Hello,
I had written a few weeks back regarding a urinary tract infection that I had and was hesitant to take Cipro, which had been prescribed to me. I was afraid that my symptoms would be even worse on an antibiotic.
I have read a few posts regarding Cipro and its effects on MC - can anyone explain why some people have a temporary remission? I was on 250mg for 10 days and felt the best I've felt in a long time. I had lesser bowel movements - which were actually formed! No nausea and plenty of energy. Almost like myself before this horrible disease. I had even gained a few pounds. Then after about 1 week off of the antibiotic, my body went into full LC mode. Loose stools, nausea - the whole nine yards. I'm wondering if this would finally prove to my doctor that I do indeed have LC. Would Cipro work the same way if you had IBS? He is still not convinced that I have LC and is treating me for a "nervous stomach".
Also, I'm sorry to keep asking this question - but for those of you that are in remission - how long did it take for you to heal? I'm getting concerned because it's been a year and a half for me so far and there really seems to be no improvement, even though I am on a strict diet etc - Just curious.
And just wondering why this happens with Cipro -
Thanks for your help!
QUESTION ON CIPRO AND RELIEF
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Macrolides (such as azxithromycin) and Fluoroquinolones (such as ciprofloxacin) have been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects, independent of their antibiotic properties. That's why many MC patients who take them experience temporary remission during the treatment, and almost no one has diarrhea because of the treatment.
If your doctor refuses to recognize a legitimate LC diagnosis, you would surely be better off finding a GI doc who is intelligent enough to at least accept an LC diagnosis. No one is ever diagnosed with LC accidentally — the diagnosis is always correct, and it's correct forever.
You can't have IBS — "IBS" is a fictitious disease that a GI doctor claims a patient has when she or he can't figure out what's actually wrong. It sounds so much more professional to tell a patient that she has "IBS" than to tell her "I don't have the foggiest idea what's wrong with you".
It took me about a year and a half to reach remission after I adopted the GF diet, and about another half-year before I stopped having occasional reactions.
Tex
If your doctor refuses to recognize a legitimate LC diagnosis, you would surely be better off finding a GI doc who is intelligent enough to at least accept an LC diagnosis. No one is ever diagnosed with LC accidentally — the diagnosis is always correct, and it's correct forever.
You can't have IBS — "IBS" is a fictitious disease that a GI doctor claims a patient has when she or he can't figure out what's actually wrong. It sounds so much more professional to tell a patient that she has "IBS" than to tell her "I don't have the foggiest idea what's wrong with you".
It took me about a year and a half to reach remission after I adopted the GF diet, and about another half-year before I stopped having occasional reactions.
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.
Hi, BarbieAnn. I don't remember exactly, but it didn't take me as long as Tex. I was fortunate, I had a colonoscopy scheduled because of my age when the D started (for 8 weeks) so I didn't have it for years like some have prior to diagnosis. I did the Pepto treatment and then dietary changes.
Marcia
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
OK thanks! It was so NICE to feel semi-normal again, even if it were just for two weeks! 
The current doc I'm going to seems to be a very nice man, (this is actually the 4th one) but he is insisting that it's my nerves. We have tried various treatments - (Lexapro, Metamucil to firm up stools, Xanax to relax me, Cholestyramine, probiotics, Bentyl, Belladonna, the list goes on and on) and nothing gives relief. Sometimes I wonder if it is worth going to another doctor if there really is nothing that they can do for me. I am going to try an acupuncturist for the nausea - I have heard that may help with some of my symptoms. I just can't understand why he does not believe the biopsy report - it clearly states LC, but still insists that that is not the problem. He claims that I would be having bowel movements all day, not just in the morning. The fact is that there are days where I am having them during the day as well, but my problems are worse in the morning - and this is where the IBS diagnosis came about. He seems to totally ignore the 15 pound weight loss and the fact that I cannot gain an ounce even though I am eating enough where I should be gaining weight.
Thanks for listening.
The current doc I'm going to seems to be a very nice man, (this is actually the 4th one) but he is insisting that it's my nerves. We have tried various treatments - (Lexapro, Metamucil to firm up stools, Xanax to relax me, Cholestyramine, probiotics, Bentyl, Belladonna, the list goes on and on) and nothing gives relief. Sometimes I wonder if it is worth going to another doctor if there really is nothing that they can do for me. I am going to try an acupuncturist for the nausea - I have heard that may help with some of my symptoms. I just can't understand why he does not believe the biopsy report - it clearly states LC, but still insists that that is not the problem. He claims that I would be having bowel movements all day, not just in the morning. The fact is that there are days where I am having them during the day as well, but my problems are worse in the morning - and this is where the IBS diagnosis came about. He seems to totally ignore the 15 pound weight loss and the fact that I cannot gain an ounce even though I am eating enough where I should be gaining weight.
Thanks for listening.
There are very few doctors who understand this disease. Unfortunately most of us have had to figure it out on our own. My GI told me that gluten free is a fad. {thunk}.
Marcia
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
Marcia is right on target. Your current GI doc apparently knows very little about how MC affects patients. The fact is, almost all of us have much worse diarrhea in the mornings (when we are in a flare) and then it usually lets up for most of the rest of the day. Sure, there are a few really severe cases where diarrhea is a problem all day long, but I would guess that only about one or two percent of MC patients are in that category. The rest of us make a few trips to the bathroom each morning, and then the rest of the day goes much better, with either one or two trips to the bathroom later in the day, or none at all. Where in the world did he get the idea that all MC patients spend all day in the bathroom?
I would try to find a more MC-savy GI doc (if possible). The one you have now is hopeless (as far as treating MC is concerned).
Tex
I would try to find a more MC-savy GI doc (if possible). The one you have now is hopeless (as far as treating MC is concerned).
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.
Hi BarbieAnn,
It took me every bit of 2 and 1/2 years to reach remission and I still reacted to stress or when my allergies flared. About 3 years post diagnosis I had a colonoscopy and the biopsies then confirmed I was in remission.
I was rigidly gluten, dairy, soy, egg and pork free, during all that time. It just took that long, but it’s obvious that the diet heals. I was also eating low fiber, low sugar and low fat during that time.
Your doctor could not be more off track. I also had nausea and bathroom trips first thing in the morning that lessened as the morning went on. I can’t understand why he disregards the biopsy lab report! You deserve better.
Carol
It took me every bit of 2 and 1/2 years to reach remission and I still reacted to stress or when my allergies flared. About 3 years post diagnosis I had a colonoscopy and the biopsies then confirmed I was in remission.
I was rigidly gluten, dairy, soy, egg and pork free, during all that time. It just took that long, but it’s obvious that the diet heals. I was also eating low fiber, low sugar and low fat during that time.
Your doctor could not be more off track. I also had nausea and bathroom trips first thing in the morning that lessened as the morning went on. I can’t understand why he disregards the biopsy lab report! You deserve better.
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou