Nitrofurantoin

[GrammaBear]

I saw the Doctor at the Immediate Care Clinic last Saturday and she prescribed Nitrofurantoin for my UTI. Since I've never heard of this medicine I couldn't think of any questions to ask about side effects. Since starting the drug, my muscles ache and I have joint pain along with a headache and nausea. Has anyone else taken this medicine and experienced side effects? Granted the side effects are much better, I guess, than the UTI, but still not all that pleasant.

[CDeuce]

Hey GrammaBear - those side effects are definitely related to nitrofurantoin. If the drug makes you feel worse, you might think about calling your doc & see about getting different treatment. There are other less troublesome antibiotic meds to treat UTI that don't cause these kinds of problems.

[GrammaBear]

Thanks Cindy for your post. I've never had any trouble with antibiotics before except for the occasional 'tummy' issues. The muscle aches are more like a "charlie horse" all over the body, and I would like to avoid that next time around. Of course I wish there wasn't a next time - but realistically I think there probably will be.

[princesslinda]

I've had the same type problems with Cipro. Has your doc cultured your urine to determine what antibiotics it's sensitive too? That should hopefully give several antibiotic options to choose from. If you're plagued by the UTIs, i'd encourage you to see a urologist. It may not be diabetes-related (though it can be), as some are just more prone to them than others. Hope you're drinking plenty of water, avoiding caffeine and taking cranberry capsules. Feel better soon!

[GrammaBear]

I probably could improve on drinking water, and I don't do well on avoiding caffeine either (really like my Diet Coke). I've never heard of taking cranberry capsules. Do I buy them at a health food store, and do they come in miligrams? How much of them should be taken daily?

[princesslinda]

I've seen them at the vitamin stores, not sure of the dose, but if it's just dried concentrated cranberries, I wouldn't think it would do much harm just trying the recommended dosage on the package.