My specialist has told me to take 2 x 500 mg Amoxycillin three times a day (so twice my normal dose when I get one of my frequent chest infections) for a period of six weeks instead of the normal two weeks. This is in an attempt to eradicate the haemophilis bug which has been happily living in my lungs for years now. I would love to be free of it but am afraid of the effect on my good gut bacteria.
My specialist doesn’t have faith in probiotics. I would love to hear other opinions. Has anyone taken them? Is there anything else I could eat or drink that might help? Any suggestions gratefully received!
Written by
Gbrack
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Hi, I absolutely believe in them and that antibiotics kill off all the good bacteria in our gut along with the bacterial infections elsewhere.
If I were on your dose of abs for six weeks I'd be taking a 50 billion probiotic capsule daily and a 20 billion for at least two months afterwards. Those Yakult drinks and the like are nothing like enough for a situation like yours.
It's definitely worth the investment as you need to rebuild your immune system.
As long as 30 years ago my then GP was prescribbing them along side antibiotics.
Dr Michael Mosely has good BBC TV programs you may be able to find on iPlayer and also books.
Hopefully others will be along to tell you their thoughts on your particular bugs, Amoxycillin and probiotic.
My husband had to be on IV antibiotics for 8 weeks. He was given probiotic powder which he dissolved to drink every day. I think you should request something. This was ordered by the consultant.
Firstly on the subject of antibiotics. I have had 1,000mg 3 times a day in the past BUT not for haemohilus influenzae for a month. I assume gp has done a culture to know you are growing HI but if not I would suggest you ask for a sample to be sent. HI is a gram negative baceria and a more appropriate ab for a shorter period of time might be preferable. Your consultant may want to use a prophilactic ab or a nebulised ab if you are colonised.
I am a believer in probiotics, especially as I have IBS/SIBO as well as lung problems and I was prescribed an excellent live probiotic. Sadly because they are classed as a food supplement our CCG has now black labelled them and so they can no longer be prescribed.
Kefir (which I can’t tolerate but is good) and Kombucha is great. Took me a while to get used to the taste but a trick is to have it in a wine glass!
I will try to find those two things! Thank you for your advice.
A bit of advice, probiotics work better if you also use a prebiotic. Prebiotics feed the bacteria in the probiotics so they work better. Bananas are prebiotics but you can find a list of others online.
I think it's less a question of the amount of probiotic, but rather when you take it. Some doctors are skeptical because the probiotics are likely to be killed by the same broad-spectrum antibiotic. To reduce this likelihood, it's best to take the probiotic halfway between antibiotic dose (preferably around 4 hours before and after). This would give the small intestine a chance to absorb the antibiotic before the probiotic reaches it; there will still be some left, but at least you are giving the good bacteria a fighting chance!
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