Use of Antibiotics

[Campoverde]

I blame my IBS on the constant use of antibiotics for urine infections. I haven’t taken any antibiotics for about 4 years now but have today been prescribed an antibiotic, Amoxicillin for a tooth infection. I’m now concerned about it making my IBS worse. I have it pretty well under control. I take a probiotic, Alflorex every morning. Does anyone have any tips or ideas about this please?

[Andann]

That sounds like a good idea. The effects of antibiotics should disappear reasonably quickly after a variety of foods, fermented foods and probiotics. I had gazillions of utis years ago and then years later various sensitivities of stomach and bowels. Have come to the conclusion most of it is food related and will probably never know the main cause. So I dont eat pulses, beans etc. Caffeine, tea, fatty food, incl avocado. My main triggers for all disturbances are onion and garlic and some other fructans discovered through fodmap trials.

Its all a bit individual and a journey discovering reactions over time.

[Superzob]

I suspect you’ll be taking amoxicillin 3 times a day, so try to take Alflorex at least 2 hours before or after doses. I would be tempted to take an additional probiotic (eg, lactobacillus) during the antibiotic use, to help recharge the gut microbiome whilst the ABs are taking their toll. I usually get loose stools about 3 days after amoxicillin, but I believe the normal course is about 5 days, so you should see an improvement in bowel symptoms after about a week.

[Campoverde in reply to Superzob]

Thanks for the advice. I was given Amoxicillin but it brought me out in a itchy rash on my body. I went back to the dentist this morning and was given Rhodogil instead. I feel pretty rubbish at the moment. Not with IBS but lack of sleep last night and just generally off.

[b1b1b1]

My gastroenterologist always advises yogurt when on antibiotics. The yogurt must be eaten at least 2 hours after the antibiotics are taken, however, otherwise the antibiotics will also kill the beneficial bacteria in the yogurt. Kefir is also very good to take.

[Campoverde in reply to b1b1b1]

Thank you I’ll do that

[xjrs]

Saccharomyces Boulardii, which is a beneficial yeast that has been proven to prevent antibiotic associated diarrhoea, is the best thing to take whilst on antibiotics. The reason it is so effective is that since it is a yeast and doesn’t consist of bacteria, antibiotics won’t affect it, so it can do its job. Take 2 Saccharomyces Boulardii capsules after a couple of mouthfuls of food at breakfast and at dinner whilst taking antibiotics and for 2 weeks to a month afterwards. If you start to become constipated on Saccharomyces Boulardii, this suggests that it has or is doing its job and it might be possible to come off of them.

Probiotics can be taken in addition, but timing is important. If you take probiotics at the right time (at least two hours away from both previous and next antibiotic doses), they can pass through your system helping to protect the good bacteria and defend against any bad bacteria starting to dominate. The next antibiotic dose will still affect the microbiome, but some of the good bugs will survive helping the rebalancing effect when the course of antibiotics ends.

[Campoverde in reply to xjrs]

I just happen to have some in which the doctor said to get for my husband. Thank you

[Chris61]

Hi Campoverde, I have suffered this numerous times. What works for me is to have some kefir and a good selection of plants in your diet,whatever you can tolerate. Tim Spector from Zoe explains it better if you Google him. It's about good gut flora and how to increase it. Any live culture product works great such as yoghurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut etc.

[Hidden]

just a general observation- for the females on here who suffer frequent UTI’s- if you are peri’ or post -menopausal then the reason could be vaginal atrophy, a very common cause of UTI’s in which case try and see an intermediate gynae person-attached to the local health trust but separate from the gp- and they can prescribe topical oestrogen which will help prevent the problem!