

[[Da...]]

Would antibiotic ear drops give me a reaction too? I'm still using them. My Dr said it's only in your ear, not bloodstream so I figured those were safe still.

[[fa...]]

I'd say safe-ER. The thing is, antibiotics are kind of a necessary evil. If I had sepsis, I certainly wouldn't decline antibiotic therapy because of potential benzo withdrawal complications. However, everyone is different and some people might consider a withdrawal disturbance via antibiotics as much worse, causing them to reject an antibiotic and roll the dice. Extreme case, granted. 

 

I don't think the ear drops are an issue, since it's localized and not systemic - but, even if the drops were causing problems - you should still take them and not risk further infection.

[[Al...]]

What about Amoxicillin? It only prevents reproduction and is supposed to be one of the more mild antibioitics, on gut flora at least.

[[Da...]]

I'm worse today, didn't sleep at all last night and I'm considering heading to the ER.

[[Al...]]

Ugh a cephalosporin antibioitic... that's how it all started for me in September (it was also for an ear infection!) and got me back on Ambien and Xanax and turned my life into a hypochondriac nightmare overnight. I had an allergic reaction to it and stopped after the first dose. They need to be taken off the market. First go to your doctor before the next dose and have it switched to a regular antibiotic that you can tolerate. Then try to wait it out till it's out of your system and try not to get yourself into a mess updosing and starting too many drugs during that time. Good luck.

[[Da...]]

I'm still struggling. I've been off the antibiotic since Friday (5 days ago).

 

 

I'm a mess. Yesterday was good and then wham back to feeling like hell. I'm having so many awful sxs.

[[Ch...]]

Ugh a cephalosporin antibioitic... that's how it all started for me in September (it was also for an ear infection!) and got me back on Ambien and Xanax and turned my life into a hypochondriac nightmare overnight. I had an allergic reaction to it and stopped after the first dose. They need to be taken off the market. First go to your doctor before the next dose and have it switched to a regular antibiotic that you can tolerate. Then try to wait it out till it's out of your system and try not to get yourself into a mess updosing and starting too many drugs during that time. Good luck.

 

It's unfortunate that you had a bad experience with a cephalosporin but that's not a reason why they should be taken off the market. They are very useful antibiotics.

 

I've taken them myself many times over the years and not had a problem with them.

[[Ne...]]

I am going through this too. I took Doxycycline the end of January. I've had bad anxiety and depression since. Then was put on Ativan which I feel has just made it worse. But I couldn't sleep. Are you still going through this?  Is it any better? 

Thank you

[[Ne...]]

Are you still dealing with this? 

[[...]]

Going through same thing. Took Ampicillin for 8 days, being off for a week. Still have anxiety, ear pressure and turning into hypochondriac

[[Ne...]]

I'm sorry. This is a horrible feeling. I've read that it's because they mess up your good bacteria.

When did this happen to you?

[[...]]

I finished my last dose on march 9.  My morning anxiety have increased in the last couple of days so as morning  cortisol, nausea 😓  I hope it will go away in the couple of weeks.  I felt like I was 100% healed and now this.  I am so disappointed. 

[[Ne...]]

Do you also have depression?  I am so upset over this too. It's been 2 months for me.

[[Ro...]]

I took Augmentin for bacterial infection after virus infection. I finished it last Sunday and took it for 7 days. Strange but after I stopped it, some benzo symptoms have emerged - dizzy, tinnitus, cortisol waves at 6 A.M. every morning. It is like a low blood pressure during the day except that the blood pressure is fine. I sleep fine except that I wake up every morning at 6 A.M. after that I fall asleep at 8 A.M. till 11 A.M. and when I wake up it is hell. The dizziness is very strong. I cannot even go to the bathroom. Is it normal? Do you think it is from the antibiotic? The bacterial infection is cured, the virus infection is cured too. I do not take any medications except the probiotic.

[[Ne...]]

I am not familiar with the connection between taking benzos and antibiotics. But I can tell you that over the last 8 weeks I have read so much on antibiotics that your symptoms do not surprise me after an antibiotic. There is so much out there about the connection between antibiotics and what they do. I have read that it has something to do with the gut/brain axis. I have also read that benzos have an effect on that too. It's because so many of our body's neurotransmitters are actually in the gut. If I were you I would try and eat healthy, take the probiotics, drink water, and rest if you are able. I am going to a naturopath on Tuesday who has seen this type of reaction from an antibiotic. I will share what I learn.

I hope you feel better soon.

[[...]]

Do you also have depression?  I am so upset over this too. It's been 2 months for me.

 

No, I don't have depression. I have an overall feeling of not feeling well, anxiety, morning cortisol and ear pressure.Feeling better in the afternoon.  My dr wanted me to take Augmentin because she thinks I may still have infection but from what I have read I am terrified that I may feel even worse.  I just don't know what to

I hope you start feeling better soon ❤

[[Ne...]]

How are you feeling now?