I have just completed 7days on antibiotics for ear infection and after having 6 or so relatively good weeks I am back to gut pain that feels like palpitations and also have a cough. Can anyone relate to this? If so will what helps and does it settle down? Thanks in advance
Clarithromycin : I have just completed 7days on... - IBS Network
Clarithromycin
I can't really relate to the antibiotics situation, because I haven't taken antibiotics since 2006. I have managed to avoid them by using other methods. Back in 2006 I had no gut problems and was fine after them (also naive, as I hadn't heard that we ought to take a course of probiotics afterwards.) But I remember having no gut problems at all, until many years later (2018)
I might suggest you take a good probiotic? I have heard Alflorex is a very good one for those who have IBS. But of course we are all different, so another one might work for you? I hope someone else posts who knows all about this. "xjrs" (a member here) is very good on this topic.
It can take sometime for things to settle down after taking antibiotics, even if you are 100% health issue free , as the drug dies effect everyone's gut balance . With chronic health issues or sensitive it can take up to six weeks before the balance is back.The cough is more uncommon , unless you also experience gastric acid and indigestion as part of your IBS . Try drinking more cool water through the day and sleeping with head and shoulders raised on pillows either on your left side or back. A gargle of warm water or green tea will also help.
Keep an eye on it. You could just have experienced a little throat inflammation from another mild respiratory or throat virus . The ear infection could have also caused some symptoms in the throat . But if it continues , or gets worse , and you throat and mouth get hot , dry and feel like they burn or sting all the time , you may have an oral thrush infection caused by the use of antibiotics. It is quite common as antibiotics change the pH and sugar balance in your mouth and throat , and so any normal population of fungi can increase while immunity is low.
If it is a thrush , drinking green tea and eating yoghurt helps the irritation and inflammation , or you can clear it quickly using the one time thrush pill for oral use. Steer clear of strong mouthwashes as they can cause more pain and irritation if your throat is scratched or inflamed.
Thank you blearyeyed for your great info I will certainly take it all in. The cough seems to have settled a bit but still have gut discomfort which I am hoping will settle given time . I had thought in taking Alflorex a few months ago but I had a really good spell where all was well. I have ordered some from H&B so will start them asap. Thanks again, take care 🙏
Good advice from Luisa22 . You say that you are taking probiotics and kefir which would be a good thing to do. If you need to take antibiotics again or for any other reason, it is good to take Saccharomyces Boulardii alongside the antibiotics. This is a beneficial fungus and acts like a probiotic, but since it isn't bacteria based it doesn't get killed off by the antibiotics. This should help to protect your gut whilst you are on them; hopefully so that you come out the other side unscathed. There have been many studies that prove that it is beneficial against antibiotic associated diarrhoea. If you find that your current probiotic isn't helping, as Luisa22 says it is a good idea to try Alflorex. It contains a particularly strong bacteria strain that is very effective at fighting gut infections and helping to bring gut microbes back in balance since the antibiotics not only affect bad bacteria, but good bacteria too which normally keep the bad guys under control.
Hi i have ibs 4 years now doctors dont t help just say find out your triggers but every thing seems to be a trigger i bloat all the time even tea /coffee bloat me. Just wondering where do i buy Alflorec anything is worth a try.
Hi, You can get it from Precision Biotics who are the manufacturers:
precisionbiotics.co.uk/alfl...
It is relatively expensive, but if it helps you, there are cheaper subscription options. Plus I think you can get a 12 week trial which also works out cheaper.