Cipro and Flagyl making things worse?

[Homebound]

Hi everyone, I'm pretty new here. I've been flaring up since the end of April or so. Mid-May my doctor started me up on 40 mg of Pred. Was really doing better, but unfortunately he lowered me way too fast.

So my symptoms started returning over the past week. He upped my prednisone back up to 30 mg and added a 5 day course of Cipro and Flagyl. I noticed a great improvement the next day after being upped on the pred. But as of yesterday I've got pure water D, multiple times a day. Worse then I ever was before. The only thing I can think of is it's the antibiotics wrecking havoc on my guts now. I've got 2 days left of them too, and not really sure if I should finish them.

In November I was put on a different, less Crohn's friendly of course, antibiotics for an upper respiratory infection. But it triggered a massive flare and I ended up being hospitalized with that one. So I'm kind of worried now this is going down the same road. Upsetting when you want to get RID of the diarrhea not make it worse!

 

[scoutfinch]

Watery diarrhea is a common side effect of Cipro and Flagyl, unfortunately. Given that it's just a 5 day course, I think you should finish it up. The symptoms usually go away a day or two after you finish. Of course, if you really feel terrible (like, get me to the hospital terrible), call your doctor.

 

[mickey]

Cirpro rips me apart. You have to finish them; unless your doc begins you on another antibiotic. It took me months to get my stomach back on track after taking Cipro. It was suggested I take Natren Healthy Trinity probiotics. Although it said to take one a day, my doc said to go up to five, if needed, and then reduce back down to 1/day. She said Cirpro knocked my system too off balance and probiotics would help me adjust that; which it did. May help you.

 

[Homebound]

Thanks for the replies. Good to know I'm not alone with how it's doing to me! I took tonight's dose for both. I've got 3 pills of each left. So tomorrow and then Tuesday morning I'll be done. I think he only put me on it as a precaution, to make sure there wasn't any infections going on. Of course that worries me and I want to make sure and take it for that. But this is going to be a rough few days!

 

[SarahAnne]

Yes, yes, yes.....both of these drugs will cause a number on your stomach. They are very commonly prescribed together to combat or prevent infections with IBD patients.

Be careful of having them prescribed too often, and definitely take probiotics. I am now dealing with gastritis that may have been caused by bacteria I acquired because of repeated high doses of flagyl. Damned if we do, damned if we don't!

 

[Homebound]

Good to know SarahAnne! I'll keep that in mind for sure. Not sure what is worse today, the Diarrhea from it or this awful heartburn that I've had the last two days. My throat is even hurting from it. All this started once I began the antibiotics. So frustrating!