Years ago I discovered that Cipro would improve my symptoms. Is there anything scientific about Cipro helping MC? Just wondering if something other than a steroid could speed up remission for MC. Thanks.
fuddles
Also is there a gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free margarine product?
Cipro & improvement
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Hi Fuddles,
Ciproflaxicin does that for virtually all of us. No one knows exactly why it works, but of course, since it's a systemic antibiotic, it kills most of the bacteria in the GI tract, and it's speculated that this stops MC reactions, because MC reactions are primarily defined to be autoimmune reactions against beneficial gut bacteria. With the bacteria gone, the immune system has no reason to react. When the Cipro treatment is stopped, the reaction will usually resume, after a few days, (as the gut bacteria become reestablished).
There are two reasons why most people are afraid to use Cipro on a long-term basis. The first, of course, is the risk of creating resistance among bacteria species, so that in the future, those antibiotics will become useless for fighting infection, especially in the bodies of people who are chronic users of antibiotics. The second reason is that long-term use of Cipro carries a relatively high risk of tendon damage. With some individuals, tendons will snap in two without warning, for no apparent reason, resulting in a painful condition that requires surgery to correct. If the Achilles tendon in the heel breaks, for example, you would not be able to walk. As least one of our members has had a tendon break, (in her shoulder, I believe), due to the use of Cipro.
Any of the 5-ASA meds can also be used for MC. These include Asacol, Lialda, Colozal, Pentasa, Rowasa, and one or two others that I can't think of right now. They don't usually work as fast as Entocort, but they usually don't have as many side effects, either.
Besides the corticosteroids, certain other immunosuppressants are also sometimes used to treat MC, but most of these are pretty powerful drugs, and not without long-term risks. This group includes meds such as Remicade, Embrel, Humira, and Orencia. Some docs have been known to prescribe methotrexate for MC, and various other powerful drugs. Most of the drugs in this class were developed for organ transplant patients, so they suppress the immune system so significantly, that the patient is at a high risk of developing serious infections from various sources, due to the inability of their immune system to respond.
Tex
Ciproflaxicin does that for virtually all of us. No one knows exactly why it works, but of course, since it's a systemic antibiotic, it kills most of the bacteria in the GI tract, and it's speculated that this stops MC reactions, because MC reactions are primarily defined to be autoimmune reactions against beneficial gut bacteria. With the bacteria gone, the immune system has no reason to react. When the Cipro treatment is stopped, the reaction will usually resume, after a few days, (as the gut bacteria become reestablished).
There are two reasons why most people are afraid to use Cipro on a long-term basis. The first, of course, is the risk of creating resistance among bacteria species, so that in the future, those antibiotics will become useless for fighting infection, especially in the bodies of people who are chronic users of antibiotics. The second reason is that long-term use of Cipro carries a relatively high risk of tendon damage. With some individuals, tendons will snap in two without warning, for no apparent reason, resulting in a painful condition that requires surgery to correct. If the Achilles tendon in the heel breaks, for example, you would not be able to walk. As least one of our members has had a tendon break, (in her shoulder, I believe), due to the use of Cipro.
Any of the 5-ASA meds can also be used for MC. These include Asacol, Lialda, Colozal, Pentasa, Rowasa, and one or two others that I can't think of right now. They don't usually work as fast as Entocort, but they usually don't have as many side effects, either.
Besides the corticosteroids, certain other immunosuppressants are also sometimes used to treat MC, but most of these are pretty powerful drugs, and not without long-term risks. This group includes meds such as Remicade, Embrel, Humira, and Orencia. Some docs have been known to prescribe methotrexate for MC, and various other powerful drugs. Most of the drugs in this class were developed for organ transplant patients, so they suppress the immune system so significantly, that the patient is at a high risk of developing serious infections from various sources, due to the inability of their immune system to respond.
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.
margarine-type products
You can look for Spectrum products -they have a soft tub product (found in both baking aisle and/or health food section) or try coconut oil.
Sue
Sue