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What Causes Cough, PND, Nausea And Bloating While On Cipro For UTI?

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Posted on Tue, 9 Feb 2016
Twitter Tue, 9 Feb 2016 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 15 Apr 2016 Last reviewed on
Question : i am wondering if i should go to my local ER. There are no after hour care centers near me with any hours this evening. I am currently in a panic attack because I feel ill.


I currently am on Cipro for a UTI. I have been feeing ill ever since have a severe cold at Christmastime. It seems the cold went away, but cough and occasional runny nose persist along with post nasal drip and nausea. Had nausea before taking Cipro, but now seems worse at times. Feel bloated after eating. Had pain in right side made worse by panic. Also, have occasional bowel movements that are pencil thin. Had normal colonoscopy in 2011, but was diagnosed with diverticulitis. No pain on left however. Again, very hard for me to sit and worry. My anxiety makes everything much, much worse.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Some suggestions:

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

I am sorry you are having anxiety. I have problems with that too at times, so I know what it's like.

The Cipro could be causing nausea and bloating and if you are having any gas problem from it, it could cause the pain in your abdomen too.

Consider taking a good quality probiotic that has lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus. This may help the gastrointestinal problems from antibiotics. Don't take it within an hour or two of the Cipro though.

Usually, if there is a cancerous tumor in the colon making stool pencil thin, it is always that way, rather than occasionally. However, it is still important to tell your doctor about it.

For the anxiety, if you are having panic attacks:
If you have these only rarely, a benzodiazepine such as lorazepam can help.
If you have them often, an SSRI can help, but it won't work immediately.

Some suggestions for right now:

If you can, breath in slowly 4 counts for inhalation and 4 for exhalation, for 4 breaths. Then repeat - start over after 4 breath cycles. Do this for 4 minutes. Concentrate on your breaths, and when your mind wanders to worried thoughts, gently return to focusing on your breaths.

If that doesn't help adequately, call the dr. on call for your doctor. He or she may prescribe you some lorazepam or alprazolam.

If you can't get ahold of the dr., then yes, go to the ER.

Regardless, you should make a follow up appt with your primary to discuss all of the issues and concerns.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if I can help further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (20 minutes later)
I appreciate your help and it's good to know I can follow up. I did come to the Er in my community. I am waiting now. I feel bad coming for this reason but I have been paying the highest premiums since I started working 45 years ago. I have also come to mistrust doctors since both my husband and I were misdiagnosed and suffered the consequences. He died and I almost died when they kept telling me my headaches and severe nausea were brought on by my grief. After 2 months of suffering and numerous trips to doctor and ers, someone finally decided to do a CAT scan that led to emergency surgery within 2 hours. I went through a lot trying to get out of an XXXXXXX rehab hellhole. Didn't even need rehab. I was up and walking around after surgery within a week. But because they insisted, I was put in a horrible place that was dirty and completely understaffed. I contracted a severe UTI as well as VRE. My anxiety was through the roof, but no one would help me. It was a long way back, not from the craniotomy, but the anxiety. Took a month in hospital and another few weeks at home. It's the reason why I absolutely cannot ignore symptoms . Well I hope I provided some nice coffee break reading. I'm an intelligent, well educated woman who simply can't understand why I can't handle things when my sister, who died at 43 of a brain tumor, my husband, who died at 61 with larynx cancer, and my mother, who died at 69 of liver failure ( a tea totaler) were so very brave when facing their illnesses and futures--or lack there of. Thanks again. If I have to contact someone again, can I get you?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Your anxiety is understandable!

Detailed Answer:
Your family members may have been brave, but given what you have seen them go thru, and that you were misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, your anxiety is understandable. But you may also want to have your thyroid checked at some point as problems with it can increase anxiety.

Given that you needed a craniotomy, the nausea may not be from Cipro. So it is good that you went to the ER.

Yes, you can get ahold of me two ways:
If the discussion from a question is still open, you can just reply.
If not, post a new question with my name in the first line at anytime and it will be routed to me. I am not on this site at all times, but usually answer in the afternoon and evening.

I wish you good luck.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (6 minutes later)
So are you saying the nausea may be from another subdural? I don't have any headaches. And it's the same nausea I usually get when I have panic attacks.


