LymeNet Flash: Long Term Antibiotics

This is topic Long Term Antibiotics in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by trecetetodromonmetabia (Member # 6250) on :

What are some of the bad side effects of being on antibiotics for a long time?

Posted by zipzip (Member # 6226) on :

having no acne...

Posted by snowboarder (Member # 6346) on :

I've been told it's very hard on the gut and you need to do lots of acidophilus to put good bateria back in your system.

Posted by Kara Tyson (Member # 939) on :

One day you may or may not get a bacteria that you wont be able to fight as well.

But I dont put much thought into that.

You cant worry about what will happen 20 years from now. You have to be in good enough shape to make it 20 years!

Posted by circuspeanut (Member # 6154) on :

LOL zipzip! I'm diggin' that side effect myself.

I suppose one danger is an overload of your body's natural filtering systems: kidney, liver, & by extension bladder. Long-term diarhhea. Systemic yeast infections are lousy and common; they're the result of the abx also killing off the "good" bacteria your body uses to fight normal internal infections like yeast that are normally held in check.

I was asking my doc about the concept of building resistance to antibiotics via long-term use so that they're not effective for when you get seriously sick with something and need them.
He looked at me and said: "But right now you're seriously sick with something - Lyme. What else are you waiting for?" Good point!

peanut

Posted by Nancy-OH (Member # 3567) on :

I asked myself that question a few years ago.

After 3 years on abx I can tell you that I'm sooooo much better with my Lyme.

The bad side effects have been yeast. Although I hear others complain about losing their gallbladder from the overload of toxins, I guess.

You can significantly reduce these chances by religiously taking your acidophilus and reducing your carb intake. Also, take that milk thistle!

It's all been worth it to me.

Nancy

Posted by TheCrimeOfLyme (Member # 4019) on :

Clogging up the drain cause you keep throwing chit in there without turning on the garbage disposal.

Posted by cootiegirl (Member # 3216) on :

You all are so right about the acne - my skin has never looked better LOL!

Well so far in the three years I've been on meds, nothing too icky has happened. I haven't sprouted an extra head or apendage, altho I could use a couple extra hands with three kids.

Seriously tho, I do think the benefits outweigh any of the risks. Certainly yeasty beasties are something to contend with. And of course if one is allergic/sensitive to abx, then you have another whole host of issues. But otherwise, I think too much hype is out there about how dangerous lt abx are. I do know that I haven't gotten worse and it's the meds that are helping to keep things at bay. And I will get better....

Hey,just crossing the street is a risk these days.
cootiegirl

Posted by mlkeen (Member # 1260) on :

There are other conditions that require long term abx, so taking tham for lyme isn't a new idea.

The yeast/gut issues are usually managed and a better option than serious organ damage, pain and death from Lyme, in my opinion.

I didn't hesitate putting my 15 year old on long term abx. His health had gone down hill for three years. He was an exhausted hurting child. Now he is on the road to wellness.

The abx seems to have little effect on his gut. He takes probiotics, but only avoids sugar and carbs some of the time.

Mel

Posted by LLLucille (Member # 1443) on :

Long term abx (especially heavy doses) can be rough on your liver.

Taking Milk Thistle is supposed to help your liver stay healthy.

I also don't like the constipation or diarrhea that I sometimes get when I'm on the abx....but hey, that's just me!

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