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Clindamycin and crohns?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/19/2011 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone taken clindamycin for skin infections or any infection?  I was the one who posted about the hydradenitis abcess several days ago.  This will be my 3rd round of antibiotics this year for this skin disorder.  The results from the abcess culture came back negative for staph and strep but a "severe infection of multiple organisms" and my PCP just prescribed me a 10-day high dose course of clindamycin.  Wondering if anyone has any experience with this antibiotic.  Thank you in advance.
Posted 10/19/2011 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds very familiar to me. I might have taken it earlier this year around my surgery time. I don't believe I had any negative issues with it.
Posted 10/19/2011 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
We had a post about this a while back, earlier this year(?). I was on it a month or so before my most recent flare, and I am still flaring, can't seem to stop, even after surgery. It was the oral version, not the lotion, there are 2 kinds, and I am sure each one would affect CD differently.
Posted 10/19/2011 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
I was prescribed Clindamycin for diverticulitis 2 or 3 years ago. I cannot take many antibiotics and this was prescribed "reluctantly" by the physician while I was in the ER. Went home, and by the second day I was having non-stop diarrhea. I became so dehydrated I had to be admitted to the hospital to treat the dehydration and diverticulitis.

That said, everyone responds differently to antibiotics. Unlike me, you may have absolutely NO side effects from it. I hope it works to treat the infection. Sounds like a serious one at that. Let us know how you do, okay?
Posted 10/20/2011 12:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for your input; it is nice to get feedback from those with experience. It is indeed the oral dose, 3x300mg/day. Well after picking up the prescription from the pharmacy last night, I read the precautions. One of them specifically listed bowel diseases as a precaution. I called and spoke with the pharmacist; it turns out he did not know I have crohns and told me not to take it as clindamycin is contraindicated for people with crohns. He said he would call the doctor today. Glad I asked! I certainly don't want to feel worse at the moment!
Posted 5/31/2012 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
I'll tell you what happened to me and let you be the judge. Around 20 years ago I had a bacterial infection of the scalp that caused itching and a foul odor. After trying many different solutions that didn't work a dermatologist had me try Cleocin T (Clindamycin lotion). It cleared up the problem within a week. I was overjoyed.

Within the following two years I was diagnosed with Crohn's. The result of trying to understand why I had become anemic. Colonoscopy revealed the ulcers.

Coincidence? Perhaps. I ate carrots before I was diagnosed so maybe they should be suspect too. No doubt the manufacturer's argument. However ulcerated colons aren't contraindicated for carrots like they are for Clindamycin. Maybe Clindamycin doesn't cause Crohn's but instead brings a latent case of it to the surface. But in practical terms is there a difference?

Post Edited (thanksclindamycin) : 5/30/2012 7:49:40 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/31/2012 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
I took Clindamycin starting in Sept 2011. I was a year post op from having my large intestine removed and had been using my j-pouch about 9 months. I had had UC for 6 years. I was put on the Clindamycin bc of an abcessed tooth. Well, the tooth infection did not get better and so they continued me on Clindamycin - and yes, the dentists knew about my condition. Long story short, I took Clindamycin for 4 straight months - from Sept 2011 - December 2011.

Starting on January 2, 2011 was my first ER trip in basically a year. I had the worst diarrhea and pains ever. My j-pouch was in a convulsive state that had me crying all day and night. Fast forward to today... in the past 5 months I've had 8 ER visits, 5 hospital admittances (4 for GI issues; 1 for double pneumonia with a collapsed lung).  I've had 4 flex sigmoidoscopies and 3 balloon dilations... and as of 4 weeks ago, my diagnosis was changed to Crohn's.  I'm starting Humira today and hoping I can go into remission. I've been in a horrible flare for 5 months (with little to NO medication bc they thought I had had UC and didn't want to give medications that might not work).

With that said, yes I think Clindamycin triggered something to spin my body into another tailspin. After years of hell living with UC, I thought the j-pouch surgery would help me get my life back... now I'm a Crohnie who has jumped right back onto the immunosuppressant cycle.

Side note: my mom (who has NO IBD or intestinal problems) had an abcessed tooth in February and she took Clindamycin. She took it for 3 days and was having the worst stomach pains and diarrhea. She stopped taking it and started feeling better.  Like she said, "if I'm perfectly normal/healthy and it made me feel that awful, no wonder you can't stay out of the hospital and got your diagnosis changed to Crohn's!"

Posted 5/31/2012 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
So the clindamycin caused an overgrowth of other bacteria? That does happen sometimes. Sorry to hear about your suffering. I can just imagine how horrible it was to have your jpouch in such a state. Have you tried a probiotic to replenish? I take a strong multi-blend probiotic called Primal Defense. Ask your GI if he can recommend one for you and if it's a good idea for your situation.
Take care!
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