Re: antibiotics prior to dentist appointment

[Guest guest]

Actually it is my hepatologist and not my dentist that said I needed

these antibiotics. My heart is fine and I have never had to take any

before I got the transplant so I thought it had something to do with

that.

Thanks for the atricle. I will take a look at it.

Pat (CA)

>

> When in doubt dentist's recommend antibiotics.

> The purpose of antibiotics is to prevent heart valve infections. If

> there is a heart murmur on exam or abnormal valve on echocardiogram

> then antiboitic are valuable.

> If a dentist is asked about antibiotic after transplant it is easier

> to give antibiotics than to look up a patient's medical record and

> look at the latest guidelines.

>

> Here is information about the guidelines:

>

http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/diseasemanagement/infectiousdiseas

e/prophylaxis/prophylaxis.htm

> http://216.185.112.5/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4436

[Guest guest]

Prophylactic antibiotics prior to invasive procedures (ie, dental work,

colonoscopies, etc) are mandatory for transplant recipients because of

the increased risk of infection. While infected heart valves may be

part of the issue, the main problem is risk of septicemia (wide spread,

blood born infections) due to working in areas where there are a lot of

bacteria. As you may know, the mouth contains many very virulent

bacteria that are kept in check by saliva, and gastric secretions (when

swallowed) but will enter your blood during dental cleaning or other

dental procedures. I'm sure it's even easier to easier to imagine what

might happen during the biopsies that are routinely part of a

colonoscopy. Take the drugs and save yourself a lot of misery and

perhaps even death.

Aubrey, MD

PSC '81, UC '90, LTX '98, Recurrence '05

[Guest guest]

Prophylactic antibiotics prior to invasive procedures (ie, dental work,

colonoscopies, etc) are mandatory for transplant recipients because of

the increased risk of infection. While infected heart valves may be

part of the issue, the main problem is risk of septicemia (wide spread,

blood born infections) due to working in areas where there are a lot of

bacteria. As you may know, the mouth contains many very virulent

bacteria that are kept in check by saliva, and gastric secretions (when

swallowed) but will enter your blood during dental cleaning or other

dental procedures. I'm sure it's even easier to easier to imagine what

might happen during the biopsies that are routinely part of a

colonoscopy. Take the drugs and save yourself a lot of misery and

perhaps even death.

Aubrey, MD

PSC '81, UC '90, LTX '98, Recurrence '05

[Guest guest]

pej_jones wrote:

>

> I'm having my first dentist appointment since my transplant tomorrow

> and the doctor has told me that I need to take a large dose of

> antibiotics an hour before. ....

>

> ..... Has anyone had any problems

> from taking such a high dose?

Due to a heart murmur, my husband has to take antibiotics whenever he

has dental work. For years he was told to take the antibiotic 3 times a

day for 3 days (day before, day of, and day following the procedure).

Then, about 8 years ago, he was told to take only the one massive dose

an hour before the procedure. He ended up sick as a dog and I honestly

thought they were going to have to admit him to the hospital. It was

about 10 days before he was himself again. That was quite enough for

him! He will never again take a single massive dose. Our dentist has

no problem with his using the 3-day regimen.

Obviously, his situation is not a transplant situation and I cannot

speak to how much difference it might make. Listen to Aubrey's advice

-- take the pills and don't risk extreme complications.

Perhaps with your sensitive stomach, they could give it to you in an

injection?

Regards,

Carolyn B. in SC

[Guest guest]

pej_jones wrote:

>

> I'm having my first dentist appointment since my transplant tomorrow

> and the doctor has told me that I need to take a large dose of

> antibiotics an hour before. ....

>

> ..... Has anyone had any problems

> from taking such a high dose?

Due to a heart murmur, my husband has to take antibiotics whenever he

has dental work. For years he was told to take the antibiotic 3 times a

day for 3 days (day before, day of, and day following the procedure).

Then, about 8 years ago, he was told to take only the one massive dose

an hour before the procedure. He ended up sick as a dog and I honestly

thought they were going to have to admit him to the hospital. It was

about 10 days before he was himself again. That was quite enough for

him! He will never again take a single massive dose. Our dentist has

no problem with his using the 3-day regimen.

