Do you wean off antibiotics or stop cold turkey?

[trintiybella]

My child has horrible reactions when I start/stop things, but I want to move on to next step with her. Dr. T. wants us to treat for viruses. Is there a danger in just stopping bactrim and minocycline suddenly that you know of?

[MomWithOCDSon]

My DS never took either of the abx you've mentioned (he was on Augmentin XR for strep), but we were never successful in stopping abx "cold turkey." By Day 8 after removal or severe reduction (say, by half), he would display a number of the OCD behaviors he'd previously set aside, and his anxiety would begin to ramp up again, too.

 

Finally, after nearly 2 years of abx, we began a very slow wean . . . over about a 3-month period . . . and finally, that time, he didn't snap back like a rubber-band to his previous condition.

 

So, that being said, I'm an advocate for a slow wean . . .

[Mayzoo]

Is there a reason you want to stop abx to treat viruses? We are treating both with abx and anti-virals right now and likely will be for a while. If you need to stop them, I would wean off in case they are helping in ways you are unaware of.

[PowPow]

Wrong post;deleted, sorry!

Edited July 24, 2013 by PowPow

[JoyBop]

There's a PANDAS radio episode featuring Verh Maloney. I Bellevue it was the very first show. In any case, she must have said a hundred times to wean a child slowly off to see if they can tolerate it. I've not gone that route yet but when I do I will heed her advice. I know she's not a doc but I value her opinion. Hope that helps.