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Has anyone been on Augmentin for Crohn's?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/28/2008 10:15 AM (GMT 0)

Hi,

I actually was originally diagnosed with UC back in 92, but a  Prometheus test they did a couple of years ago came back positive for some Crohn's markers, I have had patchy inflammation in the past and I respond well to antibiotics.  So, as of my last appointment my doctor said "if we are calling this Crohn's....", but my diagnosis hasn't officially been changed.    I had previously been on Xifaxan which worked great at first, but after 5 months it wasn't affective as it originally had been.  At this appointment he put me on Augmentin. I have been on it for 3 days and my pain has mostly subsided and BM's are down to 3-4 a day, so far so good.  Has anyone ever been prescribed Augmentin for Crohn's?  What has been your experience?  If this doesn't work he mentioned an antibiotic with Sulfa, I'm assuming Bactrim.  I don't wish to go on Remicade or Humira at this time and he is more than willing to work with me to avoid this. I have had constant flares (or maybe never got fully got over the flare) for 3 years and have been on prednisone off and on, and cannot get off steriods without flaring at this time.  The flares have been on the mild side (10ish BM's, pain at night and morning, no blood, no appetite, low energy, have had eye inflammation in the past but not recently, some joint pain, colon only). 

He mentioned clinical trials if antibiotics don't work, so I still have some options before I go on the "big guns".

Thanks for your time,

Mary

Post Edited (nhmas) : 3/28/2008 4:20:04 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/28/2008 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
Does your doctor mention what specifically he is treating with the augmentin? Like what bacteria he's trying to kill? Just curious.

There has been a lot of research done with antibiotics for CD (Dr. Borody in Australia has pioneered the triple antibiotic treatment for MAP). I haven't personally heard of either of the antibiotics you mentioned being used, but I haven't been around CD that long, either!

Have you tried adding probiotics? If not, I would consider adding them now since you are taking the anti.

It's great your doc is so willing to work with you! Glad you are feeling better!
Posted 3/28/2008 1:00 PM (GMT 0)

My daughter was on repeated rounds of augmentin for her sinus infections and I believe this antibiotic contributed to the development of Crohn's. I see no evidence, such as clinical trials, that augmentin should be used for Crohn's.

Posted 3/28/2008 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
njmom, I could find nothing online regarding using Augmentin for Crohn's either.  My doctor runs clinical trials for Crohn's and Colitis at MGH in Boston, I'll ask him next time I see him why he chose that antibiotic.  It seems to be helping so far, but it's only been 3 days.  Sorry to hear about your daughter's experience. 

EMom, Yes, I am taking a probiotic. I take it 2 hours after my morning dose.  My last GI doc seemed to only use prednisone unless you became steriod dependent, then he would consider other avenues.  He also had the "my way or the highway" approach, so it is nice to have someone willing to work with me.

Mary

Posted 3/28/2008 5:50 PM (GMT 0)

njmom said...

My daughter was on repeated rounds of augmentin for her sinus infections and I believe this antibiotic contributed to the development of Crohn's. I see no evidence, such as clinical trials, that augmentin should be used for Crohn's.

I was put on augmentin for cellulitis in my eye lid prior to crohns. After I was on it for the second time all my symptoms started up for crohns and was diagnosed about a year later. This is what I think start crohns in me.
Posted 3/28/2008 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know if Augmentin "caused" my Crohn's but it sure made it worse! I am taking Cipro one week a month to try to control bacterial overgrowth. Flagyl is another antibiotic commonly used in Crohn's. I'm also taking VSL #3 probiotic.
Posted 3/29/2008 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
I personaly have never been on Augmentin,but I did work for a daycare and I delt with infants and and there was all ways one or two that all way's had an ear infection.The number one antibotic that there doctors put them on was Augmentin.
Posted 3/29/2008 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
I've only been on Augmentin after surgery, but not for an extended period of time...They usually give me flagyl or levequin for longer periods.

Hope you feel better soon! Let us know if it helps..... :-)

Posted 3/29/2008 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
NJMom, I'm with you concerning the augmentin/crohn's correlation. I was on augmentin last year for a sinus infection, came down with cdiff and tripped the crohn's.
Posted 3/29/2008 10:47 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all your responses, although some of them scared me tongue .  I have to email my doctor today to let him know how I'm doing. I think I'll ask why he chose that antibiotic.  I've been on it since Tuesday and other then a slightly sour stomach and no appetite, I actually feel pretty good.  I changed to this doctor after going to him for a consultation with him this summer, at which time he put me on Xifaxan.  Although my symptoms never subsided 100%, I felt better than I had in 3 years on Xifaxan. 

