Antibiotics - need help

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I am hoping to get some guidance about antibiotics. I remember

someone/several people saying that Dr. Cohen said not to take

erythromycin, or any other antibiotics that end in " mycin " . I have

been playing ostrich about my sinus infection, and trying to clear it

up without antibiotics because I did not want to get into an argument

with the doctors about what antibiotic to take or not take. However, I

am sick enough with this infection to realize that I must ask for

something. Anyone with experience with sinus infections, or

antibiotics, in general, I would appreciate your thoughts. Always with

the disclaimer, that we are not docs, but, what has helped you without

bad side-effects? What antibiotics are ok for us to take, what has

worked for you?

BTW, in the past, when I needed antibiotics, I seemed to be weak for a

long time afterwards. But, of course, it is not certain whether it

is the antibiotic or the infection that is causing the decline. I just

don't seem to get the benefit from antibiotics that my friends do.

Thanks and Regards

Sunny

[Guest guest]

Sunny, Here is the paragraph I give my doctors when they are considering

antibiotics for me. It is from an article by Dr. Cohen. I have pasted this

paragraph onto the same page as the list of contraindicated meds from Cohen

et al and I carry this sheet in my emergency packet. I too have had problems

with many antibiotics. For me, it's trial and error and I always dread

infections for this reason. I hope you find one that works and is safe for

you.

Barbara

Cohen BH. Mitochondrial Cytopathies.

" There is an increasing interest regarding medications that are toxic to

mitochondria. Because bacteria and mitochondria share a common genetic

anthropology, including similar structures to their replication mechanisms

and structure of their rRNA, some antibiotics should be avoided. The

aminoglycosides and chloramphenicol are well known examples that have been

associated with deafness and liver failure respectively. The penicillins and

cephalosporin drugs are safe given their mechanism of action. There is

little research on other antibiotics, so symptoms should be monitored

closely, especially if there will be prolonged use of drugs that interfere

with bacterial DNA replication, transcription, or translation. Regardless,

appropriate antibiotics should not be withheld in situations where there are

no alternatives. The reverse transcriptase inhibitors used in the treatment

of HIV infections are well known mitochondrial toxins. Valproate has been

associated with liver failure in patients with mitochondrial disease, and

therefore we avoid the use of this medication. However, this medication has

been used safely and there remains disagreement among experts regarding the

use in mitochondrial diseases. Some general anesthetics such as propofol

and the barbiturates inhibit mitochondrial respiration in experimental

models. For practical purposes, volatile anesthetics appear to be tolerated

in most patients unless there are other contraindications. Propofol has been

used safely for short surgical procedures, but we avoid the use of prolonged

administration for long surgical cases of the treatment of status

epilepticus. "

Here is the list of contraindicated drugs as I have it in my packet:

MEDICATIONS CONTRAINDICATED IN MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE

Source: Bruce Cohen, MD, Shoffner, MD, and United Mitochondrial Disease

Foundation

--Sodium Valproate and barbiturates-inhibit the respiratory chain and have

occasionally been shown to precipitate hepatic failure in respiratory enzyme

deficient children.

--Tetracyclines and chloramphenicol-inhibit protein synthesis.

--Tetracycline and erythromycin-destabilize riboflavin and should not be

taken with this cofactor.

--Acetaminophen-induces caspases-dependent apoptosis with mitochondria as

primary target.

--Benzodiazepines-inhibit adenosine nucleotide translocase

--Propofol and/or lipid carrier-inhibits mitochondrial function

--Halothane-increased risk for heart rhythm disturbance

--Nitrous Oxide-neurotoxic, possibly by increasing nitric oxide production

which inhibits cisacotinase and iron-containing electron transport enzymes

affecting energy production.

--Non-depolarizing agents-increased sensitivity to the paralytic effects and

prolonged responses reported.

--Bupivacain uncouples oxidation and phosphorlyation.

--Lactated Ringer's solution-(ringer's Lactate)-contains lactic acid.

--Depolarizing agents such as succinylcholine.

--Phenobarbital-potential mitochondrial toxin.

--Hormonal birth control

--Aminoglycosides-tobramycin, streptomycin, gentamicin---ototoxic for some

forms of mitochondrial cytopathies.

--Ergotamines-negative impact on hepatic function

--Neuroleptic drugs such as haloperidol, chlorpromazine and thiothixene.

--Lipitor (and all statins) -depletes CoQ10 from the cells.

--Steriods-only when absolutely necessary and in a low dosage for a short

period of time.

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of z39z@...

Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2005 1:44 PM

To:

Subject: Antibiotics - need help

Hello,

I am hoping to get some guidance about antibiotics. I remember

someone/several people saying that Dr. Cohen said not to take

erythromycin, or any other antibiotics that end in " mycin " . I have

been playing ostrich about my sinus infection, and trying to clear it

up without antibiotics because I did not want to get into an argument

with the doctors about what antibiotic to take or not take. However, I

am sick enough with this infection to realize that I must ask for

something. Anyone with experience with sinus infections, or

antibiotics, in general, I would appreciate your thoughts. Always with

the disclaimer, that we are not docs, but, what has helped you without

bad side-effects? What antibiotics are ok for us to take, what has

worked for you?

BTW, in the past, when I needed antibiotics, I seemed to be weak for a

long time afterwards. But, of course, it is not certain whether it

is the antibiotic or the infection that is causing the decline. I just

don't seem to get the benefit from antibiotics that my friends do.

Thanks and Regards

Sunny

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_____

[Guest guest]

There are articles in the Mitochondrion journal about erythromycin

affecting mitochondrial proteins (in addition to bacterial proteins,

which is its mode of action I believe). I was on erythromycin many

times in my childhood, so sometimes I wonder if that caused my mito.

On the other hand, I don't have much of a choice as I am allergic to

penicillin. I usually take Zithromax (azithromycin?) lately, and

haven't had any trouble with it, even took it when pregnant.

Have you tried guanefesin (sp?) with codeine cough syrup (or just

Mucinex, which has the first ingredient only and is OTC)? It's

helped me to get over sinus/bronchial infections with or in addition

to antibiotics (sometimes I have to take more than one course).

Take care,

RH

> Hello,

>

> I am hoping to get some guidance about antibiotics. I remember

> someone/several people saying that Dr. Cohen said not to take

> erythromycin, or any other antibiotics that end in " mycin " . I have

> been playing ostrich about my sinus infection, and trying to clear

it

> up without antibiotics because I did not want to get into an

argument

> with the doctors about what antibiotic to take or not take.

However, I

> am sick enough with this infection to realize that I must ask for

> something. Anyone with experience with sinus infections, or

> antibiotics, in general, I would appreciate your thoughts. Always

with

> the disclaimer, that we are not docs, but, what has helped you

without

> bad side-effects? What antibiotics are ok for us to take, what has

> worked for you?

>

> BTW, in the past, when I needed antibiotics, I seemed to be weak

for a

> long time afterwards. But, of course, it is not certain whether

it

> is the antibiotic or the infection that is causing the decline. I

just

> don't seem to get the benefit from antibiotics that my friends do.

>

> Thanks and Regards

>

> Sunny