I had another phone consultation with my out of town doctor - the MD who practices alternative medicine. He uses Diagnos-Techs in Washington state for stool and saliva testing. It showed all kinds of stuff, including roundworms and possibly a tape worm. He wants me to use mebendazole, which sounds reasonable. Can anybody offer any helpful hints or info on using this medicine? I can look it up, but anything anyone here can tell me would be much more valuable to me than the general drug info. I did search this site and found one posting, but the member only said he/she used it - nothing was said about the drug specifically.
He also thinks I need to use Minocin because my last blood test showed rheumatoid arthritis, which also showed up on x-rays done last month. My father had four kinds of arthritis, so I'm not surprised by the test results. I am wondering, though, if it's really something going on with the LC that might clear up from changing my diet. I've been dealing with fibromyalgia pain since 1991 (hope that's going to go away with dietary change, too), but the pain with the current colitis flare has been off the chart (been getting worse for several years - the D and the pain). I'm willing to try it, but only if it won't interfere with everything else that's going on. Any input on using Minocin?
Oh, he specifically said I must use the brand, which is about $400. I'm not up for that. The generic is $20, but I found this out after I spoke with him so I don't know if it's worth trying the generic or not. I can ask him, but maybe someone here knows if the brand is the only way to go or not.
I will be seeing my local doctor next week and will run everything past her before I do anything. She thinks I need another round of an antibiotic, as her theory is I'm still dealing with the E. coli I had four years ago. I really don't want to take more antibiotics, but maybe I should. Also, I'm waiting on a mast cell stain and a second opinion on my biopsies since I don't really have an official diagnosis. The original diagnosis was "mild, chronic colitis", but she says it's very likely LC. Well, the scope doctor thought it was UC, but the pathologist and my "GI" doc said it's not (she's not really a GI, but the closest thing to it in this town). I'm still seeing blood on my stool, but since I've been using Analpram (about a month) the amount is greatly reduced. I also cut my Asacol dose in half, which I honestly believe increased the amount of blood in my stool, so I don't know if it's because I'm taking less Asacol or because of the Analpram. Or, maybe, because of dietary changes.
.....oops.....this was not supposed to be so long.....
Mebendazole and Minocin
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Mebendazole and Minocin
Robbie
Robbie,
Arthritis symptoms are very common with MC. I'm not sure that it triggers the blood markers, though, (if you are referring to the ANA test). I had severe arthritis symptoms before I adopted the GF diet, but my ANA level was never checked until last summer, (it was negative, then). I had not had any arthritis symptoms in several years, when my ANA was checked, however.
Minocycline is part of the tetracycline class of antibiotics. As such, it carries a moderate risk of triggering an MC reaction. I have no idea why a generic product would not be practical.
The blood in the stool is a bit worrisome, of course, since that's not a symptom of MC.
Tec
Arthritis symptoms are very common with MC. I'm not sure that it triggers the blood markers, though, (if you are referring to the ANA test). I had severe arthritis symptoms before I adopted the GF diet, but my ANA level was never checked until last summer, (it was negative, then). I had not had any arthritis symptoms in several years, when my ANA was checked, however.
Minocycline is part of the tetracycline class of antibiotics. As such, it carries a moderate risk of triggering an MC reaction. I have no idea why a generic product would not be practical.
The blood in the stool is a bit worrisome, of course, since that's not a symptom of MC.
Tec
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.
Tex,
I've seen my local doctor since I wrote the post and have decided to start with the worm medicine and go from there. If the blood is coming from that then maybe it will help. However, regular use of Analpram seems to finally be doing something, as the amount of blood is decreasing all the time.
The ANA test and the rheumatoid factor were both positive, and the x-rays of my neck, back, hands and wrists showed arthritis (and narrowing in my wrists). I would like to avoid the antibiotic, especially since you say it's related to tetracycline. I took that for acne daily from the age of 14 until I was 22, and off and on during my twenties. It's probably the main reason I have LC. Actually, my mom and I have always suspected it was at the root of all my health problems.
I do not have a second opinion for my biopsies, and don't know if I will at the rate I'm going. A few weeks ago, I spoke with a doctor at the lab when I called to ask about a mast cell stain (because you and a couple of others suggested it after you read "my story") and he offered to do it, along with a free in office second opinion of my biopsies. All my doctor had to do was call or send a letter to request it. My doctor finally got in touch with a lab doctor, but by the time she got to it she forgot who I had spoken with and talked to another one. This particular doctor told my doctor that they would never do a mast cell stain because there was no indication that it was needed and because the insurance company would not pay for it. Also, when my doctor told her it was offered to me when I spoke with someone in their office this very rude doctor said "Impossible! We don't speak with patients!". My doctor took this call during my appointment with her yesterday and she was quite shaken by the conversation. Then when she told me what was said I left there in shock. The doctor I talked with was wonderful and she got just the opposite. Now I don't think I would want them involved even if I only had dealings with the "nice" doctor.
