Antibiotics

[Boo222]

I have long since suspected that some antibiotics can deplete B12 levels. Has anyone had experience of this?

[Narwhal10]

Hi Boo222,

I thought I’d reply as nobody has. It has not happened to me but I found this old link :-

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

Whilst scrolling through, I was horrified to read that somebody had been on oral antibiotics for 2 years. I dread to think of the state of their gut microbiota.

The gut microbiome is under-researched and under-estimated but antibiotics can affect that careful balance of our own ‘healthy’ bacteria. Thus, affecting our ability to absorb and synthesise (make) essential micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).

Great indicators of poor gut health are obviously, gastrointestinal symptoms and stools but whether you have ‘gone off’ certain foods.

Best wishes.

[Boo222 in reply to Narwhal10]

Thank you for your reply. It makes sense although "going off" certain foods/flavours could have something to do with Long Covid. It's a minefield. A minefield that GP's can't be bothered with it seems!

[Narwhal10 in reply to Boo222]

Hi Boo222,

I’m so sorry to hear about long COVID. Have you appetite loss in general, what about sense of smell as well ?

Yes, a GP is just that.

It maybe worth having a session with a private dietician who understands prebiotics, probiotics, essential micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) their dosages, interactions and bioavailability.

[Boo222 in reply to Narwhal10]

Hello again, Thanks. I suspect my Mum has long covid. She's in a home and trying to negotiate with GPs is impossible. Her B12 injection was 26 days late last time "due to shortage of district nurses". I intend to ask the home manager if staff can give the injections instead. I'm told they're trained to do insulin so it will be very strange if it won't be allowed.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

I have found that since being B12 deficient, I react to antibiotics: vertigo and bad headaches. Now that I have made gradual improvements generally, I seem more able to tolerate them again. Prior to B12 deficiency, this was not a problem - but difficult to remember that far back as I rarely needed them ! B12 deficiency often leaves people vulnerable to infections that are difficult to clear up: gum infections etc. Things a healthier body might get shot of easily, or never suffer from.

I have the following

umm.edu/health/medical/altm...

drugs.com/drug-interactions...

both of which list various antibiotics as having an impact on B12.

Might be worth checking.

Might even help you when discussing your mum's care with the home manager .

By the way, each time I had a bad reaction, I still continued with the antibiotics because they were a short-term treatment - but did discuss problem with GP the first time to ensure that this went on my record and that I was doing the right thing by continuing.

[Boo222 in reply to Cherylclaire]

Thank you for your reply. I'll look into it.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to Boo222]

Good luck to you and your mum.

[Boo222 in reply to Cherylclaire]

Thank you.

[MattdL182 in reply to Cherylclaire]

I was having reactions to antibiotics that I used previously with no issues. Two antibiotics, Trimethoprim and Doxycycline both caused worsening of tingling and burning sensations. Did you get a worsening of neuropathy?

I need try take Augmentin (co-amoxiclav) very soon, so I'm hoping I can tolerate it. And I hope in time I can tolerate the other two again. Didn't realize I had an issue with B12 until after I tried them.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to MattdL182]

Doxycycline and Metronidazole were the ones I remember having a problem with. I also made a note that deniseinmilden advised not taking Trimethoprim.

Doxycycline gave me bad vertigo and headache in 2018.

Metronidazole also gave me bad vertigo and headache in 2018. 2 years later when having to have it again, I was very dizzy with memory and cognitive issues - which felt like an improvement on the first time.

Fortunately, I have not needed any antibiotics now for years.

Hope Augmentin will be okay with you. I'm not familiar with this drug.

Let us know how you get on.