1. < Digestive Health

Ongoing digestive issues after antibiotics

Posted by tzm1995 @tzm1995, Apr 17, 2017

Hi there,

I'm posting on behalf of my mum. This is her account so far:

I had three courses of unavoidable antibiotics back in November 2016, and since then my digestive system has really been messed up. I've been having lots of yogurt and took acidophilus for a while but after five months I still have very loose bowel movements or diarrhoea daily - only during the night and in the morning. I tried taking some other probiotics but gave up after a few days as they made it much worse. A nutritionist I saw said I should definitely not have probiotics or kefir or fermented vegetables at this stage as it would make it even worse, so I haven't dared try. She also suggested I may have SIBO (small intestine bacterial overload), but the UK NHS seems very dismissive of this. I've tried FODMAP with no success, I even had a colonoscopy in case it was bowel cancer. The specialist says it should sort itself out with time, but I see no sign of any improvement. Has anyone had any experience of this type of thing?

Thanks so much for any replies.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Apr 17, 2017

Hello @tzm1995,

Welcome to Connect. This must be quite worrisome for you and your mum; I'm so glad though, that you've joined us here.

We have several discussions that you may wish to view:
- Small intestine bacterial overgrowth: http://mayocl.in/2ood42h, where you will meet @zwar @gfamy @fa7100 @gregoryd @melaniewa @jwatch @momochan @janovr @lateacher @azdrew @vwerner, and @haighsue (who, incidentally also lives in the UK).

- Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth: http://mayocl.in/2pLHDjw
Here you can connect with @lighthouseceliac @wljs @decosmo @lizbee78 @melaniewa and @concernedmtnmom.
I hope they will join in and offer some thoughts from their experiences.

@tzm1995, may I ask what antibiotics were prescribed for your mum? Has she been evaluated for celiac disease?

REPLY
1 reply
loli | @loli | Apr 18, 2017

Hi ! I am so sorry your mother has to go through this side effects after taking antibiotics. I have had mouth infections after radiation therapy for mouth cancer. So, I have had to take antibiotics quite often to fight this infections. One of the side effects could be loose stomach or constipation, that could last up to six months after taking the antibiotic. So her doctor is right: it will take care of itself with time. Just eat healthy and be patient. Lots of raw apples, I guess! Best wishes, Loli

REPLY
1 reply
tzm1995 | @tzm1995 | Apr 23, 2017
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hello @tzm1995, Welcome to Connect. This must be quite worrisome for you and your mum; I'm..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hello @tzm1995,

Welcome to Connect. This must be quite worrisome for you and your mum; I'm so glad though, that you've joined us here.

We have several discussions that you may wish to view:
- Small intestine bacterial overgrowth: http://mayocl.in/2ood42h, where you will meet @zwar @gfamy @fa7100 @gregoryd @melaniewa @jwatch @momochan @janovr @lateacher @azdrew @vwerner, and @haighsue (who, incidentally also lives in the UK).

- Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth: http://mayocl.in/2pLHDjw
Here you can connect with @lighthouseceliac @wljs @decosmo @lizbee78 @melaniewa and @concernedmtnmom.
I hope they will join in and offer some thoughts from their experiences.

@tzm1995, may I ask what antibiotics were prescribed for your mum? Has she been evaluated for celiac disease?

Jump to this post

Hi @kanaazpereira, thanks so much for replying and for the links!

She has tested negative to celiac, and the antibiotics were: amoxicillin, metronidazole and clarithromycin.

REPLY
1 reply
tzm1995 | @tzm1995 | Apr 23, 2017
In reply to @loli "Hi ! I am so sorry your mother has to go through this side effects after..." + (show)
@loli

Hi ! I am so sorry your mother has to go through this side effects after taking antibiotics. I have had mouth infections after radiation therapy for mouth cancer. So, I have had to take antibiotics quite often to fight this infections. One of the side effects could be loose stomach or constipation, that could last up to six months after taking the antibiotic. So her doctor is right: it will take care of itself with time. Just eat healthy and be patient. Lots of raw apples, I guess! Best wishes, Loli

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for your reply @loli, my Mum found this really comforting.

REPLY
wwert | @wwert | Feb 12, 2019
In reply to @tzm1995 "Hi @kanaazpereira, thanks so much for replying and for the links! She has tested negative to..." + (show)
@tzm1995

Hi @kanaazpereira, thanks so much for replying and for the links!

She has tested negative to celiac, and the antibiotics were: amoxicillin, metronidazole and clarithromycin.

Jump to this post

I also took metronidazole and have very similar symptoms. I noticed this post is from almost a year ago, how is she doing now? I hope she has found relief. I'm going on 3 months of symptoms and getting frustrated.

REPLY
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