A couple of weeks ago I started getting UTI symptoms. My PC did a culture and susceptibility test and prescribed a macrobid.
Macrobid did nothing. Now they are prescribing cipro (but that was not one of the drugs that was tested for susceptibility).
I didn't start cipro, because it is in the same family as plaquenil and I lost some vision on plaquenil.
Does anyone know if eye damage is a risk with cipro?
Also, now I'm have a big lyme flare up. I slept 12 hrs/night for the past 3 days and am achy all over and getting hot and cold flashes. Could it be my bladder infection is causing this? How do I differential between a kidney infection and just plain old lyme?
I'm currently taking amoxycillin and zithromax for lyme. If I go back to the doc, will they be able to see anything on the culture or will those abx mask it?
Sorry, I know that's a lot of questions, but if anyone has ideas, I'd be grateful.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I don't think Cipro and Plaquenil are in the same family of drugs. You can Google "Cipro side-effects" and see what the side effects are of Cipro. I was on it recently for a kidney infection. Don't let your bladder infection go to long, they can move up to the kidneys. I was in the hospital for four days with the kidney infection so I could get IV Rocephin, then they switched me to Cipro when I left.
(As a side-note, no Lyme flare up at all after taking those drugs.)
Bladder infections can make you VERY ILL. Yes, it can be the bladder infection. If you refuse the Cipro, you need to talk to your doctor ASAP for something else.
The drugs may mask the culture.
You also might want to take cranberry and d mannose capsules for a while. Drink a lot to flush it out. But you do need the meds, too. As most of you know, I'm not a big abx fan, but this is one of those cases where you need them!!!
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
As sixgoofykids pointed out, bladder infections can make you VERY ILL. Please take your antibiotics or go back to your doctor. You may want to go back to your doctor anyways since you have gotten so much sicker.
Cipro is not in the same class as plaquenil. Cipro is a fluoroquinolone. It is an antibiotic. Plaquenil is considered an antimalarial. It is often used as an anti-inflammatory or immunomodulating agent.
Zith and amoxil are not typically used to treat UTI's or kidney infections. You will probably need to add another medicine to treat your infection. Let your doc know what you are taking for Lyme or temporarily stop your Lyme meds.
Cipro and Zith should not be taken together, can cause dangerous heart rhythm called prolonged QT.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Buy some D-Mannose, ASAP. It's over the counter. Found only in health food stores or online.
I buy mine thru Swanson's Vitamins. I take it twice a day and have not had a bladder infection in 2 yrs. That says a LOT since I have IC and am very prone to infections.
---get back to the Dr as you could be brewing a kidney infection now--
--I'm not aware of any eye risk with Cipro--
Posted by backintherain (Member # 14385) on :
oh wow! You all are right. I need to be serious about this. I get so worried about going to the doctor because I'm afraid they will yell at me for treating lyme disease.
My heartbeat is already irregular and zithromax has a 68 hour half life. Pharmacist says to wait a few days to start it.
Turns out that my white blood cell count is very low. No wonder my body hasn't been fighting this off. Lyme doctor wants me to stop all antibiotics (except whatever i take for the uti).
Meanwhile, I'm traveling for work.
Thanks for the ideas.
I had heard that d-mannose was not effective for enterococcus, so I hadn't tried it.
Amoxicillin was recommended by the lab who tested the urine, but maybe nothing works when you don't have a functional immune system.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
You can try drinking unsweetened cranberry juice.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Agreed Catgirl. Whole foods or any good health food store will have "cranberry concentrate" that is unsweetened, just dilute it with a little water. (But the "100% juice" kind isn't that sweet either, if you can't find the concentrate.)
Cranberry has a specific acid that stops UTIs in their tracks. Surely couldn't hurt, especially if you are out of reach of your doc.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Two things:
1.Cipro (and other abx) can cause a low WBC
2.D-Mannose can be found WITH added cranberry (pill form.. so no sugar)
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Tutu - What exactly is mannose? I've never heard of this, and am interested you say it works for you.
Posted by AlanaSuzanne (Member # 25882) on :
The company Bioimmersion has a line called �Therapeutic Foods� which has a supplement that contains cranberry and pomegranate extracts as well as D-Mannose and probiotics:
This product is only available from doctor�s offices. PM me and I will be happy to give more information. This supplement has been a godsend for me in terms of preventing UTIs/Kidney infections. BTW, I have no affiliation with this company.