Now I suddenly got very anxious again. :-(
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
If it is consistent with panic attacks then that is probably the cause.

Detailed Answer:
If you get this type of nausea from anxiety/panic, then that is probably the cause.

One of the limitations of this online format is not having all the information in front of me.

Yes, subdural would cause severe headache.

Have you tried a clonazepam (Klonepin)?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (20 hours later)
Dr. Berger-Donbaugh. I have been taking Klonepin as needed for 5 years, but since I rarely need it (we're talking half a pill a couple of times over year) I prefer to keep it that way. I have now seen both my ER physician and my personal physician. Both have assured me that the things I am going through are not life threatening. I'm going to take prescription prilosec for stomach problems and another prescription to help with the cough and post nasal drip. We'll also be checking to make sure I don't have asthma. I will also start my yearly physical.

I want to thank you so much for helping me through those hours when I literally had high anxiety. You have no idea how much you helped. Back when I was with Kaiser Permanente (DC area), there was a nurse and doctor hotline you could call day or night. They would have access to all of your records in seconds so they could easily provide advice based on your medical history. Likewise, whenever you visited a doctor, whether it be your personal care physician, your obgyn, or even your pharmacist, they would have the same access. Now that I've moved to Florida I am shocked (and dismayed) to find that even if you belong to a particular healthcare group, they don't share medical records with their affiliated hospitals or even their own physicians. In this digital day and age, I find this unacceptable...don't you? Wish that would have been a part of the Obamacare plan. Would probably save mega-bucks. Again, I thank you, and I'm glad there is someone providing this "legitimate" service (yes, I did my research on you and your affiliated company : ~ )
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Glad you are feeling better.

Detailed Answer:
I'm glad your anxiety has decreased and that you are getting the various issues addressed.

I do agree that it is good to be able to share records. I am not one hundred percent fond of electronic record keeping versus the old paper charts, for being able to really write full detail (as opposed to plugging information into templates) but for sharing records, it is very helpful. I'm sorry where you are in Florida does not have this. I imagine they will eventually catch up.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (2 hours later)
I found that my doctors actually shared more by typing in the information. Sure there are boxes to put X's in, but on each and every one of my physician visits was a detailed write-up. Easier because it was faster for them to type and better because it could be understood. Furthermore, there was a a promise that if you emailed your personal physician, he/she would answer the email within 24 hours--including weekends. Many people down here don't even have the option of emailing their doctors. I think I may be talking myself into retiring back to XXXXXXX instead of Florida.

If you have a voice, please push for this :~)

Thanks again. I'll close the conversation now. Respectfully, Marsha
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Have a good night.

Detailed Answer:
Good points about electronic charting.

You can let your local medical system know your preferences too. My guess is it is just around the corner for your area. It is how the country is going.

Good night to you.

Bonnie
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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What Causes Cough, PND, Nausea And Bloating While On Cipro For UTI?

Brief Answer: Some suggestions: Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, I am sorry you are having anxiety. I have problems with that too at times, so I know what it's like. The Cipro could be causing nausea and bloating and if you are having any gas problem from it, it could cause the pain in your abdomen too. Consider taking a good quality probiotic that has lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus. This may help the gastrointestinal problems from antibiotics. Don't take it within an hour or two of the Cipro though. Usually, if there is a cancerous tumor in the colon making stool pencil thin, it is always that way, rather than occasionally. However, it is still important to tell your doctor about it. For the anxiety, if you are having panic attacks: If you have these only rarely, a benzodiazepine such as lorazepam can help. If you have them often, an SSRI can help, but it won't work immediately. Some suggestions for right now: If you can, breath in slowly 4 counts for inhalation and 4 for exhalation, for 4 breaths. Then repeat - start over after 4 breath cycles. Do this for 4 minutes. Concentrate on your breaths, and when your mind wanders to worried thoughts, gently return to focusing on your breaths. If that doesn't help adequately, call the dr. on call for your doctor. He or she may prescribe you some lorazepam or alprazolam. If you can't get ahold of the dr., then yes, go to the ER. Regardless, you should make a follow up appt with your primary to discuss all of the issues and concerns. I hope this helps. Please let me know if I can help further.