Hi, when i was starting treatment my GI doc recommended florastor or align. I had been taking generic probiotics for years. I chose to start florastor because it's been shown in studies to be effective in treating antibiotic gi effects. I've been very happy with it -- I've had no gi issues except for some mild nausea for a couple weeks It's more expensive -- sometimes you can get coupons on Amazon. Costco also has a better price.
All best wishes for effective treatment!
Thank you so much@lvnl! I’m just trying to plot out how to take meds and vits I already take and the new stuff… with/ without food/ not near other meds etc… I may end up waking myself in the middle of the night just to be safe. Plus I have read to avoid stomach issues, to take some before bed… I’m curious as to which one is the main culprit to take at that time. I imagine it could be different for everyone. It appears they all can cause stomach issues.
Thank you so much@lvnl! I’m just trying to plot out how to take meds and vits I already take and the new stuff… with/ without food/ not near other meds etc… I may end up waking myself in the middle of the night just to be safe. Plus I have read to avoid stomach issues, to take some before bed… I’m curious as to which one is the main culprit to take at that time. I imagine it could be different for everyone. It appears they all can cause stomach issues.
An aside about Align probiotics. Align comes in a foil pill pack with each day of the week written over each foil push out. Great for remembering did I take my probiotic today question! Very convenient for travel. If you are good at loading your pill dispenser at the beginning of the week, then not necessary.
I know there is different guidance on how and when to take the big 3 but my ID Dr advised me to space them out. I take the big three daily, in the am for the first with breakfast, noon for the probiotic with lunch, second antibiotic mid afternoon with a snack and the third in the evening with dinner. Using a weekly pill box but the reminders in my phone help to track.
Thank you all for the tips!
It’s a bit challenging planning —especially the Rifampin with no food. (That’s what it states.) I also have thyroid meds to take with no food and a B12. Both without other meds supposedly. That being said, I also read that if Rifampin bothers your tummy, to take wth a little food. So which is it? Should I just plan with a little food, to avoid stomach issues? Figure my thyroid can be adjusted too if need be?
(I’m planning on still working afternoon/evening shifts from 2-10:30 four days a week…. In public, front line with no instant bathroom availability so to speak and I can’t be eating all shift long haha….)
Thank you all for the tips!
It’s a bit challenging planning —especially the Rifampin with no food. (That’s what it states.) I also have thyroid meds to take with no food and a B12. Both without other meds supposedly. That being said, I also read that if Rifampin bothers your tummy, to take wth a little food. So which is it? Should I just plan with a little food, to avoid stomach issues? Figure my thyroid can be adjusted too if need be?
(I’m planning on still working afternoon/evening shifts from 2-10:30 four days a week…. In public, front line with no instant bathroom availability so to speak and I can’t be eating all shift long haha….)
I take Azithromycin and Ethambutol in the morning after breakfast, probiotic at 12 noon and Rifampin at 9PM. This routine works well for me because the probiotic is at least 4hrs before/after the antibiotics and the Rifampin is late enough that I haven't eaten in at least 2 hours. As for the probiotic, I take Lactobif30. I pay only $22 for 60 capsules at iHerb and take only 1 a day. I have been on these meds daily for 8 months and no issues other than some nausea the first couple weeks.
Hi Tracey. i too take thyroid meds but take them first thing in am w/o food. re the antibiotics, no one or the pharmacy have instructed me to spread out the antibiotics or not to take with food> They did upset my digestion initially but over the first few months I figured the way to have the least side effects. I also work f/t so I do what allows me to cont to love as normal a life as possible . Good luck !
Thanks pfurchr23 and Mary. I think I’ve got it figured to start anyways.
I’ll be setting an alarm for my thyroid pill now and another for me to get up and take the azithromycin and Ethambutol along with eating breakfast haha. The evening shift and the CT scan results showing decline in lungs started at the same time as I’ve also had less energy to the point where I would sleep all day if I could. Hopefully that turns around here with the medication.
I know there is different guidance on how and when to take the big 3 but my ID Dr advised me to space them out. I take the big three daily, in the am for the first with breakfast, noon for the probiotic with lunch, second antibiotic mid afternoon with a snack and the third in the evening with dinner. Using a weekly pill box but the reminders in my phone help to track.
@rmoore901 , I too take the big 3, 3 days/week. On those 3 days I take: Rifampin- 2 per day, Azithromycin- 1/day, Ethambutol- 2/day.
I take my first Rifampin at 7am, after fasting all night, then I eat breakfast at 8am.
I take Azith. after breakfast. I take my first Ethambutol after lunch, probiotic in afternoon,
last Ethambutol after dinner, stop eating, then take my last Rifampin at bedtime.
My only side effect is I have, sometimes sever, lower abdominal cramps. Sometimes it helps to go to the bathroom and sometimes taking Dicyclomine helps. My IFD doctor shocked me when I complained to her about these cramps and she said she'd never had anyone complain of that before, but it's on the RX side effect description! Does anyone else suffer from lower cramping from the antibiotics? I don't cramp on non-medicine days.
@rmoore901 , I too take the big 3, 3 days/week. On those 3 days I take: Rifampin- 2 per day, Azithromycin- 1/day, Ethambutol- 2/day.
I take my first Rifampin at 7am, after fasting all night, then I eat breakfast at 8am.