Obviously, his situation is not a transplant situation and I cannot

speak to how much difference it might make. Listen to Aubrey's advice

-- take the pills and don't risk extreme complications.

Perhaps with your sensitive stomach, they could give it to you in an

injection?

Regards,

Carolyn B. in SC

[Guest guest]

Just to add to what others have said, I had a liver

transplant in 2000 and always have antibiotics prior to dental work. I was told

that one of the most common ways to get rejection is due to dental type

infections and therefore I stick to what I’ve been told.

I have never had a problem with the large dose, I presume

because it’s a one –off.

Hope it goes ok.

Best wishes,

Debbie Eady

AIH 1979. TX 2000. PSC 2005.

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[Guest guest]

Just to add to what others have said, I had a liver

transplant in 2000 and always have antibiotics prior to dental work. I was told

that one of the most common ways to get rejection is due to dental type

infections and therefore I stick to what I’ve been told.

I have never had a problem with the large dose, I presume

because it’s a one –off.

Hope it goes ok.

Best wishes,

Debbie Eady

AIH 1979. TX 2000. PSC 2005.

--

No virus found in this outgoing message.

Checked by AVG Free Edition.

Version: 7.1.407 / Virus Database: 268.13.1/466 - Release Date: 07/10/2006

[Guest guest]

Thanks, everyone for your replies. I took my ammoxicillan just like I

was suppose to (4 pill 1 hour before) on Saturday morning and got

through the appointment just fine. I actually felt OK all day Saturday.

I woke up Sunday not feeling 100% (upset stomach) but it wasn't to bad.

They didn't want to stress me out to much so they decide to finish up

in a few weeks otherwise everything looked good and went OK.

Pat (CA)

>

> I'm having my first dentist appointment since my transplant tomorrow

> and the doctor has told me that I need to take a large dose of

> antibiotics an hour before. I have a very sensitive stomach and I'm

> concerned that such a high dose might make me sick. (No, fun)

>

> Does anyone know why this is even needed? Has anyone had any problems

> from taking such a high dose?

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, everyone for your replies. I took my ammoxicillan just like I

was suppose to (4 pill 1 hour before) on Saturday morning and got

through the appointment just fine. I actually felt OK all day Saturday.

I woke up Sunday not feeling 100% (upset stomach) but it wasn't to bad.

They didn't want to stress me out to much so they decide to finish up

in a few weeks otherwise everything looked good and went OK.

Pat (CA)

>

> I'm having my first dentist appointment since my transplant tomorrow

> and the doctor has told me that I need to take a large dose of

> antibiotics an hour before. I have a very sensitive stomach and I'm

> concerned that such a high dose might make me sick. (No, fun)

>

> Does anyone know why this is even needed? Has anyone had any problems

> from taking such a high dose?

>

[Guest guest]

I thought that i would need to mention my sitiuation,

too.

I did start taking ammoxicillin, 4 pills, both prior

and after procedures, only few months ago and for the

first time, when I was asked by a new dentist, when

mentioning my Heart Murmur, for an authorization from

my regular physician, plus an antibiotic prescription

to be taken for any work that would be done on me.

Because I was never treated for that condition, I

thought that the heart murmur is something minor,

specially compared to my left side chest pain, that I

do experience sometimes, on a scale that have made me

run to the ER, few times, but was determined to be

mostly, stress/emotions, related and that the large

dose of antibiotics before the dental work might be

harmful to my stomach, I tried to get out of the

medicine but they insist. Now, after reading the many

e-mails on the subject, I am so glad that I do.

PSC/UC

--- Deb in VA wrote:

> I've done this all of my life since I have a heart

> murmer. It can make

> your stomach a little queasy - I eat mine with food.

> The hardest part

> is getting the large pills down. If I remember my

> last time, it was

> four capsules of ammoxicillan prior to the

> appointment and another

> four pills afterwards for a total of eight

> pills...As far as

> antibiotic doses go, sure it is a lot at once, but

> it isn't like

> you're doing a " big gun " antibiotic...

>

> HTH,

> Deb in VA

> PSC 1998, UC 1999, Listed Ltx 2001, LDLTX 5/19/2005

>

>

>

> > Does anyone know why this is even needed? Has

> anyone had any

> problems

> > from taking such a high dose?

> >

>

>

>

>

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