Antibiotics

[Trishann]

I just would like to bring up a discussion but it does not mean it is good for everyone. I have noticed if I take antibotics and Elmiron together I hurt more, and either medicince seems to work as well. Recently I was taking antibotics due to chronic sinus affection and I stop the Elmiron because of the antibiotics and noticed I did very well with it. Even the antibotics helped my bladder. I just wonder if anyone experience this too. This is the first time I did this and maybe it was just something that happen, I am guessing here. Maybe it won't work again, and I guess that is why I am asking about it.

I know there could be different reasons for this to happen but I was just wondering if this ever happen to any of you.

Sending hugs, Trishann

[Berkshire Road]

Yes, when I was on cipro for a bladder infection, I did notice significant improvement. Well, antibiotics do have anti-inflammatory qualities, so that's one possible reason. I really don't know if that's the true reason or not. But I definitely had the same experience as you did.

[Roxie2007]

HI Trishann,
When I have a bad flare (which luckily hasn't happened in a while) my IC/Uro has me take 3 days of Cipro 500mg along with the Elmiron. I've never had any problems with that and it always calms the flare down pretty quickly. Did you dr. say to quit the Elmiron while on antibiotics?? I hadn't heard of doing that before. Take care......Roxie

[Trishann]

Thanks Carolyn for letting me know. It just seems odd.

Roxie, no my doctor did not tell me to go off of Elmiron but because I have problem with taking it at the same time I thought I try and see. Well sure enough I did better taking one or the other. But unfortunately I needed the antibotics. No it is probably not a wise thing to do but when my body is telling me something I learned to listen to it. Something, it my case, just not working with taking it both together for some reason. I just wondering if others experience the same thing and again maybe this only is a problem with me.

Sending hugs, Trishann

[meme]

Cipro usually makes me feel really good. I took it at the same time as my Elmiron and never had any problems, never tried it without taking Elmiron though. I have heard too about the anti-inflammitory agents in it that may make IC feel better.

[MarthaF]

As many of you know if you have read my posts (and I post pretty often) I, and others, believe that IC is really an undiagnosed infection. The lab tests are not really adequate to find all bacteria, and we now know that bacteria can invade the bladder wall and/or form biofilms that enable them to hide from detection and treatment. They can re-emerge to cause new symptoms and that could be what is known as a flare. You can send a specimen to United Medical Lab in McLean, VA and ask them to do a broth culture. Usually they report bacteria that no other lab has found in a patient, and then a sensitivity test will tell what antibiotic is the right one. Some antibiotics have broad spectrum capabilities and may be helping, but it is better to have a specific one for a particular species of bacteria. No one that I know of has been cured using antibiotics for their anti-inflammatory properties, but I know many who have been using them to treat an infection successfully.

Something is damaging the bladder wall and no one has shown conclusively that it is not bacteria. If bacteria are able to hide then it is difficult to culture and 24-48 hours is not always enough for some species to grow. And other species need something like a nutrient broth to encourage growth. But nothing is going to grow that was not already there when a speciemen is taken. Bacteria are all over our bodies, inside and out, and it is easy for them to get into the bladder.

Martha

[Trishann]

Martha I heard this before but I am not for sure if it is exactly right or wrong. If this is the case I wish that doctors would investigate in this and see if this could be the reason why we are sick.

The thing with United Medical Lab, alot of insurance will not paid to have this done. I don't even know if doctors will give a patient a referral to have it done. That is the only way I can do this Lab. work.

If it was up to me, I would tell my doctor to do all blood test, and broth culture, and all vitamin deficiency test. But they usually won't do this unless they see a problem.

This IC is so controversary about what is causing it. I guess it is just something they can't quite put their finger on. I do believe it is more help now then what it was but I think there is still away to go.

Right now I know their are things that can help you to manage it at times but I haven't seen a cure yet neither.

I hope you keep us update on this and let us know if new things are coming up with it.

Thank you, Trishann

[Katrina]

Trishann, I take an antibiotic with my elmiron all the time but it seems to me you would like to be able to do that too. I guess I am wondering if it isn't something like an IBS spasms that are making them not work out together? Since they both can cause stomach upset have you tried just taking them 2 hours apart? :grouphug:

[Trishann]

Katrina I think you got to the point of the problem. This can be a possibility of what is going on and why I am having trouble with it, and it makes me feel awlful. Grrrrrrrrrrrr, I don't know why I did not even think about it. Thank you so much for sharing your understanding of it.

Sending hugs, Trishann