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HI Denise, I think we can all relate to your problem, I know I can.  I would hope that the breathing problems associated with many drugs are "rare" side effects.  I don’t know if I can offer you any advice drug. I do not look at the warnings (I will probably feel all the SE if I do this or else have a PA waiting to see if I do get a SE), I give the warning list to my hubby or friend and then tell them if I say I feel something that is on the list tell me.  This works really well for me. Cathy P.H.O.B.I.A. People Helping Others Become Independent Again Off-line Panic/Anxiety Support Group Learn about us at http://community.nj.com/cc/phobia

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All. I’ve been prescribed Macrobid and am scared to take it.  I have been having lower and side abdominal pain for a few weeks.   The first time a urine culture was done (by my Gyn) it came back positive for E Coli, but by the time I got the results (9 days later) I had already visited my internist who did another culture and said it was clean.  Today I saw a urologist who said I had pain coming from my bladder (by doing an internal exam) and regardless of the clean cultures (and his office UA looked good) I should be treated for a bladder infection and he prescribed Macrobid for 7 days.  Sorry for the long explanation of that but it comes down to this: On the drug description (monograph?) for Macrobid it says WARNINGS in big bold print about possible Pulmonary side effects that have been shown to be caused by this medicine.  I know all meds have possible side effects but pulmonary (breathing) really hit me hard as far as being scared of it… probably due to a prior problem I had after surgery not being able to breathe.  I called the doc and the nurse said this is rare but what if it is me.  Saying I’m sensitive to drugs I know is par for the course here, but I don’t know if that type of sensitivity could lead to a problem of this type.  Should I call the doc (whoever is on call for his urology clinic) over the weekend and plead for another drug to try first, should I hold out, or should I go for it?  <Sigh  I know the confusion over this doesn’t help me feel any better.  Thanks for listening and any recommdations welcome. Denise

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Denise,       Hi again.   Just read your latest post.    As I mentioned in my last post,  I have been through this med. fear issue MANY times.  And yes, you are correct,   the pulmonary warning in the monograph is Very Pronounced!!!     It is easy for me to talk rationally and calmly about it because I’m not the one having to take the medication.    (Although my dad is tolerating it just fine and it is working great.)        However,  you must do what is within your comfort level and whatever feels best for you.  There have been times I have just Refused to take a medicine so no need to feel guilty about that.   I think it takes about 2 – 3 days to fully do a culture and get the results. Hopefully you won’t have any infection and thus won’t have the antibiotic worry at all.   And I hope that your doctor can help you find the source of your pain and get you feeling better soon.         If you ever need to talk further, my e-mail box is always open.   If you can,  let us know how things work out.   Good luck in getting to the bottom of this quickly and to a speedy recovery as well.   Take care. John :-)

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By all means call your Dr. and explain how you feel. I am also the same way with medications. Hope you are feeling better soon.

