Keflex Antibiotic

[glassd18]

Well for the third time my antibiotic has been changed. This time my uro has put me on Keflex. I was first on Macrobid, then Bactrim, and now Keflex. I was put on this for inflammatory polyps which apparently are treated with antibiotics. I haven't really seen much change from any of these meds.

[Katrina]

I wish I knew what to say....:grouphug: I hope you find something that works.

[windwalker]

I'm sorry you're going through this. I hope you get something to help ya.

[glassd18]

Thanks!!! I've been trying Cytotec for about two weeks now too, and I'm hoping I see a difference somehow. These past few days haven't been too bad so I hope I'm turning a corner somehow, but I don't get my hopes up. It's going to be a year this month that this IC horror show began!!

[Paininthe*.*]

glass, please keep posting periodically on your progress..I'm interested in trying Cytotek, would love to keep tabs on your progress. Thanks for sharing!

[glassd18]

I certainly will keep everyone posted Paininthe*.* (funny id)!! I have been posting in the Cytotec threads too so you can poke around there too!!

[sacausa]

That's sooooo weird that he prescribed Keflex.... that's usually used to treat the skin not internally...

[glassd18]

I did not know that. I have my appointment on January 25th, and I only have two more months to go on long term anti's so I hope I can come off of them because they make me really tired. I can not tell if they are working or not. I'm really considering a new uro. My mild acne has sure cleared up!!!lolololol

[annekatherine86]

Well..... actually.... that's not entirely true.. Sorry sacausa, i promise im not trying to be a big know-it-all! Keflex is actually very similar to Pennicillian, as bacteria reacts to it by not being able to form a cell wall, thus not being able to reproduce and survive. It has this effect on many different types of bacteria, one being E.coli, which is usually the culprit for UTIs. I've been on Keflex for a few UTIs, and once for bronchitis. I'm just assuming here, but the antibiotics may be to prevent infection since the polyps are probably obstructing your urinary tract. Other than that, I would assume that they weould need to be surgically removed. Then again, I haven't gone to medical school! :smile tee lol Good Luck!

[glassd18]

Hi Anne Katherine,

I too looked up Keflex in the pill book, and yes it is used for urinary infections as well. Regarding the urethral polyps my uro says that these polyps are not the type they remove but are treated with antibiotics. It seemed weird to me too, but I trust her to know what she's doing. She has quite a few IC patients as well. The only thing I could think of is HPV can get into the urethra as well as cervix, and I had this many years ago, and possible is what is causing my problems and I thought maybe this is what I have in the urethra, and then it would make sense because those are treated with anti's. I'm going to ask more questions when I see her next week. Thanks for all of your support.

[annekatherine86]

Awesome! Yeah, I was going to tell you to ask your doc or talk to her, but everybody tells everyone that, and I know I get kinda tired of hearing it sometimes. lol Anyway, isn't HPV viral? so wouldn't your doc put you on anti-viral meds? I mean I know it is viral, but what I'm trying to ask is what the antibiotics do as far as HPV goes? Or maybe that is what you were trying to say when you said apparently the use a/b for polyps now, or something. So, yeah...Good idea, you should talk to your doctor, she should know. lol There I said it. lol Keep me posted, this is very interesting.

-Anne Katherine

[sacausa]

This medication is a cephalosporin-type antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections (e.g., skin, bone and genitourinary tract infections). It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

This antibiotic only treats bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (e.g., common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or overuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.

OTHER USES: This drug may also be used before dental procedures in patients with artificial heart valves to prevent serious infection of the heart lining (bacterial endocarditis).

from rxlist.com

[glassd18]

Okay I saw my uro last Thursday, but was less than impressed. I had written down all of my questions, but she didn't let me get through them all. As a matter of fact she inched closer and closer to the door until she finally left. Yup!!! Anyhow I did get to ask her about HPV, and she said that I do not have HPV. These polyps are usually caused by or are a sign of inflammation in the bladder. In the old days they would burn them off, but have since found out that that is not the best way to treat them. Usually they are treated with antibiotics. How the antibiotics get rid of them I still am unclear on. I asked her if she wanted to do another cysto and she gave me a resounding NO!!!! She is still 100% unclear if it is these polyps creating my symptoms or that I have IC!!! I was given another sample of meds for hesitancy that is usually used for men, and sent on my way. I don't feel anymore informed or relieved!!!!! When I told her the antibiotics weren't affecting my symptoms at all, and if I should keep taking them she said it was up to me!! That is the second dr. in one month who told me it was up to me about meds. The other was my gyno after trying me on many different HRT methods, and finally giving up because they all bug my bladder. I think it's time for a new doctor. What do you think?

[windwalker]

Well, if my doc was inching towards the door and I had my list and he wasn't finding my health that important, yes, I'd find another doc.

[glassd18]

You betcha! I'm working on it!! Hopefully I'll have better luck next time around. I'm hoping to hook up with a University hospital.

[glassd18]

I finally understand what my uro was talking about with the urethral polyps she found during my cysto. She was referring to Urethral Syndrome. I read here on the ICN the Q&A with Dr. Jay, and in it he explained urethral polyps, and that urethral syndrome can feel like IC. I am now scared that I gave up my anti's too early and didn't give them enough chance to work. I have two months worth left so I can start them again. Anyhow here is the article I found on urethral syndrome, and now I finally understand why my uro was doing what she was doing. Urethral polyps are a sign of inflammation in the urethra, and usually a sign of urethral syndrome. I'm happy I found this, but I'm afraid now that my doctor won't let me try the anti's again.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urethral_syndrome