IBS attack after antibiotics

[BabblingBrooks]

Took Amoxicillin (7days) and Co Amoxiclav (5days) for a bad sinus/ear infection.

Got some diarrhoea on the first day of the second lot (tried to consult 111, eventually gave up) by the second day symptoms improved so I carried on taking it.

Around 10 days later started with diarrhoea, tummy and backache and bloating.

To cut the story short, urine, stool and blood tests all negative.

Still got loose stools, but only in the morning (proper smelly one) along with some tummy ache and mild bloating.

Does this sound like a typical reaction to antibiotics or something that needs more attention?

Cheers!

[Luisa22]

This may be caused by a messed-up microbiome, which antibiotics are famous for. Have you tried taking a probiotic? And if so did it make you feel any better, worse, or no change? Good probiotics are Symprove, Alflorex (mostly for IBS) but also Saccharomyces Boulardii I see is recommended for gut upsets with antibiotics. Perhaps something like this would help?

[StrugglingAirHostess]

I'm the same with antibiotics but last time I took them I had a probiotic every morning and a probiotic yogurt and it actually worked for me, stomach was absolutely fine. It's because the antibiotic strips the good bacteria from the gut but the probiotic balances it out.

[Poshy]

Same happened to me I believe. I had had really bad flu in the month before, then I got a one continuous night vomiting bug. Few days after I had to take amoxicillin for 5 days for a mouth abscess and then the acute gut ache and nausea kicked in and to date 8 weeks later I am still suffering from this and has now extended to my stomach too. I am taking probiotics which help but not always depending. Also organic live culture yogurts. I do dip into doctor meds occasionally in my search for relief. I cannot eat much as a result and all foods seem to instigate pain yet I do not have diarrhoea or constipation weirdly. Anyone throw any light on this please?

[Leo70]

Yes, antibiotics known to cause gut upset as they "knock out" the good bacteria in the bowel and it can take some time to correct. Probiotics are recommended after a course of antibiotics.

[Pgh_Sue33]

Yes! There seems to be a severe sinus infection/ cold going around this year. I was also prescribed amoxicillin ( no help) and amoxoclav. After 12 days, I had a severe IBS attack. I called my doctor, who insisted that I had to get rid of the sinus infection. She switched me over to doxycycline, which seems to be working. Our gut biomes are definitely off- kilter!

I have been taking a probiotic, Activia yogurt, and fiber. I will keep taking them for a while after the doxycycline is gone. I hope you feel better!

[BabblingBrooks]

Yep, I had exactly the same thing with the same antibiotics. It shifted the sinus/ear infection but the after effects were worse.

Guts feel a bit better now. But like you my IBS attack came around a week and a half later.

I was convinced I had C Diff for a while.

[Bekindtoyou]

Hi, this sounds like the effect of 2 courses of antibiotics that have affected your gut "environment" - you know, all those friendly bacteria that are responsible for helping the breakdown of food and fluid.Antibiotics can irritate your gut to the point that it works overtime - hence the bloating and tummy/backache. It can cause sensitivity to lactose (this settles in time) which can cause smelly stools as animal fats and lactose (found in dairy products) are harder for our guts to digest and can often be the last thing to leave your stomach.

I would try taking some probiotics for about a month and to start with reduce your lactose intake. There are many more alternatives yo dairy these days.

The other thing to consider is whether or not you got constipated whilst taking the antibiotics. If your usual bowel routine was affected and caused constipation what you are getting now could be overflow around an obstruction caused by constipation. Constipation can cause both lifting and backache.

It sounds as though its more likely to be the first suggestion- that the antibiotics have stripped your gut of "good" bacteria and it could take up to a month, or more, for your bowel to get back to normal without any of the suggested interventions. If, after a week, you don't see any improvement then I would suggest you discuss it with your doctor.

[BabblingBrooks in reply to Bekindtoyou]

Thanks for the advice, you know you get more help on here than a GP can offer.

It’s finally improving now . I got the diarrhoea with the antibiotics so it definitely sounds like the first scenario.

I’ve had exactly this prescription of antibiotics before in this order but I’ve never had it as bad as this .

First time in my life I’ve needed a sick note from the doctor.

[Bekindtoyou in reply to BabblingBrooks]

Antibiotics, whilst they have their place in medicine can often trigger other issues, side effects for one - there are many side effects but it doesn't tell you about the effect they can have on your gut and any gut related issues such as IBS. It makes me cross to think that people are not informed that antibiotics, as well as fighting the infection, make you more prone to gut sensitivities and irritation. I'm sure that if people knew what they were letting themselves in for they wouldn't readily be asking for antibiotics. Not casting any judgement here, my gripe is more about the lack of information when being prescribed then.I sincerely hope your IBS settles soon x

[CockeyMoor]

Definitely the antibiotics. Sadly Amoxycillin and Co-Amoxiclav both contain Amoxycillin so your intolerance to it has been exacerbated. GP should have changed antibiotic entirely after the first course of Amoxycillin didn’t work. Amoxycillin is a Penicillin so they should have changed you to a course of Doxycycline a Tetracycline related antibiotic and from a different family of antibiotics to clear up the sinus infection.

Gets me so angry when Drs don’t realise Co-Amoxiclav is Amoxycillin with Clavulanic acid added to enhance its action.

By the way I don’t think you are allergic but it was just not agreeing with you. Then to have it for 12 days in total no wonder you are still suffering.

[BabblingBrooks in reply to CockeyMoor]

It seems to be finally improving but hopefully I’ll not need antibiotics for a good while and if I do I’ll insist on an alternative to amoxicillin and take a different probiotic to counter the side effects.

[Beresfordd]

Hey there!

I also recently took Amoxicillin for an infection (7 days for me), and thankfully, it worked great without causing major side effects. I ordered it from this trusted pharmacy - topsup24.com/buy-amoxil-uk..... It was delivered quickly, and the medication worked well. This is also important because there are many counterfeit products now, which are the cause of many side effects. That said, what you're describing—diarrhea and tummy issues—can sometimes happen after antibiotics. It might be a case of antibiotic-associated diarrhea or your gut microbiome needing time to recover.

A few tips:

Consider adding a good-quality probiotic or eating probiotic-rich foods (like yogurt or kefir) to help restore balance.

Stay hydrated and keep an eye on your symptoms.

If things don’t improve soon or worsen, it’s worth following up with your GP to rule out anything like C. diff, which is rare but possible.

Hope you feel better soon! 🙏