Worried about taking Erythromycin

Hi,

I am 34 weeks and my ob has prescribed erthromycin for a cyst i have on my groin. It's only a minor infection and i've had it flare up on and off for the last 10 months. I've never had any antibiotics for it. Now, i am just worried cos i've read feedback on the drug and so many people had vomiting, terrible cramps and palpitations (which i've already had!) Anyways, being 34 weeks i already feel tight in the tummy and have had a little upset tummy of late...i really don't feel like feeling any worse!! Has anyone else taken this drug? Any advice with what i should do? Thanks!

I took that antibiotic for a skin infection I had 12mths ago and I actually ended up with a major guttate flare up of my psoriasis and ended up with 85% coverage! So I don't like it at all as it's the first time I have had a reaction to abs.

I guess you could ask if there are any alternative abs you could take and let him know of your concerns over this one, but generally they prescribe abs depending on the infection and that may have been the best one for the job. Also you have to work out whether the pros of having the cyst gone (if it is causing you some pain etc) will outweigh any possible side effects from the abs - because don't forget that not everyone will have side effects from them - you could be absolutely fine.

Whatever antibiotics you do take if you go ahead please consider taking some pro-biotics for your gut and to avoid thrush - you'll be much more prone to gut-ache, diarrhoea and thrush if you take antis while pregnant - you really don't need those side effects on top of everything else.
Erythromycin is a pretty strong antibiotic which often causes gut upsets but it has been used in pregnancy. It's one of those cases of 'risk vs benefit'. If you feel the actual infection is only minor and can be managed symptomatically (have you considered a topical antibiotic cream/ natural alternatives such as tea-tree oil?) then it may not be worth the hassle. But if your infection is giving you grief and may possible interfere with your labour going well then it's probably best to nail the infection now.
That's just my 2 cents worth :)

Whenever my doc ask what am I allergic to I always say that one. I had it once & vomitted so very bad & had no appetite & got the shivers. Sorry not a fan at all.

Thanks so much for the advice girls. The cyst has been feeling a lot better the last couple of days anyhow. I will try some tea-tree oil and see if that helps even more.

I figure if it's not causing me too much pain and won't interfer with labour (and will only if it becomes a serious infection) then it's best to avoid the antibiotics-from some of your experiences it doesn't sound like the best one! The obstetrician even said that during labour if i was to have an epidural she can drain it then?! I just hope she doesn't mind if i don't take her advice...at the end of the day, it's my body and my baby! :)

hope everything goes okay for you...xx