The past 6 months or so I have developed chronic/recurring type pouchitis. I was already taking sulfasalazine and Cimzia for my enteropathic arthritis. I would take Flagyl for the occasional pouchitis bouts and Canasa for occasional cuffitis.

 

Since beginning this more recurrent pouchitis, my GI agreed that rotating and pulsing Cipro and Flagyl as needed was a good plan. It is working out  that I can stay off antibiotics for up to two weeks before symptoms return and I resume antibiotics for 10-20 days. I also take Pepto Bismol 3 times a day. I recently was on vacation in the Canadian Rockies and was able to stay off antibiotics the whole time. Of course, I relapsed as soon as I got home  I just started Cipro today.

 

Jan

Meds are ever changing it seems-- right now I'm on nitroglycerin and nifedipine ointment on the rectal area to decrease the pressure. Pouchitis flared up which caused straining to empty pouch which caused fissure which causes sharp intense pain. These meds are helping a great deal. I am also exercising daily for mental health which is my best and favorite medicine.

I've been rotating combination of antibiotics; Cipro &  Augmentin and then Flagyl and Augmentin; I switch every couple of weeks.  I don't feel well when I combine Cipro and Flagyl.  Flagyl and Cipro on their own don't usually work for me.

 

I haven't used Xifaxan since last year.  

 

I'm like Jan, I can go off of the meds and the pouchitis will come back in about 2 weeks.

What do you do for yeast infections? This is a problem for me. All antibiotics give me one. How can I continually be on something?

I get Thrush (yeast overgrowth) when I take Flagyl for long periods of time, I end up treating the Thrush with Fluconazole.

I started rotating antibiotics recently on a 7-10 day basis and I haven't had that issue with yeast overgrowth.  Knock on wood