Antibiotics for Disc Pain

[katwilson04]

I have been told by my surgeon that he might be putting me on to a 3 month course of antibiotics (Augmentin), to see if this helps the pain in my back. I wondered if anyone else has had this treatment, and if so any advice would be appreciated.

[Hidden]

Well, unless he's thinking that an infection is the underlying cause I can't see an possible reason why he would do that. After all, antibiotics are for treating infection...Having said that, apparently it's used for specific back pain. Have a look at this...

nhs.uk/news/2013/05May/Page...

[katwilson04 in reply to Hidden]

Jayne, that's exactly the article he showed me. He said there was a paper on antibiotics for treating back pain, and this may possibly ease the pain a little. He also think that's discitis is another cause, which is the infection of the discs.

[Hidden in reply to katwilson04]

Hi Kat,

Oh well that's good that he's given you something to explain it a little better. I certainly have never heard of it, but reading that article, it sounds like something that might help some people. I know that mine is bulging discs, so probably wouldn't work for me :0( I've never heard of discitis either, in all the 34 years of back problems, weird. Mind you I suppose that's what blood tests are for eh?

I hope it works for you!

[katwilson04 in reply to Hidden]

Jayne. I had never heard of discitis either, but this is what the Internet says en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dis.... I had bulging discs too, but had mine removed, have you had this procedure? Thank you for your kind responses, much appreciated. Will see what he says on Friday, and then see what happens next! Xx

[Hidden]

He may feel if the joints are inflamed and breaking down it may increase the white blood cells and reduce the swelling. We do take -TNF medications and also we take DMARD type drugs to stop the body attacking our joints. So I suppose it could be something like that. Of course this is my own opinion

One thing that may happen I suppose is taking antibiotics will effect your immune system so you could feel washed out over the given time.

I will read up on this myself as I am very interested to see the thinking behind it

BOB

[katwilson04 in reply to Hidden]

Hey Bob. Thanks for your reply. its seems not a lot of people know about this or have been on this course either. I'm fully expecting to be feeling rubbish for 3 months atleast, oh the Joys!!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I don't take anti-TNF or DMARD (whatever they are?), I have in the past taken NSAID's and they made it so that I now have to take acid suppressants! Have a look at the article I posted on my first reply to Kat, may explain things!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes been checking,

Thanks

BOB

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes been checking,

Thanks

BOB

[hamble99b]

I haven't had that, but have noticed that when I am on anti-biotics my back and shoulder pain reduces. Maybe there is something in it?

[katwilson04 in reply to hamble99b]

Here's hoping there is then. I have had antibiotics before, but not when I had my back problems, so this will be all new!

[Boozybird]

There was quite a stir in the press about it last year. Apparently docs can tell by looking at MRI whether it will work for some types of back pain.

[katwilson04 in reply to Boozybird]

Thanks! I never saw or read anything about this treatment, but yes I think your right the doctor/surgeon can tell from your scans.

[Danslatete]

Worth trying. I know a man who saw his son married but needed to go lay down for the evening bash. Next day was home and very sore. Within the week in HDU then intensive care. Had discitis and the infection had gone into c.s.f. And he was poorly for moths. He is on the road to recovery but going from being given courses of NSAID over the last few years with no relief lasting very long, there may have been a low grade infection for a while. It is the first time I came across this.

You are lucky that your gp is willing to give something completely different a try.

[katwilson04 in reply to Danslatete]

Thanks! This is very interesting. I'm glad he is recovering now. Can only try it and see how it goes. X

[johnsmith]

Some antibiotics are also extremely good anti inflamatories. As you will be on this drug for three months it is important to talk to the surgeon about the correct way to come of the drug after this period of time. If you come off cold turkey you could get a serious side effects.

Hope this helps

[katwilson04 in reply to johnsmith]

Ok great! That's good to know, I will remember to ask that next week. Can't have withdrawals again, so will definately be asking!

[Hidden]

Recent research has found that a high % of back pain and other joint pain is due to a condition called infective arthritis, where an infection sits in the joints and mimics arthritis. It is best cured with long term antibiotics. It's certainly worth excluding with antibiotic therapy. If the pain remains unchanged, then the drs will look for something else. It can also be incidentally diagnosed on a scan - looking for something else and finding that. Here's hoping

[Hidden]

How're you doing now?

[katwilson04 in reply to Hidden]

Just the same really. If anything I've probably got a little worse, but i have moved on to seeing Rheumatology for possible Fibromyalgia