Panic attack about metronidazole

[hoohoa]

I'm terrified.
I have horrendous health anxiety and emetophobia.

I've been prescribed metronidazole for BV picked up by a swab (asymptomatic). I've read a few threads on here and the side effects sound unbearable. I am absolutely petrified to end up vomiting, having diarrhoea or even hallucinations/worsened panic attacks and paranoia as I'm reading!!!

Any reassuring experiences?
I've just spent the whole morning in tears so far.

I have had it before (and am emetophobic). I wasn’t sick - tbh my fear of being sick is so strong I very rarely am. It doesn’t make you feel great and I remember an odd metallic taste, but it’s not so bad. I had a small baby at the time and managed ok.

Try not to read side effect lists pre-emptively. They're there if you happen to feel odd, you look up if it's a known side effect.

I'm sure the severe side effects are rare and your GP has considered the risks and benefits. But you could contact your GP for reassurance.

I was given this years ago for a gum infection. No side effects at all. Hope you’ll have the same experience!

I'm not going to lie, it's not great but you are catastrophising a lot. I had a course for a serious gum infection (acute necrotising gingivitis - do not recommend) caused by a crowded wisdom tooth. It made me slightly nauseous and very tired but that was it. It is pretty powerful stuff and cleared up my infection in a matter of days.

The vomiting is mainly if you mix it with alcohol. Drinking while taking it is a massive no.

If you have been prescribed it you have a deep tissue infection that could be serious so please take it and finish the course, the consequences of the untreated infection is much worse than any side effects of metranidazole.

@Mumoftwo1316 I find it so difficult to not read about it beforehand, but I just can't believe how much negative stuff I've read. Just sobbing. People are reporting long-term neurological issues and urinary issues.

I've taken this before, was absolutely fine.

I’ve taken it and felt rough for a few days but no vomiting etc.

This is prescribed very routinely, side effect are very unlikely. Just don't drink alcohol and you will be fine.

I’ve had it for something dental. I had no side effects whatsoever.

I also forgot you’re not supposed to have alcohol and drank wine. Still no ill effects.

I've had this before, absolutely fine.

IVe had it recently for BV, it was a vaginal gel rather than tablets. Not a single side effect. Not sure if that was because it was topical application rather than tablet form.

If you have been prescribed it you have a deep tissue infection that could be serious so please take it and finish the course, the consequences of the untreated infection is much worse than any side effects of metranidazole.

Absolutely!

Metronidazole has been around for decades and is a mainstay of antibacterial treatment, especially tissue and gastrointestinal infections. It would not be prescribed unless you need it.

Focus on your recovery rather than potential side effects!

Metronidazole has been in use since the 1950's, that means millions if not billions of doses have been prescribed. The majority of people do not post on line to say they took it without issue so if you are reading people's experiences online then they represent a tiny number of people who have actually taken the drug. Serious side effects are very rare.

As others have said don't drink and you will be fine.

Are you getting any help for your health anxiety? Being so concerned about taking routine medication is no way to live.

I had buckets of it for wisdom teeth. Mild gastric issues sometimes (bit queasy) and a funny taste - I would recommend having mints or gum on hand. Not brilliant but completely manageable.

@FOJN I'm on a therapy wait at the minute for it!

Just had 2 weeks of it. No side effects at all. Just do not drink alcohol while on it.

I hope it helps to bring you some relief.

I've just had it a couple of weeks ago for an infected cat bite, no side effects at all.

Same here.

I was too sick to contemplate drinking when I was on it (from the effects of my infection, not the metranidazole I hasten to add).

I'm currently taking Metronidazole for the third time. I've never had any side effects.

Just finished a 7 day course of the stuff for a gum abscess, I had no side effects whatsoever

I had to take 5 tablets at once and they did produce an impressive bout of diarrhea, but nothing else.

I had chalky tablets though and I do remember them being absolute bastard to swallow as they tasted so horribly strong and wretch worthy, and got stuck to my tongue as I took them.

Hopefully you have capsules? If not, eating chocolate before you take them is supposed to help.

Make sure you get the right kind of therapy if at all possible. My daughter has emetophobia and was treated without much effect when they were treating it as a straightforward phobia and trying CBT and exposure therapy.

She's about to start a different type of treatment now that a new psych has decided it's an OCD thing rather than a phobia thing and has explained to her that the treatment approach is quite a bit different with that diagnosis. She's feeling a lot more confident about the whole thing having spoken to this new psych.

I'm allergic to penicillin so have had it dozens of times and never had a single side effect. Clarithromycin, now that's a nasty fucker but Metronidazole is fine. As long as you don't consume any alcohol while taking it, its unlikely to give you any symptoms.