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Is it possible for antibiotics to reduce UC symptoms

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/12/2016 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
I am up on my 5th day of macrobid for a UTI and for the last 3 days I have had reduced and more formed bowel movements. I have not really formed bowels in about 2 months and I typically average 3-5. The last two days, I have only gone once or twice.

I have not changed anything else. I really don't think it is a fluke either because my energy level is actually better too. I still drink my coffee which I know causes D. I have taken the same supplements but changed the time that I have taken my VSL to not interfere with the probiotics. That's it.

Does anyone know why antibiotics might help UC? I am wondering if this is working like a reset button? Maybe I have just too much bacteria and this is wiping the slate clean. It just makes me wonder if I should ease up on the probiotics in the future?

Has anyone else ever experienced the same thing with macrobid? I was under the impression that macrobid was a systemic antibiotic so it shouldn't really be altering things in my colon.
Posted 2/12/2016 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
i think your colon is part of the systemic thingy -

just because you have UC, doesn't mean you can't have other things going on too - quite possible you have had some sort of low lying infection hangin around just waiting for the right time to start partying, and or causing some UC like symptoms -
Posted 2/12/2016 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
Antibiotics are a double-edged sword. Some here are convinced it helps them with their UC, while so many others blame ABX for causing their UC in the first place.

One theory that explains this is that they are weapons of mass destruction killing both good and bad bacteria. By killing the good bacteria they can allow bad guys take over and cause IBD. But by killing the bad bacteria they can help relieve symptoms.

One way you could play this is when on ANTIbiotics to also take PRObiotics to replenish the good guys in your gut. Otherwise you are playing with fire since ABX can destroy enough good bacteria to allow C Diff to take hold. That is why we see contradictory results such as ABX ending the C Diff infection, other times C Diff can take hold after beginning a course of antibiotics. Probiotics can be a useful supplement to take every day to help remain in remission.

Here is a good discussion about it:
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=2088679&p=3

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=2461088

Post Edited (Coffeemate) : 2/12/2016 6:59:26 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/12/2016 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
juststud - you just made me think that maybe in some people antibiotics lower their immune system? If your immune system is on overdrive then maybe that is why antibiotics can temporarily reduce symptoms?

Coffeemate - you just presented a very good argument for not messing with my probiotics. probably best to continue with my VSL. I do hope this is not a 3 day fluke and continues like this.

Never had C diff. I have been tested for it a bazillion times. But it sounds as bad as UC.
Posted 2/12/2016 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
Antibiotics taken for other needs always showed UC symptom improvement for me. Way back when I first was diagnosed and had a course of anti-b's I noticed it. But the improvements went away after anti b's stopped. Years later my GI RX'd me Xifaxin (gut specific anti-b now being touted on TV for UC) to see if it helped and nope.

Yes I believe gut bacteria rules my UC symptoms but sorting it out and killing the bad while keeping the good is my impossible quest (Don Quixote).
Posted 2/12/2016 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
me too! I am convinced that in my many people the gut bacteria holds the key. (which is why I spend an inordinate amount of money on probiotics)

continuing to tilt at windmills....
Posted 2/12/2016 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
GI's will often give CD patients antibiotics as part of the treatment, sometimes I found it helpful, other times not so much and I don't know why since the same antibiotic was used on me often....the new treatment for MAP being used in trials for crohn's is a combination of 3 different strains of antibiotics that's suppose to stop MAP in it's tracks (I posted the link from IBD news here yesterday about it) so it's not a crazy idea that antibiotics can possibly have a healing effect for gut issues.
Posted 2/12/2016 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
Xifaxin commercial touts it for IBS-D, not UC from what I've seen. Which surprises me.

Some antibiotics are anti-inflammatory, so that might be it in part. Some may cause constipation or slow down the colon.

I agree with other things going on at the same time, imbalance and it's put things into a better state.

Hope it continues.

q
Posted 2/12/2016 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Antibiotics worked for me at one time. I was dx'ed with Lymes disease a while back while I was flaring. I was put on Doxycycline for a month and my UC symptoms improved dramatically. I couldn't stay on it forever so once the course ended I was back to square one. It certainly wasn't a coincidence.
Posted 2/14/2016 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
I've taken Doxycycline in the past for acne for years and always tolerated it well. I'm off it now but flaring more. I thought it helped my UC but could just be coincidence.

On the other hand, years ago, after being in remission for years, a doctor gave me some type of antibiotic as a precaution for something and I went into the worst flare. I am very cautious about antibiotics now but have no reservations about taking Doxycycline if I have too.
Posted 2/14/2016 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
That's when my son got UC, tetracycline and isotrentanoin (sp) cream.
OM
Posted 2/15/2016 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
it seems a lot of people have stories where things were all warm and fuzzy while on the antibiotics but after stopping...not so fun. That is what I am afraid of.

The ironic thing is that macrobid appears to continue to make my UC symptoms nonexistent but it is NOT clearing the UTI. On day 9 and no relief. It is so painful.

My urologist wants me to start Cipro. Not sure it is a good idea, but I am getting desperate. I think I might start to double up on my VSL now in preparation for the onslaught.

Has anyone taken Cipro and come out unscathed? I only have taken pre-UC days and I remember it being pretty awful.
Posted 2/15/2016 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
You could try drinking cranberry juice to help with the antibiotics:

http://www.webmd.com/women/news/20100823/cranberry-juice-fights-urinary-tract-infection-quickly
Posted 2/15/2016 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Unbreakable: A few years back was on cipro for 37 days in an attempt to fix prostate problem.
I do not recall any effect on my UC, but that's me.
It was a none bacterial prostate problem, anyway.

Old Mike
Posted 2/15/2016 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
I have IC so my urologist always tells me - no cranberry! errrrrr But because I was desperate and kind of didn't care anymore... I did take some cranberry pills this morning. I always get e-coli based infections and those nasty little buggers just hate cranberry.

I have also read that macrobid works better in a more acidic environment (thus the cranberry making it work better) I might have been making the infection worse because I have been doing everything possible to try to keep an alkaline diet (my UC acts up with too much acidic food).

Old Mike - Cipro for 37 days....wow. You must tolerate it well then. I hope I can handle it too. Going to try the cranberry for one more day and then give in to the Cipro party train.
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