I have been on Cipro for two years now. I first took it when I developed a vaginal fistula, and the fistula healed . . . so my gastro agreed it would probably be a good maintenance regime to stay on it. But now I am wondering if I could discontinue it safely, since I have had no signs of fistula since then. I am also wondering if I needed it again if the fact I had discontinued it would mean it would be less effective, kind of like Remicade is less effective because of antibodies after it is discontinued.

I would love to try to get off Cipro to see if it would help with my neuropathy, as my neurologist believes mine is caused by some of the meds I am on. The other med is Pentasa. . . and I am thinking I might be paying with fire to discontinue both my mesalamine and my Cipro to try to save my nerves.

I feel like I am stuck between a rock and hard place, and I really wish I could have more control over my own destiny with this disease and all its "friends." As the nerves in my feet continue to die off, I really fear that I will lose my ability to walk without great difficulty. That thought is not very pleasant to me, as I once used to carry 35# on my back every week-end to go backpacking and mountaineering! Now all I want to do is just be able to walk without pain and relax at night without regretting having been on my feet earlier in the day!

It's more likely to become less effective the longer you stay on it. Coming off for a period helps to prevent you developing a tolerance to it.

My pharmacist recommended rotating my antibiotics so I don't become resistant to them. I switch around between about 4 of them depending on what I think I need. My doc gives me alot of leeway....
LoriP

Lori P: Please tell me which 4 antibiotics you rotate. I have possibly become resistant to cipro and need other suggestions for my GE.

Fogdi,

I have been rotating Cipro and Flagyl with Xifaxin and then Amoxicillin. I rotate every few weeks to a month.

Well, I bounce around Levaquin, Flagyl, Amoxicillin, Tindamax , I prefer levaquin or amoxicillin. Alot of folks do well on Xifaxin, but I got flu-like symptoms on that, although Xifaxin is less likely to have side effects for most people. My doc gives me alot of leeway, (sp) Sometimes he has me mix them up, one day 3 does Flagyl, the next day 2 doses Flagyl and 1 dose Levaquin. Sometimes if I can tell the pouchitis is coming, starting to leak, feeling a little off, he'll just have me take low dose amoxicillin every other day to bring down bacteria level. I am always on VSL DS. I guess we kind of play it by ear, I'm fortunate to have a family doc that is willing to work outside the box. Hope this helps you.
LoriP

Lori,

What are your symptoms? Is it just bowel or leaking issues? I have weakness, achy joints, flu-like symptoms and a little bit of bowel symptoms like more frequency and burning, but it's mainly the systemic symptoms that bother me. Do you have these? I asked my doctor about rotating antibiotics and he told me the opposite, that he thought I would develop resistance to them. . . and just keeps me on erythromycin and Zithromax. I often wonder if amoxicillin would work better. How will I know if I don't try? The erythromycin and Zithromax aren't working as well for me anymore, think I'm getting resistant to them. I sure don't like having to take so much antibiotics.

Barbara

Debra,

My doctor believes you can sucessfully go from long-term cipro use to VSL. He has several "pouch patients" that made that transition. He originally wanted me to use cipro for at least 6 months and then taper the amount of cipro and eventually transfer to VSL. I tried it but had problems after the first week. He then switched me to flagyl. I had problems with that too. I was getting severe yeast infections. My tongue turned white and I was very gasey. I asked for the VSL instead. He wanted me to try another antibiotic. I told him NO! So far VSL is making a difference.

Good luck. I wouldn't hurt to give it a try.