Antibiotic affects

[desjenkins]

How do you choose an antibiotic for colds when dealing with the D?

I have been on two now and both cause the D to be worse.

Thanks
Des

[tex]

Hi Des,

Here's some good basic information to keep in mind, in the first post in the thread at this link:

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=870

Generally speaking, as a group, we have the least problems with antibiotics in the fluoroquinolone group. This group of antibiotics includes Ciprofloxacin, which is probably the most commonly-used of the group. We have found that Cipro not only does not cause D, but it will usually stop any D episode that is already in progress. Unfortunately, a few days after the treatment ends, if D was present before the treatment, it will resume again. The biggest risk with the fluoroquinolones is the increased risk of tendonitis, and in a few cases, torn ligaments, particularly the Achilles tendon, (the greatest risk is for runners). This is normally only a concern with long-term use, but the increased potential is always there, and tendonitis can develop during the use of the antibiotic, or up to several months afterward. This is not a common problem, but we should always keep the risk in mind, and avoiding running and/or stretching exercises during and after the use of such antibiotics should reduce the risk of tendonitis developing, of course.

Another antibiotic that we have had relatively good luck with is Zithromax, (Z-Pak), Azithromycin, etc. Of course, whether or not either of these antibiotics is appropriate, depends on what the treatment is being used for. In general, antibiotics are ineffective for treating a cold, but of course, they can be used to treat secondary infections related to a cold.

If you have problems with frequent colds, or other viruses, taking supplemental vitamin D, (or increasing your dosage rate, if you are already taking it), can really help. Your 25(OH)D level needs to be around 50 ng/mL, or better, to minimize the risk of rhinoviruses and influenza viruses. At your latitude, (Maryland), you probably need to be taking between 5,000 and 6,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily, to keep your resistance up. Most people with an inflammatory bowel disease, (including MC), tend to have a relatively low blood level of vitamin D.

Tex

[IDreamInColor]

Tex, what about the C-Diff risk with antibiotic use? My dad had a severe bout with c-diff, almost killed him, and because of that I avoid antibiotics if at all possible. Does having MC increase the chance of developing c-diff?

[desjenkins]

Thanks Tex

I too don't like to take the antibiotics unless necessary. I am so new to LC I don't want to take anything that I don't absolutly have to.

[Pat]

Wow, don't get me started on not taking antibiotics! It took me 3 years to get over the last one ( constant D no matter the diet or med). Don't take one unless absolutely necessary!!!!!!! Tex, is absolutely right that antibiotics do not help colds except maybe a secondary infection. The way I prevent/ combat a secondary infection is to use a saline rinse preferably 4 X day. I use the Neil Med squeeze bottle. It comes with premeasured little packets of salt mixture. I warm 8 oz of distilled or reverse osmosis water for 24 seconds in the microwave. Then add the water and salt to the squeeze bottle. Squirt some in one nostril and then the other alternating until all is gone. The water will come out the other nostril. You can do it as often as necessary. If necessary I also take Mucinex ( sometimes it takes 2) and maybe some Sudafed (Generic). I do that routine until I no longer feel like I need it. Works like a charm! Hope this helps.

Pat

[barbaranoela]

hi DES and welcome ----
I just wanted to add that I use MUCINEX (doctors advice) and I find it does and Xcellant job--

Hope U find something that can agree with your system--

Barbara

[tex]

IDream,

The C. diff problem is addressed in the thread that the link in my post above, leads to. I'll repeat it here:

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=870

I'm not sure that MC increases the chances of developing C. diff, but taking the wrong antibiotic can certainly increase the risk significantly, and there is some degree of risk with any antibiotic. C. diff can also cause MC.

Tex

[Polly]

Hi Good Buddies,

Just got back from being out of town for a few days. I agree with everything said on this thread. Good job, you guys! (Not that you need my blessing, of course, but it's accurate from a medical perspective, IMHO.)

Love,

Polly, who is exhausted after spending 3 days with my mother-in-law!

[natythingycolbery]

I thought, that as a cold is a virus, antibiotics don't do anything?

[tex]

Naty,

You're right. From my first post above:

In general, antibiotics are ineffective for treating a cold, but of course, they can be used to treat secondary infections related to a cold.

Tex

[harma]

that is what crossed my mind too, for a normal cold antibiotics does nothing, to get rid of a cold with antibiotics takes a week, without 7 days (is a Dutch expression to make clear it doesn't make any difference).

[natythingycolbery]

Naty,

You're right. From my first post above:

In general, antibiotics are ineffective for treating a cold, but of course, they can be used to treat secondary infections related to a cold.

Tex

Thus I yet again prove I do not know how to read :S

[Ginny]

I'm with Pat, use the Neli Med bottle. I had a terrible sinus/cold infection last March and did not want to take anything since I had a relapse with MC. I used it just like Pat 3-4 times a day and took only tylenol. It took sometime but it worked. It was on a week's vacation that I got it and was able to go back to work after that week. Not exactly how you want to spend a vacation, but I didn't take any antibiotics!

Once you get over the cold, and if you have any kind of allergies, I would suggest you using the Neli bottle once a day for prevention.

Ginny

[Polly]

AND the Mucinex. I use both the Neil med system (like a neti pot but under pressure), but the Mucinex is truly remarkable. I use it at the first sign of a cold, and it really keeps the mucus thin and flowing so that it does not settle in the sinuses.

Love,

Polly

[Bifcus16]

On the other hand I have been having a bad run with a cold that won't go, and am resorting to all sorts of heavy ammunition.

I have had this cold for 7 weeks now (cough, sore throat, gunky nose, tired), and now have my 4th round of conjunctivitis (eye infection) in that time. So far I have had 1 round of Amoxycillin antibiotic, two rounds of Keflex, and am just starting a round of Augmentin (Amoxycillin + something else). 1 round of Chlorsig drops for the eyes, now on my third bottle of Ciloxin (Cipro) drops. Also have Bactroban ointment to put in my nose. Swabs haven't grown anything yet. Oh yeah, and Di-gesic painkillers when the throat has been really really bad (it comes and goes).

Nose ointment is an interesting experience. My nose just keep getting gluggy and crusty (not runny), and nasal irrigation I have tried seems ineffective, so the ointment is to stop any staph or similar infection in the nose from going back into the eyes. I have to sort of rub a tiny bit of this cream into my nostrils - and it feels like it just makes them more clagged up. Then try to avoid blowing it for as long as possible. Never done this before. It feels counter intuitive.

I have an appointment at the eye clinic at the hospital in a couple of days as the GP rang the ophthalmic registrar there to check if she was doing the right thing and he promptly told her what time I should attend!

So far I have tried the Nasex nasal irrigation (which does nothing), Difllam throat spray (does nothing), the tea tree oil gargles (throat improved after this - maybe it helped), the old hot lemon juice honey and rum before bed routine (might have helped, and did make me sleep better), the tea tree and eucalyptus oil burner (helps while it is on), the eucalyptus and tea tree on the tissue in the bra routine (normally this fixes things within days), and of course I take 5,000 IU of D3 and a zinc tablet each day.

I am also taking one probiotic in the morning and a different one in the evening. Yesterday I had a few visits with D and the output was really red - so immediately I thought C-Diff. Then remembered I'd eaten beetroot chips. Sure enough the red went away and no gut pain. Pheww

Waiting for the immunologist to return my call, and have an appointment on the 27th regardless.

Anyway, that's my grumble for today. Thanks for listening!!


Lyn.