Bactrim...WWYD?

delaware04

I was put in the hospital on Tuesday for kidney stones and a really bad kidney infection. I was released on Friday. The doctor gave me Keflex to take, but when I was home I wasnt getting any better, just going back to where I was on Tuesday.?

?She said she was waiting for the urine culture results to see what bacteria is growing. Apparently I have 2 bacteria growing. She wanted me to continue the Keflex and add Bactrim.?

?When I went to pick up the Rx, the pharmacist obviously saw that I was pregnant and told me not to take the bactrim because it was Category C and considered not safe and to call my doctor to have it changed.??

I did as the pharmacist asked, but my Dr. said that it was totally safe. I am only second guessing her because during my hospital stay, she seemed TOTALLY clueless and not helpful AT ALL. My husband was so upset, he is having me switch doctors monday!

I just received another call from her telling me to go to the ER because I needed yet a THIRD antibiotic, but that it could only be given through IV or through an injection in my bum.

My husband and I are heading to the ER as she instructed, but we are going to a different hospital this time and hoping to get a doctor who knows what the hell is going on!! We are really hoping to get a great second opinion on all of this, because it has just been a crazy mess this whole week with her saying something then changing it, and also wanting me on 3 different antibiotics at the same time one of which the pharmacist told me not to take.

Sooooo I am just wondering..WWYD about the bactrim?? like I said we are going to go to the ER, and hope to get a good doctor, but has anyone taken Bactrim during pregnancy??

I am very concerned because they said that this infection is really bad, and that it could send me into pre term labor if left untreated, but I just feel like she is jumping all around with all these meds, and that its not getting treated and I really just am frustrated and worried!!

?Please help me to calm down so I can think rationally!! TIA?

littledub

So sorry you're going through that!  I would wait for the second opinion on the bactrim.  Also, have you taken it before?  I ask because I'm allergic to it, and it's my understanding that it's a pretty common allergy.  Best of luck!

foreignroyalty

Many meds are Cat C... it just means the research isn't in, not that they are unsafe. Many antiemetics are Cat C and if you need it you need it. I needed mine.

bump54321

foreignroyalty:

Many meds are Cat C... it just means the research isn't in, not that they are unsafe. Many antiemetics are Cat C and if you need it you need it. I needed mine.

 

This.  But, if you're on your way to a different ER to get a second opinion, then just wait until you have your second opinion.  I've been on all kinds of antibiotics during my pregnancy for strep and sinus infections.  I trust my doctor to outweigh the risk/benefits.  But, since you're uncomfortable, it's good you're going to a different ER.

UrbanLe1

foreignroyalty:

Many meds are Cat C... it just means the research isn't in, not that they are unsafe. Many antiemetics are Cat C and if you need it you need it. I needed mine.

Look.  A serious kidney infection during pregnancy can put you AND the baby in definite danger.  If you aren't responding to the antibiotics, they need to find something that works--fast.  Kidney infections are a known cause of preterm labor.

Go back to the hospital--not because you need another doc's opinion (although that might help you feel less anxious) but because you NEED those IV antibiotics.  What the pharmacist said might be a reason to call your doc--but remember, your doc knows your case and your test results AND has a medical degree.  The guy behind the counter has none of that.

You absolutely have to treat this infection.  Talk to the docs about the best way to do it. 

MrsJax09

Are you going to Christiana? I was there for my kidney issues as well as UTI. Truly ammoxacillian (spelling?) has been great. 874mg 2x a day. The resident docs there are also really great. I dont know his name but on the night rotation is this shorter older man. He is straight, to the point, and gets you in and out efficiently. Also Dr. Whitney and Dr. Gold are fabulous but I think they are day rotation only.

delaware04

Thanks for all the responses ladies. I am a little less confident in my OB because I told her I thought I had an infection way back in December and every single time I was in the office during the month of January, and she just kept dismissing it. She said she would send the urine off, and that if they were abnormal she would call me.?

I recently asked for a copy of my records, and the last 3 urines had bacteria in them and she never addressed it. Never gave me meds. So I am pissed I am even in this situation.

?I know kidney infections are serious, which is why I am freaking out so bad. I feel like I have an incompetent doctor and a serious illness with her going back and forth on what to do.?

I am not going to Christiana, because my husband is military and we are stationed in VA right now. So I will be going to a local civilian hospital tonight.

