BAD side effects from antibiotics (TMI warning)

[YoozaName]

About 3-ish weeks ago I had a urinary tract infection. Dr put me on Trimethoprim antibiotics for a week.

Trimethoprim didn't work. Dr then put me on a week of Augmentin antibiotics.

Augmentin worked in that it got rid of my UTI, but on Tuesday night I felt like I might be coming down with tonsilitis. I recognised the signs because I've had that so many times before.

On Wednesday I felt OK, just a sore throat, and tonsils felt back to normal. Bought some Ultra Chloraseptic spray to numb my throat pain.

Yesterday and today I have been pretty much bedridden. I have what feels like flu (snotty, bunged up sinuses, hot/cold, cough, sneezes, headache, etc) BUT last night I discovered I also have peeling skin on my inner labia, clitoris and all the way up my bum crack!!!! I can't believe I just typed that on a public forum and didn't even namechange!!!

I immediately stopped taking the Augmentin (only had 3 left) because on reading about the side effects on the patient care leaflet, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is mentioned and is the only thing that sounds vaguely like what I'm suffering with.

I immediately Googled it and...oh god I wish I hadn't!!

Am I just a cyberchondriac, or has someone else here experienced similar who can tell me it'll be OK, it'll clear up on its own and that I really don't need to bother the doctor with such trivialities?

Oh...and if you Google it, and see the Wikipedia page, please don't be too alarmed by the pictures, mine is NOWHERE NEAR that bad!

(Please don't make me go to the doctor again, sudocrem or savlon will sort it, won't it??)

You poor thing. But, I'm sorry, symptoms may not be as bad as on Wiki, but it does say it is a life-threatening condition, and no amount of embarrassment would stop me going back to the GP at once.

It could easily be thrush, but get it checked out.

Thrush? Now that sounds far more acceptable! I don't think I've ever had that before. It's slightly itchy now and again, but it looks like the top layer of skin is coming off

I do tend to convince myself I've got the worst possible thing...

Peeling skin is one of the side effects of the Trimethoprin anti biotic you were on. I'll go have a look at the box I have and let you know what it says to do

Right, it says skin peeling off the genitals etc is one of the more serious side effects, maybe its worth giving your out of hours doctor a call to see what they suggest?

Hope this helps

its peeling mucosa membrane though rather than skin? Probably is the anti-biotic, but be very careful about what you put on to soothe it, as you can easily make it worse. You need to go back to your doc really.

Oh YoozaName poor you, that sounds bloody horrible.

And do NOT put sudocream on it! Trust me, I know what I'm talking about (it will hurt, a lot).

What a crap side effect for an antibiotic. I had exploding bowels with mine and that was bad enough. It took my mind off the chest infection I suppose.....

Oh thank you all for your responses, you've really helped.

DoFliesHaveKnees Thanks for looking, I had thrown the empty Trimethoprim box away. Although I'd be surprised if it was from that rather than the Augmentin because I stopped taking the Trimethoprim on March 6th and this side effect didn't appear until the 15th, when I had been on Augmentin for a few days.

BukimiNoTaniGensho I'm so crap at biology! Yes, you're right, having googled it is indeed peeling mucosa membrane rather than skin. I've not put anything on to soothe it, as it doesn't really hurt. I had a long soak in the bath last night and bits of it were coming off (ewww!)

Sparklingbrook Yes it's gross! Mind you, exploding bowels sounds pretty horrendous too!

After having spent the last 2 days in bed, I'm up and about today. The flu-ey symptoms are lessening, more just a stuffy nose and chesty cough now. The peeling is still there, but doesn't look so bad as it did on Thursday night. I'm going to see how it is over the weekend, and if no improvement on Monday then I will call the GP and see what's what.

Thanks again all