As others have stated, Cipro and Plaquenil ARE NOT in the same family and UTIs can quickly turn into life-threatening kidney infections. As someone mentioned, Cipro is a fluoroquinolone.
Cipro is an excellent broad-spectrum medication for urinary tract infections. I would urge you to follow your doctor�s advice and take it. Be sure to also take magnesium supplements apart from when you take the Cipro to avoid the possibility of tendon damage.
And as someone also stated, please be aware of long QT syndrome. I have no firsthand knowledge of this but I think it would be prudent to consult your doc(s) ASAP as to whether you should d/c the zithromax until the UTI infection is fully resolved.
Please treat your UTI/brewing kidney infection ASAP.
You asked how to differentiate between a kidney infection and �just plain old lyme� Well, if you have a fever that is increasing, that�s a clue that you could have a kidney infection. If your fever reaches 101, 102, 103, 104 with shaking chills and you are extremely lethargic that�s another clue that you could have a kidney infection.
Please get yourself to the ER once you hit 101, if not beforehand. Do not wait for your fever to go beyond 102.
You also asked if anything will be positive on culture when you are taking abx. No, your urine culture will be negative if you are taking abx�even those abx that are not specific to the offending organism.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
D Mannose is used for treating UTI's, Aunty Lynn. I also take the form that has cranberry in it. The cranberry is more concentrated when you take it in capsules.
But if it gets bad enough, you still need the abx!
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
OK, I couldn't figure out why a substance that had all the earmarks of being a SUGAR (to whit: Mannitol), would be useful in treating UTIs!
Quote: Therapeutic uses D-mannose is sold as a naturopathic remedy for urinary tract infections, and it is claimed to work through the disruption of adherence of bacteria in the urinary tract.
This is exactly what I thought the acid in cranberry juice is supposed to be able to do - keep the bacteria from adhering to the bladder!
. . .There is potential benefit of cranberry juice consumption (300mL of cranberry juice per day) against bacterial infections in the urinary system.[32] Laboratory research shows that a possible effect may occur from a component of the juice inhibiting bacterial attachment to the bladder and urethra.[33][34][35]
The effect may not result from the acidic nature of polyphenols but possibly to a specific A type proanthocyanidin which is thought to inhibit adherence of Escherichia coli and other fimbriated bacteria to uroepithelial cells.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Right... Because I have IC, I cannot tolerate the cranberry. It causes pain.
So my Dr suggested the D-Mannose. Miracle for me!! Would rather not ingest the "sugar" but Dr said it was OK.
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
We can always use a few miracles around here! Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
I didn't read all of the posts, but two things: I second the recommendation for d-Mannose. It really works if it is e-coli, which is usually is.
Another thing to consider: I was having a non-stop what seemed to be bladder infection years ago while on Lyme & co tx. It turned out to be at least partially from Candida. So be sure that you are on Nystatin, ask for Diflucan, or at the least, take natural remedies for it, and see if that helps. I"m not saying not to take abx though.
My current doc rx's Nystatin 2 million units twice a day compounded (so as to not get all the dyes and fillers), and the double dose makes a HUGE difference in preventing Candida while on abx without having to take diflucan so much.
Posted by JeniferM (Member # 31996) on :
I've also used the Cranberry fruit capsules by Nature's Way when I feel my bladder become sore. I seem to tolerate it okay and I don't have to special order it because my local Health Food store carries it, which is really nice. I'll take 4 of them 3 times a day when it's bad. Although, there are times when nothing but an antibiotic will help, especially if you let it go too long.
There was something about the d-mannose that made me not be able to use it, but I can't remember now what that was.
On a different note... I think whatever I have causes my bladder to become raw and sore and then the infection sets in. The bladder issues seem to usually precede other flares for me. But, who knows, maybe it's just a delayed after-effect of the flare of whatever is causing it.
Posted by Haley (Member # 22008) on :
Cipro does treat enterococcus. Probably better than macrobid IMHO. Its a stubborn bacteria. I ended up trying something called Neeri (an indian herb) and that seemed to help the most. I'm not sure where you can find it.
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