I was going to go back to the ER last night, but she told me not to, and then now she calls today with such great urgency that I get there...hopefully we can get this all straightened out and get my and baby healthy again very shortly.

I am almost hoping that they admit me again and just keep me on the IV antibiotics instead of the oral medications...it would put me way more at ease that they will have this cleared up.

Will update through the night as we are seen and get a game plan from the ER doc. Thanks for all your thoughts ladies. I really appreciate it!?

MrsColvin

Bactrim is the MOST commonly prescribed antibiotic for UTI/kidney infections during pregnancy. Most antibiotics are classified catagory C but when you need them you need them. I have taken Bactrim 4 times in this pregnancy alone... Both prescribed by my OB twice and by two seperate ER doctors.

MrsJax09

oy that stinks! GL to you and I would def. address that with the docs as to why this was not addressed! My sister also had issues with the military OBs when she was having my nephew 3 years ago. Sorry you are dealing with this.

I hope you feel better soon.

adriennevla

MrsColvin:

Bactrim is the MOST commonly prescribed antibiotic for UTI/kidney infections during pregnancy. Most antibiotics are classified catagory C but when you need them you need them. I have taken Bactrim 4 times in this pregnancy alone... Both prescribed by my OB twice and by two seperate ER doctors.

 

Yep, most antibiotics are cat C, and the infection is WAY, WAY more dangerous.

Mrs.BoomBoom

UrbanLe0:

What the pharmacist said might be a reason to call your doc--but remember, your doc knows your case and your test results AND has a medical degree.  The guy behind the counter has none of that.

Sorry to dispute but the pharmacist has AT least as much specialized training as the MD and theirs is SPECIALIZED for the drugs.  They SHOULD know the effects of the medication better than the MD.  Agreed that the MD has your test results and your whole medical history, but the pharmacist brings up a really good point that should not be totally discounted.  A pharmacist is NOT a pharmacy tech.

eyunger1

UrbanLe0:

foreignroyalty:

Many meds are Cat C... it just means the research isn't in, not that they are unsafe. Many antiemetics are Cat C and if you need it you need it. I needed mine.

Look.  A serious kidney infection during pregnancy can put you AND the baby in definite danger.  If you aren't responding to the antibiotics, they need to find something that works--fast.  Kidney infections are a known cause of preterm labor.

Go back to the hospital--not because you need another doc's opinion (although that might help you feel less anxious) but because you NEED those IV antibiotics.  What the pharmacist said might be a reason to call your doc--but remember, your doc knows your case and your test results AND has a medical degree.  The guy behind the counter has none of that.

You absolutely have to treat this infection.  Talk to the docs about the best way to do it. 

This.  Feel better!

mstaats2005

Mrs.BoomBoom:

UrbanLe0:

What the pharmacist said might be a reason to call your doc--but remember, your doc knows your case and your test results AND has a medical degree.  The guy behind the counter has none of that.

Sorry to dispute but the pharmacist has AT least as much specialized training as the MD and theirs is SPECIALIZED for the drugs.  They SHOULD know the effects of the medication better than the MD.  Agreed that the MD has your test results and your whole medical history, but the pharmacist brings up a really good point that should not be totally discounted.  A pharmacist is NOT a pharmacy tech.

This. Your pharmacist told you not to take the Bactrim because though it is generally considered a Class C drug in pregnancy, and many women take it without ill effect, in near term pregnancies it is regarded as more of a Class D drug due to the potential for jaundice, hemolytic anemia, and kernicterus in the newborn. 

 

 

 

Tygerli11y

Mrs.BoomBoom:

UrbanLe0:

What the pharmacist said might be a reason to call your doc--but remember, your doc knows your case and your test results AND has a medical degree.  The guy behind the counter has none of that.

Sorry to dispute but the pharmacist has AT least as much specialized training as the MD and theirs is SPECIALIZED for the drugs.  They SHOULD know the effects of the medication better than the MD.  Agreed that the MD has your test results and your whole medical history, but the pharmacist brings up a really good point that should not be totally discounted.  A pharmacist is NOT a pharmacy tech.

In this case the pharmacist does not have any more info than the OB because there are no clinical trials on pregnant women. Any information the pharmacist knows, the OB would have also learned in her specialized training. The pharmacist should have never told her not to take the medicine. If he had a question, he should have contacted the OB, who would have informed him that the benefits outweigh the risks.