Imuran & Cipro

No need to apologize for a vent. That's what makes this forum so great because you can vent to the people that truly understand! The only time I was on Cipro was for an infection and it didn't agree with me in the least, but if you do take it, I hope it helps you. As for the Imuran - I'm on 6mp which is similiar and all I have to say is that after much hum and ho'ing, I am so glad I broke down to take it because I finally have my life back.

thanks Red & Mitz!!! I think the prednisone is making me a little melodramatic too. He did test my stools but doesn't have all the results back, says the cipro is to help w/the diarreah.

Mitz - what's the c-diff?

Thanks! I am just going to keep on pushing forwad and hoping for the best and work on educating myself....what else can I do?

Cipro is VERY powerful stuff, so I want to second Mitz here.....  Make sure you take probiotics while you are taking Cipro.  It was WAY too much for me, and I had some bad reactions to it.  I'm not trying to scare you, but just make sure you keep an eye out for the side effects.  It's just so strong....

Hi there -

I have been on Cipro for two days now, along with another antibiotic called Flagyl.  I feel like they are just trying to bomb me with anything they get their hands on and hope something works.  I actually feel a little better today, but don't know what to attribute it to...cipro, 60 mg of pred? 

Imuran did not work for me because it messed with my liver, but it has helped a lot of people so it could help you, too.

Reading the side effects of all of these drugs is really scary...especially if you are on steroids.  I find I am crying at the tiniest things right now, and I am a very even person when I am healthy. :)

Good luck and make sure you keep yourself educated.  Ask your doctors questions and make sure you take an active part in all decisions.  I need to more of that myself!

- Kris2336

Beth, please listen to these people about the Cipro... c-diff sux. I was on Cipro months before being diagnosed with UC. I completely understand the totally awesome (possible) side effects of Imuran. I have asked to be put on it, and been rejected by my GI b/c she thinks I am too young (I am 23). I have also asked about Remicade, and she just seems to be dragging her heels...
I noticed that when I had my period I had a flare, so I asked to to put on a 3 month pill, so I only have a period every 3months and it has helped TREMENDOUSLY!! Just stay on it... the doctors... the lastest research... when I got pregnant I had been in remission for 2 years! At diagnosis I had left side UC, after another colonoscopy after I had my daughter I had pan-UC. If I had stayed on top of it I firmly believe it would not have progressed. I understand the rollercoaster steroids put you on, but so does a flare... The way I look at it is... This is my disease, I will own it. I will do whatever is necessary fo rme to live a positive life, even if that means forfeiting chances at additional children... what kind of mother am I if I can't be an involved one? Just remember, the side effects aren't guarenteed side effects...
Best wishes

Beth75:

C-diff is clostridium difficile. It is also known as antibiotic-associated colitis. The long/short of c-diff is after taking antibioitics, all the good germs are killed in your gut, allowing all the bad germs (c-diff) to proliferate, and they produce a toxin that attacks the lining of the colon. There's A and B c-diff bacteria.

The other problem with c-diff is it can be a devil to get rid of. It's a spore-forming bacteria, so that means when you try to treat it with Flagyl or even vancomycin, the spores can survive the onslaught of antibiotics designed to kill it, and after you are done with the Flagyl or vancomycin (the standard treatment for c-diff), the spores then sprout and repopulate your colon.

I can't impress upon you enough to take your probiotics. I was prescribed Cipro for a nonexistent bladder infection on a preliminary diagnosis that turned out to be wrong. I took three days of them. Six weeks later, I was so very, very sick. Two courses of Flagyl and one of vancomycin, and three or four months after that, I was finally better. Less than a year later, I was diagnosed with left-sided UC. Before that, I had asymptomatic proctitis.

Be careful with EVERYTHING you put in your body. And if your doc actually prescribed these antibiotics without having any finding that you had an infection, he ought to be fired. Today. No, make that yesterday, before he did such a bonehead move at your health's expense.

Mitz

Good luck

great great great GRIEF..... Was just put on Cipro cause I had a sneaking suspicion my fistula was getting infected... Also started taking Asacol again as I wait for insurance approval for either Humira or Remicade. Anyways... seems that about a day later after taking cipro I noticed the diarrhea I was already having was much more mucousy ... please tell me that doesn't sound like a possible CDiff issue....