If I can ever get referred (been trying since the 15th - the nurse in charge of that keeps not getting it done) I am going to see a real GI doc in another town......
I've seen my local doctor since I wrote the post and have decided to start with the worm medicine and go from there. If the blood is coming from that then maybe it will help. However, regular use of Analpram seems to finally be doing something, as the amount of blood is decreasing all the time.
The ANA test and the rheumatoid factor were both positive, and the x-rays of my neck, back, hands and wrists showed arthritis (and narrowing in my wrists). I would like to avoid the antibiotic, especially since you say it's related to tetracycline. I took that for acne daily from the age of 14 until I was 22, and off and on during my twenties. It's probably the main reason I have LC. Actually, my mom and I have always suspected it was at the root of all my health problems.
I do not have a second opinion for my biopsies, and don't know if I will at the rate I'm going. A few weeks ago, I spoke with a doctor at the lab when I called to ask about a mast cell stain (because you and a couple of others suggested it after you read "my story") and he offered to do it, along with a free in office second opinion of my biopsies. All my doctor had to do was call or send a letter to request it. My doctor finally got in touch with a lab doctor, but by the time she got to it she forgot who I had spoken with and talked to another one. This particular doctor told my doctor that they would never do a mast cell stain because there was no indication that it was needed and because the insurance company would not pay for it. Also, when my doctor told her it was offered to me when I spoke with someone in their office this very rude doctor said "Impossible! We don't speak with patients!". My doctor took this call during my appointment with her yesterday and she was quite shaken by the conversation. Then when she told me what was said I left there in shock. The doctor I talked with was wonderful and she got just the opposite. Now I don't think I would want them involved even if I only had dealings with the "nice" doctor.
If I can ever get referred (been trying since the 15th - the nurse in charge of that keeps not getting it done) I am going to see a real GI doc in another town......
Robbie
Robbie,
As you probably know, Polly blames her MC on a 4 or 5 week treatment program with doxycycline, (which is also a member of the tetracycline family of antibiotics).
That tirade was pathetic, almost beyond belief, because it demonstrated that he or she prefers to tell a lie, even when there is nothing worthwhile to be gained by lying. That experience also illustrates once again, that there are some really wonderful doctors out there, and there are also some sorry excuses for doctors, running around in white coats, and impersonating doctors. They should probably be doing something else for a living, (if they don't like working with people, maybe they should try working on a pig farm).
I'm so sorry that you and your doctor were blindsided by that idiot - that's enough to ruin anyone's day.
Good luck with finding a good GI doc.
Tex
As you probably know, Polly blames her MC on a 4 or 5 week treatment program with doxycycline, (which is also a member of the tetracycline family of antibiotics).
Well, it's pretty clear why that doctor is stuck in a lab, and not working with patients - he or she has the charisma of a blood-sucking leech, and the bedside manner of a hangman.Robbie wrote:Also, when my doctor told her it was offered to me when I spoke with someone in their office this very rude doctor said "Impossible! We don't speak with patients!".
That tirade was pathetic, almost beyond belief, because it demonstrated that he or she prefers to tell a lie, even when there is nothing worthwhile to be gained by lying. That experience also illustrates once again, that there are some really wonderful doctors out there, and there are also some sorry excuses for doctors, running around in white coats, and impersonating doctors. They should probably be doing something else for a living, (if they don't like working with people, maybe they should try working on a pig farm).I'm so sorry that you and your doctor were blindsided by that idiot - that's enough to ruin anyone's day.
Good luck with finding a good GI doc.
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 had called the lab because she was on vacation and I figured I would get my info faster, but I did not expect to speak with a doctor. I asked if someone could tell me if I could get a mast cell stain on my biopsies, was put on hold and the doctor picked up. He could not have been nicer or more helpful. When I told Dr. Garcia that she said something like "Oh, sure - they never talk to anyone so they're usually happy to talk when you call them". Boy - not the one she spoke with!
If I can get in I'm going to the same GI doc my mother goes to. At least I will know who I'm dealing with, as she's been seeing him for nine years. He let her suffer for years with gall bladder problems, so we're not thrilled with him, but he has much more experience than the others in the area. And the "area" is at least an hour away. Not a big deal as long as the weather holds up. If there is snow or ice on the ground, forget it!
Oh, and it's so funny you said she should work on a pig farm. At one time this area was well known for its h-u-g-e pig farm.
If I can get in I'm going to the same GI doc my mother goes to. At least I will know who I'm dealing with, as she's been seeing him for nine years. He let her suffer for years with gall bladder problems, so we're not thrilled with him, but he has much more experience than the others in the area. And the "area" is at least an hour away. Not a big deal as long as the weather holds up. If there is snow or ice on the ground, forget it!
Oh, and it's so funny you said she should work on a pig farm. At one time this area was well known for its h-u-g-e pig farm.
Robbie