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Hi Denise,       Just read your post about Macrobid.   As a long-time "practicing phobic *grin*" I Totally understand your fear of new meds. in general, your concern about breathing problems, and the confusion.   I’ve been through it all.  Still sit around waiting for a side effect every time I have to take a new pill for something.    Hopefully, in your situation, I can add a little more than just "generic support".       My father who is 79 and has all kinds of REAL medical problems was started on Macrobid by his urologist just 5 days ago.   He had bladder surgery in early May and has been fighting a nasty bladder infection ever since.   They’ve had him on two or three different antibiotics prior to the Macrobid and nothing has worked..  So they finally did a culture and found both E. Coli and Staphlocoous Hominis bacteria present.        He was given a 14 day supply of Macrobid, 100 mg. capsules.   He went to his GP yesterday (I drove him) and they did a quick UA in the office.   It was dramatic.  His urine,  which has been cloudy and messy looking for months is already clear again.        When they first prescribed the drug,  I too got out the PDR and read all about the drug.  (Just a "habit" I have developed over the years. :-) .   So I just happen to have this all fresh in my mind.         Two points. (OK, maybe three or four..) 1.  If you look closely at the respiratory warning – it warns of a RARE occurrence of lung fibrosis – meaning the thickening of fibers in the lung tissue.  They also make the point that in the few times this has occurred it has only ever happened when the drug was given for extended periods of time  - longer than 30 days.    So, yes, anything is theoretically possible but a 7 day run, which is the usual time frame for treatment, is VERY VERY unlikely to ever have any side effects. My father is taking 11 different medications for a lot of problems and now this makes 12.  And he’s going to take it for 2 weeks. 2.  When most people have a respiratory "problem" with an antibiotic it’s generally an allergic-type reaction.  (Those are the kinds I always worry about and they never happen.)   Those can cause chest tightness, etc.  but again, are so very rare.  That is NOT the type of respiratory problem the drug monograph is warning about with Macrobid.     Yes, they also list allergic reactions to the drug, BUT, as you are probably aware by now,  they do that with literally Every drug.   Even aspirin.    The PDR and the drug monographs are certainly helpful, useful, and necessary but you must remember that they are as much a legal document as they are a medical document.   Even if only one person ever had a problem while on a drug,  they list it.  It covers the drug companies from  frivolous law suits. 3.  One other point,  if you also study this drug,  it is very specific for the urinary tract.   That doesn’t mean that is isn’t in your entire system BUT it is passed QUICKLY through and out through the kidneys. You actually have less or a risk of other systemic reaction with Macrobid  than with many other antibiotics. 4.   Even if your urine is clear,  if you had/have an E.Coli infection they can be tenacious.  While things may seem cleared up,  it can be "hiding".  Given that you are having some pain symptoms,  giving you a 7 day run of a drug that is very effective against E.Coli. is a very reasonable thing to do to make sure it goes away and doesn’t come back.       The point of all of this rambling is – it’s fine to know what you are taking as well as the pros and cons of it  I know that you’ll be hypervigilent for all kinds of symptoms when you take the first capsule (kinda pretty aren’t they? :-)   because I do go through this ALL the time myself.  But for this drug,  your chances of any adverse reactions are practically nil.  I know it is VERY difficult – but please try not to overly worry about the Macrobid.   You’ll be fine with it.        Hope this helps a bit.   Let us know how you are doing.  Take care. John :-)

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All. I’ve been prescribed Macrobid and am scared to take it.  I have been having lower and side abdominal pain for a few weeks.   The first time a urine culture was done (by my Gyn) it came back positive for E Coli, but by the time I got the results (9 days later) I had already visited my internist who did another culture and said it was clean.  Today I saw a urologist who said I had pain coming from my bladder (by doing an internal exam) and regardless of the clean cultures (and his office UA looked good) I should be treated for a bladder infection and he prescribed Macrobid for 7 days.  Sorry for the long explanation of that but it comes down to this: On the drug description (monograph?) for Macrobid it says WARNINGS in big bold print about possible Pulmonary side effects that have been shown to be caused by this medicine.  I know all meds have possible side effects but pulmonary (breathing) really hit me hard as far as being scared of it… probably due to a prior problem I had after surgery not being able to breathe.  I called the doc and the nurse said this is rare but what if it is me.  Saying I’m sensitive to drugs I know is par for the course here, but I don’t know if that type of sensitivity could lead to a problem of this type.  Should I call the doc (whoever is on call for his urology clinic) over the weekend and plead for another drug to try first, should I hold out, or should I go for it?  <Sigh  I know the confusion over this doesn’t help me feel any better.  Thanks for listening and any recommdations welcome. Denise

Hi Denise, Sorry you haven`t been feeling well lately. Being a med phob, I really understand where you are coming from. I don`t see any harm in asking for a med that will help but doesn`t have that side-effect. When I went through months of having inner ear infections, I was being put on all kinds of anti-biotics. There is a anti-biotic that can cause you to feel wound up and not sleep. I can`t recall the med, and I would tell my MD, do not prescribe that…..please!!!! And she did listen to me. If they can`t change the med, sometimes a doctor will allow you to take the med in the office just in case. I have heard of people sitting in the parking lot of the local ER to take a pill. Sometimes when I am taking a med for the first time I will take it on the weekend because someone is home with me. Good luck in whatever you decide. Jackie

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