Need help, MrsD?
 

Yesterday I came down with a dilly of a bladder infection. Called doctor, picked up antibiotics, and you guess it, Cipro. It was after hours and I was in pain so I took one. I have since taken four and the bladder pain is gone, but after reading the internet including some past posts here, I don't want to take them anymore. My PN is really acting up, which is making me even more scared, though I was having some bad days before I took it. I don't want to take anymore, but I don't know what to do about treating the rest of the infection. I know I will most likely need to call the doctor, but I would also like your opinion on this. Thanks!

Did the doctor give you the short course of 250mg?
This is a low dose and may not have the severity of the side effects that the higher dose one may have.

Unfortunately all the bladder infection drugs have side effects on PN. Macrodantin (Macrobid) and sulfas both affect the nerves in some people as well.

So Vit E (natural type) and NAC (n-acetyl cysteine) would be good things to take for a month or so if you remain on the Cipro.

To prevent further episodes, cranberry extract in tablet/capsule form works for some.

This is one of those situations where someone may HAVE to take the dreaded drug(s) that create more trouble down the road. Dose and time on them are also factors. Low dose, short course, is the least problematic.

Yes, he gave me 250 mg, 14 pills to be taken once twice a day. This would be a 7 day treatment I guess. As I mentioned, I have already had two days of treatment and I already feel back to normal bladder wise. Sounds like I may not have much of a choice, as you mentioned most of the antibiotics taken for a bladder infection can still cause problems. So the 250mg. is a lower dose? I wonder if I can cut down on the days needed on this. I will take your advise about all of the supplements mentioned.

I'm curious in general MrsD, when someone gets PN from antibiotics, how far down the road after taking them can PN start? Can the nerves heal from this? Thank you for your help....

I would NOT shorten the course. This will only lead to relapse.

Not much is known about the fluoroquinolone damage. Only so far what I found on Dr. Cohen's website and copied over here.

There are websites and forums about this subject. Not everyone gets the PN, but when it does happen it is resistant to reversal.

http://www.medicationsense.com/artic...ity070508.html

Thanks again MrsD. I guess the scary part is not knowing if the symptoms you may be feeling while taking this drug is an actual reaction, or your PN is just really acting up....

mrsD, this may be a little off topic, but still need to know....BEFORE getting a bladder infection...Do these ProBiotics really do any good? In your opinion? For me, they work or I believe they work..lol But would like your take on it.
Everytime my daughter even THINKS she is getting a bladder infection I make her take these...Whatcha think?

There have been studies on some probiotics helping with
recurrent bladder infections. Yogurt also has this benefit.

Females get bladder infections when they overdo the hygiene issue, and wash away protective compounds. Thong type underwear has been suspected to spread bacteria to the bladder as well.

It is best to wash down there lightly, and use a pH neutral soap like baby shampoo. Soap residues "down there" burn and can irritate and open the way to urinary infections. Bubble bath salts are known bladder infection triggers for the same reason.
Women with infections that recur should NEVER use bubble bath salts or soak water softeners.

Cranberry extract is very good...it prevents bacteria from sticking to the wall of the bladder, and prevents infection that way. Taken in capsule form, there is less sugar to deal with too.

Thanks Kitt. Gosh, I really don't know what one is suppose to take when they have a bladder infection. It's just plain scary, and of course those of us who get a bladder infection can't let it go because that will cause complications in itself. I think I will call the pharmacist and just ask about this and explain the situation. I sure am going to do anything I can in the future to prevent a reoccurring infection for sure....

Hope
 

Know just where you are coming from!
 

Last year I'd a UTI and well, you got it! I got the CIPRO! Even tho it's in my 'file' that I shouldn't? DUH.. I did ask THREE times, ARE YOU SURE?????
Well, at times better the devil you know than the one you don't? I was on a short course as well, and did just fine until about 10 days after I went off the CIPRO...then PN [new?] kicked in. But not too badly. At least no more infection!
Alternative anti-b's take longer and are less likely to work. The tradeoff is getting rid of the infection and then dealing w/the consequences later. In my own case the CIPRO induced effects have long receded into the background after several months.
The infection could create far more undesirable consequences in the long term if not treated than dealing with the consequences of the treatments.
Mrs D is again, right, in that we have to be super careful with some things. Plain and simple. It's a frustrating place to be in at times, but we are here and must deal with it all! Hugs and hope always :hug:'s - j

Thanks dahlek. Thats the frustrating thing, the Cipro is working great on the infection. I called the pharmacist and she said to not worry about it (I don't know about that) She also said that I can check with the doctor as well (even though he is a gynecologist, not a neuropathy expert) You are so right about letting the infection go, I took the wrong antibiotic about 15 months ago for a bladder infection. It didn't work and by having that bladder infection for a longer period of time, it caused complications that lasted for months. I finally took Cipro and the infection was wiped out. This was before I ever got PN. I guess we shall see what happens. I appreciate MrsD and everyone here with their great advise. Hugs to you too! :hug:

MrsD, can you explain how the (natural type) and NAC (n-acetyl cysteine) is helpful when taken with and after the cipro treatment? Does it work towards protecting the nerves?




Wanted to add, I called the doctor and he also said the same thing as the pharmacist. He then asked me how I felt bladder wise, and I said fine. He then told me to go ahead and shorten the course from 7 days to 5.

The NAC and vit E was posted by Dr. Jay Cohen, based on
a report from a patient who used those for his quinolone damage. The NAC is the oral way to increase glutathione, which this patient had administered by another doctor IV.
I suggest NAC for those who don't want to consult a doctor for IV glutathione treatments. Glutathione cannot be used orally.

It is the only report I am aware of that offers a solution.
I don't know why it works... no one has figured that out yet.
If you read the link I provided to Dr. Cohen, he explains how he verified it.

It is always possible that acetyl carnitine will work too, if quinolones damage mitochondria like other drugs.
But we don't know that for a fact at this time. We also don't know how they damage tendons over time and cause ruptures, after treatment is over.

I wish I had known about the PN aspects of Levaquin
 

Just last week I had what the doc suspected was pneumonia. Because erithromycin causes diarrhea, she prescribed a 5 day course of Levaquin. I took one pill and no problems. The 2nd day I started to have serious numbness & burning pain starting in my ankle & radiating up to my knee. I read the insert (too late, I guess) & almost fainted when I saw the laundry list of sx...most notably an achilles tendon rupture!! Who in the world would trade an infection for a ruptured tendon?? When I phoned the doc to say I wasn't going to continue, she got very defensive & said she gave it to many patients & only ONE had a ruptured achilles tendon!! This is a freaking nightmare of a drug. I still have much more intense burning & pain in my one leg & am worried that this is not the worst of it. Who knows what disabling effects await me down the road?

I read Dr. Cohen's report of the efficacy of glutathione & NAC. I'm happy that there might be some kind of treatment for this. The easiest would be to order some NAC asap.

I went to the health food store and got the NAC and the natual vitamin E and started on it as soon as I brought it home. I'm a little scared now. PN symptoms have definitely flarred up. I am done with my course of cipro and the infection is gone. I really have to keep an eye on this....:icon_sad: