woman claims anti-biotic made her ic go away

[Portia17]

11 - Taking Long-term Antibiotics
And unlike all of my previous "treatments" for infections when no one told me I would have to be careful taking any antibiotics, and especially long-term antibiotics, I knew through my local IC Support Group that I needed to take precautions while doing the antibiotic therapy. First, I needed to replace the bowel flora with good bacteria, i.e., probiotics (acidophilus). I took HPD's Poly-Dophilus to replace the good bowel flora, destroyed indiscriminately by antibiotics, one hour before or after each antibiotic dosage. Otherwise, the antibiotic and the P-D cancel the good each does. Although P-D also works to prevent yeast during long-term antibiotic therapy, I also took the RX Nystatin (500,000 IU each) at 6 tabs/day divided among the three doses of Augmentin. This antibiotic does its best if taken every 8 hours so there is a constant amount of antibiotic in the bladder.

Today, as alternatives to the RXs Nystatin and/or Diflucan, we have natural (no chemicals) anti-yeast supplements such as ProSeed and CanPlex by HPD. Much later I learned from a very smart doctor that I could go ahead and take the 6-8 P-D first thing in the morning on an empty stomach (say before I would shower, dress and eat and then take the first antibiotic for the day) and forget taking anymore of the P-D during the day. This helped me tremendously as I just couldn't remember to take the P-D an hour before or an hour after the antibiotic, try as I might. I also left the last urologist I've ever seen (who gave me the original Augmentin RXs) when one time I asked him about yeast precautions, and he just laughed and said there's no reason to be concerned about yeast!

Insist on yeast protection or walk out; though there's no proof, my feeling is that vulvodynia comes about not just because of difficulty with certain foods but because antibiotics have been taken repeatedly without any yeast or acidophilus protection. Yeast can give you the same symptoms as IC itself! I found another doctor who didn't think that way, thank goodness! And he wasn't even a urologist but a preventative medicine physician who knew what opportunistic yeast could do to a person's body. I am eternally grateful to him and his care

[Betsie]

Okay...I just read this 3 times. What I see is a snippet of what must be a longer piece of information, someone explaing a way of protecting herself from yeast with what appears to be a different Dr. and some thoughts on what helps her.

Unless something is missing, I do not see anything where she is claiming to be cured, as a matter of fact her last remark sounds as though she is possibly still under this person's care.

Well, a cure sounds great, but I still don't see any of us using that word yet...hey I feel like a person who could not have possibly endured what I did the first 12-18 months, especially the first 6....I am so much better it is scary, but I would be hardpressed to say cure. It is also not clear what other treatments if any she is doing...I am just a little confused.

What it does sound like is someone who has gained much help from a different treatment protocol and possibly a different way of understanding antibiotics. Is there a source this is from? It would be interesting to read what led up to this part of a discussion.

[fireflicker285]

I don't know if I am understanding this right either......but if antibiotics cured IC shouldn't most of us be cured? Or atleast have that as a mainstream treatment?

I realize that different things help different people but I am hard pressed to believe that long term antibiotic therapy can make IC go away......

[Portia17]

I was just reading stuff on the internet about i.c. cause I am desperate to get rid of my pain. She said that no doctor ever thought of putting her on antibitocs for a long period of time and he put her on Augementen for like a year and she was back too her old self again? Sorry maybe i said cure wrong.

But if that is the case, how come well not my doctor or most of them dont try this treatment.

Thanks
Mary

[fireflicker285]

That's a good question..... I would be very reluctant to try it. I have had far too many antibiotics as is and have always felt they made me worse.

[ICLori]

You may wish to read about Dr. Fugazzotto's theory about antibiotic treatment for IC. I believe there is something about this on the ICN site itself, and you will find information concerning this by googling his name, as well.

Blessings, Lori

[Portia17]

lori

So the doctor thinks so why dont they give us antibiotics

Thanks
Mary

[vm]

It is a hotly debated topic in the IC community. Some believe in it, many don't. Dr. F is one who is a proponent of the antibiotic theory and if you did a google search as Lori suggested, you could fine more information. There is information here on the site about research saying IC is not caused by bacteria and therefore antibiotics would not be a cure.

[ICLori]

Hi, Mary, Kim is 100% right. While there are a few doctors out there who believe that IC is caused by bacteria, there are thousands (or maybe tens of thousands) of doctors and researchers who don't believe that IC is caused by bacteria.

So, because the vast majority of the medical community does not believe IC is caused by bacteria, they are reluctant to prescribe antibiotics. (Antibiotic resistance has become a huge problem precisely because of the over-prescribing of antibiotics, and even the antibiotics themselves are not risk-free - they can cause yeast infections sometimes, and other problems, for instance - so doctors really are doing the right thing in not prescribing antibiotics unless they feel there is a genuine bacterial infection.)

[blondiecat]

I for one took antibotics for a year back in 1997, this was before I was diagnosed with IC in August 2004. I took Leviquin 750mg daily with no relief from my pain and symptoms. This was after having my bladder washed out while I was fully awake and let me tell you that was horriable pain. I for one can honestly say that the antibotics didn't do a thing for me but give me yeast infection. I have not had any relief from the IC at all.

[kelly McC]

I have been put on long term antibiotics 4 times 3 times 6 months and once for 9 months it did not make a difference that was long lasting. I the did have yeast problems and had to be put on long term yeast pill,
Kelly

[Sarojini]

I agree... this is a hotly debated topic... there are a few proponents of this theory out there. They think that IC is caused by an organism that may live in the bladder wall, and may not show up in routine cultures. These doctors say that running a "broth" culture (in which your urine is cultured in a flask in liquid growth medium rather than on a plate with semi-solid agar medium) can reveal these organisms, and then they prescribe an antibiotic based on what they find. However, many people find NOTHING in their urine when they try this, and it's a really "iffy" subject.

Also, I have heard some say that IC can be a manifestation of chronic systemic yeast infection... also something that has not been proven nor tested in a scientifically rigorous manner.

Being a scientist, I tend not to believe in either of these theories because there is not enough experimental evidence published in peer-reviewed scientific journals to show me that either is true (in fact, there's basically only anecdotal info on the Internet for both).

However, everyone is welcome to try whatever methods they think may help!! More power to you if you find something that works and your symptoms improve :)

[ICNDonna]

You'll find information about the antibiotic theory in the Patient Handbook at http://www.ic-network.com/handbook

There are a few people who feel that long term antibiotics is the real answer for them; others have reported they have developed antibiotic-resistant infections, which continues to be a huge problem.

My own personal decision is that I only take antibiotics for a verified infection or to prevent infection when I have a hydrodistention.

Donna