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MedHelp Member's Question

Bacterial Infections, Antibiotics, and PEGASYS ?

by Tosser, Nov 18, 2003 12:00AM
Is there a web site that may have info about taking Antibiotics while on Pegasys/Copegus? No one I've contacted seems to know.

I have contracted a terrible sinus infection and first called Pegasys. They have no research data about antibiotics in combination with their tx. How bizarre is that? Yet, they told me my GI should be able to advise. I called them. They won't advise about any other problem not directly related to my liver.  So...I called my GP and they just simply don't know whether there might be complications from the drug combination or not. Once again, I'm counting on the experience of you guys and gals to help me out if you can.  

My main questions were...

Are there any antibiotics that can be safely used for my sinus infection that won't compromise my Hep-C tx?

I've had success with Amoxicillin and Amoxil in the past for this but don't have enough info to help my MD make a decision. I'm too far along to think about stopping tx now. Five weeks left!

Also, anyone ever heard of taking "Colloidal Silver " for infections, and how well can a damaged liver handle that?

Thanks for any and all suggestions!

Tosser
Member Comments (28)

by MichaelT, Nov 18, 2003 12:00AM
The doc should weigh the meds against the condition of your liver, but generally, antibiotic use is a pretty normal occurrence during treatment.



I've found no interactions with INF/Riba and Amoxicillin in any drug guide.



Colloidal silver has been shown to kill bugs in a petri dish. It hasn't been demonstrated to be effective in the human body against infections. The current resurgence and hype of this stuff has sucked a lot of money from desperate people. People who consume this stuff also risk turning blue permanently - search the web and check out some of the pictures, very scary.



God bless!   -Michael

by raheem, Nov 18, 2003 12:00AM
To: tosser
I've been on Cipro the whole time, 25 weeks now, no infections, no side effects from Cipro.  My WBC is 1.2 and my ANC is 576.  I think the Cipro gives me a little wiggle room.

by oldhippiechick67, Nov 18, 2003 12:00AM
All I have heard is colloidal silver isnt good for the liver...that it can collect in there.   Type it in on the following sites:



http://www.fda.gov/default.htm



www.quackwatch.com



http://www.truthorfiction.com/



I dont know if it is just another big $ making rage, like sea silver, coral calcium, noni juice, etc.  

by GI.PA, Nov 18, 2003 12:00AM
I know of no problems in general needing to use antibiotics while on treatment but your doctor and your pharacist are the best people to ask.



GI.PA

by berlynn, Nov 18, 2003 12:00AM
To: Raheem
Hi, I noticed that your WBC was 1.2, are you taking neupogen?

      Thanks, berlynn

by raheem, Nov 18, 2003 12:00AM
To: berlynn
No, I am not. My GI doctor treating me is reluctant to prescribe Neupogen for the low WBC and ANC because oncologists tell him there is a concern about long term risks such as leukemia. The Cipro does provide me with a bit of a cushion.  I know a lot of folks are on Neupogen and I asked him about it a couple times but he believes the risks are not worth the benfits.  He may be ultra conservative or cautious, I don't know, but I have to rely on his knowledge to a certain extent.

by susan400, Nov 18, 2003 12:00AM
To: Everyone/G.I.P.A.
I've posted this question several times already and can't seem to get anyone to comment on it.  Has anyone had any problems with their sores healing?  Or injection site reactions.  I've had a bad problem with some sores that developed on my belly, one the size of a quarter and the other the size of a dime.  My doctor feels like I've got some tissue damage that developed.  It's very painful.  It's been going on for a month.  He also is ordering a herpes titer to see if maybe there's some kind of herpes going on there (like a shingles type).  Although, I've already had shingles before about 15 years ago and back then, it was on my forehead.  I'd like to hear from others who have had healing problems, or from G.I.-P.A.



Susan400

by oldhippiechick67, Nov 18, 2003 12:00AM
To: Susan400
I am not a dr, as you well kno, but the shingles usually pop up on the trunk, front abd and back, shoulder area, I have never heard of it on just the forehead.  Maybe you were misdiagnosed.

Also it usually strikes older people....here is a quote from NINDS site:



Synonym(s):  Postherpetic Neuralgia, Herpes Zoster

What is Shingles?

Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the virus that causes chickenpox. Shingles occurs in people who have had chickenpox and represents a reactivation of the dormant varicella-zoster virus. The disease generally affects the elderly, although it occasionally occurs in younger and/or immunodeficient individuals. The first sign is usually a tingling feeling, itchiness, or stabbing pain on the skin. After a few days, a rash appears as a band or patch of raised dots on the side of the trunk or face. The rash develops into small, fluid-filled blisters which begin to dry out and crust over within several days. When the rash is at its peak, symptoms can range from mild itching to extreme and intense pain. Contact with a person with shingles may cause chickenpox (but not shingles) in someone who has never had chickenpox before.



I have had troubles with sores not healing fast since on tx, but none are painful. Hope you find out what it is and get healed!  OHC

by Indiana, Nov 19, 2003 12:00AM
To: Tosser
Basically you can take most any of the mainstream antibiotics to combat infections. They do not directly affect your tx.

BUT....

You need to realize hoe antibiotics work. They will kill bacterial infections.....but they will also kill off all your good immune stuff too.  The bottom line is that your white counts will probably drop. Many of us are already riding the borderline with our ANC and/or white counts. Don't be surprised if this drops them down even more.

Having said that....you need to kill the infections more than you need to worry about your white counts. With our immune systems already so low we just can't always fight off these infections on our own. Your system can't stand the stress of fighting an infection for long while on tx. I let a little cough go and it turned into pneumonia! Even though the aftermath of taking antibiotics may require you to take Neupogen or reduce your Peg dose temporarily, it's more important that you kill that infection