Cipro/Flagyl

[annak87]

I feel like I'm constantly asking questions about these antibiotics. You would think I knew all by now with my constant use of them. As my posts usually begin, I'm still having issues with my one fistula/seton. I last saw my GI about a month a half ago. I always seem to do better when I'm on Cipro and Flagyl but I don't think he's comfortable with me being on them all of the time. So he set up a plan for me to do two weeks on them, two weeks off, two weeks on, etc. Other than the gross side effects of them, I feel a lot better on them. The drainage is literally cut in half and my pain (although I am seeing a pain management doctor to help with that as well) seems to be less. Thursday I start back on for 2 weeks and I also see my GI that day. I'll obviously discuss everything with him but I wanted to get your thoughts. One thing I've noticed on my "off weeks", along with a tremendous increase in drainage and pain, is that I'm absolutely EXHAUSTED. ALL OF THE TIME. I sleep for 10 hours at night and right now I feel like I could go to bed already. My theory is that my body starts working overtime when I'm not on Cipro and Flagyl to fight against infection. Does that make sense? Or does that seem silly? I do monthly B12 shots and it's not quite time for that so I don't think it's anything with that but I guess it could be.

Has anyone else done the rotation strategy with these drugs? What differences did you noticed between the on weeks and off weeks?

Thanks!

 

[kate19]

heey

so im going to answer since i've been playing the on/off antibiotics for a fistula game for about a year but im not sure exactly how relevant my experiences will be for you because i don't have a crohn's diagnosis (just an abscess turned fistula) and i get given an augmentin/flagyl combo not cipro annnd i didn't do proper rotation like you are, my dr would just prescribe them 'when needed' which averaged out at a 7 or 10 day course once a month-ish.

that said, i totally and completely understand what you mean about the exhaustion. your theory makes perfect sense to me! i found that without the antibiotics my drainage would slowly increase and i often felt super exhausted and feeling vaguely unwell, in a completely unspecific way, was one of the signs i needed to go back on them. then when i actually took the antibiotics i would feel nauseous from the flagyl but i still felt somehow better. if that makes sense?

i hope your gi appt went well today!

kate

 

[Cookie]

Hi Anna,

I was also on the two week rotation for about a year and I noticed something very similar to you. Definitely felt better drainage and pain wise when on the meds, but my tiredness always came at the beginning of my on cycle. I always assumed that it was a result of the infection working its way out of my body. After 4 or 5 days on the meds I felt great (aside from the constant nausea from the Flagyl). I had a love/hate relationship with those drugs because I knew they definitely helped the fistula/abscess situation, but I never felt 100% while on them. I could never determine whether it was the abscess or the drugs that was making me feel yucky. Sorry, I probably did not help much in answering your question, but at least i can sympathize with your siutation.

Sorry you are dealing with this. It is truley a nightmare. Have you tried Remicade? It did not work for me, so I ended up having flap surgery, but I know that it has helped others in similar situations.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hi Anna, I am on a rotation of my own since no meds work on me. I only take one Flagyl a day or every other to keep my crohns at bay. Then I switch to Cipro same deal. I know the side efffects all too well so I know when to switch. My GI and GP says since there is nothing else it is best for now.

You maybe the perfect candidate for Remicade..I would seriously discuss this with your doctor, better to try that , then stay on antibiotics.. Yeast infections come with that price tag too, so talk to your doctor about Remicade, keep us posted!

 

[annak87]

Thanks for your posts!

Kate that is EXACTLY how I feel. I've been dealing with this fistula and seton for over a year now. I've had a seton in another fistula since Feb. 2010 and haven't had a single problem with it. I think that's one of the reasons I'm so frustrated with all of this.

I definitely want to thank you all for the sympathetic agreement..It's nice to know I'm not crazy about this stuff! Pen, I know what you mean about yeast infections. Only min e seem to stay away from my girly parts and focus on my tongue in the form of thrush. I keep a stash of the pills that you suck on to help it for whenever I start to see the whiteness forming on my tongue.

I have been on Remicade for..almost 4 years now. My problem is that before I was even diagnosed with crohn's I had a gigantic perianal abscess removed. It was just a general surgeon so he just went in and cut away so I have a gigantic scar. Luckily (please sense my sarcasm), that's exactly where the fistula wanted to form. Scar tissue. If you look at my numerous MRI's, you can tell it's SLOWLY getting smaller but because of it being on the scar tissue, it's just taking it FOREVER.

I'm getting ready to head out to my GI appointment. I don't really expect drastic changes in our attack against it but it's always nice to see him and talk everything through. Also hoping to get my flu shot today. Yay? haha

 

[totie]

I am going on 3 yrs with the abscess/fistula issues. I only have one though. I have had the cut & drains of abscesses or they rupture on their own. I have had two surgeries for the fistula, the last being a seton placed (going on 6 weeks). I am being scheduled for a flap (still clueless on that procedure, but kind of dreading it).

I was having bladder pain, constant urination, pain in the pelvic area & in the vaginal area, I thought I had a UTI, but my they said something called proteinura, not sure what that is either, other than some people get it.

I was put on Cipro for it and I can say I hate the way it makes me feel...It has only been two days & I can't wait for the last dose (3 day course). I was put on other antibiotics before for the abscesses & neither made me feel this way.

I had a surgeon appt. today & inquired about the bacteria in my urine and the surgeon said it is most likely from the infection of the fistula draining seeing as the area is close to the vaginal area...I hope so because let me tell you the bladder/vaginal issue & back pain was more painful than the abscess/fistula itself (okay maybe not, but the pain in the vaginal area would bring me to my knees....)

I have also been put on numerous antibiotics but never had I had this awful feeling as I do from Cipro...