Resolved question:
Thank you for your time.Three weeks ago I was given a seven day dose of Prednisone (z-pack), 7 days of Levaquin, and an inhaler. I took the medicines as required until finished. A week and half later I had to go to the ER due to abdominal swelling. After a CT scan I was diagnosed with diverticulitis. I was given tens days 500mg of metronidazole and ciprofloxacin. Four days after I started cirpofloxacin and metronidazole I started experiencing extreme anxiety, suicidal thoughts, sleeplessness, itchy rash on feet, and hallucinations(mostly at night). I called my doctor and while waiting for his call, I also called the pharmacist and let him know what was going on. He thought it might be the ciprofloxacin and told me to get off of it. I also spoke to the doctor that was on call for my regular physician. I told the doctor that I started feeling like this shortly after starting Ciprofloxacin and was told to stay off the medication. The next day I saw my physician and had a check up. He was confused how ciprofloxacin could do that, he told me to stay on the metronidazole and after a check up he stated that he still heard wheezing in my lung and gave me a flovent inhaler. Later that evening I took the inhaler and all of a sudden I felt like my throat was closing, had felt like no matter how fast I drew in air I could not get enough air. My wife drove me to an urgent care and was given a shot of benadryl to calm my heart rate as they told me I was having a panic attack(never had one in my life). The doctor gave me cefdinir to replace the ciprofloxacin as she said it could be dangerous for the diverticulitis, she also gave me a 12 day 0.25 MG of Alprazolam for the anxiety as she thought this was a symptom of steriod withdrawal and not the ciprofloxacin. It has been three days since that visit and I am still getting symptoms that include instant increase rapid heart rate(no stressful situations), throat feeling a little swollen, extremely heavy breathing, and dizziness when this happens. for the past two days it has happened two to three times a day for no reason at all and today it happened while I was preparing to lay down for a nap. I am extremely concerned as it feels like I am having an adrenaline rush out of nowhere. I also noticed that this happens when I start to get hungry. What is going on with me?? Is this steroid withdrawal or have my adrenal glands been permanently messed with?? The antibiotics are working but I am still coughing up yellowish brown chunks from my lungs. Thank you again for your time.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Psychiatrist
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
It appears that you are having a panic disorder and the same got precipitated by the steroid withdrawal. It doesn't appear to be related to ciprofloxacin but its better to be avoided if you have stopped it ones.
This is a disorder of anxiety and occurs cause of imbalance of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. especially serotonin, nor adrenaline, and dopamine to some extent. Medicines are the best options to take care of these symptoms. Paroxetine is the the most popular medicine and my drug of choice. I generally prescribe my patients 12.5 mg per day at night which takes care of anxiety symptoms. Also certain medicines like propranolol and clonazepam can be give as required when there is a panic episode or expected situation where panic attack can appear.
Also there is an option of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This therapy is taken by either a psychologist or a psychiatrist in which the therapist identifies impaired cognitions (Thoughts) and try to correct them. They are 15-20 min weekly session and there should be around 8-10 sessions to help you with your illness.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.