What antibiotics are generally known to be 'safe' for IC'ers

[LindaP]

Hi all,

I have a friend who has been told by her doctor that they indentified some parasites in her intestines and are suggesting she go on antibiotics. She is very cautious about anything new to her body and asked that I put this question out on the Network for her (her comptuer is down). What antibiotics are generally considered 'safe' for IC'ers?

Here is a bit from her email to me...
......he feels that only antibiotics will knock them out....in my research on these parasites, many Dr.'s don't even treat them b/c they are so very common.....most of the population has them. Well the DC doesn't agree.......the antibiotic protocol would give someone candidias yeast for sure.....so I am wanting to do high doses of a probiotic and an intestinal cleanse and then retest to see if they are still present.....this would be a less invasive or less caustic way I guess.......but the DC feels it's antibiotics or nothing and I am not so sure he understands the magnitude of IC......ahhhhh what to do.......praying for the Lord to reveal it. .....hugs and love, Laura

Any suggestions for Laura?

Thanks,
Linda

[Katrina]

Well my sugestion to Laura is to give the antibiotic a try but definatly take the probotics with it!
amoxycillin Augmentin Macrodantin Keflex Cipro Leviquin, doxycycline have been taken by ICers without a problem...but we are all different...so there is most likely an exception to that!

avoid:macrobid

Let us know how it goes! Good luck Laura!

[tbokay]

"avoid: macrobid"??? You got my curiosity now! Why?

my new uro/gyn has me on low dose of nitrofuratoin (which is generic for macrobid) I have noticed no difference in the past 8 wks -- but did have to go off it for 10 days while I took Levaquin for uti/kidney infection.

[sunshine_77us]

I take macrobid without any problems.

[Katrina]

OH...I don't mean that it has any specific reason to hurt ICers...It just has affected some badly...which I suspect can be said for any drug. If you already know it doesn't hurt you I see know reason to avoid it....but when when you are just starting out and trying to find out what bothers you all I can tell you is what I hear from reading the posts and that is one that I have heard bother someone. Didn't mean to scare those that take it sorry.

[ICPrincess]

Its the oddest thing but I just finished a one week course of Macrobid and it seemed to really help my IC! I say this is odd because I did not have a UTI. They gave it to me anyway because sometimes things don't always show us as they should in cultures. It makes me wonder sometimes about that whole Antibiotic theory. The last time I was on Macrobid months back I felt better too. Has anyone taken Macrobid as a therapy? I would think that taking antibiotics more then a week or two would not be good but just curious.

P.S. Flagly makes me so sick I can barely finish the course (Bacterial stuff). I use the Metrogel now but it is not as strong as the pill form.

[ICNDonna]

If your friend has parasites, I've got to tell you they aren't going away very soon without treatment (been there). I ended up taking Flagyl --- and by the time I was diagnosed and put on the Flagyl, I would have been happy to get rid of the parasites even if it caused a flare, which it didn't.

My doctor said that most cases of parasites are from contaminated well water. We had our well tested, and sure enough that was the source. We now have an ultra violet filter on our well and our water tests just fine. I mention this because if your friend is on well water, she really should have the water tested.

By the way, antibiotics can have some anti-inflammatory qualities, which can explain in some instances why we feel better on them, even in the absence of infection.

Donna

[ICPrincess]

Thanks Donna. I was just thinking that too. I remember being on Augmentin and my doctor said that sometimes the anti-inflammatory aspect of anitbiotics really help. I just wish that there was an anti-inflammatory out there that gave me that same feeling. I have tried quite a few. It seems to keep me in check every time I take it (Macrobid or that Macrodantin stuff). I think I would freak if I found out that there really is something to this antiobiotic thing. It would make me angry that it was so simple the whole time and yet we have been suffering like this needlessly. God I hate this disease. So tired of the burning and the pain

[Babs RN]

I can take nearly any of the antibiotics but usually wind up on Levaquin because I am super prone to infections. Now back to the parasite thing, Donna hit the nail on the head--Flagyl is usually the antibiotic of choice for alot of intestinal issues. Remember this is only due to my experience and observations. It is gross, tastes nasty...and has the same chemical as Antabuse--the med they give alcoholics that will make the user vomit if alcohol is consumed...but works really well.

Hugs,
Barb

[emilyrose197377]

I don't have any problems on Macrobid with my ic.

Kim

[vm]

Levaquin works well for me and hadn't caused flares.

[Katrina]

Flagyl has been one I have taken often because of my inflammed intestines.
IC Princess...I have taken antibiotic therapy and found it helped my IC...but when over didn't really notice me getting worse...that is the oddest part. ?

[ICPrincess]

Thanks for that Katrina

I am honestly thinking of sending in a culture (if its not to outrageous expensive to do so...I have Kaiser so forget trying to bring them along) and see if I don't have this strain of infection.

You know I have to say that out of all the wacky theories and idea's we see now and again, I honestly believe there may be something to this. I cannot discount the way I have felt when on Macrodantin and Macrobid (both times...no infection present but they figured they would give it to me anyway). I felt almost normal each time. Its just odd. I sometimes wonder if it isn't some sort of super bacteria that somehow burrowed itself deep down into the tissues of the bladder going undetetcted by the typical testing. Its not so out in left field when you think about it. I just find it odd that I would feel so much better each time with no infection present (or that they could see). I never put the two and two together until reading some stuff here the last few days. It would be worth going on Macrodantin for a few months to see (if thats the theory and it sounds like it may be or close). Apparently you have to take that Anti Yeast drug with it (Nystatin) but its not supposed to cause any real ill side effects. I am checking into this. I had this years and years ago and it dissapeared like a miracle and never returned for years. Suddenly last October it came back at me out of nowhere. I didn't even know you could get it back. I have gone over it so many times in my mind, What made it appear like this and yet dissapear so many years ago after a full year of pure hell? Is it a super infection that has invaded the tissue of the bladder itself? I am one of those that HAS to know so I will let you guys know once I decide if I am going full speed ahead with this but one thing I know I am not going to do. I am not going to just accept the meds and their weak smiles and do nothing to try and heal this nightmare. I suppose its worth a try (personally this theroy runs miles around the weak crap we get told by our doctors which is basically a lot of shrugging).

[Katrina]

Thanks a bunch...I will love to hear all the information you have you decide to give it a try.

Ya, what we get told by our doctors...basically a lot of shrugging. lol You rock!

[Romans8:28]

Funny how we are react differently! Levaquin and Cipro made my IC FLARE!!!

macrobid and macrodantin feel good and help my symtoms!..,