I take Azith. after breakfast. I take my first Ethambutol after lunch, probiotic in afternoon,
last Ethambutol after dinner, stop eating, then take my last Rifampin at bedtime.
My only side effect is I have, sometimes sever, lower abdominal cramps. Sometimes it helps to go to the bathroom and sometimes taking Dicyclomine helps. My IFD doctor shocked me when I complained to her about these cramps and she said she'd never had anyone complain of that before, but it's on the RX side effect description! Does anyone else suffer from lower cramping from the antibiotics? I don't cramp on non-medicine days.
Yes. Definitely had the stomach cramping a lot. Plus joint and muscle pains and the fatigue. Fingers crossed it’s starting to get better but also so itchy now. Hard to tell sometimes what are side effects from the meds or just other stuff going on. I do usually have a least a snack before taking the meds as I seem to tolerate them better that way. I did just start nebuluzing today so a little worried what fun things that might kick up! Best of luck with all of this.
Anne
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Hi, when i was starting treatment my GI doc recommended florastor or align. I had been taking generic probiotics for years. I chose to start florastor because it's been shown in studies to be effective in treating antibiotic gi effects. I've been very happy with it -- I've had no gi issues except for some mild nausea for a couple weeks It's more expensive -- sometimes you can get coupons on Amazon. Costco also has a better price.
All best wishes for effective treatment!
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1 ReactionThank you so much@lvnl! I’m just trying to plot out how to take meds and vits I already take and the new stuff… with/ without food/ not near other meds etc… I may end up waking myself in the middle of the night just to be safe. Plus I have read to avoid stomach issues, to take some before bed… I’m curious as to which one is the main culprit to take at that time. I imagine it could be different for everyone. It appears they all can cause stomach issues.
An aside about Align probiotics. Align comes in a foil pill pack with each day of the week written over each foil push out. Great for remembering did I take my probiotic today question! Very convenient for travel. If you are good at loading your pill dispenser at the beginning of the week, then not necessary.
I know there is different guidance on how and when to take the big 3 but my ID Dr advised me to space them out. I take the big three daily, in the am for the first with breakfast, noon for the probiotic with lunch, second antibiotic mid afternoon with a snack and the third in the evening with dinner. Using a weekly pill box but the reminders in my phone help to track.
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Hug
1 ReactionThank you all for the tips!
It’s a bit challenging planning —especially the Rifampin with no food. (That’s what it states.) I also have thyroid meds to take with no food and a B12. Both without other meds supposedly. That being said, I also read that if Rifampin bothers your tummy, to take wth a little food. So which is it? Should I just plan with a little food, to avoid stomach issues? Figure my thyroid can be adjusted too if need be?
(I’m planning on still working afternoon/evening shifts from 2-10:30 four days a week…. In public, front line with no instant bathroom availability so to speak and I can’t be eating all shift long haha….)
-
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI take Azithromycin and Ethambutol in the morning after breakfast, probiotic at 12 noon and Rifampin at 9PM. This routine works well for me because the probiotic is at least 4hrs before/after the antibiotics and the Rifampin is late enough that I haven't eaten in at least 2 hours. As for the probiotic, I take Lactobif30. I pay only $22 for 60 capsules at iHerb and take only 1 a day. I have been on these meds daily for 8 months and no issues other than some nausea the first couple weeks.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi Tracey. i too take thyroid meds but take them first thing in am w/o food. re the antibiotics, no one or the pharmacy have instructed me to spread out the antibiotics or not to take with food> They did upset my digestion initially but over the first few months I figured the way to have the least side effects. I also work f/t so I do what allows me to cont to love as normal a life as possible . Good luck !
Thanks pfurchr23 and Mary. I think I’ve got it figured to start anyways.
I’ll be setting an alarm for my thyroid pill now and another for me to get up and take the azithromycin and Ethambutol along with eating breakfast haha. The evening shift and the CT scan results showing decline in lungs started at the same time as I’ve also had less energy to the point where I would sleep all day if I could. Hopefully that turns around here with the medication.
@rmoore901 , I too take the big 3, 3 days/week. On those 3 days I take: Rifampin- 2 per day, Azithromycin- 1/day, Ethambutol- 2/day.
I take my first Rifampin at 7am, after fasting all night, then I eat breakfast at 8am.
I take Azith. after breakfast. I take my first Ethambutol after lunch, probiotic in afternoon,
last Ethambutol after dinner, stop eating, then take my last Rifampin at bedtime.
My only side effect is I have, sometimes sever, lower abdominal cramps. Sometimes it helps to go to the bathroom and sometimes taking Dicyclomine helps. My IFD doctor shocked me when I complained to her about these cramps and she said she'd never had anyone complain of that before, but it's on the RX side effect description! Does anyone else suffer from lower cramping from the antibiotics? I don't cramp on non-medicine days.
Yes. Definitely had the stomach cramping a lot. Plus joint and muscle pains and the fatigue. Fingers crossed it’s starting to get better but also so itchy now. Hard to tell sometimes what are side effects from the meds or just other stuff going on. I do usually have a least a snack before taking the meds as I seem to tolerate them better that way. I did just start nebuluzing today so a little worried what fun things that might kick up! Best of luck with all of this.
Anne