I had a bad reaction to Imuran, high fever and chills, so that isn't an option for me anymore. 

I wonder if it works for disease in the colon, but not the small intestine?  Just a thought.

Posted 5/26/2008 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
Well I thought I would bring this back as I now have to schedule a doctors appointment to look at my eyelid again. It is swollen this morning and appears to be cellulitis again. Im suppose to have my second round of tysabri on wednesday.
Posted 5/26/2008 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
I've never heard of using Augmentin for Crohn's. My son used to take it for ear infections, and my husband for sinus infections. It's pretty hard on the stomach too. My son would always get diarrhea with it, and if he didn't eat before taking it, he'd get sick to his stomach. So I'm surprised they'd want to give that for Crohn's. I've been on Cipro and Flagyl for Crohn's though.
Posted 5/26/2008 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
augmentin is one of the antibiotics that is known to trigger C.dificile diarrhea. Make sure that you take flagyl with it to lessen the chances of that. if you start to get diarrhea, make sure that you get you stool tested. i have never heard of augmentin for crohn's, in fact most doctors are hesitant to prescribe it to people with IBD
Posted 5/26/2008 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
I only remained on the augmentin for about a week. I had bad acid reflux from it and couldn't eat.  After that I was put on Bactrim, which I took once and had an allergic reaction consisting of hives, racing heart, trouble swallowing.  I am now on MTX and B12 shots and I'm doing quite well. 

The augmentin did not make my symptoms any worse.  It actually improved things for a few days, but it was short lived as the D and pain returned.  The acid reflux was gone within a couple days of stopping the augmentin.

 

Posted 5/27/2008 6:10 AM (GMT 0)
I took augmentin briefly, I forget for what, a gyno prescribed it.  I already had the Crohn's, however, I was on IV abx for a while  before CD and I think the strong IV stuff weakened my flora down there that allowed the crohn's bacteria/fungus, etc. to invade.  just IMO.

everyone here is more knowledgable about augmentin than me.  I just want to say, when you think you're getting enough probiotics, you probably are not.   the best time to take them iis after the course of antibiotics is finished.  be sure to take several different species also and the ones that come refrigerated probably have more live cultures in them.

also, since reading about MAP, I thoroughly avoid all unboiled milk products, including yogurt.

you are very lucky to have a flexible doctor (though I'd be interested to know what's guiding his choices).

Posted 5/27/2008 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
I too was on augmentin for over a month for a bad sinus infection prior to being diagnosed with Crohn's.  It really did a number on my stomach.  I have been on Cipro for the Crohn's though which did help.

Feel better!

Posted 1/26/2009 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Not crohn's...I had severe uc for about 5 or 6 years and was put on augmentin for a bad case of bronchitis.
I expected my uc symptoms to get worse while I was taking it, but they actually improved and I've been in remission for a while now.
I don't understand it, but hey...I'm not complaining :-) Do whatever works for you!
Posted 1/27/2009 7:18 AM (GMT 0)
I was put on Augmentin for a sinus infection long after I'd already been diagnosed with Crohn's. After two doses, it about ripped me a new one, so we called the doctor and the pharmacy and quickly got me something else. Had to argue with the doc a bit though, she wanted me to continue on it and see it out, but we had just switched to her and she wasn't that familiar with my Crohn's not loving antibiotics in large powerful doses. Now I just tell the docs I'm allergic to it so they don't prescribe it to me. If they ask about it, I explain how it rips me a new one, but that I'm not allergic to other antibiotics in the same family.
Posted 1/27/2009 7:42 AM (GMT 0)

Already responded to this post, LOL.

Posted 1/27/2009 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
I recently took Augmentin for a sinus infection. I was supposed to take it for 10 days, but only made it to 8. It gave me horrible D and I was worried it would cause more problems so I quit taking it. No problems since I stopped it.
Posted 1/27/2009 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
I was on it for a sinus infection the beginning of December too. Also set off a flare for me. It took a few weeks after I stopped taking it for things to go back to normal.
Posted 12/20/2012 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

Please help.

I was diagnosed with Fistula. Yesterday, I also had my hemorrhoids pop out. Since there was pain in the Anal area, my Doctor has prescribed Augmentin 1000 Duo to cure the infection. I have started taking and after reading the feedback from others, I am now scared.
Can I stop this as soon as I see any side effects? I hear you cannot stop Anti biotics dosage in the middle. I may also have to change the Doc.

nhmas : How are you doing now? Did Augmentin help you? Can you please let me know the outcome of your discussion with your Doctor?

Thank You
Sunder
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