MC and travelling (to Africa)

MvdH · Post by **MvdH** » Mon May 06, 2013 9:22 am

Hi all...

I've got a question..which is maybe a little bit strange but maybe some of you do have advices:)
By this time (been diagnosed with MC for 3 months ago) I'm still having an active inflammation (using Prednison now..and it's getting a bit better:))...but, my ticket to Ghana is allready booked. I'll go in July..just for one month. Unfortunately, Ghana s the place where the whole MC thing started (after 6 different types of antibiotics in 6 months)....so I really want to prepare my self this time.
I was wondering if you know something about MC and the anti-malaria medicines they provide? I'll probably take Malarone but don't know if this is also something with the same effects as NSAID's?
And, because there's always a change of getting n bad infection over there...is there any type of antibiotics which are safe to take (I know they're all bad..but, just in case that..)

Hope some of you can help me:)!

Mariska

Post by **tex** » Mon May 06, 2013 10:15 am

Hi Mariska,

I don't know much about anti-malaria medications, but as far as I am aware, Malarone is not an NSAID, nor is it related to that class of drugs.
In my opinion, the class of antibiotics that is the least likely to cause digestive system problems for someone who has MC is the fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin. To my knowledge, the only ill effects that any members here have ever suffered from that class of antibiotics is tendonitis or torn tendons. While the tendonitis risk is not particularly common, it is the most likely side effect of taking any of these drugs, especially if they are taken on a long-term basis. With one-time use, or infrequent use, that risk is relatively low. With long-term or frequent use of Cipro however, the risk of tendon damage can become significant, especially for athletes who impose a lot of stress on their tendons.

According to research records, Malarone has no known drug interactions with ciprofloxacin, so it is safe to take the two together.

If it weren't for that risk, Cipro would be a practical treatment for MC, because virtually anyone of us who takes it will discover that their MC will immediately go into remission and it will stay in remission, for as long as the antibiotic treatment is continued.

Unfortunately, not everyone agrees that this class of antibiotics is safe to take. Authorities such as Dr. Mercola label these antibiotics as dangerous drugs, because they contain a fluoride derivative. Of course, this has nothing to do with MC, but you can read the details of his argument here:

Fluoroquinolones: The Deadliest Antibiotics on the Market?

Many of us have taken Cipro, and I'm not personally aware of anyone who has experienced any of the ill effects that Dr. Mercola warns about. I have taken it myself on two occasions back when my MC was active, for a period of 2 weeks each time. Both times it stopped my diarrhea immediately, and I had no adverse side effects. Of course, the diarrhea resumed a few days after I discontinued taking the antibiotic, each time.

I hope you will be able to enjoy the trip with a minimum amount of problems.

Tex

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon May 06, 2013 4:02 pm

I am assuming that you are doing all the other malaria preventatives??
long sleeves, long pants, good quality tropical strength mozzie repellent with high DEET level, avoid wearing perfumes, avoid being outside at dusk etc.

All anti malarial meds are quite harsh on your liver, avoid alcohol and fatty foods while taking them.
I would make sure you have good low inflammation type meals when are taking the meds, so that it is not too harsh on your gut.

NB - One the factors that contributed to my MC starting was anti malarial - Doxycycline (I couldn't tolerate malarone) I was doing frequent travel to Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga for work.
I have seen aussies that have contracted cerebral malaria and had health issues for the rest of their lives. Even now I still ponder the scenario - take doxy and get MC, not take doxy and get cerebral malaria.

TXBrenda · Post by **TXBrenda** » Mon May 06, 2013 10:12 pm

Also you can take a supplement, milk thistle, to help with your liver functional. It may not help, but it probably won't hurt.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue May 07, 2013 1:25 pm

I'm currently on Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) for an autoimmune disease and I'm tolerating it quite well. My dose of 300 mgs/day is much higher than the dose used for malaria prevention.

I recommend all travelers take Culturelle probiotic before and during their trip. It has lots of clinical evidence that it prevents traveler's diarrhea. My friend was stationed in West Africa for 2 years and took Culturelle anytime he felt something digestive coming on, and he said it always worked. He was also on low-dose doxycycline to prevent malaria. Of course the recommendation is that you take Culturelle daily. It does not require refrigeration for the trip.

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Fri Sep 09, 2016 1:33 pm

I'm going to Tanzania and Kenya in October and will be taking generic Malarone to avoid malaria. I requested Plaquenil but was told the specific mosquito in this part of Africa is resistant. One of the listed side effects is D and that scares me. Last colonoscopy found no evidence of MC but I know it's lurking inside me just waiting for an excuse to make a reappearance.
Gabes, I can't take doxy either. Took it this summer and looked like I was scalded.
Has anyone else had experience with Malarone or atovaquone-progranil, the generic? I really don't want to take it, but know I have to take something.
No problems with Hep A and B vaccine. Decided not to take yellow fever live vaccine.
Thanks.

Sheila W