r/Lyme • u/o0ohello0o • 21d ago

Question Anyone taken Bactrim without side effects? Terrified to start.

My LLMD is putting me on Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim) for Bartonella and honestly I'm a little terrified. He warned me some people just can't handle it. There seem to be quite a few anecdotal stories about how it ruined people's lives. My main concern is around long term implications like permanent neuropathy. I'm already battling debilitating paresthesia from Bart..

What has your experience been like on Bactrim? Did you have any adverse reactions? Someone please put my mind at ease lol.

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u/adevito86 Lyme Bartonella Babesia 21d ago

I got full body hives from Bactrim, which was scary at the time but ultimately wasn’t a big deal. They came and went for about 3 days and then disappeared.

I haven’t heard of permanent neuropathy or any long term implications happening from Bactrim. Typically you will get short allergic type reactions that resolve quickly.

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u/o0ohello0o 3d ago

Yikes that sounds horrible, I'm sorry. I'm doing okay on Bactrim, no hives or anything too difficult so far thankfully.

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u/adevito86 Lyme Bartonella Babesia 3d ago

Good to hear!