calibug

So sorry to hear about your eye troubles. It actually affected your vision? You poor thing. I just hate this stuff!!

That breast cancer/antibiotics study worried me too but I read quite a bit about it and looked over the study itself (you can take a look at it on the internet)... They don't know if other factors were involved... I think they have a lot more studying to do on it. I think the study raised significant questions but nothing proven.

I think caution is the key. I think if you really need the antibiotics, follow the docs orders....Really the study raises lots of questions in my mind. Could antibiotics possibly raise cancer risks in other areas of the body? What about all the antibiotics given to children? What risks might they face and could it be even more detrimental to them since they are still in the growing stages?

Also, if you have a low risk for breast cancer and, let's say, your chances were one in a hundred, I think that would be mean that your risk could be 2 in 100 if you follow the doubling in the study. It still would mean a pretty low risk.

I really hate taking these antibiotics but if you need them, you need them. If you don't, you don't. There are abuses with antibiotics (viral infections, etc...) and everyone needs to be careful and discuss these things with their doctor. Personally, my eyes seem to be much more under control with the doxy as well. I don't want to play with my eyes either so, you are right...between a rock and a hard place. Got to just weigh the options.

Something interesting I read about the antibiotics was that they actually can lower estrogen levels which, they explained, wouldn't make sense since too much estrogen is often involved in breast cancer. Maybe it is inflammation and the problems we have and not the antibiotics at all. They just don't know yet. There was a study done in 1999, I believe, somewhere in Europe and they came up with similar results...so who knows. Either rate, it is just an increase in risk....but something to consider.

I make sure and take acidolphilus (as far apart from the antibiotic as possible) to help restore some of the good bacteria you lose while on the antibiotics. I also try to eat well and take my vitamins. You may want to take a look at the study on the internet. It breaks down how often the women took antibiotics, what kind they took, and how many women actually developed breast cancer. There were plenty of women who did take antibiotics yet never developed the cancer. The health of the women needs to be taken into consideration in this study as well.

Guess we will just have to wait and see what happens with these studies... I'm on the Restasis too and I do believe it has helped me as well! That stuff is expensive!! Does your insurance help cover it? Some do and some don't.

Hang in there!