bonny, do you have any Benadryl (pill form)? You could take 2 and see if it helps the rash at all. If it does, then keep taking the Benadryl.

Otherwise, I would go in to the ER (or urgent care) for the rash ASAP. A rash that extensive is likely a side effect from a drug (it sounds like it could have been from the clindamycin, but it might also be to the Bactrim). I wouldn't wait on that one -- it's covering too much of your body.

It's almost certainly an allergic reaction, Bonny, and those can become dangerous. It sounds like a really dangerous infection, though. Try taking two benadryl and putting cortisone cream on the rash. If you have any trouble breathing, call 911.

I'm a crazy person who would probably wait, but saner minds may differ.

eta: I see a saner person posted while I was typing.

ETA: What I should have said first was Thank You Steph and Ginger!

A friend is bringing some Benadryl over right now.

My next dosage of Bactrim isn't for another hour and a half...noon here.

Would that be enough time for the rash to be effected by the Benedryl?

It's hard for me to imagine that the reaction is to the Bactrim because I took it for YEARS & YEARS for utis. It doesn't work on them for me anymore, which I mentioned to the doctors.

But, could the Clindamycin be having such a florid effect two days after discontinuation?

ETALSO: I have no other symptoms. No shortness of breath, nausea, headache, pain. And, though there are bumps here and there is not pustulant . Or, however that is spelled.

It's hard for me to imagine that the reaction is to the Bactrim because I took it for YEARS & YEARS for utis. It doesn't work on them for me anymore, which I mentioned to the doctors.

You can develop a drug allergy after taking a drug (whether it worked or not) for years. I wasn't born with an allergy to penicillin; that's what I always was prescribed for my annual strep throat as a kid, with no problem -- until I was 21. It just happens.

But, could the Clindamycin be having such a florid effect two days after discontinuation?

How many days of Clindamycin did you take?

t edit What kind of rash? Bumpy, like hives, or just flat and red?

Harvey sends his best healing purrs, bonny. Sammie is sitting guard at my feet, which is unusual. She keeps looking from Harvey to the iPad, then around the room.

Just wanted to second that you can become allergic after years. Or the first time. I've had both. I know I would be inclined to wait about going back for the rash but I'm not sure that is actually wise.

I hope things calm down, Bonny. And fast!

How many days of Clindamycin did you take?

What kind of rash? Bumpy, like hives, or just flat and red?

I took the Clindamycin for a day. Three doses of 3 caps.

I was going to take more but the phonecall came from the hospital, so I discontinued.

The rash is mixed, flat and bumpy.

Goodness knows what antibs were in the IV infusion...but I would think that a reaction to them would have been instant.

It's been an hour since the Benedryl and, where the red bits were solid, they now appear blotchy. It still itches, but I thing some of the bumps have gone down.

I've just taken my third dose of Bactrim. Fingers crossed.

My head is all tilty from the benedryl so I'm going to take a nap, rather than obsessing bout minute changes in the rash.

Hopefullly,when I get up, there will be good news.

Good grief, bonnie. I hope the Benadryl and the Bactrim work and you are all healed up quickly! Scary stuff.

Goodness knows what antibs were in the IV infusion...but I would think that a reaction to them would have been instant.

Not necessarily -- very few drugs, even IV drugs, cause an instant reaction.

I didn't realize the antibiotic in the IV wasn't Bactrim. If it wasn't, then it sounds like you're having an allergic reaction to whatever was in the IV. When you're feeling better (less woozy from the Benadryl), and you have time, find out what was in the IV. It's worth knowing, so you can keep that in mind if you need antibiotics in the future.

It's been an hour since the Benedryl and, where the red bits were solid, they now appear blotchy. It still itches, but I thing some of the bumps have gone down.

That sounds promising. You can take 2 benadryl every 4-6 hours. I'd take it as often as you can* (on that schedule, I mean) for the next couple of days.

*(I say "as often as you can," because I don't know what you have going on that you need to be awake and alert for -- if you have work, for instance, this week. If you can't take 2 because you need to be awake, try taking 1.)

Bonnie, Bactrim is a sulfa drug, and the rash you are describing sounds almost exactly like the allergic reaction I had when my sulfa allergy emerged. Please go back to the ER and have them check you. Sulfa allergies can kill. Not trying to scare you, but I'm very worried.

ETA: ignore me if what Tep just posted makes more sense.