What antibiotics can we take?

[Maxs9th]

I have a urinary tract infection. I am on Imuran. Had a hysterectomy in 2002 and they damaged my ureter so had to have reconstructive bladder, ureter surgery to fix it. I am always freaked when I get an ifection. I have an appointment tomorrow- can't get in to my doctor - have to see a resident and I know that she will be clueless as to what to prescribe. I know what I can't take...does anyone know if Sulfa drugs are ok?
Thanks,
Gabe

[loisba]

Sorry, Gabe, it can be pretty much an individual thing. I did find the following link for you: http://www.myasthenia.org/information/MedicationInformationCard.htm
You could print it out for your doctor. It is more what NOT to give you than what TO give. Maybe someone else has some better suggestions. I'll keep searching and see if I can come up with anything else.
I looked back in my pharmacy records, and see where my doctor has given me Doxycycline Hyclate (100MG), which I was able to take without problems. But of course, what one of us can take may give another one problems.
Hugs,

[wdwmomma]

Sulfa should be fine. I'm on them daily for UC. Why not have your doc call your neuro to ask what is ok? And yes it can be an individual thing. One that's on the "OK" list may still make you sick. More of a trial & error thing.

Wish I could help more....Feel Better Soon.

Blessings,
Connie

[Maxs9th]

Thanks...called the neuro and they weren't sure (scary) - we looked back at what they gave me for aspiration pneumonia and it was Augmentin. So I started on that last night and didn't have any problems.

[GodDreamer2007]

Unfortunately it is indeed a trial by error thing, but anything from the 'myacin'(sp) family can exasterbate MG. This spring and summer, I really educated myself on MG. Learn tons, and am still learning.

[vickinok]

http://www.mgauk.org/main/mgdrugs1.htm

[Ro from Vermont]

Ahhh, I just barely went through this situation. I too am on Imuran (also Methotrexate and IVIG), I am also allergic to most antibiotics that are MG "friendly", go figure.:rolleyes:

My primary put me on a drug called Nitrofurantoin aka Macrobid for 5 days.

I felt like crap (nausea, etc) the whole time I took it, but it cleared up the bladder infection really fast and did absolutely nothing to my MG!

UTIs suck, hope you feel better soon.

Best wishes,
Ro

[Maxs9th]

Hi Ro -
Thanks - they asked if I had taken Macrobid before and I hadn't - so maybe next time. I finally feel human again. The UTI has been gone for a week but I felt exhausted and weak. I took the day off from work yesterday and slept and feel good today. I am on a higher dose of Imuran since August and I just keep getrtting sick - I also get IVIg every two weeks. How's the Methotrexate? I still have a great deal of weakness in my hands and arms and he has talked about adding something else.
Gabrielle

[Ro from Vermont]

Hi Gabrielle,
Methotrexate has been great. I must have a cast iron stomach because I seem to tolerate two drugs that seem to kill other peoples' stomachs really well.
I'm on 100 mg of Imuran. Tried to lower, but my breathing started to tank. My neuro commented several times that in the 23 yrs I've taken Imuran, we can never get below 100 mg. without an issue. Usually, it's my swallow.

I'm on 20 mg. of Methotrexate. I started at 7.5 & went up 2.5 mg every 6 weeks (after labs) for a year. 20 mg was the highest the neuro will go.
It's an easy drug. Take Folic Acid every day except the day you take the MTX. I dose on Fridays, in case it does ever make me sick.That way i won't miss doctor's appointments.

Lots of antibiotic interactions with MTX and NO NSAIDS,but in my case, it doesn't matter. I'm allergic to most ABs and also allergic to aspirin, so no NSAIDs anyway.:D

I've also started taking cranberry supplements, after this UTI (only my second and the first I ever had blood in), neuro thinks it will help and so far, so good.

Some neuros won't do Imuran and MTX, but my neuro feels we have tried everything else, so why not? And it has worked!

Still get my IVIG biweekly and that's the glue that holds it all together.

Best wishes,
Ro