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Cipro for SIBO

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 7/29/2014 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,
I haven't posted much about myself lately, partly because I've been a little depressed. I started out following a fairly normal surgery recovery course after my resection, with the D slowly decreasing and getting back to work, etc. But the past month or so I've been having increasing GI issues. Some days I have poop-a-thons where I go back and forth to the bathroom for hours...my stools start out formed, and much like a colonoscopy prep, it ends out with D. Sometimes that is followed by no bowel movements at all for three days, with lack of appetite, gas pains etc, and then I go back into poop-a-thon mode. I lost about 15 lbs prior to surgery and I've lost another 5, so I've lost about 20 lbs. total. That wouldn't be such a bad thing because I was a bit overweight to begin with, but I really love food, and I'm so disappointed to still not be able to make plans with friends and eat like a normal person.

I saw my GI today. He suspects bacterial overgrowth and we are trying Cipro for one week each month for a couple of months to see if that helps. I tried probiotics through this, which didn't help at all, but i'm thinking of going back on Florastor while taking Cipro just to protect against c. diff. If this plan doesn't work, then he plans to do a colonoscopy again to make sure the Crohn's didn't return. On a positive note, my local GI just sent another of his patients to Dr. Rubin at U of C for a consultation, and the two docs have become pals. That makes me happy because it felt a bit awkward asking for the second opinion, and it seems like my GI is welcoming the opinions. Dr. R also agrees with this management plan, which is re-assuring as well.

I think I had high hopes for a nice long remission. Maybe this will all work out just fine. But I'm getting into that sinking sadness that I'll never truly escape this lousy disease. I didn't get much sleep last night (long pooping night) so it's probably a little of that, but I'm just having one of those down in the dumps days.
Posted 7/30/2014 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
Not that it will make you feel any better but I've been having issues since my resection on 2/24/14. I think I had maybe 2 weeks after the resection when I felt good and then my GI problems started creeping back in. I hope your problem is SIBO related. My GI hasn't gone that route with me yet, we've been trying Welchol and now I'm going to try questran. I have a colonoscopy in about 2 weeks and I'm actually looking forward to it because I think I will feel better mentally once I know if there's active disease or not. I was also looking forward to a long remission and I understand getting down about the way things are going. Anyway, I hope the Cipro helps and you see some improvement. I would definitely take a probiotic along with it.
Posted 7/30/2014 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks caia,
Let me know how the questran works for you. I can't figure out if what I am describing would be in the C or D camp, so I'm afraid that the bile binding stuff would make everything worse. I hope you get to feeling better soon!
Posted 7/30/2014 11:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Gumby

Did you have a test for SIBO or is this just a guess by the GI? Personally if my doc suspected SIBO, then I would insist on the hydrogen breath test. I did a lot of research on SIBO when I had it and the breath test is a very good way to dx.
Also, although I believe the research I looked at showed that a combination of cipro and something else was most effective. If I can find it I will post it
However, most treatment for SIBO no longer uses cipro but rather Rifaximin as I understand it only effects the guts and not your whole body, so impact and symptoms are reduced.

www.medscape.com/viewarticle/555634

The following research gives a good overview of SIBO, treatment,....

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3099351/

I know food is an issue, and that diet has not been very effective for your Chrohn's, however you may wish to consider a Low FodMap diet for a while. Research shows this to be effective for treating SIBO also
Sorry this is a tough time for you
Healing thoughts
Dave
Posted 7/30/2014 11:37 AM (GMT 0)
Your doctor only “suspects” SIBO? I was prescribed Cipro and Flagyl for my perianal abscess. I looked up the dangers and side effects of both and discussed my concerns with Cipro with my GI. It can have some serious side effects. I was able to end the abscess with Flagyl alone.

I discussion about the pros and cons with your doctor wouldn't hurt. Maybe Cipro is the best treatment but at least you will be fully informed.
Posted 7/30/2014 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
dfdavedf and IamCurious,

Thanks so much for your replies and info. I have taken Cipro in the past and have done well on it. I did have a stool study that was negative in June, but he didn't do the breath test. I will ask about the Rifaximin. The LowFoodMap diet does make some sense right now....I'll give it a try. Thanks!
Posted 7/31/2014 11:55 AM (GMT 0)
Aww gumby..was hoping you were doing so well you were avoiding here.  I think checking into bacterial overgrowth makes sense...you had surgery which opens you up to issues and you changed the make up of your gut so I am guessing it is fighting to find its new normal too.

I don't know what the breath test is that dave mentioned.  I had one, but I am guessing it was not as intense as the one he mentioned.  I blow into a little plastic thing every set number of minutes.  It showed nothing, but I still had issues.  I have actually had succes with just augmentin in getting more balanced.  I asked about rifaximin (xifaxin) at my last visit.  GI is real hesitant to go long term antibiotic with me and actually used the cost of the xifaxin as an issue (hey I actually am lucky with good insurance and I will pay a high copay to feel better).

This is a little personal...but do you itch?  I found that when I seem to be worse bacterially...I have a good bit of perianal itch.  It is how I know things are not right.  THought I would mention it as something you could bring up with doc if you had it too.

Hoping you get some relief and better days soon!  I ran away for a while too...and not sharing with anyone can make us all a bit more sad......please feel free to share.

Posted 7/31/2014 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Habs - It is always nice to hear from you! I don't itch, but we all have our bellweather signs, don't we? I was having some mouth canker sores, but they are better right now. I started the Cipro on Tues. It makes me nauseous for about an hour after I take it, but then I get better. I don't know if it is working or not yet...we'll see.

I'm wearing my 21 year old daughter's pants, because even my "skinny pants" are big right now. I should be enjoying that, as I'm usually overweight, but all I want is to feel better. I guess the disappointment is that at U of C, the doc said that once I recover from surgery I will feel like a normal person...be able to eat whatever I want. I LOVE food....I love cooking, eating, and going out to restaurants as a social activity. My local doc said that we will try our best to get me well, but I may always have some issues.....that is probably more realistic, but it still made me sad. You'd think after 7 years with this disease, I'd be used to it by now!

Oh well, enough whining for one day!! Habs, how are YOU doing really??
Posted 8/2/2014 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
I have always loved cipro bc it made my gut happy...until the last time...I got c-diff.

Be careful! It bites!
Posted 8/2/2014 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
The cipro seemed to be helping my GI system, but I started getting muscle pains down my arms and shoulders...almost flu-like symptoms. I called my GI and he switched to Flagyl. I am also taking Florastor, so hopefully that will protect me from the evil c.diff! I am irritable lately....I think I've completely lost patience for never feeling well!!!
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