antibiotics for UC?

From everything I read, there is no real answer on what causes UC, there are therories, but no clear cut answer. For me I can't remeber the last time I was on any sort of antibiotics, and in fact I very rarly take any sort of meds, so that theroy wouldn't work for me. Seems that most doctors will throw their opinion out there, but really don't have a clue to what causes it.

I think this is a great question

antibiotics work both ways, and not all antibiotics are alike. some are broad spectrum (killing alot) some are narrow spectrum (killing precisely define bacteria). Some are known to be more effective in certain parts of the body (either because of how they metabolize or because of the bugs typically found there).

In the genetic and environment mix that causes and maintains UC, there is clear recognition that the gut microbes are out of whack. Generally this means severely underpopulated, and likely "good" one are more underpopulated, also some bad types may have bloomed without the competition.

Then there is c-diff infection on top of UC, as opposed to c-diff UC. Both can be treated with antibiotics that are narrow spectrum for c-diff.

Some other therapy uses antibiotics that are narrow spectrum for critters thought to be bad and overpopulated. This can reduce symptoms. It is less clear if this can produce remission since what allowed the bad bacteria to bloom may still persist.

Other therapy uses probiotics to attempt to infuse (and hopefully recolonize) the gut with good bacteria.

I strongly suspect my UC was triggered by massive doses of IV antibiotics over several weeks when I got a blood infection. When I had some antibiotics for a sinus infection about 1 year into treatment for UC, my symptoms got a lot worse with a lot more bleeding. It has taken me two more years to climb out of that hole. I dread the occasion when I have another infection requiring antibiotics. Before I take anything I will run it past my GI, and I will double down on any probiotics I am taking.

I don't know as much about the therapies with narrow-spectrum antibiotics, such as when they use them. I hear about it mostly when people get so bad they are hospitalized. I read i medical texts (circa 2010) that oral rifaximin and/or oral ciprofloxacin have shown some benefit in patients with milder disease. These work mostly topically so target the gut bacteria. But, I read they are fairly broad spectrum which puzzles me. I would think that subsequent massive dose of probiotics would be needed.

Currently, I just want to develop a list of antibiotics for different things that might be more UC friendly. what is best for both sinus AND UC? ... what if I need minor surgery or stitches? .. what antibiotics should I ask for or refuse?

any opinions?

prayerful: When doctors talk about antibiotics causing colitis they are usually talking about C-Diff, which technically isn't UC. C-Diff is a bad bacteria which sometimes is and sometimes is not present in normal people. The use of antibiotics can kill off the good bacteria in your intestines, allowing a bad bacteria, such as C-Diff to take over, giving you colitis. You can either have C-Diff in you already but being kept under control by your good bacteria, or you can "catch" the C-Diff bacteria while in a facility, usually while taking antibiotics. C-Diff can be very difficult to treat but it is usually always curable in the end with a different class of antibiotics, which specifically target the bad bacteria such as C-Diff.

UC is an autoimmune disease with no known cause and no known cure, only treatments to control the symptoms with periods of remission and periods of flares. It is rarely "cured". There is no evidence of any kind that shows how people come down with UC. There are only unproven theories. As far as I know when doctors talk about antibiotics causing colitis they are usually always referring to C-Diff and there is no proof that antibiotics cause UC. Having said that, there are a whole lotta people who come down with UC and not C-Diff after a round of antibotics, particularly certain antibiotics, so it is highly likely there is some kind of connection which has yet to be proven. I came down with UC in the hospital after taking the antibiotic "Levaquin" and I had UC, not C-diff.

As far as finding a doctor who is right for you that is a very complicated question. What traits are you looking for in a doctor that you feel would make them right for you? Your family practitioner may be able to help you find a doctor who is "right for you". As far as finding a doctor that is "good" what are you're expectations? There are of course some idiots out there but even the best expert doctor there is will not know what causes your UC and will have no cures. Even the best experts out there only know about treatments which help control symptoms.

Most of the people on this forum believe that their UC flares began shortly after taking antibiotics. They are probably right. One possible theory is that antibiotics are weapons of mass destruction that kill both the bad bacteria, and the good bacteria in your gut.

The good bacteria are what keep the bad bacteria in check and under control. But when the antibiotics are ended then the bad bacteria grow back more quickly and become the majority, thus creating all sorts of intestinal disorders including C Diff and ulcerative colitis, (maybe Crohn's too).

So a popular recommendation is to take probiotics every day about 3 hours after antibiotics to replenish the good guy bacteria and maintain balance. An excellent probiotic to take WHILE using antibiotics is S. Boulardii. It works because it is not a bacteria at all but a probiotic yeast that is immune to antibiotics. Thus it stays alive to keep the bad guys in check. It is particularly effective against C. Diff bacteria. But all probiotics are good.

Having said that, I am one of those people who took antibiotics that jump-started me into remission from a serious flare. And I am not the only one, check out this link. Triple Antibiotic Therapy has worked for many on this forum. Apparently it kills the bad guys that cause UC, but it doesn't work for everyone. The best advice is if you have to take antibiotics then make sure you are also taking probiotics with them.

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=2088679