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I went to see about the rocephin shot, NO :( Need GI at University of Michigan

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/10/2010 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi my NP said she wouldn't do it this time and that maybe the shot was a "fluke" she wants me to go to U of M since they are state of the art and get looked at. If they prescribe treatment such as antibiotics she would work with them. She said start back with Sulfasalazine as well. She wonders if I really have chrons since maybe the shot did help, she said antibiotics are ususally for chrons and anti inflammatories for UC. Is this true somewhat do you know? Has anyone been to U of M do they have GI there they really like and trust they know what they are doing? In the meantime I've ordered both my colonoscopy reports.

 

Posted 12/10/2010 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
According to my daughter's GI, about 10% of UCers respond to abx like flagyl, but then they don't use others to treat the disease so I don't see how they would know. I don't think they've done trials.
Posted 12/10/2010 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
I have a ton of Flagyl from my Lyme's doc. I started it once, but maybe it was killing off the bacteria too fast and I stopped all medications.  Maybe I will start to take a little at a time like he suggested. He said a 1/4 of a pill and work up to 1 three times a day. I don't want to be my own doctor but he wanted me to take and I wasn't ready to go through the "die off"

I'm having my Np make an appt with U of M for me. Hopefully I can get a great doctor there who can shed some light on if it's chrons or UC.

Do I start the flagyl?

Linda

Posted 12/10/2010 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
I read this :

Antibiotics

Metronidazole (Flagyl) and ciprofloxacin (Cipro) are two antibiotic drugs that may be used to treat IBD in children. Antibiotics may be used for more mild cases of IBD and are often used in conjunction with other medications, such as the 5-ASA drugs. Metronidazole may be used in particular for perianal Crohn's disease (disease that is located in the anus, rectum, and vaginal areas) or in patients with Crohn's disease complicated by perianal fistulas. Ciprofloxacin may be used as an alternative to metronidazole in perianal Crohn's disease, and it also may be used to treat milder cases of left-sided ulcerative colitis.

Side effects of metronidazole include diarrhea, vomiting, and numbness in the hands and feet which may be from reversible nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy). Metronidazole should not be taken with alcoholic drinks, as it can cause severe nausea and vomiting. Ciprofloxacin is associated with side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,

I know I'm not a child but I'm sure it applies to adults as well.

Posted 12/10/2010 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
My GI started me on either Flagyl or Cipro (sorry, I can't remember which) immediately after I was diagnosed, along with Asacol. He said that there is a (very) small percentage of UCers who do very well on it. However, whichever one it was made my nausea much, much worse, so I stopped it. I would probably think about taking it as it was originally prescribed to you.
Posted 12/10/2010 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
I am not surprised that your NP responded how she did. My GI responds similarly when I ask about these treatments that are "off label". I personally think that it's worth a try, it's not going to hurt you and maybe it will help. I did try Flagyl/Cipro a few months ago but I was also on prednisone at the time and in an unstable condition. I am not sure if the Flagyl/Cipro helped but I did end up having a recurrance of symptoms after being treated with the antibiotics for 10+ days. I felt like the antibiotics were helping while I was on them but it didn't help enough to get me into remission.

I don't know what your next step is, maybe you should go with the NP's recommendation and see about seeing a specialist at the university? She recommends sulfasalazine over Asacol? Would you consider your symptoms to be mild or moderate? Have you tried cort enemas or cort foam enemas? I think they helped me when I was doing poorly. I still would like to do a longer course of Flagyl but I don't know if my GI would be willing to let me try it. Flagyl does give me side effects, headaches, bad taste in my mouth , nausea and dizziness...
Posted 12/11/2010 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
I see Dr. Richard Saad at U of M. I really like him so far. He listened to me and even said I know more about my body than he would, and gave me some leeway with my rectal meds. He also seems very thourough. HE sent me bloodwork papers when my other doctor didn't! So I switched to him. I see him in Dexter but I believe he also practices in Ann Arbor. Let us know who you get!
Posted 12/13/2010 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I was going for Dr. Zimmerman, she's also does trials for people with UC and chrons. I DON'T want another colonoscopy, I just had one a few months ago. When I look to switch GI's they all want to do colonoscopies first, which I think is just for them to make money :(
Posted 12/13/2010 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Dr. Zimmerman was the doc who diagnosed me 18 years ago. I really like her as a doc, she was kind, thoughtful and thorough. Unfortunately I had to stop seeing her because our insurance changed. I think she is also on the board for research - forgot what they call it. I remember when I first went to see her, she had me fill out a questionnaire about my life style and whatnot because they were starting to conduct researches and trials at that time.
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