Drug Allergies

Once again, I've had to quit a medication due to severe reaction.  This time it was Epilim (Valpro 200), but this is the last in a longish list.

I'd only been on it for 2 weeks - starting at 400mcg, progressing to 800mcg after 4 days.  I started off with disturbed sleep/dreams, increased rashes, and nausea.  The dreams eased off, but the rashes and nausea increased to the point where I felt sick all day and started getting IBS symptoms.

I saw my doc and found out the best way to stop taking them (wanted to make sure I didn't have to wean off) and already feeling improvment after 24 hours.

I guess why I'm here is to see if others have issues with medications.  I am starting to think I have an allergy to certain drugs (after looking up the ingredients, I've found many of them have common ingredients and similar side effects).

What's the difference between a side effect and an allergy?  I'm starting to think I have an allergy as the rashes have come on in increasing severity over time, but it's hard to know which drug may be causing it.

Sorry, I know I'm rambling a bit, just sick of feeling sick and pretty sure it's due to medications

Thanks for your reply Sherry.

I'm wondering how you know you have an allergy to sulpha based meds?  Have you been tested by an allergist or is it something you've worked out over time?

I saw an allergist a few months ago, tested positive to moulds, dust mites, grasses and pollens, animal dander, etc, including the control test...lol.

His treatment was to take antihistamines morning and night, but I made a decision after a couple of weeks to only take them when I needed to.  I'm not keen on taking medications at the best of time and the cost was going to be prohibitve.  Now I'm wondering if I should go back and be tested for chemical allergies.

Cheers

Deb