Itraconazole worse side effects than diflucan?

[JaimeGNZ]

Hello everyone. I havent posted in a while(sorry)..After 2 years of being diagnosed with dissiminated cocci, I finally have insurance an a VF specialist..My doctor doubled my diflucan in february. I did not feel any better, my stomach continued to get bloated all the time, my body continued to hurt, the dry rash got to my face, and I developed some serious man boobs. Just this week my Dr changed my meds to Itraconazole 400mg/day.. Is anyone on this currently? and if so what are the major complaints and side effects.

Also, is anyone in California? I live in Modesto, and would lke to speak to someone else in California. I seriouslly feel so alone
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Take care,

Jaime Gonzalez

[Budster]

Jaime, you are not alone in California. I am south of you in Ventura County (Simi Valley). I have no experience with Itraconazole, I am on Fluconazole since 6/2000, 100mg/day as a sustaining dosage to keep VF from disseminating again. I guess at this low dosage I don't have the same reactions as when I was taking 600mg/ day.

Keep in touch, we are here to lean on!
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Warm Regards,
Jerry

see my VF webpage here:http://www.budster.com/vf-01.htm

[JaimeGNZ]

Thank you for responding. It just seems like there isnt anyone in the central valley that wants to talk or support eachother.
But back to you, youve had dissiminated VF already? Did you get the spores on your skin? If so did they ever dissapear? And do you still have body aches or stomach problems?
_________________
Take care,

Jaime Gonzalez

[Budster]

A while back the Dr thought I was doing good with my titers at 1:2 for 6 months and had me stop the fluconazole. Well that didn’t work as 3 weeks later I got n itchy spot on my left upper arm. At the time I had no clue as to what dissemination was so I ignored it for a while. I guess I scratched at it in my sleep and it got infected. That is when I went to my GP Dr and he took one look at it and took a biopsy, sent it for culture, and sure enough it was cocci. My titers were back up to 1:32, started the fluconazole again and have been on it ever since ( 10 years now ). The sore went away after a couple of weeks on meds but there is a scar there now. I never did have stomach problems like reported by some on this board. As far as body aches, my joints all feel like I have arthritis (the Dr tells me I don’t have it) and some days are worse than others. I still get tired easily and have to limit my exercise due to shortness of breath and hurting joints.
_________________
Warm Regards,
Jerry

see my VF webpage here:http://www.budster.com/vf-01.htm

[Robin Smith]

Jaime,

I'm in California too (San Diego). Feel free to contact me anytime. Not sure if I have anything to offer but sometimes just venting helps. I've been through alot with VF and will do whatever I can to help you, my friend.

Robin

[JaimeGNZ]

I never had stomach pains, I would just get really bloated. I would only go # 2 in the morning and if i tried in the evening I would get so bloated (my upper stomach) seemed like i was pregnant..I was very thin when I got sick. Im 6' and weighed 170lbs. Now I cant work out and Ive gained about 60lbs. I weigh 230 and the diflucan enlarged my chest and now it looks like I have breast. My Dr. refuses to get me the lap band. Ive told him over and over that my body gains weight easily, (I used 2 be obese) so the only way i could lose the weight was through intense working out, wich is what I used to 2 do. I was at the gym for 3 hrs 6 days a week.. Besides the body aches, tiredness and the bloating, im beyond depressed about my weight gain and my growing chest..Can anyone help me figure out how i can get my insurance to approve a lap bad surgery? I really cannot live like this anymore.. I can handle the VF-not that have a choice. But i cannot handle the weight and the boobs..

Take care
_________________
Take care,

Jaime Gonzalez

[matilda]

If your insurance is good..call them and find out exactly what your diagnosis needs to state in order for it to be covered. Ask your doctor for the prescription. If he wont get a second opinion. It does need to be related to a medical condition to become "medically necessary". I just learned that my insurance would cover a cranial prosthesis but only if its due to allopechia. In our terms, they will cover 100% of a wig if its because of hairloss due to medication you are taking or an illness that has caused your hair to fall out.I'm only 31 and not happy about getting a wig but happy I dont have to pay for it. They are expensive. I learned this from a friend who had cancer. Sure enough was true. Also, my insurance covers me to see a Nutritionist. I have the opposite problem I'm 5'11 and weigh 110 pounds.

[matilda]

My Dr just switched me from Fluconazole to Voriconazole. It is stronger in the zole family but my bloating, nausea, and just overall sick feeling has subsided. I think it was the fluconazole that made me feel so bad or the vfend is just working better. I'm not sure. I just know I am feeling better these last couple days. It is however messing with my vision.

[Glenda]

Hi Jaime,

I took the Itraconazole for about a year and a half. I never had any problems really, except it didn't mix well when I took macrodantin for my urinary tract infections. I am now back on fluconazole, because my new insurance won't pay for the Itraconazole. I hate the hair loss and dry cracked lips I get with the fluconazole, and I much prefer the Itraconazole. I did get some bloating with it, but it was not bad. I have heard there may be long term side effects on your heart though. I guess you just have to weigh the odds and decide what works best for you, and what you are willing to put up with. I know it is hard sometimes to tell if it's side effects from the drugs, or just feeling lousy from the VF.

Best of luck to you,
Glenda

[Lisa B]

Hi Jamie,
I live in the Fresno area. I would more than happy to talk with you anytime. I have had cocci meningitis since 1992. I have been on flu, vori, and now itra. But I am sick for the 4th time now. When I was on vori, I got 8 melanomas. When I was on flu the last time, I was losing all my hair and eye lashes. I'm thinking they are now going to put me on ampho. I put on 30 lbs with Itra..so I don't like it either..but it apparently isn't working so it doesn't really matter, huh. Again, I would be happy to talk with you. Actually, I am also looking for someone to talk to...18 years of this is too much!

Lisa

[JaimeGNZ]

Does anyone in California feel like getting together and talk in person???
I swear I feel like the only one..lol.. I need 2 hear and see people.

Jaime
_________________
Take care,

Jaime Gonzalez

[JaimeGNZ]

Or on Messenger??
_________________
Take care,

Jaime Gonzalez

[Budster]

Jamie, I will be at Kit Fox RV Park http://www.kitfoxrvpark.com/index.asp which is just south of Modesto on October 28th through Nov 1 camping with friends. I will be in my motorhome so if you want to get together let me know, you can contact me via email on my FB account (Jerry Budster) as the exchanging of contact information here is not allowed for security reasons. You can post here if you want to meet, but keep personal info on FaceBook...
_________________
Warm Regards,
Jerry

see my VF webpage here:http://www.budster.com/vf-01.htm

[Lisa B]

Jamie,
I would be more than happy to talk with you.

Lisa

[Tresa]

Hi Jaimi,

Feel free to Facebook me as well. I'm under Tresa Harrington in Los Angels. I would be more than happy to give you my contact info so we can talk on the phone.

Take Care my friend,
Tresa