Medications And Supplements That May Be Used By MC Patients

[BusyMom]

I can't tell you how much it means to me to have this. I got a sinus infection and was prescribed a Z-pac today. Called stomach dr to see if there was any reason I shouldn't take it, but didn't hear back. Been trying to fight off this infection for 2 weeks now and didn't want to wait any longer, so decided to look around here to see if there was any discussions about it. Thank you!!!!!

One question I have...I take probiotics every day (Jarro-Dophilus AF) and I'm still weening from the Budesonide (taking every 2 days). I will confirm with dr, but have you heard of any modifications that are made when taking z-pac?

[tex]

As far as I'm aware, there are no known interaction risks between either the budesonide, the Z-pac, or the probiotic, except that the antibiotic will promptly kill most of the probiotic bactera as long as the Z-pac treatment is continued. After the Z-pac treatment is completed though, the probiotic should be able to do the job that it was intended for, namely to help prevent the gut from being repopulated by pathogenic bacteria. It's usually recommended to continue taking a probiotic for at least 2 weeks after an antibiotic treatment is completed.

Likewise, neither of those medications should affect the efficacy of the other, so it shouldn't be necessary to modify any doses for that reason.

I hope the treatment does the job, and everything goes smoothly. If sinus infections are a frequent problem for you, have you tried a Neti Pot. Many sinus sufferers find that regular use of a Neti Pot prevents little sinus problems from becoming big ones. Your pharmacist is a good source of information on how to use one. Many members here swear by them for preventing what previously was a chronic problem for them.

Tex

[BusyMom]

Thanks for your response Tex!

Yes, I've suffered from chronic sinus infections in the past, due to outdoor allergies. Through the use of allergy med's and a Neti Pot, been able to reduce my sinus infections to about 0-1 a year. Although I typically use the neti pot in spring and summer, and use it sparingly when I feel I've spent lots of time outside, I probably could get a little more strict with daily use. Especially with the colitis and all.

Thanks again for all the help you provide!!! I can't tell you how valuable it is to us!

[audreyjhess]

Wondering if you know of any anti-nausea meds. I am taking Pepto to control MC/D (My doc says it's remarkable that only 2-3 a day seem to do the trick) Do you think he's accurate in that statement? (I'm slightly two-weeks after diagnosis. I am better but have a long way to go I think) I noticed that after I took Loperamide yesterday that some symptoms of nausea may have decreased. Does this make sense?

Thank you kindly,

Audi

[Gabes-Apg]

Audi

nausea is common with histamine / mast cell issues, have you read the topics on the forum about this??
Dealing with histamine issues either via OTC anti-histamine medication and now via high doses of magnesium, Vit C and Zinc, I dont have any nausea issues.

I can not comment on the Pepto as I have never taken it.

hope this helps

[tex]

Hi Audi,

Gabes is quite correct. Any antihistamine should help to reduce nausea, but certain ones (such as ‎dramamine) are promoted specifically for that purpose. Pepto-Bismol is also known to reduce nausea, so I would be inclined to suspect that it might be responsible for the reduction in nausea symptoms that you noticed. While it's certainly possible that loperamide might have that effect in some situations, I discovered that it can cause dizziness and nausea symptoms for me. That's very unusual, though, and I don't remember anyone else here reporting such symptoms from loperamide.

Most of us have to take much more Pepto than that to bring MC under control (the recommended dose to control MC is 8 or 9 tablets per day, for 8 weeks, but if it controls your symptoms at that low dose, then there may not be any reason to take more.

This is the basic information about mast cells, and how mast cell issues are associated with microscopic colitis, that Gabes was referring to:

What are mast cells?

How are mast cells associated with microscopic colitis?

How do I know if mast cells are causing problems for me?

How are mast cell issues treated?

You're very welcome,
Tex

[AnnW]

Tex:

Are you listing azithromycin and fluoroquinolones as safer antibiotics?
I am asking because both of them are known triggers for MC/IBD.

Dr. Ann

[tex]

Hi Ann,

Of course the biggest problems with the fluoroquinolones are the risks associated with the developmwnt of tendonitis, torn ligaments, and peripheral neuropathy. As far as MC is concerned, so far (as far as I am aware, at least) every one of us who has used a fluoroquinolone (usually Cipro) has found that it stops the D (at least until the antibiotic wears off), rather than to trigger D. In fact, we have a member whom we couldn't dissuade from using regular doses of Cipro to control her MC (until she experienced a torn ligament). She refused to change her diet, and after so many years of reacting, she thought that Cipro was a miracle treatment, after her GI doc suggested it. I have no idea how she's doing these days, because she hasn't posted in years.

Anyway, my point is that if azithromycin and the fluoroquinolones are specifically known to trigger MC, that's news to all of us here (besides yourself, of course). Of course we've always been well aware that antibiotics in general are known triggers for MC, and many of us can trace the genesis of our MC back to the use of one or more antibiotics. However, we're not aware of anyone among the members who can trace their MC to the use of either azithromycin or a fluoroquinolone. That's why they are listed as being safer choices as far as MC is concerned — they are the lessor of many evils. Of course, it's pretty clear that the fluoroquinolones are a relatively evil class of antibiotics because of their nasty habit of causing tendon/ligament problems or peripheral neuropathy, but in all honesty, I wasn't aware that they were specifically associated with triggering MC.

