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 get a horrid rash with Metronizadol- that’s it though- hopefully you’ll be ok 👍

I give it to 2-6 people a day most days at work without issues. Don't freak yourself out with leaflets

I’ve been on it for three months following Crohn’s surgery in March (apparently there is evidence it can help reduce the risk of the Crohn’s recurring). I haven’t had a single side effect (unless you include constant irritation at having to avoid alcohol 😄).

Had it multiple times, never any side effects. Only relief from the infections. Hope you feel better (physically and mentally) soon

Hand gel is fine to use. It's drinking that's an issue. My bro decided to get drunk on it as why would you listen to your Dr sister or pharmacy mum? He was v ill.

Alcohol gel will do nothing

I’ve had it and been fine! But DO NOT and I mean DO NOT drink alcohol while taking those pills! I made that mistake once, and it only took a literal mouthful of beer to ensure I regretted it immediately

Every medicine has side effects ranging from common to super rare. Don't trust scare stories on the internet, it's difficult to know if the medicine caused the negative thing or the negative thing just happened to be when they were taking the medicine. There's also massive bias, the majority of people who had no or only minor side effects won't post online so you only hear the negative stories.

Keep in mind that if serious side effects were common then the medicine would not be prescribed. You've also got to balance any possible side effects against not doing anything and your infection getting worse. Again a doctor wouldn't prescribe medicine if it would likely do you more harm than good.

Obviously everyone is different but I've had Metronidazole quite a lot and never had any side effects.

I've had it a few times. Also have emetophobia. Never had any problems. Just remember not to drink booze.

I’ve had it a few times for dental issues. Never felt unwell on it at all and I usually feel miserable on antibiotics

The vast majority of people have zero side effects. If you feel sick, it’s more likely the panic than the drugs.

i have taken it,
no memory of it tbh, aside from no alcohol allowed

Despite being that person who is usually either very allergic to antibiotics or, for the few I'm not, very, very ill - didn't feel a thing with Metronidazole.

Make sure there's no alcohol in your mouthwash, obviously don't drink any or cook with it - but there's a very real chance that many of the people who report vomiting had actually decided one drink can't hurt or didn't know about the alcohol in mouthwash being, well, alcohol.

Just get the gels from the supermarket if it's freaked you out. One a night for 7 nights up the fanny. Wear a pad. It's not a big deal.

It's a hardcore AB, no alcohol, not even mouthwash. But it does the job. I've always found it fine.

Just don't drink alcohol, even mouthwash. It's fine.

I've just completed a course for ANUG which @Ginmonkeyagain also had it for. I was on 400mg which is high I think, and felt slightly not right but nothing significant. Unfortunately I still have the ANUG though it's not as bad, so just starting doxycycline. Definitely the antibiotic must be preferable to the infection!
I am someone who does react to things, and I have a sensitive tum, but found the Metronidazole fine.

Just the normal adult dose. 400mg orally, 500Mg IV

I'm going to start taking it this morning anyway! Thank you everyone. Hopefully it'll be fine, still in a bit of a panic

I’ve just finished a course and noticed absolutely nothing from them. Perhaps this is why the doctor asked me “how I felt” about going on it?

I had a slightly funny taste in my mouth after I took them, but nothing that cleaning my teeth didn’t fix. No other side effects.

I’ve had it several times when I’ve had tooth infections including a two week run just before Christmas when I had a massive abscess. The only thing that the dentist emphatically said was No Alcohol as it would make me very sick. Other than that it was like taking any other medication, no ill effects.

I’ve taken courses of it on more than one occasion with no side effects at all. Don’t drink alcohol and take as directed.

@hoohoa dont suppose you could update how it went and if you had any side affects? Just been prescribed this antibiotic and am like you terrified of taking it because of the side affects 😅

I’ve had it a few times for dental and the only side affect was a bit of a grouchy tummy and also being hungry! You absolutely cannot touch a drop of alcohol on it though, it’ll make you really poorly. Don’t worry.

Seriously, seriously,
I can't say what I want to say as I'll get banned!
Don't read the bloody leaflet if you cannot cope with the information!