I haven't taken any of the sulfa drugs for a loooong time. Bactrim is on our use with caution list (almost all the antibiotics are). From a personal standpoint, I would now not take any antibiotic to prevent an infection. It is not good medicine in general and especially for us who may deteriorate from the drug. I think at least part of my recent deterioration started with antibiotic eyedrops after my cataract surgery. It is standard of practice to give them, but I didn't want them, put them in the right eye and had right facial droop. Of course they are long out of my system, but you don't want anything that revs you up. I think hand washing, sterile technique in surgery and blood drawing, acidifying the urine for recurrent bladder infections all are better solutions for infection control. Antibiotic resistance is common, viruses are not susceptible, and a false sense of security is not a good thing either. Good luck with this common dilemma. I didn't want to tell the doctor, I wouldn't follow the recommendations and my neuro didn't think they would be a problem--however they were and I won't do it again. b.

Bactrim is used with immune system lowering drugs like prednisone, imuran, cellcept, etc. to prevent common bacterial infections. The theory is that is makes up somewhat for our lowered immune system fighting bacteria.

I don't think most MG patients take it as a preventative med, unless they have a risk for infections including unirnary, ear, sinus, skin, wound, dental work, artificial joints, and others. It is quite often used with transplant patients on immune suppressants.

Bactrim is a relatively mild drug--often taken for several years for acne problems. I always ask why I am getting a med--is there something I am more susceptible to the doc knows about. I have been on prednisone for 8 months at 60 mg and now 30mg and have had no bacterial infections, colds, flu's or any other problems other than the MG, and a single case of a fungal infection--no antibiotics needed.

Could the cause be the increase of prednisone? Always makes me worse before it makes me better.

Hi! I know my pulmonologist wanted to put me on Bactrim when I started the chemo because my white cells drop and he wanted to guard against me getting PCP, a particularly virulent pneumonia that immune compromised patients are susceptible to. My neuro however said absolutely NOT! It can cause problems with myasthenia so you may be right, it could be the Bactrim. You should chat to your neuro about it. Really hope you start to feel better soon! Ange