Antibiotics

Because of my Mitral Valve damage I have to be given antibiotic cover when I have certain dental treatment. I find this knocks my digestive system out of whack and I have been told this is because the antibiotics kill of the good bacteria in the gut. My question is has anyone got any advice about how I can get the bacteria levels built back up. Supplements or diet ideas would be great.

[Ethel13]

Hi Jan,

I too have to take a one off high dose of antibiotics a few hours before check up and clean. My first dental appointment post op is in a couple of days time so don’t yet know how my body will react. I take a good probiotic daily, I won’t take it the morning I take the antibiotics but will be straight back on it afterwards to get the balance right in my stomach.

Hope that helps.

Dory x💕

[Hidden in reply to Ethel13]

Thanks Dory, I will look in to those. I eat a healthy diet although I can’t tolerate some dairy very well and unfortunately have a complete hatred of milk and cream. When I’ve had antibiotics before the effect has lasted for months so I’m desperate to sort this out this time.

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi Jan,

look at probiotics, though make sure you give time either side of the anti biotics

[Ethel13]

Hi JanI hope the probiotics work for you, I take mine in capsule form and store in the fridge. Good luck. Dory x💕

[woodbon]

I am no medical expert, but I have heart failure caused by valve problems. A few months back I finished a lot of dental treatment from an infection and had 3 front teeth out. My dentist knows my history and has a list of my meds, so I asked him about antibiotics. He said that these days they don't use them unless the dental infection calls for them, he said that they used to prescribe as a matter of course with heart patients. He told me this is a fairly new policy. I ended up having them, as the infection got worse after the extraction, due to a 'dry socket' infection. Never has so much PAIN!!! I should check with the dentist and your GP as to the need with your condition.

[Hidden in reply to woodbon]

I used to have to have antibiotics for any kind of dental treatment but now with the new rules I only need it for extractions & root canals.

[FMW62 in reply to Hidden]

When I had my new valve in October 2015, the NICE recommendation was for "vulnerable people" i.e. those with artificial valves or a history of endocarditis, should have antibiotics before dental treatment or any other potentially invasive procedure. Soon afterwards they dropped the recommendation, as part of the campaign to reduce the over-use of antibiotics.

In 2017 I had polyps removed from my colon, without prophylactic antibiotics. I got endocarditis and had 3 months on antibiotics to prevent it settling on my valve. I now have a letter from my cardiologist telling my dentist I need antibiotics before even a tooth polish from the hygienist.

I am still taking fermented foods at almost every meal - live yogurt, keffir or sauerkraut. I finished the antibiotics on Boxing Day and my digestion is pretty much normal again now.

[Hidden in reply to FMW62]

I also had an Endocarditis scare several years back. Fermented foods are a new thing to me, I will have to find out more. Someone else has also mentioned probiotics, so I guess I have got some homework to do.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

About four years ago I had an abscessed tooth. After three courses of antibiotics in a two week period it was still very painful and I was feeling quite ill. I just could take it no more and asked to have it removed (not visible as back tooth). Within 24 hours I felt much better bar (it felt like) a ruined digestive system. My research suggested three things:-

I) Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables

ii) Avoid processed food

iii) Eat fermented food such as yogurt and sauerkraut (best eaten cold as it comes).Both Waitrose and Tesco do dairy free yogurts (my niece is lactose intolerant) that are soya or coconut based. You may have to order on line if you are not near a larger branch.

Worked for me...

[Fortepiano]

Just to say the guidelines have changed, and antibiotics are no longer recommended for native valve disease like yours. They are in fact not even recommended by NICE for people with prosthetic valves, but many cardiologists disagree with the latter and still recommend them for prosthetic valves ( mine does). Since antibiotics disagree with you so much it's worth bearing in mind you don't have to take them.

[Fredders]

I don’t have any choice, I have to have antibiotics if I have any dental treatment. I am on antibiotics for the rest of my life anyway because I had my spleen removed last year, my heart surgery is just an added complication.

Wendy

[Hidden in reply to Fredders]

I’m in a similar situation as my dentist, who is great by the way, won’t proceed without antibiotic cover for certain procedures. My Mitral Valve is pretty poor but because my body has been able to adapt I am atypical regarding systems which is why they monitor me every six months. My problems started at age 7 and I’m now 61.

Janet