Diarrhea heartburn with refaximin

[Angrybelly]

Just started taking Rifaximin and within a day I started to get watery diarrhea non stop, isn't his antibiotic supposed to stop IBS-D? I also got really bad heartburn twice which is something I have not had for a long time. I GP said to stop just in case it is Cdiff and wait a few days. I had so much hope for this medicine but my side effects have been horrible. Anybody with similar symptoms?

[Linley]

It is a broad spectrum antibiotic and targets specific probs but......I have IBS d and taking any antibiotic gives me diarrhoea

[xjrs]

It is advisable to take saccharomyces boulardii alongside any antibiotics and for a couple of weeks after. This is a beneficial yeast which supports your microbiome whilst taking antibiotics and isn't affected by the antibiotics.

[Angrybelly in reply to xjrs]

I asked her and GI doc told me not to take any probiotics until all the rifaximin was tajen.

[xjrs in reply to Angrybelly]

It isn't a probiotic since it doesn't contain any bacteria. You could always ask her about it.

[Firinne]

I have diverticula disease and take a week's course of Rifaxamin every month. It seems to suit me although last course I did have a day of watery, very painful diarrhoea.... thankfully, it settled down. I do take a probiotic daily and when I'm on Rifaxamin, I make sure I take it several hours away from the antibiotic.

[Angrybelly in reply to Firinne]

I have diverticular disease for 13 years and my GI doc thinks I have ibs because I go many times, but the truth is that I don't really empty my bowels completely so I have this constant feeling of urgency. My surgeon said my sigmoid is thickened because of all the years of inflammation and there's no easy passage of fecal matter so he wants to cut it out. I'm a bit scared of surgery so I'm trying the Rifaximin to see if it's Ibs but it's looking more like the surgeon is right. I may have no choice but to pull the trigger.

[Firinne in reply to Angrybelly]

I'm so sorry to hear that. I've had diverticular disease for 20 years, I live in dread of attacks but I'm fortunate in that I don't have that urgency feeling all the time, that must be awful. Are you on facebook? You might get some advice on the group called Diverticulitis. I also belong to a group called Pain Free Foods Support Group. I find the Diverticulitis group a tad depressing, if I'm honest but there are very knowledgeable people there and many who have had surgery and it has transformed their lives. I half wish I was brave enough to just go for it, as this disease does dominate our lives, for sure.

[Angrybelly in reply to Firinne]

I am part of that group and it's depressing, but my surgeon said the vast majority of people do very well after surgery. He said some people even without active diverticulitis so have inflammation that never goes away. My biopsies for segmental colitis were negative, but he still thinks I should cut it off while I'm healthy. It's a very tough decision is very scary.

[Firinne in reply to Angrybelly]

Very tough, you have my sympathy. Yes, I would say the majority of people in that group have done well after surgery, it's certainly better to have elective surgery rather than have to go in as an emergency, with a rampant infection.

I've had success with saccharomyces boulardii, as xjrs says, it might be worth asking your surgeon about it before making your decision. I wish you good luck and good health.