Cipro the cause of MC

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 8:25 am

My son has had D since around Aug 30th. He needs to have a stool study before they will do a colonoscopy. He will be moved back to college in two weeks so scheduling will be challenging. They are going to check for c-dif and some other ones. I don't think that's the problem because it started before his recent vacation in New Mexico. He did a lot of swimming so it's a possibility. I never even thought of it but the nurse asked about recent antibiotics. He was on a course of cipro in April after the doctor punctured his bile duct during a procedure. It was only for five days or so but do you think that could have triggered it? Why would it take so long? Maybe that's not even the reason but if it is will this be forever now?

He is more prone to develop ulcerative colitis so would this be an MC thing? The nurse acknowledged that sadly this is a more common occurrence with antibiotics- something everyone here already knows.

Bad way to start the school year

Post by **tex** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:07 am

Hi Deb,

I'm guessing that you meant July 30th, rather than Aug 30th. We can only guess of course, but based on our accumulated past experience here, I'm not aware of a single case where Cipro caused MC symptoms. It can cause other problems (most notably tinnitus, tendonitis, and peripheral neuropathy), but it is not known for triggering MC symptoms among the members of this discussion board. In fact, as many of us have noted, it typically brings remission from the D while it is being used. Of course as we all know, that does not mean that it's not possible, because we are all different in our response to medications.

It's possible for antibiotics to cause MC months after they were used, because it can take varying amounts of time for dysbiosis to develop, and exposure to certain pathogens during a window of opportunity that exists for possibly a few weeks after an antibiotic is discontinued, can significantly alter the odds of developing a bacterial infection. Still, overall, the risks of developing a bacterial infection associated with Cipro are relatively small, based on the experiences of the members of this discussion board.

Did the D start after his bile duct procedure accident? If so, I'm wondering about the scar tissue that may have resulted from that damage to his bile duct. I wonder if it's possible that the resulting insult may have triggered some sort of bile-dumping syndrome. This may be a wild goose chase, but have his doctors tried a bile acid sequestrant, just in case bile is the problem? Trying cholestyramine would be a cheap and fast way to rule out this possibility, with little downside risk. If that's the problem, he should see improvement within a day or so I would think.

And as we all know, the faster we can get D under control, the less likely that other complications will develop.

Tex

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 11:02 am

That's good to know about Cipro. I remember that now from previous posts. It did start after his ERCP when they made the puncture. That was at the end of April and he had another ERCP in June to remove the stent. Yes, I did mean July 30th for the beginning of the D. He has taken questron before as a method to stop his itching. He struggled with getting it down and keeping it down. It may be worth asking about. He has been taking Imodium this weekend- he says it isn't doing much.

Post by **tex** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 11:20 am

Deb wrote:He struggled with getting it down and keeping it down.

That seems to be the biggest complaint about bile acid sequestrants. I don't understand why, in this day and age, pharmaceutical companies can't produce products that are free of allergens and also palatable. Why should swallowing any medication be reminiscent of swallowing sand, or a horse pill? They develop sophisticated production methods so that products are economical (for them, not the patient), meet FDA guidelines, look good on the shelf, etc., but they never seem to pay much attention to the actual needs/preferences of consumers/patients.

Tex

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 11:30 am

I agree- it is like drinking a glass of sand. The nurse said no for right now until the stool study is done. I understand the need to start with step one, be patient, and go from there. Thank you for bringing it up. I would have never thought of that as something to consider. At least he has no pains or cramping. Too bad it will be another week of D for him.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 5:36 pm

Deb,
keep in mind that like for many here, it can be a combo of events/situations that lead to MC making its centre stage appearance.

The combo of genetics, anesthetic from the bile duct procedure, the damage and mega inflammation from the puncture, the mexico water /drastic change in bacteria and the unsettlement of returning to college while still having issues would be enough of a combo!

I hope your son can get some reduce intensity from lots of immodium and more importantly some answers - soon!

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 4:30 am

I was hoping to drop off the kit at the lab this morning but it is still on the counter.

Hopefully after work he can get it taken care of. I'm in a bigger hurry than he is. The biggest thing he has going for him is that he is so laid back, almost too much so but considering I'm more of the pounce on the issue personality maybe I need to learn from him and take it down a notch.

It's much easier dealing with my own issues because when it comes to him, I don't want him traveling down the same road as me. Although, realistically, his path is already more rugged than mine. His go with the flow temperment is an asset to his health. Not that he doesn't have his moments and rightfully so...... I do admire his attitude.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Wed Aug 19, 2015 3:59 pm

Deb,
We are all doing the best we can......
Don't be too hard on yourself....

And as we have discussed before, you can give him the knowledge, the advice, it is up to him what he does with it....

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Wed Aug 19, 2015 5:32 pm

Thanks Gabes. So true. Too many years of struggles and not much knowledge for me. Don't want him to make the same mistakes because I believe I am far worse than most for healing because I spent so much time floundering in the dark and everything sprialed out of control. It's hard to step back. It's a fine line of giving insightful advise and being an old nag. I give him credit though.... We talk poop pretty matter of fact it's almost funny. At his age, I would have been too embarassed. The goal I have set for myself is not to be overbearing but available. I don't know everything but I hope I give him some comfort that no matter what I will be at his side for whatever lies ahead for him. I am truly thankful that he doesn't think twice about taking me with to all his doctor visits. He is at that odd period of time where he is an adult yet I still pay all the bills but I hope once he gets on his own, I can still be his second set of ears.

If anyone figures out how to make the horse drink please let me know!