I was diagnosed with Pouchitis just over a week ago via scope at the hospital. My specialist prescribed me 400mg of Flagyl 3 times daily in combo with 250mg of Cipro 2 times daily for 3 weeks. This seems extreme to me. After 10 days I couldnt tolerate this dosage anymore and contacted my specialist. I had lost my appetite with nausea and a metallic taste in my mouth. I was told to stop taking the Flagyl and keep on taking the Cipro. After 24 hrs of stopping the Flagyl those side effects are fading. My pouch is now functioning well now also which is the main thing. I would like to hear of other peoples treatments and experiences. I guess its trial and error?

It is absolutely trial and error. I have taken antibiotics for 15 years to treat pouchitis. I rotate the antibiotics because any one will lose its effectiveness over time. Right now I am taking 500 mg Cipro twice daily and 500 mg flagyl twice daily. I tolerate flagyl well. Xifaxin and augmentin also work well for me as does levacquin. With xifaxin I have to take 6 200 mg tabs daily. Xifaxin is an antibiotic that is not absorbed in your system and stays in your gut so the chances for side effects are less. The dosages sometimes have to be adjusted and if I am feeling really good sometimes I will cut back or miss a dose on purpose. It is all trial and error. Good luck.

Hi DJBHusky
Thank you very much for your reply it is nice to know that I can rotate antibiotic treatment with some alternatives. The Flagyl obviously doesnt agree with me as I am feeling good 48 hrs after I stopped taking it. I have been a J-Poucher since 2004 and was diagnosed with UC at 19 yrs and am now 38.

That does sound a little extreme to me for just starting out. I could understand if you weren't responding well to less meds, but not sure why it is being treated so agressively. My doc prefers not to put people on Flagyl to start if Cipro can take care of it since Flagyl has so many more side effects. The highest dosage I was ever on was Cipro twice daily (500mg tabs), which was more than enough for me. I actually did much better on 1 tablet a day. I'm off antibiotics for the first time in over 3 months so we'll see how things go.

Hopefully just the Cipro will be plenty for you and you'll be back to normal and off the meds in a few days :-)

Thanks clz81 for your reply. I am feeling good now that I stopped taking the Flagyl 4 days ago but am still taking 250mg of Cipro twice daily until they are finished which will be another week. My pouch is emptying about 4 times a day which is great I think. It is great to hear from people that understand.