Do you have access to specific data to verify that azithromycin and the fluoroquinolones are documented to cause MC? We certainly need to change our view of them if that's the case. When someone who has MC is in a position where they are pretty much forced to take an antibiotic, or risk serious, possibly life-threatening consequences, it's necessary to make a selection from the available options. Are there better choices (bearing in mind that risking a C. diff infection is not really a practical option either)?

Tex

[audreyjhess]

Hey Gabes and Tex
After sigmoidoscopy, I was told there are no mast cells in my colon.

Audi

[Gabes-Apg]

Audi,

The tricky part of mast cell/histamine issues is that the levels fluctuate very quickly, unless you have tests/biopsies at the height of reaction, it will not necessarily show up.
If you are hypothyroid that may also be the cause of the nausea. Are you taking any supplements?

Quite a few Mc'ers have had fantastic results with acupuncture to treat nausea.

[audreyjhess]

Gabes,
I take with food:
750 Omega 3s
Vitamin E 400IU
Vit. D 5000 IU
SCD Multi-Vitamin (1/2 2x daily)
SCD Vit. B/Zinc/C 1/2 2x daily
Calcium 1/2 pill 2-4x daily

Just started back up with Betaine with Pepsin.
I've never taken more than one pill before meals.
I am trying 2 now.

I notice gas/bloating/pain/some nausea after BM's (It's like I'm cleaned out and there are air bubbles left behind)

I am very anxious to try LDN considering all of my auto-immune issues.

Thanks for your support,

Audi

[Gabes-Apg]

Looking at your supps;
Taking Calcium supp without Magnesium can cause Magnesium deficiency which could increase the nausea.
also - if you react to Soy, the Vit E if it is soy based may be causing you some inflammation

hope the LDN helps, there are few that take it, not all are overly active on the posts/all areas of the forum
if you do a search for LDN, you will see the discussions and names of people using it if you want to contact them.

happy healing

[AnnW]

:)

[tex]

Well Ann,

Guess what? I found your post offensive also, so I reckon we're even. The basis of the problem appears to be that you feel obligated to demand respect by tacking a title onto your name (rather than to earn respect by gaining our confidence, the way that the rest of us go about it). And you seem to be oblivious of the fact that the use of that title carries with it an implied responsibility of a higher level of performance. It means that you will be held to a higher standard of performance in your posts than other members, simply because many people tend to automatically trust the title "Dr.". So if you are going to contradict someone else's post, or post information contrary to our typical experiences here, then the least you can do is to offer valid references to support your claims. That certainly shouldn't be too much to ask of someone with a research-oriented background and a PhD.

But rather than to do that, you seem to feel that despite the fact that you're a newby, we should trust whatever you say implicitly, simply because you choose to tack a title onto your name. Yet trusting you implicitly seems to be a questionable choice, because when I checked out one of the references you cited a few days ago, it turned out to be bogus. It wasn't a supporting reference at all; it was nothing but a statement of a theory. Now we all know that there's nothing wrong with listing such an article as long as it's clearly understood what the article actually says or means. But instead of pointing out the caveat that the reference simply stated a theory, you pretended that it somehow proved the validity of what you were posting. That's deceptive and unprofessional. In academic circles, we used to call it a "snow job".

And while we're hanging out the wash, this is a discussion and support board for people who have MC (or who have a loved one who has MC), and who come here to learn about the disease and to seek support. At least that's why most of us are here. It has been quite clear right from the start that you didn't come here to learn about MC, nor did you come here to seek support — apparently you came here seeking a place to offer nutritional advice, and to teach us about MC. While that's certainly an honorable ambition, it's not exactly a good fit with the goals of this discussion board to provide a place where we can all learn about the disease by comparing experiences as equals, and supporting each other when needed.

You are certainly welcome to stay, but please be advised that we are all equals here. We are not students looking for a teacher — all of us are students, and all of us are teachers, and we are a family, not an audience.

Tex

[JFR]

You insist that I provide references. However, you just listed over 100 medications/supplements considered safe for those with MC, without a single reference.

Ann,

Tex has not claimed that this information is based on "scientific" research. He states that the information is based on the experiences of people on this discussion board:

"Obviously there are can be no guarantees that these suggestions will always be safe for every one of us, because not only are we all different in our sensitivities, but manufacturers sometimes change inactive ingredients in products without notice. With that disclaimer, we (the members of this discussion board) have found the following products to be generally safe for most of us who find it necessary to avoid the most common food sensitivities (associated with MC). Please note all warnings and exceptions which might apply to you, personally. Opinions noted are mine, and as always, YMMV. "

If your information runs counter to his please let us know the sources of your information. Tex has a long history of running this forum with integrity so that it is easy to have faith in his judgment. He is also willing to change his opinion if the facts prove him wrong. Plus he shares his life experience of MC with us which makes him one of us as well as the resident expert, a position he has earned through dedication and hard work, both personally in improving his own health and communally by sharing this knowledge with the many people who visit the board. You are relatively new here so so have yet to earn at least my trust. Knowing the source of your information would help. Perhaps if you tried to fit in more with the communal zeitgest of the forum rather than present yourself as an "expert", things would go easier for you here.

Jean