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Diverticulitis & IBS: Trouble with the Cipro and Flagyl reme

Posted by donna2023 @donna2023, Nov 4, 2023

Hi
I have diverticulitis, ibsd, and acid reflux. My first diverticulitis flare up was four years ago. Had another three years later, and another last month. The liquid diet for three days and then small amounts of white rice and boiled chicken help. I also take Cipro and Flagyl for seven days. I get very weak from not eating and very very bloated from the Cipro and Flagyl. The Flagyl causes insomnia and of course horrible metal taste in my mouth. This last flare up I could not even switch to rice and chicken after seven days because of lack of appetite. I was still on liquids the entire course of the antibiotics. Now after being off the antibiotics for 24 hours my bloating has calmed down and the metabolic taste is gone. I’m starting to eat solid bland foods again fortunately.
My question is: has anyone had luck with any other antibiotics paired up with Cipro? Flagyl has so many side effects that I can’t take the full dose for seven days. I am okay with the Cipro for seven days even with the bloating. Flagyl is my problem.
By the way, when I am starting to get a flare up my signs are: diarrhea, chills and nausea before during and after a BM.
With my ibsd, I only have diarrhea.
The chills and nausea before during and after the BM are how I know it’s diverticulitis flare up again.
Has anyone had similar symptoms and has anyone had luck with some other antibiotics besides flagyl?
Thanks for all your help 🙂

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Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Nov 7, 2023

Hello @donna2023, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It sounds like you have had a rough go with your flagyl regimen in particular. I'd like to invite a few members who have also discussed diverticulitis and flagyl to share some of their experiences with the medication. @bbarbiee, @frane1939, @vjs, and @lisag03 have all used flagyl for a digestive health issue.

@donna2023, you may also find the following discussion of interest, "Diverticulitis and persistent pain" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diverticulitis-and-persistent-pain/.

@donna2023, have you discussed your struggles with the flagyl part of your medication regimen with the provider who prescribed it? Have they offered any alternatives knowing you are unable to finish the full 7 day regimen?

REPLY
alh4 | @alh4 | Nov 13, 2023

I had diverticulitis for several years. Yes, Cipro and flagyl. I could not take flagyl. About 4 years ago I was prescribed due to a flare After one pill the bottom of my foot started to burn , itch and swell. I couldn’t be for sure if it was the flagyl; however, 3 weeks ago I was prepping for a colon resection and was prescribed flagyl as well as other antibiotics to take Again, this happened to my foot. At that point I realized it was the flagyl that had done this a few years ago. I told my surgeon on the morning of and ask her if she was planning on giving me more during surgery. She immediately said she had other options other than flagyl. I’m 3 weeks out from resection. I’m glad I had the surgery. Path report showed abscess and at some point I had a perforation.
I know your feeling of hurting with these issues and the dread of the meds. My flares were numerous in the last year plus I am a liver transplant so I have to be cautious with all aspects of health

REPLY
3 replies
donna2023 | @donna2023 | Nov 14, 2023
In reply to @alh4 "I had diverticulitis for several years. Yes, Cipro and flagyl. I could not take flagyl. About..." + (show)
@alh4

I had diverticulitis for several years. Yes, Cipro and flagyl. I could not take flagyl. About 4 years ago I was prescribed due to a flare After one pill the bottom of my foot started to burn , itch and swell. I couldn’t be for sure if it was the flagyl; however, 3 weeks ago I was prepping for a colon resection and was prescribed flagyl as well as other antibiotics to take Again, this happened to my foot. At that point I realized it was the flagyl that had done this a few years ago. I told my surgeon on the morning of and ask her if she was planning on giving me more during surgery. She immediately said she had other options other than flagyl. I’m 3 weeks out from resection. I’m glad I had the surgery. Path report showed abscess and at some point I had a perforation.
I know your feeling of hurting with these issues and the dread of the meds. My flares were numerous in the last year plus I am a liver transplant so I have to be cautious with all aspects of health

Jump to this post

Thank you for sharing your story.

