[candi77]

Hi everyone,

I have recently been told to take bactrim an antibiotic alongside my cytoxan treatments. My kidney doc has it written out for once a day throughtout my treatments. (I think that is way too much). My rumy said to take it three times a week. I'm going to call her and get a clarification. I rather take it three times a week (stil think it is too much). I know the purpose of this is to prevent lung infections but long term antibiotic use can also leave your body open to the very thing your trying to prevent. Several studies have been done showing the dangers of over using this. Has anyone else done this with their cytoxan treatmetnt? I have never read of anyone on here using this protocol.

Candice

 

[raggedyann1]

Candice,

I don't have experience with Cytoxan but wanted to reply that I don't remember ever seeing it mentioned here on the boards. You might do a search of this forum and also a google search of anti-biotics and cytoxan.
I would be a bit concerned about taking it everyday. I guess one questions I would ask is who do you consider to be the main doctor on your team of doctors? I always tell new specialists that I consider my rheumy to be my main doctor and that he needs to be kept up to date and has veto power over treatments.

Have you had trouble before the Cytoxan with getting lots of infections? Some of us tend to get every bug that flies through the door than others do. I know when I was first on Enbrel and still taking Arava and Methotrexate I was getting sick all the time. However much of what I came down with was viral and not bacterial in nature.

Let us know how you get on and what you find out about the protocol.

Take care,
karen

 

[samour]

Hi Candice

My daughter was on cytoxin/cyclophosamide treatments from the summer into the fall. She also was perscribed a antibiotic 3 times a wk. m/w/f/ until her treatments were finished. Cytoxin is really hard on your system and lowers your blood counts, the antibiotic is a safe guard against infection. Sarah's last treatment was on Feb. 6th she had 7 treatment of cyclo.

Hope this answers your question

Sharon
Daughter has CNS Lupus,Brain,APS

 

[SoCalEric]

I've been through chemo twice, with two different nephrologists, and never was put on antibiotics as a preventative measure. I CAN see why they might want to. About a week or two after chemo your white cells will drop big time. I caught a cold during this time once and ended up hospitalized for a week, feeling horrible, with a white count of 10. After that I was just VERY careful after chemo. Didn't shake hands, carried sanitizer with me everywhere and was very careful to keep my hands away from my face. After chemo I did have blood drawn twice a week, to make sure my counts didn't get too low.
I still remember that cold (happened the first time I had chemo, about 14 years ago). I felt horrible, so went to see my Rumy. He gave me a perscription for an antibiotic , took blood, and sent me home. When I got home my phone was ringing, it was my Doc., he had got the blood results back and was wondering how in the world I was still on my feet and told me to get to the hospital ASAP. I ended up in isolation for a few days, got a shot in my gut with a HUGE needle every morning, IV antibiotics. Not a fun experience.

Eric

 

[Reggie]

I have been on Bactrim for just over a year now. I have had this antibiotic since I started Cylco treatment and now Rituxan and cyclo together. I curretly only take it 3 times a week. I have had some infections, but never chest infections

I wish you well
Peta