IBS - Can antibiotics trigger symptoms

[84ladybug]

I recently had 3 rounds of antibiotics for a urine infection & have now developed IBS. Has anyone else found this . Now taking Buscopan & Colpermin but feel constantly sick with bad headaches. Not eating much due to this which may be causing the headaches but finding it hard to fancy anything. Help !

[Linley]

Hi! If you read the side effect leaflets that come with the antibiotics "diarrhoea" is there. While antibiotics are great for clearing infection they also kill the good bacteria in your gut, therefore it is quite possible that they have upset your gut flor with the amount of antibiotics taken.. But you do not just develop IBS -you really need to have a confirmed diagnosis by exclusion tests -see your GP if it goes on too long

[b1b1b1 in reply to Linley]

Yes, IBS is not caused by antibiotics. Eat yogurt and take probiotics to try to replace the good bacteria in your intestines. If you do not improve see your gastroenterologist. Also, check for c. difficile.

[Scr1969]

If you have been taking a triple dose of antibiotics you need to get some probiotics in your gut ASAP - after my treatment for HPylori i wasnt told about my damage to my gut flora - i got advised to take these tablets -not cheap but you wont get the required dose from Holland and Barrett, Boots and any other chemist.

The link below will take you to the tablets i took but this is also a very good website. I hope this helps.

gutdoctor.com/product/custo...

[Eliana5]

Are you having diarrhea? You may want to be tested for C difficil that is severe IBS or diarrhea that can be caused by antibiotics. Antibiotics destroy all the good bacteria or flora in our intestines..unfortunately, and it can take some time to get back to normal bowel movements. Have you tried Probiotics with good strains of live cultures? Align is good for this, and was mentioned to me by a Gastro once.

[Eastbourne11]

Hi you need Acidophilus tablets from Holland and Barrett. Cost about £12. This will replace the flora that the antibiotics destroyed. You probably don't have to do anything else. You do not have IBS. than goodness.

[lifeschool]

Probiotics and if that doesn't work completely feed them with prebiotics. It's knocked out your good bacteria. You can get a balance back. Throw in some yogurt with that.

[SophieC22]

Yes antibiotics is one of the biggest triggers for IBS!! Any time you’re on them, good to get some probiotics in them too to give your gut some good bacteria back (antibiotics take away alll of the bacteria, good and bad). When searching for a good probiotic-best to look for one with the most bacteria’s (the more there are the most expensive it will be, but also the better it will help) also kefir is a probiotic drink, much better than any tablets as it has lots of different bacteria’s, and large numbers of all of them. Will find it in local supermarket!