Dear Dr. Stoll,
I was recently diagnosed by a nurse practioner with a pelvic infection (not STD) and took anitboitics for 7 days. The infection did not go away and now she wants me to take a strong antiboitic for 10 days. My question is what can I take instead of antiboitics for this infection?
Thank you for your help,
Nora
Follow Ups:
Re: pelvic infection (wrong, or inadequate, diagnosis?)
Posted by Walt Stoll on February 21, 1999 at 10:55:20:
In Reply to: pelvic infection posted by Nora Dephen on February 20, 1999 at 11:27:07:
Dear Nora,
The chances are that the diagnosis is wrong. Statistics show that more than 75% of all "PID" diagnoses are wrong.
The swelling & tenderness found on the pelvic exam (along with the history by the patient) are most commonly caused by what has been known for more than 30 years: "pelvic congestion syndrome".
This eventually will cause recurrent PID,infertility, retroverted uterus, irregular menses, painful intercourse, etc. However, it is usually present for years before these complications occur.
PCS is caused by the same levator ani "bracing" that causes all IC and nearly all prostatosis & hemorrhoids. ALSO, PCS can be chronically caused by having sexual excitement WITHOUT the release of orgasm.
True PID is almost universally resolved by the adequate dose of penicillin or erythromycin for 7 days. When it does not clear, the next step is NOT more antibiotics but a better diagnosis.
Can you tell me nore about where you fit in this?
Walt
Follow Ups:
Re: pelvic infection (wrong, or inadequate, diagnosis?)
Posted by Nora Dephen (more info) on February 21, 1999 at 21:06:40:
In Reply to: Re: pelvic infection (wrong, or inadequate, diagnosis?) posted by Walt Stoll on February 21, 1999 at 10:55:20:
Dear Dr. Stoll,
Thank you for your response. I will give you more info about my condition. I have had painful menstral cramps for several years. I have been on birth control pills for some time that have helped, but during the past year the cramps have worsened. During the past four months they have been worse before and during my period. I am 36 years old - by the way. Also, I have felt some pain during intercourse during the past couple of months. On my last pelvic exam that is the cause of my concern my nurse (I am a student and went to a clinic) said I had a pelvic infection. My cervix was bleeding easily upon exam and there were many WBC's. The nurse assumed I had a STD (clamidia) although I told her this was unlikely. She gave me a shot of antiboitics and also I took Doxycycline Hyclate 100 MG twice a day for 6 days. When I returned one week later the test result had returned and were negative for all STD's. I still had pelvic discomfort and was still showing a discharge (yellowish) on exam. Although she did say my cervix looked better. She then said I should take an antiboitic called Metronidazole 500 MG for 10 days 2x per day. This is when I wrote you about an alternative. I do not want to take another course of antibotics because they did not help the first time and they make me nausea and tired. I am able to experience orgasm and enjoy intercourse - so what should I do? Is it dangerous not to take the anitboitics? What would you suggest?
Thank you. This is a great service!
Nora
Follow Ups:
Re: pelvic infection (wrong, or inadequate, diagnosis?)
Posted by Michele on February 22, 1999 at 02:00:28:
In Reply to: Re: pelvic infection (wrong, or inadequate, diagnosis?) posted by Nora Dephen (more info) on February 21, 1999 at 21:06:40:
Nora, Hi!
I just wanted to write you because I think Dr. Stoll is right about your PCS. I have all the same symptoms as you, but I also have sharp pains when coughing, sneezing or blowing my nose. Dr. Stoll told me a few months ago that it was Pelvic Congestive Syndrome. The 3 doctors I have seen all tell me I appear fine however, but the pain and bad menstual cycles still do not go away. I started skilled relaxation a month ago to help with a few problems I've been having, and the PCS seems to have lessened already, (although I am experiencing a flare up today in a big way!) Just wanted you to know that it seems there ARE other options out there aside from antibiotics, and skilled relaxation is one of them. I'll post again next month about my "SR" and will let you know if my pelvic congestive syndrome has lessened any more. Best wishes!
Re: pelvic infection (wrong, or inadequate, diagnosis?)
Posted by Walt Stoll on February 22, 1999 at 10:36:59:
In Reply to: Re: pelvic infection (wrong, or inadequate, diagnosis?) posted by Nora Dephen (more info) on February 21, 1999 at 21:06:40:
Hi, Nora.
ANY clinician knows that, without a culture of the drainage, the choice of antibiotic is just an educated guess.
ALL clinicians know that the failure of the first "educated guess" is the most important indication for getting that culture. WHY has this not been done? If this were me, I would insist in it being done before any new antibiotic was "tried". With a purulent discharge (lots of wbcs) an antibiotic------specific to the organism present---------is not a bad idea. Of course, that does not change WHY you got this which was discussed in the last note.
Any "holistic" practitioner would have looked for the causes of your painful menses years ago & this would never have happened to you. If all that is done this time is the antibiotics, you have more serious "messages" to come in the future.
Walt
Walt