[ByYourSide]

Re: Antibiotics post stem cell transplant

by ByYourSide on Mon Nov 23, 2015 8:41 pm

Radiant Tiger,

My husband has been on the Bactrim 3 times a week since September, and all is well now. He will continue on Bactrim for another few months, along with the acyclovir (400 mg) 3 times a day. This is the protocol for Dana-Farber. My husband does eat yogurt daily and doesn't have any other GI issues from the antibiotic.

It has been 3 1/2 months since his ASCT and he is doing well, all things considered. His appetite has returned to normal and he says he feels more like "himself" again.

Hope your recovery goes well also but it is a lesson in patience. Just enjoy the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday; there is much to be grateful for!

[CabinGirl]

Re: Antibiotics post stem cell transplant

by CabinGirl on Tue Nov 24, 2015 6:14 pm

I was prescribed Bactrim for the first 100 days post transplant. I had mild headaches from the Bactrim almost every day. I was glad when Day 100 arrived. Both my local oncologist and my Mayo specialist also have me taking acyclovir 2/day and penicillin 2/day. They've suggested I will stay on acyclovir and penicillin for up to 2 years. I am currently receiving Velcade (subQ) every 2 weeks. I've not had one infection, cold, or anything since my auto SCT in February. I'm tolerating Velcade quite well.

[Lev]

Re: Antibiotics post stem cell transplant

by Lev on Tue Nov 24, 2015 7:19 pm

Hi Cabingirl,

Do you know why you are getting penicillin for two years?

[RadiantTiger]

Re: Antibiotics post stem cell transplant

by RadiantTiger on Tue Nov 24, 2015 10:45 pm

Well it's interesting to see all the different protocols for antibiotics. I think I'd like the Denmark approach. I will see if I can come up with a compromise with my doctors. Maybe the first 3 months instead of 6 months. I am so tired of daily nausea. It's really wearing me down. But yes, patience ... one does not recover overnight from a transplant.

RT

[Lev]

Re: Antibiotics post stem cell transplant

by Lev on Wed Nov 25, 2015 1:20 pm

There may of course be reasons of some sort that make the doctor give penicillin/antibiotics without an specific indication. But it sound strange to me to give it during prolonged periods without knowing which bacteria you are trying to fight.
Many of the medications are fighting specific infections.
The broad specter treatments are very important in unsecified life threatening situations and the risk of creating multi resistant bacteria is a serious treat to all if us.
I am NOT an expert, but my wife was a doctor and worked with respiratory problems. She was very worried by what she saw as misuse of antibiotics.

The Mayo clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/antibiotics/art-20045720
And http://www.nps.org.au/medicines/infections-and-infestations/antibiotics/for-individuals/what-is-antibiotic-resistance

Another problem is that many antibiotics will attack healthy/needed bacteria and may weaken you. And when weakened you may be more vulnerable to virus ... And while many patients want antibiotics when hit by a virus ... They have no antiviral effect.

So it is a complicated issue.

Best regards

Lev