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.
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.
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).
I was prescribed Clindamycin
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000672
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.
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.
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?
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.
What type of antibiotic?
Have similar condition after a round of Zithromax.
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.