REPLY
rosemaryhow | @rosemaryhow | Nov 14, 2023

I am very interested to listen to both of your stories. I have had GERD for years, doing ok, then suddenly diagnosed with this thing called LPR. I loved my previous GI doc, as he always spoke to me like I have a brain, but unfortunately has retired. I have a large Left Inguinal hernia, and have as he had told me, diverticulosis. I have in the past 2yrs had 3 terrible episodes that were very scary, and painful, but not sure of what was happening. First one, doubled over with pain,low grade ttemp, and vomiting. I thought it was eating something "spoiled" Could not eat for sweveral days, but little by little started to eat. Second one no apparent temp, but terrible pain and bloating like I was hiding a basketball in my PJ's. Also vomiting, but no stool for 3 days. The last one was waking up at 130 am so nauseated and abd. bloating, I ran to the BR and broke out in a cold sweat, but could not vomit, and no stool. I had trouble breathing because I was wretching continuously. For a moment I thought I was going to die. Same recovery--could not eat for days, but eventually I began with toast and oatmeal. Saw the PA at a new office, and she said I was probably just constipated, so up my fiber. Also, that I should have gone into ER for an X-ray. Does this sound like Diverticulitis ? I do not look forward to another attack like this.

REPLY
3 replies
lsdd13 | @lsdd13 | Nov 14, 2023
In reply to @alh4 "I had diverticulitis for several years. Yes, Cipro and flagyl. I could not take flagyl. About..." + (show)
@alh4

I had diverticulitis for several years. Yes, Cipro and flagyl. I could not take flagyl. About 4 years ago I was prescribed due to a flare After one pill the bottom of my foot started to burn , itch and swell. I couldn’t be for sure if it was the flagyl; however, 3 weeks ago I was prepping for a colon resection and was prescribed flagyl as well as other antibiotics to take Again, this happened to my foot. At that point I realized it was the flagyl that had done this a few years ago. I told my surgeon on the morning of and ask her if she was planning on giving me more during surgery. She immediately said she had other options other than flagyl. I’m 3 weeks out from resection. I’m glad I had the surgery. Path report showed abscess and at some point I had a perforation.
I know your feeling of hurting with these issues and the dread of the meds. My flares were numerous in the last year plus I am a liver transplant so I have to be cautious with all aspects of health

Jump to this post

I also was prescribed Flagyl pre colon resection. Got violently ill with projectile vomiting. I’ve made sure Flagyl is listed in my electronic medical record under Allergies!

REPLY
alison0 | @alison0 | Nov 14, 2023
In reply to @alh4 "I had diverticulitis for several years. Yes, Cipro and flagyl. I could not take flagyl. About..." + (show)
@alh4

I had diverticulitis for several years. Yes, Cipro and flagyl. I could not take flagyl. About 4 years ago I was prescribed due to a flare After one pill the bottom of my foot started to burn , itch and swell. I couldn’t be for sure if it was the flagyl; however, 3 weeks ago I was prepping for a colon resection and was prescribed flagyl as well as other antibiotics to take Again, this happened to my foot. At that point I realized it was the flagyl that had done this a few years ago. I told my surgeon on the morning of and ask her if she was planning on giving me more during surgery. She immediately said she had other options other than flagyl. I’m 3 weeks out from resection. I’m glad I had the surgery. Path report showed abscess and at some point I had a perforation.
I know your feeling of hurting with these issues and the dread of the meds. My flares were numerous in the last year plus I am a liver transplant so I have to be cautious with all aspects of health

Jump to this post

I had a bout of diverticulitis. The gp wanted to prescribe flagyl but the specialist just prescribed the light diet and I was better in ten days.
I have had flagyl once. I was so sick the dr took me off it.

