do I need flagyl yet?

Hi I am a 38 yr old male

I took clindamyacin for 10 days for a tooth infection and developed diarrhea a couple of days later, a few days after I had mild abdominal pain. The diarrhea wasnt watery or bloody and was once a day. On Thursday (yesterday)I went to the doctor who prescribed flagyl 500mg 3 times a day  for what he thought was a bowel infection and requested a stool sample.I took 2 on that day but developed numbness in my right big toe and felt generally unwell. I stopped taking the med's but am not sure that is such a good idea! I have no abdominal pain, (though i have nausea),my stools are not watery and constant and this morning at 1130 my temp was 97.7 I was eating well and felt fine on the clinda (though I'm not doing so well now), should I wait at least until the tests come back next week to start antibiotics or should I just bite the bullet with the flagyl and try to head off a potentially serious disease before it gets worse.

Many thanks

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi seamus178,
Since you developed the symptom following the intake of clindamycin, the chances of having clostridium difficle infection is more. Since you are symptomatic you can start on flagyl as it is a very effective drug in the treatment of clostridium difficile infection.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.

[csnana]

I just finished 20 days  on flagyl and cipro for colitis and diviticulities....Just a word of advice....be sure to eat when taking medication...The Rx made me so nausous but as soon as i took my last pill I felt so much better the next day...still can't add fiber back to my diet yet but am doing better...I've been sick for almost 4 weeks now.
cnanaj