Antibiotics and Crohn's

[buckeyeroots]

I frequently have sinus infections.  Since being diagnosed with Crohn's about 6 months ago, I am unable to take oral antibiotics without some serious side effects, such as diahhrea and a lot of abdominal pain.  Has anyone had any luck with other types of antibiotics or do you go straight for the IV antibiotics?  I also have Type 2 diabetes, so infection sends my blood glucose way high.

[Johanna4kids4me]

Hi! I have Crohn's and the antibiotic that gave me the least amount of trouble was regular old pennicillin. Anything else made my symptoms worse. I still had an slight increase, but not as bad.With your recurrent infections though it may not be enough. Have you tried sinus washes ? My brother was getting sinus infections on a monthly basis. His doctor was reluctant to keep giving him antibiotics so he suggested the wash ( he also has seasonal allergies).Well it really did or does the trick. I think he uses it two times a day or more if needed. It's over the counter. I've been curious about it myself. Anyway, that might be a good preventative measure. Those are my suggestions. I can't imagine the wash being a problem for your diabetes, but you should always check with your doctor.
I've had Crohn's for a realllllyyyy long time so if there is anything else I can help you with I be thrilled, really !
Good luck,
Johanna

[PrincessKatie]

I have severe Crohn's and every time I take any antibiotic, I get an overgrowth of a bacteria called clostridium dificil (c-diff). It causes severe pain and diarrhea and I usually have to be hospitalized. They determine c-diff through stool samples. Usually the stool is a liquid and dark green/dark brown. There are only two antibiotics to treat c-diff, Flagyl and Vancomycin. Now when I get an antibiotic for routine infections, I also take a run of one of those drugs.

The c-diff tests are three stool samples over a period of time. Hope that helps.

[Morgannon]

For me, antibiotics are the only thing that really help me when I have a bad flare-up.  In my case, Ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice a day really smooths things out.  My guts dont cramp, my stools are perfectly normal, my mucus production tapers off, and I feel like a million bucks.  Unfortunately, my doctor doesn't want me to keep taking Cipro due to the possibility of bacterial resistance.  If it were up to me, I'd be on that Cipro 24/7.  

Disclaimer:  I have not been diagnosed with Crohn's, but I do have severe IBS, and Crohn's like symptoms.  And it seems like the problems are related.

[yooeriiin]

i was on antibiotics when i got my wisdom teeth out and i was absolutely fine

[lostsheep]

ive taken amoxycillin and thats never caused me any problems, I also took another 2 different ones recently that caused no problems, but got an antibiotic for an infection in my skin and muscles which i had to stop taking because it gave me such bad pains.
the dr did tell me all antibiotics mess with the good bacteria which is why it can give you crohns like symptoms.

[buckeyeroots]

My problem is that I am allergic to penicillin (which includes amoxycillin).  I am also allergic to sulfa, can't tolerate keflex or z-packs either.  I have a respiratory infection right now, so I can't start taking the Humira injections yet.  I am trying cipro now and so far after two doses I'm doing okay.  Cross your fingers.  I hope this one works.  

[PrincessKatie]

You also might want to take a probiotic while on the antibiotic, with your doctors permission. That has helped me tolerate things some. (You could also try the Activia yogurt. I have heard that helps many while on antibiotics.) I can't start Humira yet cause I can't get rid of the c-diff that I got from an antibiotic for strep. Be careful and if you start to have liquidy bowels, tell your doctor.

[buckeyeroots]

Thanks for the advice on probiotics.  My body seems to be wired differently than everyone else's.  The activia makes my bowels worse and I can't hardly eat yogurt anymore at all.  I'm lactose intolerant.  Do they make probiotics in other forms?  I could ask the doctor if that would help me.  So far this antibiotic cipro is working.  No bowel problems.  Unfortunately, I am still coughing a lot and can't seem to shake this respiratory infection very quickly.  I still have a week left to take the antibiotics, so we'll see how it goes.

[PrincessKatie]

Well, I can't eat dairy so I was just suggesting the Activia. All dairy makes me horribly ill. I have taken something called Flora-Q without any problems. They make many other probiotics in pill forms. You're doctor will know of many more.

Flora-Q has
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Bifidobacterium
Lactobacillus paracasei
Streptococcus thermophilus

Good luck!

[jlm0174]

I have had severe crohn's since 2005 and also suffer from sinus quite a few times a yr. Right now 3rd bout in 6 wks. Drs. want to quick fix me with stong antibiotic and my body won't tolerate more then l every 3 mos without making me ill with diarreha or c-diff.
The best protection I've had when on and off antibiotic and it should be taken yr. round is: VSL 3, probiotic. Only bought through their own website and recommended by my Boston Dr. at the Crohns and Colitis Center. He has virtually saved my life twice. I am from a small town in Maine and have to be transported when my attacks are life threatening as I've been a yr. recovering from the lst bout and this last one in 2008 put me out of my teaching job for over l8 mos. I know what sick is and have tried it all. This VSL is great. I'm not trying to decide what to do with the sinus trouble this week, had two bouts with the antibiotics in a month. I have done the sinus wash, great help, but my ears get plugged so have to be careful how much I use to was with and am fine. It has worked for me and my health isn't the easiest. Good Luck.