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Do you refuse all antibiotics??

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/28/2009 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
To avoid C-Diff??
Posted 4/28/2009 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
just wondering what c-diff is.

Thanks

Posted 4/28/2009 5:19 PM (GMT 0)

The answer is NO.  I have been tested for c-diff twice because I flared badly after two weeks on amoxicillin.  Here is a very good site all about c-diff.  There are antibiotics that fight c-diff and others you can take that won't give you c-diff.  I always ask my doctor and find that I can take several now.

http://www.medicinenet.com/clostridium_difficile_colitis/article.htm

ElaineNY

Posted 4/28/2009 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
C-diff is clostridium dificile, a bacteria that causes "opportunistic" infections. IBD-ers get it more commonly because UC can kill off the normal bacteria in your colon, and c. diff can move in. It causes severe watery diarrhea, cramping and fever. Because antibiotics also kill off intestinal bacteria, they can make you more susceptible also.

I don't refuse antibiotics. I do make sure that all my doctors know I have UC, but then I've always been cautious about taking antibiotics if they aren't really needed because of the resistance issue. When I do need abx, I negotiate what kind I'll take. If possible, I try to use Azithromycin because it is only a five-day course so has less opportunity to make me sick.

I also double up on my probiotics when on abx. Be sure to take them at least 2 hours after and 4 hours before a dose of antibiotics.
Posted 4/28/2009 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
I would try to avoid antibiotics b/c of my UC. That's what stirred up my UC for me in Feb.
Posted 4/28/2009 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
C-diff is a nasty infection which is extremely prevalent now in the hospital setting and now in the community as well. THere was a big article about it in the NY Times 3 weeks ago.

the infection is actually caused by the toxin which is released by the bacteria that has overwhelmed the gut from imbalance of the flora.
Abx can cause this infection. One of the most notorious of them is Clindamycin, but almost all of them can cause it.
definitely take extra probiotix if u require abx to decrease chances of c-diff.
Ghena 31 UC
Posted 4/28/2009 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
I've never taken antibiotics unless it's absolutely necessary. If I have a cold/sinus issue, I'll wait until I've been sick for over two weeks before I'll even go to a doctor. However, if I know I have an infection, such as a UTI, I'll definitely take antibiotics, because an infection left untreated can cause huge problems.
Posted 4/28/2009 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
I swear that flagyl caused my initial flare (I didn't have c-diff from it). When I was a baby I had an infection of some sort and took antis too long and it killed off everything and I was in the hospital for a week or so. That happened again the summer before I was diagnosed when I was taking flagyl for an h-pylori infection and I think that happening twice in my life was just too much for my colon.
Now I'm not totally afraid of antis. I make sure my dr is aware of my UC and then ask for z pack. I also take a probiotic to ensure I have enough gut flora.
Posted 4/28/2009 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
How would one refuse an antibiotic if they had an infection? I don't take antibiotics unless absolutely necessary but sometimes they are a must. I get UTI's and the only way to get rid of them is with an antibiotic. I got c.diff before I had UC and I wasn't on antibiotics. It took 3 months for it to go away. I now get it about once a year. I wish it were as simple as refusing antibiotics but it's just not always an option.
Posted 4/28/2009 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
It depends on what the antibiotics are for. Some infections will cure themselves on their own. I'll take antibiotics if they are for a bladder infection, which can result in kidney damage if left untreated. I now take cranberry supplements and don't use spermicide to reduce the likelihood of getting another bladder infection.

I have asked for antibiotics that aren't as harmful to the colon, but they ended up not working.
Posted 4/29/2009 6:17 AM (GMT 0)
If I have to take them for an infection (chest/ larynx/ sinus)....I do. I've never taken antibiotics for my colon, however....I've never been on Flagyl.

C. diff is in all our colons....it's just kept in check from other bacteria.  C.diff can also be taken in from hand to mouth.....ugh.

One should be on probiotics regardless....and probably up them a bit if ever on antibiotics.


q

Posted 4/29/2009 11:25 AM (GMT 0)
I'm the same, I don't take them unless absolutely necessary and if I do have to take them I take Zithromyacin because that doesn't seem to affect my Uc any - but like stated, it depends on the infection as to what antibiotic/antifungal to take. I've had C. Diff before and it was NOT fun. I was going to the bathroom up to 30-40 times a day and lordy was I sore! Luckily I responded well to whatever treatment they gave me - can't remember because this was about 15 years ago.
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