Just wondering if anyone here takes Metronidazole, the reason I ask is as well as having bronchiectasis I also suffer with reflux and diverticulitis, I haven't had a flare up of diverticulitis for sometime, but I have felt very bloated gassy and uncomfortable for a couple of weeks on and off, I asked the GP if their was an antibiotic that would treat an exacerbation/infection flare up of my lungs and the diverticulitis and he gave me metronidazole which I started taking on Thursday because of infection in my lungs again, however I'm not convinced it's doing any good as I am not really feeling much better, I normally have clarithromycin which seems better, so just wondering if anyone is in a similar situation i.e needing antibiotics to treat 2 conditions. Many thanks in advance.
Written by
TG58
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi TG58. Metronidazole is an antibiotic which treats anearobic bacteria. These are bugs which grow without oxygen. Most of the bugs which we get thrive in oxygenated areas.
There should really be a lab test which shows anaerobic bacteria before it is prescribed because it is a really vile drug and plays havoc with everything. Guts, reflux, you name it.
And don’t even sniff alcohol. Projectile vomiting follows immediately!
Anaerobic bacteria can be difficult to grow in the lab. I had several years when I was plagued with these kind of bugs and it would take nine weeks to grow and isolate them. After quite a few sessions with these awful antibiotics I was eventually put on fostair inhaler and azithromycin which reduced the inflammation which encouraged them to grow. I have now moved on from that and 🤞🏻Haven’t had any more problems with anaerobes.
It sounds as though your GP, in common with so many others, is out of their depth with bronchiectasis. If you do not already have a bronchiectasis specialist consultant ( not a general respiratory consultant, they know very little more than GPs and don’t have enough experience in bronch) look for a specialist in your area and insist that your GP refers you because they are failing to get on top of the problem.
If you do have a bronchiectasis specialist, call their secretary, explain the problem and get them the ask the consultant for their advice. These secs are usually very helpful because they become very concious of the problems associated with bronch.
Your problem does need more investigation so I hope that helped a bit.
Looking again at your straightforward question. The metronidazole may be the right one for your reflux and diverticulitis ( but it can also set off these problems) but the wrong one for your chest. You may be right inthat the clarith, which has worked for your chest before may be the one for that. A sputum test really needs to be done to find out which bacteria is in there.
Yes this is why I asked the GP the question could he give me something that would work for both the Diverticula and the Bronchiectasis, and he said yes as I had, had the metronidazole about 18 months ago for an attack of the Diverticula, he obviously thought it would do both, but is obviously very wrong.
I had a sputum test some weeks ago but it didn't show up anything, although that didn't surprise me as it was quite clear at the time, I suggested to that particular GP that I really need regular sputum tests at least once a month, but he didn't really seem to agree, and said probably only when infection starts, I do really think it's about time GPs got on board with Bronchiectasis, and other lung problems, else I'm guessing we will have this constant going around in bloody circles with them, it's a nightmare and I fear starting to effect my mental health, you can't even get a face to face appointment, I have to wait till Thursday to try and get an emergency appointment with a particular GP who is in very high demand in my particular practice because he is very good, I will keep my fingers crossed.
I don’t even bother going to my GP for bronch treatment. My main relationship is with my bronch specialist and her secretary. My GP cooperates with her very well and always fills my repeat request for cipro ( my first go to when I have an exacerbation) so that I have plenty at home. I don’t know whether you have a bronch specialist, as opposed to attending a general respiratory clinic but I really do suggest that you get one. A couple of people on here insisted on being referred to mine and cannot believe how their lives have changed.
The last time I needed help from my GP was in 2015 when I went to the surgery six times, knowing that I was ill and cipro not working. They kept telling me my chest was clear and lab tests ( always notoriously unreliable in bronch) also kept coming back clear. I had two xrays. The second one was seen by the head of the practice who phoned and said ‘you have pneumonia and an empyema and you are bordering on sepsis.’They wanted me in my local hospital - NO WAY. So I took myself over to the hospital where I see my specialist and argued my way in to her care via A&E. Result, lung had to be drained and IV antibiotics in hospital and at home over the next eight weeks. Very red faces at my GP practice. If this can have happened to me after 62 years then of dealing with my condition and medics it can happen to anybody.
It makes sense that your GP should prescribe the dreaded metronidazole for an infection in the gut where anaerobes thrive, but his gamble that it would tackle whatever is in your chest hasn’t paid off.
So you see, unfortunately we bronchs have to be very pro active in our own interests and vociferous in sourcing the right treatment.
I have the same problem. I started my emergency pack of clarithromycin which seems to be easing my diverticulitis pains and also helping with my current bout of severe breathlessness. Hope you get it sorted soon
Dentists tend to prescribe metronidazole for infected teeth . I was given this for tooth infection few years ago . It is foul .Dont remember being asked about any other health problems but now have to fill a form in giving all health details. I wonder if i it gets updated regularly.
Hi, I also have bronchiectasis and reflux and after years of wrong meds i find azithromycin works for me with extra antibiotics for flares. I have arthritis and take naproxen together with omniprazole which also seems to help with reflux. I cannot take clarithromycin as it makes the reflux worse. I did not know about azithromycin until put on this as a trial by my respiratory consultant, and am now on it all the time.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
asthma symptoms questions 
Confusing symptoms. 
Antibiotic reaction 
Dad been diagonise with copd but now docs saying not sure can anyone help 
Hyperinflated lungs 
