Mysterious illness

[nsw43]

In January 2004, I experienced terrible stomach pain radiating to the back when I took an antibiotic (Biaxin).  I had been on a long course of antibiotics for chronic sinus infections and had taken Tequin, Augmentin and Biaxin sequentially for about 4 months.  

Since this episode, I have been unable to take any antibiotics orally or any other drugs except the very mildest (Sudafed, chewable acetamenaphin, Clarinex). Many foods provoke a similar response.  The foods that trigger the pain include tomatoes, most raw vegetables, most fruits, chocolate and of course any form of alcohol.  Fats do not bother it all.

This condition very, very slowly improved so I could diversify my diet a bit and could generally find something on the menu so I could eat out.  But last week I got yet a sinus infection and my doctor encouraged me to try an oral antibiotic to see if I could tolerate it.  I took 100 mg of liquid Omnicef and experienced exactly the same effects I had a year and half earlier.  Now I'm back to square one with this condition, which means a highly restricted diet, inability to take pain medication orally, etc.

An additional complication is that I developed diverticulitis about 4 months ago.  When I took the oral antibiotic recently, not only did my stomach react with terrible pain, but my diverticulitis kicked up almost instantly!

I have gone to a good gastroenterologist who has scoped me in every way possible and done several CT scans.  He appears to be baffled.  I promise you, this is not in my head.

I am a 60 year old woman, in good health with exception of sinusitis until stricken with this disorder.  I take Aciphex to reduce stomach acid, and also took Carafate last year when the illness was at its worst.  

I need to know what this is and hopefully find some way to treat it.  A physician friend listened to my symptons and thought it didn't sound like a stomach problem per se, perhaps something to do with the pancreas or sphincter of Oddi.  My amylase levels last year were normal, but more recently were elevated.  I am going to have them retested next week.

My hope in writing is that I might find someone else with these symptoms, particularly triggered by antibiotics.  This is not a stomach ache or indigestion.  It is gripping pain in the upper left quadrant that goes on for about 8 hours after ingestion of the offending food or drug. It is only triggered by food or drug - it doesn't happen "on its own."  And the stomach seems to be damaged after this happens, so it is super sensitive for a long time afterwards (months, years).  

Far from getting better, this condition continues without any resolution to this point.  Can someone help?

[SHEN]

Here is a link http://www.todayschiropractic.com/archives/may_jun_05/feat_004.html for an article on the problem with Augmentin. This is one part of it.

Mechanism of Action
If the small intestine or pancreas itself is injured through the use of medications such as Augmentin, or from vaccination or other insult, it is likely that the secretin mechanism is unavailable or disrupted. For example, if the secretin mechanism is altered due to injury to the lining of the small intestines by the urea/nitrogen residue from Augmentin, then the entire pH change cannot take place. If the pH change does not occur then the conversion of the inactive to the active forms of the digestive enzymes does not occur.

The face of the lack of conversion of the enzymes, incomplete or absent digestion of certain foodstuffs can and will occur. So for example, if a lipase or protease such as chymotrypsin is not converted from chymotrypsinogen to chymotryspin, or the pancreas does not manufacture sufficient amounts of the enzymes, incomplete protein digestion will occur. In the case of an incomplete or absent digestion of a fat or a protein, the molecule of undigested protein for example, remains in the small intestines and can act as an allergen. This allergen can act as a toxin to the body and produce buildup of certain substances, which are further toxic to the body.

In the case of fats, undigested fats can become rancid and cause a toxic buildup in the body. The rancid fats can create an allergic irritation or act as a poison. This is the idea which has been referred to as

[astros18]

Yeast is probably the culprit. You need to cleanse your colon and take a probiotic plus a yeast fungal detox. Oregano and garlic are excellent. Check your health food store for the best product. When I did my yeast detox, I could feel it coming out of my pores. Drink lots of water to flush your body out. You may need to do this detox for at least 3-6 months and then stay on a maitenance probiotic. Yeast is extremely difficult to rid yourself of even following the diet, but you do need to stay away from sugar and alcoholic beverages, breads, and starchy foods and fruit at least for a little while.i promise you it is worht it, plus your sinuses may improve. i don't know if you believe in chiropractic, but my son suffered sinus and ear infections for years until I started taking him to the chiropractor. He's been infection free for 4 years.

[heartangel]

I had painful symtoms in my stomach, my doctor assumed ulcers, I have been taking Somac a ulcer medication which seems to have worked. With the complete removal of acidic food such as citrus, salad dressing tomatoes etc.
Another natural remedy which has helped me is Licorice Root Tea it helps the stomach heal itself.

Goodluck.

[linren]

you might want to read up on Candida.
Antibiotics can throw your internal yeast out of balance and cause an overgrowth that then leads to all kinds of problems.
you re on the righ track with the probiotics, but you will want to follow the yeast free diet.  

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Unfortunately, all antibiotics are going to have GI discomfort as a side effect.  The severity of this would vary from person to person.  

Foods like tomatoes and chocolate are known to exacerbate GERD.  Even if the endoscopies were negative, you may want to consider a 24-hr pH study to definitively rule out acid reflux.  

If there is concern about pancreatitis and the Sphincter of Oddi, you can consider an MRCP or ERCP to evaluate the bile ducts.  A Sphincter of Oddi manometry can be considered to evaluate for dysfunction.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician or gastroenterologist.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[Inanga]

hi - this may be a slight help. I got tired of being on anti biotics - the sore gut afterwards responded to probiotics like acidophilus but I didn't like feeling sick in the gut on top of the infection that was in my sinus. Last time I decided to not use antibiotics but an isotonic nasal wash to clear the sinuses. It's just salt and baking soda (to balance the ph) that you squirt up one nostril and it comes out the other. I used 2 sachets to make is stronger. Anyway I did this morning and night and occasionally once at noon and the infection cleared away in about the same time it normally takes the antibiotics (around 5-7 days). Also cleared out congestion from the cold. Good luck with your gut.