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Thanks. At least I'll have ten full days to assess the Bactrim's virtues and benefits (with an additional 10 days at the option of the endodontist, following the dental work). So I should be able to tell if it causes any problems. I feel kind of sorry for you because you'll only have 3 days or so to figure out whether there might be any possible adverse effects from the Cipro.
DJ wrote:Bubbie's sauerkraut looks like the type with a huge probiotic count. I wonder how it's different than pills.
It should taste a lot better than pills, because the bacteria are grown on food, rather than on some crud in a lab. Surely the strains will be different. The biggest risk would probably be a sensitivity to high-histamine foods, because sauerkraut surely has a relatively high histamine level.
Best of luck with the Cipro.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I am in the throes of a terrible UTI. I used to get them very often until LDN. This one has been going on for a long time. I had to take penicillin for a sinus and ear infection, but it didn't touch the UTI. I have been taking D-Mannose for the whole time - 3 weeks now - but, while it relieved the symptoms initially, it hasn't cured the infection.
I am waiting for the results of a culture to tell me to which abx it will respond, but I will not take Cipro again.
Hi Tex,
I wonder if you could tolerate a tiny bit of sauerkraut during the long course of your medication. You mentioned that you have eaten it in the past. I'm asking myself the same question right now. If I introduce fresh sauerkraut while I'm on the antibiotic and my gut starts acting up, I won't know which change is the culprit. I may try a little tomorrow, the third and last day of my Cipro. I'll let you know if it tastes better than lab crud and if I can tolerate this natural form of probiotic.
I hope you don't require a second course of antibiotics but if you must, you must. For us, it's all about triage.
Hi Leslie,
I'm sorry you had to go on so long with a bladder infection...ouch! The D-Mannose may have prevented the situation from becoming worse than it is. I'm sure there will be medications other than Cipro available to you. I've been on antibiotics for less than 24 hours and I feel much improved.
I'm pretty sure that I can tolerate sauerkraut just fine, but unfortunately fiber is contraindicated with an ileostomy — it can cause a blockage, so except for an occasional banana, fruit and vegetables are no longer a part of my diet. So far, so good, with the antibiotic.
The odds of Cipro triggering an MC reaction are extremely slim, so you should be fine. Cipro (and any of the other fluoroquinolones) will almost always bring temporary remission if MC is active, but the remission will only last for a day or so past the treatment period. It's the other possible side effects of the fluoroquinolones (those black box warnings), that are worrisome. Fortunately the risk is relatively low.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Yes, an ileostomy creates additional considerations. As you know very well, what a person with a ileostomy can eat varies by person and type of surgery performed. Unfortunately, we must learn what we can tolerate by trying a few things that don't work. I'm happy to hear that your antibiotic is going well so far.
I read a NIH study on Cipro last evening and it seems that my doc gave me a high does (500 mg twice daily for three days). The study found that 250 mg twice daily for three days works just as well. Although I had a low-grade fever for one evening and a few flecks of blood in my urine, it seems that my case would be defined as an uncomplicated UTI. I've taken three of the 500 mg tablets and I'm considering dropping the last three doses to 250 mg. I can't see a reason not to. The black box warnings are a concern of mine and I've been harmed by medication before.
I present the following evidence in support of my opinion:
My mother has always been noncompliant with medication. Over her life, she either refused medications or cuts pills in fractions to avoid use as much as possible. She is turning 93 in a week, takes no medication, has never had a mammogram or colonoscopy, lives in her own home, and has experienced better health that all three of her children who followed the teachings and recommendations of modern medicine. Yup, I'm cutting the pills in half.
I read somewhere that one should start out with just 1 tablespoon a couple of days, before eating proper amounts. The stomach has to get used to the fermented food.
Lilia
Collagenous Colitis diagnosis in 2010
Psoriasis in 1973, symptom free in 2014
GF, CF and SF free since April, 2013
Good for your mother. She obviously knows what she's doing, and there's no point in trying to argue with success.
You're probably correct (especially since you've already had essentially double doses for the first half of the treatment regimen), in thinking that a normal dose should suffice for the rest of the treatment. Despite the fact that determining doses based on body weight is strictly adhered to in veterinary medicine, most human doctors tend to use one-size-fits-all doses (except for pediatrics) for all adults, regardless of size. So if someone who could pass as a double for the Cardiff Giant will respond to those treatments, then surely some of those doses have to be unnecessarily excessive for petite patients.
Lilia,
I agree that's probably a good idea (for just about any "new" food), and especially for fermented foods.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thanks Tex. It's difficult to know which way to turn. My urine is still a bit cloudy and foamy. I might use 250 mg and follow the antibiotic with a few days of D-Mannose. From what I understand, D-Mannose should not cause harm.
I agree Lilia. I plan to begin by eating one bite of fresh sauerkraut. I know that I can tolerate canned sauerkraut but that does not contain probiotics.
Today is a better day. Things are clearing up and the Cipro has not caused intestinal problems. I will take my last dose this evening. Yay! I'm not prone to bladder infections but if I feel another one coming on, I'll start D-Mannose immediately. I seems I was too late this time.
Thanks, it appears that the Bactrim isn't causing any significant problems in my gut (at least so far so good).
It's good to see that you're doing better.
Thanks for the update.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
and if I can tolerate this natural form of probiotic. 
Yup, I'm cutting the pills in half.