REPLY
alh4 | @alh4 | Nov 14, 2023
In reply to @rosemaryhow "I am very interested to listen to both of your stories. I have had GERD for..." + (show)
@rosemaryhow

I am very interested to listen to both of your stories. I have had GERD for years, doing ok, then suddenly diagnosed with this thing called LPR. I loved my previous GI doc, as he always spoke to me like I have a brain, but unfortunately has retired. I have a large Left Inguinal hernia, and have as he had told me, diverticulosis. I have in the past 2yrs had 3 terrible episodes that were very scary, and painful, but not sure of what was happening. First one, doubled over with pain,low grade ttemp, and vomiting. I thought it was eating something "spoiled" Could not eat for sweveral days, but little by little started to eat. Second one no apparent temp, but terrible pain and bloating like I was hiding a basketball in my PJ's. Also vomiting, but no stool for 3 days. The last one was waking up at 130 am so nauseated and abd. bloating, I ran to the BR and broke out in a cold sweat, but could not vomit, and no stool. I had trouble breathing because I was wretching continuously. For a moment I thought I was going to die. Same recovery--could not eat for days, but eventually I began with toast and oatmeal. Saw the PA at a new office, and she said I was probably just constipated, so up my fiber. Also, that I should have gone into ER for an X-ray. Does this sound like Diverticulitis ? I do not look forward to another attack like this.

Jump to this post

Yes, this possibly could be a flare of diverticulitis. With those symptoms I went to ER. They would do a CT and determine if it was. After several flares, I knew if it was. Usually, the lower left side hurts and bloating and pain. I suggest when you have this you should get it checked out because you don’t want it to perforate.
Also, a colonoscopy would be a good idea. My last colonoscopy couldn’t be completed due to abscess… that’s when colon resection was scheduled.
Benefiber and Miralax are good friends. Also, when not in a flare up monitor your fiber intake. Read labels.. average a day should be about 25 gr… and water:fluids…

REPLY
donna2023 | @donna2023 | Nov 14, 2023
In reply to @rosemaryhow "I am very interested to listen to both of your stories. I have had GERD for..." + (show)
@rosemaryhow

I am very interested to listen to both of your stories. I have had GERD for years, doing ok, then suddenly diagnosed with this thing called LPR. I loved my previous GI doc, as he always spoke to me like I have a brain, but unfortunately has retired. I have a large Left Inguinal hernia, and have as he had told me, diverticulosis. I have in the past 2yrs had 3 terrible episodes that were very scary, and painful, but not sure of what was happening. First one, doubled over with pain,low grade ttemp, and vomiting. I thought it was eating something "spoiled" Could not eat for sweveral days, but little by little started to eat. Second one no apparent temp, but terrible pain and bloating like I was hiding a basketball in my PJ's. Also vomiting, but no stool for 3 days. The last one was waking up at 130 am so nauseated and abd. bloating, I ran to the BR and broke out in a cold sweat, but could not vomit, and no stool. I had trouble breathing because I was wretching continuously. For a moment I thought I was going to die. Same recovery--could not eat for days, but eventually I began with toast and oatmeal. Saw the PA at a new office, and she said I was probably just constipated, so up my fiber. Also, that I should have gone into ER for an X-ray. Does this sound like Diverticulitis ? I do not look forward to another attack like this.

Jump to this post

My first diverticulitis event was four years ago. I thought I was just having a bad ibs-d flare up. But when it lasted several days and I started having severe lower abdomen pain I decided to go to the ER.
A CT scan was done and it showed diverticulitis.
Cipro and Flagyl and liquid diet got me back on track but the Flagyl was terrible and I didn’t finish it all. Cipro I could finish.
Three years later I had my second diverticulitis flare up. I knew this time it was not my ibs d. my symptoms when I am starting to get a diverticulitis flare up are chills and nausea before during and after a BM. Cipro and Flagyl and liquid diet again. Worked but I can only finish the Cipro not all the Flagyl.
A year passed and again I just had my third flare up in four years. Liquid diet and Cipro and Flagyl again worked but as usual I can only finish the Cipro.
Flagyl not only has the horrible metallic taste that lingers but I started having insomnia and confusion. Stopped the Flagyl those symptoms went away.
I’m supposed to have a colonoscopy every five years.
If the antibiotics ever stop working for me then my doctor wants another CT scan.
I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences.
Good luck to everyone.

REPLY
rosemaryhow | @rosemaryhow | Nov 15, 2023

Thankyou all so much for sharing. Now I am pretty convinced that this was a bout of diverticulitis. My problem is that I am 76yr.old, with no family near by, and I would have to drive myself to an ER which is quite far away. If during the day, I may or may not be able to do this. But I will have to see what the future brings. And yes I am concentrating daily on fiber.

REPLY
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