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Suggest Treatment For Infection In Terminal Ileum

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Posted on Wed, 28 Jan 2015
Question: Hello,
I had an ER visit on 12/25. After a CT scan, i was diagnosed with a 9cm infection in the terminal ileum. My white cell count was high at the time, as well as a slight fever. My doctor proscribed 500mg of Ciprofloxacin twice a day, and 500mg of Metronidazole four times a day. I'm on day 5 of this regimen. Additional info: male. 28 yrs old. 168 lbs. My questions are:

*Is this a lot? I feel like Im taking too many antibiotics
*When can I get back to exercising? I typically lift weights and do core workouts, but was just warned about the tendon issues on cipro.
*My neck has been stiffer than usual and ive had a achey lower left back. Two days into the regimen I was experiencing a dull electric feeling from my left hip to my big toe, but that has since stopped. Should I stop taking the cipro?

I forgot to mention:

"My doctor proscribed 500mg of Ciprofloxacin twice a day, and 500mg of Metronidazole four times a day. I'm on day 5 of this regimen." This is a 10 day course.

I originally went in for sharp pain to the right of the navel, tender and swollen right abdomen, painful bloating, and feeling like I needed to pass gas, but couldn't. The initial thought was appendicitis, but the CT scan proved that wrong.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Normal dosage for moderate to severe intestinal infections

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for asking Health care magic forum.

I have gone through your query. The dosage of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole is normal for moderate to severe intestinal infections.
While taking ciprofloxacin you should have a proper rest. You shouldn't do any exercises as it can cause a tendon rupture or tendinitis. If you get any symptoms of that like pain on extending joints then approach your doctor for changing to another drug.
Metronidazole can cause intestinal discomfort by killing the normal flora also.You can get bloating, constipation or pain. In such case a probiotic also should be taken. I advise in such cases with probiotics like sacharomyces boulardi. It is better not to drive vehicles or use machinery as metronidazole can interrupt fine co-ordination of activities. Vitamin B complex deficiency also can occur which might give you the tingling feeling, so vitamin B complex supplement also should be taken.

About you discomfort on neck and back you can check with your doctor to rule out any possibility of tendinitis. If that is clear then you can continue the drugs. But you should take rest from hard physical exertion. It is better to give a two week interval before starting your normal exercises after finishing the antibiotics.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (10 hours later)
Thank you very much for your response. My doctor is notoriously bad about getting back to his patience, but I'll try (again) to get a hold of him and see if my neck is just stiff or if it is tendionitis.

What are some symptoms of tendinitis I should be on the look out for in the mean time? Are there any symptoms of either antibiotic I should know of that might be a problem or emergency?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Hi and welcome again.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your follow up query.

Tendonitis is usually presented with pain on affected area,swelling with warm or redness,mild lumpy appearance and restriction of motion. In case of tendon rupture you may feel a split or a gap on line of tendon.

Tendonitis in those who taking ciprofloxacin is reported when they do hard physical exertion.

Metronidazole can cause dysbacteriosis which can be controlled by taking probiotics also. Other side effects are not alarming ones. Some get ECG variations. In case of any palpitation or chest pain you should report .But that also very rare. Alcohol should be avoided must when taking metronidazole.

There are no drugs with out side effects. But alarming side effects are rare in both of these antibiotics in therapeutic concentration. As you are in therapeutic concentrations no need to worry about that.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.

Thanks.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Nishad BN

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 5482 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Infection In Terminal Ileum

Brief Answer: Normal dosage for moderate to severe intestinal infections Detailed Answer: Hi Thank you for asking Health care magic forum. I have gone through your query. The dosage of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole is normal for moderate to severe intestinal infections. While taking ciprofloxacin you should have a proper rest. You shouldn't do any exercises as it can cause a tendon rupture or tendinitis. If you get any symptoms of that like pain on extending joints then approach your doctor for changing to another drug. Metronidazole can cause intestinal discomfort by killing the normal flora also.You can get bloating, constipation or pain. In such case a probiotic also should be taken. I advise in such cases with probiotics like sacharomyces boulardi. It is better not to drive vehicles or use machinery as metronidazole can interrupt fine co-ordination of activities. Vitamin B complex deficiency also can occur which might give you the tingling feeling, so vitamin B complex supplement also should be taken. About you discomfort on neck and back you can check with your doctor to rule out any possibility of tendinitis. If that is clear then you can continue the drugs. But you should take rest from hard physical exertion. It is better to give a two week interval before starting your normal exercises after finishing the antibiotics. Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear. Thanks.