Dear Sandy,
It is important to be on antibiotics to protect your valve. There is considerable debate on their use in different procedures.
You should check out the AHA statement on antibiotic prophylaxis on the american heart assn. website ( www.amhrt.org.....look under AHA statements and you can print out the entire guideline. This will help you to understand the role of antibiotics and the pros and cons of pretreatment.
Dear Sandy,
It is important to be on antibiotics to protect your valve. There is considerable debate on their use in different procedures.
You should check out the AHA statement on antibiotic prophylaxis on the american heart assn. website ( www.amhrt.org.....look under AHA statements and you can print out the entire guideline. This will help you to understand the role of antibiotics and the pros and cons of pretreatment.
I am in the same boat, and feel that it is fairly safe. Even though you may build up a tolerance for one antibiotic, there are many others out there. After having rheumatic fever, I was on a therapeutic dose of penicillin for about 15 years. I would still get infections occasionally, and the doctor would put me on a stronger antibiotic for a short time. I also had to take stronger antibiotics before dental work. I was told that any procedure that might have an open cut required prophylactic use, and I would think a cervical biopsy should be included. On the other hand, I had an acquaintance who had a damaged valve and did not take the prescribed antibiotics in conjunction with a root canal. That person got an infection and died. So, caution sure beats the alternative - DEAD!
Thanks for the input. I think what I'm concerned about is if I
really don't have to take the antibiotic for certain procedures, such as the cervical biopsy, I would rather not take it, because
there are other procedures such as dental work, etc. that I know I absolutely need to take it.
In view of the fact that my gyne thought it was ridiculous that I had to take it for the biopsy and my cardiologist said it was absolutely necessary, I don't know what to think! My gyne feels my cardiologist is being overly cautious and that too many antibiotics are just not good, only when absolutely necessary, and he agrees that with more invasive procedures, it would be necessary.
So, I'm caught in the middle, and I'm confused!