Xifaxan help

[mikenova]

I need some advice everyone.

I have been on Asacol 4 400mg pills 3 times a day for months, but last month my GI put me on a drug called Xifaxan. The Asacol helped with my diarrhea and weight loss but I had severe stomach pains still. When I went on the Xifaxan in about 3-4 days I had almost no pain, a few days after, I had no pain at all and could eat anything within reason.

I went back for a followup and he said he had to take me off it because it isn't meant for long term relief and is more of a 10 day treatment when you need it. I have been off it for 5 days now and my stomach pain is excruciating again.

Does anyone know about long term use and if I am going to become immune to it. He is worried that I will reach a plateau and the med will lose effectiveness after a period of time if I stay on it constantly. What does everyone else think?

 

[Kev]

Well, according to their website, it's an anti-biotic aimed at targeting E coli in the GI tract. It's been around for a while (intro'ed in Italy in 80's, and about 1/2 bill. pills have been prescribed). Studies for it's use in the treatment of crohns are either completed or underway, but I couldn't get any in depth info from their site.
They do not recommend long term use... they suggest that meds be switched if symptoms persist or recur... which I'm assuming is their modus for avoiding a strain of E-coli that is resistant.. You get the idea? If you keep using it without a break, then the E-coli that are left will be immune or resistant to this drug, and it will be those that flourish... making the drug totally useless as treatment

Guess in this case, seeing that this drug is an anti-biotic, your doc is right on the money. On another post (think it was an NYP article) researchers discuss the E-coli bug... and what they are learning about the diversity of these bugs in colonies... and E-coli has members called 'persistors' designed to deal w a/b's.

 

[mikenova]

I have read so much stuff online that swears by it. It has been amazing in the relief of IBS. If you take it 10 days the effects can last for up to a year if not more.

I have read about its use in Crohns and some people say it is a miracle drug.

It just sucks that the drug that was working for me, I can't take anymore. That really sucks.

 

[D Bergy]

You may want to look into Miracle mineral Supplement. When mixed with Citric Acid it converts to Chlorine Dioxide. Chlorine Dioxide is capable of killing both E-Coli and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. It is a proven bactericide in many other applications including water purification. Bacteria cannot become resistant to it because of the mechanism of oxidation.

I use it once a week to keep free of these bacteria and also take LDN to keep the immune system working properly.

Miracle Mineral Supplement is an experimental treatment. A similar product called Dioxychlor is chemically the same but a weaker form. But Dioxychlor has some studies behind it.

Do your own research, and make up your own mind if it is something you care to use.

I have not yet heard of it causing any harm in anyone using it, but all the reports of use are anecdotal.

Dan