Probably need Antibiotic...which one won't hurt me?

[birdlover3]

I've had a sinus 24/7 headache and pressure for over a month. I've tried everything under the sun to avoid taking an antibiotic, but it appears I'm going to have to go to the doctor and I would guess he will give me an antibiotic. Which antibiotic will not throw me back into a "D" episode of MC? I've been good now for a long time and am terrified of taking an antibiotic. Please give me some advice. Nothing has helped from over the counter to behind the counter meds, sprays, vapors, steam, zinc, Vitamin C, hot compresses, etc. etc. etc. I'm sick and tired of feeling rotten. Thanks, Barb

[tex]

Hi Barb,

Most members here with that problem have been able to treat it (or at least prevent it from developing that far) by using a neti pot regularly. Have you tried that? Ask your pharmacist about them if you need some guidance on making a selection.

If you end up having to take an antibiotic, none of them are absolutely without risk, but some impose a much lower risk than others, obviously. Besides the risk of triggering an MC flare, some antibiotics carry a significant risk of causing a C. diff infection, and an antibiotic-resistant strain of C. diff can be a real bear to treat effectively.

Although these risks apply to some extent to all antibiotics, under certain conditions, the greatest risk seems to be associated with clindamycin (Cleocin), ampicillin (Omnipen), amoxicillin (Amoxil, Augmentin, or Wymox), and any antibiotics in the cephalosporin class (such as cefazolin or cephalexin).

In general, the antibiotics that seem to carry the lowest risk of causing either an MC flare, or a C. diff infection are those in the fluoroquinolone group, including Ciprofloxacin. Cipro rarely causes an MC flare, but it does carry a slight risk of causing tendonitis, or even a torn ligament, and the risk increases with long-term use. Another antibiotic that we have found to be relatively safe is azithromycin (Z-Pak).

It's also usually a good idea to take a good probiotic for a couple of weeks after the antibiotic treatment ends, anytime that ANY antibiotic is used, just to be on the safe side (to help minimize the risk of a C. diff infection).

Tex

[ldubois7]

Barb,

I successfully averted a sinus infection two years ago with the neti pot. It took about 6 weeks for me to heal, but I did it without any antibiotics. I have not had an issue since.
If you decide to try it, be sure to use distilled water. Do it morning and evening.

Good luck! :)

[JLH]

DH was just told he has to take antibiotics before getting his teeth cleaned because of his knee surgery. They said he has to do it for 5 years. They prescribed amoxicillin.

[Sheila]

I was told to take an antibiotic before dental work after I had a spinal fusion. Since the MC diagnosis, I haven't done so and haven't had any problems. So far, so good. From what I've heard it is more important to take the antibiotics immediately after the surgery but once you've healed, not so important. Ask your doctor for advice.

Sheila W

[Zizzle]

I'm sure everyone reacts differently to antibiotics, but my MC goes into temporary remission every time I take Bactrim (Sulfa antibiotic) or Keflex/cephalexin. Then again, my autoimmune skin disease began after taking several courses of these, so...pick your poison.

I have to disagree with Tex about the relative safety of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. They come with a very real risk of tendon rupture (throughout the body) and other serious forms of neurologic and other toxicity, sometimes after only one dose. There is no way to know if you'll be one of the people to react to them right away, but the damage can be long term. Levaquin is probably the worse of the bunch, but Cipro is handed out far too freely by doctors for uncomplicated infections.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverse_ef ... quinolones

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/artic ... fects.aspx

[JLH]

I know Tex did warn someone, maybe Jodi, about that. He did, NOT the doctor.
I was in awe by the scope of his knowledge........and still am.

[CathyMe.]

Barb,

I successfully averted a sinus infection two years ago with the neti pot. It took about 6 weeks for me to heal, but I did it without any antibiotics. I have not had an issue since.
If you decide to try it, be sure to use distilled water. Do it morning and evening.

Good luck! :)

Barb,
I echo both Tex and ldubois' suggestion of the Neti pot. While I haven't had a sinus infection, regular use of it has helped me fight off colds!

[JLH]

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/0 ... ning/?_r=0


http://www.neti-netti-pot.com/neti-pot-warnings.html

[Jeanemcl]

Oh boy....I did not know that. Thanks!
Jean

[JLH]

It's always something.

[ldubois7]

As I mentioned above...you need to use distilled water. I have never had a problem in years of using the Neti Pot. I put in 1/4 tsp. of Himalayan pink salt and a pinch of baking soda, and clean & dry it, when I'm done.
There were many rumors going around a few years ago, because I believe someone had passed away and it was attributed to the Neti Pot, but it is safe and effective for most, as long as you follow the directions.

[Sheila]

Bactrim, prescribed for an ear infection, was responsible for triggering my MC and celiac gene. I had an allergic reaction for the first time and developed severe D as well as redness and swelling. Within 3-4 months I had full blown MC. My husbands late wife took Levaquin and developed a skin disease (can't remember which), then developed myelodysplastic syndrome and finally a fatal leukemia. I think we take a chance whenever we take an antibiotic.

Sheila W

[Zizzle]

Cipro tied to Gulf War Syndrome:

http://www.militarytimes.com/apps/pbcs. ... 3311010018

Cipro and other fluoroquinolones — including Levaquin, Avelox and other medications with “flox” in their names — are powerful antimicrobials used to treat serious bacterial infections.

But along with potency comes a litany of precautions, warnings and side effects — information that service members and their families should consider when they are prescribed these medications, or when they request them to treat routine infections.

In 2008, the FDA added a boxed warning — its most serious alert — to fluoroquinolones, noting they can cause tendonitis and tendon rupture. In 2011, the agency added a second boxed warning, saying the medications can worsen the symptoms of myasthenia gravis.

And while the most recent warning for peripheral neuropathy is not the most severe alert, it is alarming. According to the FDA, nerve damage “may occur soon after these drugs are taken and may become permanent,” and is unrelated to dosage levels.

The warning applies to oral medications as well as those delivered by injection.

“The onset of peripheral neuropathy after starting fluoroquinolone therapy was rapid, often within a few days. In some patients, the symptoms had been ongoing for more than a year despite discontinuation of the fluoroquinolone,” according to the FDA.

[dfpowell]

Related to the above article, I had a reaction of nerve tingling especially in my hands and feet within 12 hours of taking my first dose of Cipro. Some can tolerate it and some can not.