Metronidazole

I've been on it twice, (currently on my second dose), and my GI only prescribes it when he thinks I have a C. diff infection, which is bacterial. I too am taking 3 a day, and aside from not being able to drink (DO not drink, it will make you very sick) and my mouth tasting like metal its not all that bad. The first time it did nothing to improve my symptoms, pre-remicade; after mildly improving on remicade but then slipping back into a serious flare I started it again just to see if an infection was the problem (suggested by my nurse practitioner). Its been 5 days and I've experienced a real difference this time. My BM's are down to maybe 3-4 a day from 7-8, mostly in the morning, lot less blood and urgency, much more mucous though, and am able to pass gas. The stool is also more formed, although not back to normal, its half diarrhea half formed. I hope this continues, I've been in a flare for over a year now. I get another dose of remicade in two weeks...<crosses fingers>. Oh and I know my signature is obsolete, I had to quite 6-mp again, it gave me horrendous back pain. And I'm back on asacol.

We have done several threads here re Flagyl (Metronidazole). It was originally marketed as an amebicide in the 1980s. It is known to cause peripheral neuropathy with extensive use. My own gastro says no patient should be kept on it for more than 3 mo. max because of that! I personally found it like taking insecticide, yuck!!!!!!!!! / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 3 Colazal daily;seem to be back in remission)

I was on a 10-day course (3 times a day) of Flagyl when first diagnosed. I also started Asacol (6 pills/day) at the same time. I had some pretty nasty side effects. Headaches every day all day, horrible metallic taste in my mouth...it was hard to even drink water, b/c it made everything taste horrible. I was dizzy/lightheaded a lot, too and incredibly tired. Some of those may have just been my body healing and some could have been from the Asacol. I found placing the whole pill in a spoon of applesauce or yogurt, then taking a swig of water when swallowing helped the taste somewhat. I guess I don't understand why your gastro put you on it. If your inflammation is from your UC, I wouldn't think Flagyl would help. Did you test you for a bacterial infection? I would suggest taking a good probiotic during and after you're done taking the Flagyl.

How have you responded thus far? Notice any improvements?

I have been using it for 10 days and my bleeding has stopped - could it be the Asocol or Metrinidazole? Who knows.

To answer your question Sara14, my opinion is that the inflammation is caused by something, whether that's a virus, a bacteria, or perhaps a fungus... who knows? Clearly, though something causes the inflammation. Logically, if it's a bacteria, then an anti-biotic would kill it which would then alleviate the inflammation.

Now we also have the joy of dealing with certain foods that aggrevate the tissues that are inflammed which is a completely different issue. For me, caffiene, eggs, dairy products etc aggrevate the inflammation but they aren't the cause. (Otherwise I would have been flaring over the last nine years...)

My primary care physician says Metro also is an anti-inflammatory, so at the very least we have that. I'm still on it but other than urgency once or twice a day I'm not having any other UC symptoms. I'm really hoping I'm headed to remission.

*Prays again*