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what is Flagyl for?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/24/2009 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
I was just prescribed Flagyl after telling my doc that Ive had alot of gas and cramping. He didn't explain what it would do though. Im also taking Remicade.
Posted 3/24/2009 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
Its a pretty powerful antibiotic that is used very frequently for CD treatment. Did your doctor Rx it long term or just a short course? When I was first diagnosed I was on flagyl for months and then again a year or so later. But others have been on it for short courses to treat what I would assume their doctors think are infections. I can't take it anymore because I am allergic to it.
Posted 3/24/2009 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
He may think you have some bacterial overgrowth in your gut, which the flagyl should handle. Also, flagyl has long been used by some GIs to help moderate flares, heal fistulasa, etc. There seems to be something in it that acts beneficially on the gut flora to help reduce the Crohns inflammatory response.

Posted 3/24/2009 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
i was given that myself i had it to treat bacteria in my bowel i found it brill
i suppose if u where getting a slight flare up it would be used for that too
have crohns myself since 1993 my last surgery was 10 yrs ago thank god
i have been good mull
Posted 3/24/2009 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
I've been prescribed flagyl many many times over the yrs but honestly never found it to make any difference what so ever, of course we're all different. With taking any kind of antibiotics though, and with having an IBD you really should be sure to take a good probiotic daily and indefinitely, while on antibiotics (of any kind) it's important to take your probiotics at least 2 hours after you're done taking your antis for the day.

Anyone taking flagyl should read this link...

http://www.drugs.com/flagyl.html


:)

Posted 3/24/2009 10:13 PM (GMT 0)

I have been prescribed flagyl for a peri anal fistula/abscess – may I ask what dose you’re on?

 

I was on 3 a day of the 400mg and found initially taking them that they made me very nauseas, tired, weak and sick. This is the bacteria being killed off and sent into your blood – causing the negative symptoms. After a while the symptoms lessened for me but I guess it is different for everyone. I found it worth it for the lessening of pain of my abscess. At the moment I’m alternating between 3 a day and 2 a day of the 400mg because they are still making me quite sick.

 

 

Posted 3/24/2009 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Way back the nice doc that gave me an RX for it warned me that patients complained that eating ceasar salad and drinking wine together while on flagyl made them throw up....so definitely don't drink alcohol while you're on it.

:)
Posted 3/24/2009 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
My daughter doesn't tolerate Flagyl - she throws it up no matter what.  In the hospital she was given it intravenously and tolerated it better.   It is supposed to be a great antibiotic for the gut.  She's on Ciproflaxin again.
Posted 3/24/2009 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
My GI doc said that it is also an anti-fungal.
Posted 3/25/2009 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Im on 250mg 3 x a day. Ive taken 1 so far and no nausea at all. In fact my gut seems to have gotten a bit quieter already. My belly sounds like some kind of machine in a Willy Wonka factory. Its loud enough to hear across a room!
Posted 3/25/2009 1:01 AM (GMT 0)

I must have been prescribed a much higher 400mg dose 3 x day. I do find it hard to tolerate but the other option is having an abscess poisoning you so it’s the lesser of two evils I guess

Posted 3/25/2009 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
I was on 500 mg 3 times a day and 500 mg of Levaquin a day for several months. I found it helpful to drink milk or eat 1/2 a cheese sandwich with the flagyl (if you can eat dairy). My docs said to eat not one cracker but a small meal. And throwing the pill in the back of your thoat helps aviod that really gross taste -- or filling your mouth with water, pop in the pill and swallow fast! It really helps. Also, if you get heartburn, make sure you are sitting up for about 30 minutes after you take it. Just remember the stuff is strong and can screw with your emotions too. I felt anxious and weepy, but it certainly works!

I came across a website where people give opinions about drugs. Here is it for flagyl. Some of the posts are just hilarious. Having been on a high dose of this stuff for many months, I can truly appreciate their comments. But if you read the comments from the folks with very serious conditions, you often see they agree the stuff is the spawn of the devil but it saved their life. I now know that if your doctor put you on this big-gun drug it is because you really have a difficult problem. A sobering thought. Otherwise it would have been banned long ago.

http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=12623&name=FLAGYL&sort=dateAdded&order=0
Posted 3/25/2009 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
I was just put back on a Flagyl-Cipro cocktail today. I'd been having low-grade fevers (99.5-100.5) for a month. Tried Xifaxan and it didn't work on the fevers. The last couple of times I've been on it they gave it to me to treat a fistula. The very first time was just as a treatment for Crohn's in general. It is supposed to have some anti-inflammatory effects as well.

I have a terrible time with Flagyl and the taste in my mouth. No matter how quickly I swallow it... My mouth constantly tastes like a dirty metal coin. And I seem to lose my appetite. But I guess it does help and here I am again. Oh yeah, I am on 250mg 3xday this time. Last RX was 500mg 3/day. I could NOT do that!
Posted 3/25/2009 5:42 AM (GMT 0)
Well at least I know for sure now that the flagyl has been making me so depressed and miserable……… my stupid dr told me it was just because I have a chronic illness that I am depressed – idiot! 3 a day is way too hard I am having to cut back to two to regain some quality of life…
Posted 3/25/2009 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
As per PB4's comment, definitely don't drink on it. I was advised that 'in the good ole days' they used to prescribe it to alcoholics to stop them drinking. Flagyl makes you violently ill if you try to drink while on it. Another thing Drs don't usually tell you that you shouldn't drink for a couple of days after finishing the treatment as it has to 'flush' from your system.
Posted 3/25/2009 12:09 PM (GMT 0)
My doc did tell me not to drink alcohol while taking it because it would make me sick but I don't drink anymore so thats easy. Thanks for all the feedback. I hope it quiets my belly. I feel ok most of the time but you can't believe all the gurgling and noise my midsection makes makes. it sounds like Im boiling mud.
Posted 3/25/2009 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
I had those noises too---my husband and I used to talk to them all the time. I took flagyl and another antibiotic for about 3 months and always with meals
Posted 3/25/2009 6:27 PM (GMT 0)

phoebeskye86 said...
Well at least I know for sure now that the flagyl has been making me so depressed and miserable……… my stupid dr told me it was just because I have a chronic illness that I am depressed – idiot! 3 a day is way too hard I am having to cut back to two to regain some quality of life…

Actually there could definitely be some truth to what your doc said about having a chronic illness and depression, it happend to me and I'm sure it has to many of us.  I've actually never had issues with depression while taking flagyl (I don't know if that's a side effect from it or not because I've never known any antibiotics to cause depression), hope you feel better soon though.

:)

Posted 3/26/2009 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
I think having crohn's would definintely make you depressed.... I was just feeling considerably worse while on 3 x day 400mg - it really did affect my mood. Strange, as i also didn't think antibiotics could have an affect on the emotions, but it is probably one of the ohter ingredients also.... not sure
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