Odd Health Problems

About 5 weeks ago I stepped on a metal rake and suffered an inch or more deep puncture wound.  I got a couple stitches and took a standard course of antibiotics for 10 days and everything seemed fine.   After about 5 days I started experiencing diarrhea.  Not long after the I started experiencing radically inconsistent stools.  At times I would have diarrhea, at other times normal stool, and at others times I would poop something that looked like the kind of white mucus you cough up from your lungs when you have a bad lung infection.  This odd white substance is coming out embedded in my more normal solid poops, in little cornflake size units, and sometimes all by itself in small amount (it looks like a tiny jelly fish almost).  It is quite disgusting and worrisome.  The toilet paper often has some kind of brown mucus like substance on it after wiping.  

These odd stools are accompanied by a resurgence in my G.E.R.D. (which hasn't bothered me for years) and mild nausea.   I am almost experiencing and almost constant feeling of needing to poop- although I haven't suffered any leakage or incontinence.    Anyone have any guesses?

[CalGal]

You may want to consider trying some probiotics to see if they're of help. Antibiotics are great at wiping out infection processes, but they can also do a real 'job' on the good bacteria in your GI tract too, and that can cuse problems. There are many good brands on the market that include Culturelle, FloraQ, Digestive Advantage-IBS and PB8 among others. They won't hurt unless you're experiencing biliary issues, and they just might give you a hand with what's going on.

Some of it sounds like you're producing a fair amount of mucus, which the GI tract does to try to protect itself - kind of like wanting to 'wash things thought the system.' But it can also be disconcerting.

[jamma4]

What type of antibiotic?

Have similar condition after a round of Zithromax.

[jamma4]

This is the first health forum that I've participated in and I'm mostly concerned with GI problems.  I don't have health insurance and had my appendix out in Sept.

[jkaiseresquire]

Thanks guys.  Don't remember the name of the antibiotic, but I will check.  CalGal, are those probiotics available at Wal-mart?  Vitamin Store?  Online?

[jkaiseresquire]

I am going to put off seeing to the doctor and give the probiotics about a week to work.  I will go straight to the doctor if I start seeing any blood in my stool though.  I will also up my intake of greens and fiber in hopes that might help set things straight as well, clearing it out.

[CalGal]

Check any drugstore - call first. most places carry a variety of brands, so call around. You may want to counsider Culturelle as a first try, it's got a decent blend of 'good' bacteria.

Not sure about Wal-mart or Vitamin Store. I'm sure they may have their own brands that ard just as good. I'm mentioning those because I know they seem to work for a large number of individuals - not all probiotics seem to work for each person unfortunately.

[jkaiseresquire]

I was prescribed Clindamycin

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000672

[jkaiseresquire]

I saw the doctor yesterday and he prescribed Metronidazol (antibiotic) and recommended a probiotic called Align.  I got both yesterday and have started taking them.  He also got some blood samples, but we won't hear back on those for a day or two.  

Yesterday was actually my worst day for bloating, gas, and general discomfort.  The discomfort, over the last few days, spread from my lower to upper abdominal region.  I also had the added misfortune of acquiring a sinus infection (thanks to the changing weather).  

[jkaiseresquire]

Got on the new meds for one whole day, and spent all of last night and this morning in my bathroom.  Terrible, pure liquid, diarrhea from 10:30 p.m. until 3 a.m., and then throwing up (although nauseous the whole time) at 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.  I got maybe 3 hours sleep.  My head is killing me (thanks to a throbbing headache), I have been dizzy ever since 5 a.m.  And so far the only things I have been able to keep down are one cup of water and a small thing of apple sauce.  I am going to see the doctor again at 2:30.  

[CalGal]

The probiotics should be taken 2-3 hours after taking the antibiotics - not together. The antibiotics are going to decimate the bacteria in your system, and they also have a deleterious effect on the probiotics, so taking them apart time-wise is the only way to handle it.

The med, flagyl, can be really rough on the stomach. Your doc may have to change it out for something else. Some people just can't handle that one.