Patterns within the antibiotic/IBS madness!

[darinfan]

Well, after five weeks of a bad stomach after taking antibiotics, I've booked to see a consultant privately as it is quicker than the NHS. All hail Mum for her voluntary donation to this worthy cause ("it doesn't matter if you have the money now or when I'm gone).

But do other people's issues have almost strict patterns? Check out this (maybe tmi) timetable:

Sat 22nd: JuneEar infection diagnosed, clarithromycin prescribed

Weds 26th JuneSevere diarrhea begins, continues to 29th

Tues 2nd JulyNormal, but small b.m.

Weds 3rd JulyFull b.m. starts normal, but ends in diarrhea.

Sun 7th JulyNormal, but small b.m.

Mon 8th July.Full b.m. starts normal, but ends in diarrhea.

Thurs 11th JulyAs 8th July

Sunday 14th JulyAs 8th July

17th & 18th JulySmall normal b.m

Friday 19th July. Full b.m. starts normal, but ends in diarrhea.

23rd & 24th July. Small normal b.m.

Thurs 25th July Full b.m. starts normal, but ends in diarrhea.

Saturday 27th JulySevere diarrhea.

31st July & 1st Aug: Small normal b.m.

2nd Aug: Full b.m. starts normal, but ends in diarrhea.

It seems madness to me that it is almost on a five or six day cycle for the most part. It oddly gives me some reassurance that it's unlikely to be anything significantly more serious - although that isn't ruled out. I'll be relieved (I hope) when the FIT test comes back. I find when I have D*, it's impossible to answer the GP's question of whether there was blood in it. I have no idea.

But does anyone else have a similarly routine-obsessed stomach issue?

And it goes on: In all but the first bout of diarrhea at the end of June, the diarrhea always comes within 1 to 3 hours after I've had my main meal. It doesn't suddenly appear in the morning, or the middle of the night (thankfully). And it never goes on for hour after hour. No matter how bad, my bathroom visits are over and done with in 90 minutes. Once I've been (albeit in several visits), I've been, and I don't go back that day.

Do other people have this experience? My health anxiety is through the roof, and my weight is dropping rapidly, because as soon as I get to the stage when I'm back to eating full meals, I end up with diarrhea again. I guess that at least it's not "unexpected" weight loss. Part of me is dreading having these tests in the coming weeks and wants to wrap myself up in cotton wool and pretend it's not happening, and the other part of me just wants to KNOW.

I have got to the stage now where I dread having my 5pm meal as I never know how much pain I'm going to get - either from cramps or the never-ending gas that comes after.

[Linley]

Antibiotics are the miracle of the 20th century but my stomach will disagree!

Whenever I have had to take them after 2 days the loo runs begin after lunch and dinner. We have to remember that they kill the good bacteria in our gut as well as the bad. I always take probiotics if I have to take antibiotics and my GP and dentist know which ones I can tolerate for a few days. I too loose weight easily, I managed to put 1 kilo of weight on whilst on holiday but 3 weeks later had a bad IBS attack so hey ho back to where I started. Wish you luck with your private appointment do hope it gives you peace of mind and let us know how you get on

[Elena1931]

Antibiotics did exactly the same for me,Linley said it correctly that it kills the good and the bad.Unfortunately if you have a sensitive stomach it will effect you worse.I took antibiotics for helicabacter infection and it completely turned me upside down.I developed thrush even on my tongue.All I can say that worked for me was time and watching your diet by trying to eat healthy and the most important try not to worry.You get good and bad days.It does improve.Good luck and take care😌