I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions of how to reduce the symptoms of antibiotic-induced colitis.
I have been on Rocephin for approx 5 weeks and have had terrible abdominal pain and other side effects for a week now.
At first my GP and I both thought it was a case of the stomach flu that is running rampant through town, but I am beginning to think other wise due to the spasms and increase in pain the past few days.
Due to the holidays, I can not get into my LLMD or GP and do not feel the need to go to the Urgent Care or ER, knowing they will assume it is the flu and do nothing for me.
Does anyone have any suggestions of some things to take/eat to ease the pain. It is 3:00pm and I have not eaten anything in almost 24 hours because it flares up when I eat. Any suggestions will be MORE THAN APPRECIATED!!
Posts: 73 | From just outside of Lansing, MI | Registered: Jun 2006
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dontlikeliver
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4749
posted
Hi Amy,
I don't really know (I've not had Colitis), but a product I take which my LLMD has me on is VSL3 that I buy online at www.VSL3.com.
I take it to PREVENT problems, but I read on their leaflet inserts that it is used for people with colitis and chrohns disease and similar I think.
It is probiotics containing 450 BILLION bacteria per packet, and you can take from 1-4 packs a day I think.
Not sure if that is much help, but it might help some to try it.
DLL
Posts: 2824 | From The Back of Beyond | Registered: Oct 2003
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5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
good advise from DDL> Really try & tank up on the pro-biotics.
I also like theralac and the pro-biotic pearls at vitacost. Also would drink lots of extra water & make sure to replace your delectro-lites
Hope you can feel better soon
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
Were you tested for Clostridium Difficile (C. Diff. infection)? That could be what you are describing - usually severe cramping and diarrhea. It needs to be treated.
You can do a search here because there are other Lymenet posters who are dealing with C. Diff.
Good luck to you. I know how miserable it is to be dealing with new symptoms during the holidays when it's hard to reach doctors.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
Get tested for c.difficile toxins A & B. Things you can do to help it are VSL# 3, Questran (spaced apart from abx or other meds) Theralac, probiotics etc. L-glutamine, ground flax seeds, stopping all antibiotics.
If its positive c.difficile you have to stop all antibiotics and go on either Flagyl or oral Vancomycin. Make sure if it is c.diff your doc knows how to give you the correct dose with the pulse/taper at the end. if you get a fever, and the diarrhea does not let up, go to the ER and get the stool tests for c.diff and the stool panel for other stuff. BRAT diet can help, chicken soup too, if its really bad.
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I stopped my Rocephin and have not taken it in 6 days. I also have been taking more Acidophilis. My issues have cleared up a lot, but I still have some pain every now and then.
I was worried about C Diff. because I work at a hospital and we have patients every so often with it, but I personally did not feel that it was that.
Thanks again for the suggestions and advice!! Amy
Posts: 73 | From just outside of Lansing, MI | Registered: Jun 2006
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
SACCHAROMYCES BOULARDII
You can buy it at health food stores in the refrigerated cases- it is for antibiotic related diarhhea. AIDS patients discovered it works well (bless them*)! and paved the way for us Lymies*)! It is a friendly yeast that eats candida and destroys c difficile!!! ANY Lymie can take it prophylactially!!! There are many brands- I don't endorse any in particular!! We had a local Lyme patient 8 years ago die of c difficile. Horrible. Nice guy. Best wishes, Sarah
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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caat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 2321
posted
the 2 most common ones are Clostridium Difficile and yeast. Yeast is a biggy with rocephin, I needed 200mg flucanazole & lots of it.
Flagyl would get rid of Clostridium Difficile and would have the added effect of killing the cyst (egg) forms of the lyme bacteria. When rocephin is combined with flagyl there should be fewer relapses after the abx is disccontinued. (just like H. pylori- 2 ab's deal with 2 forms of the bacteria at once.)
If you ever go back to rocephin, just a tip- I found flagyl (and later tinidazole) much much easier to tolerate after 10 days of rocephin. I think because that 10 days helped heal my blood brain barrier.
Posts: 1436 | From Humboldt county ca usa | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
One of my LLMDs suggests taking Pepcid for gastro pain until I can get in for an apptmt. It has worked for me when stomach was causing severe pain. Dunno if it would help colitis but maybe you're not sure if that's what you have?
D
Posts: 261 | From San Mateo, CA | Registered: May 2005
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JimBoB
Unregistered
posted
I don't know about the drugs you are personally taking, because I take as few drugs as I can these days.
It has been proven that Cipro causes Colitis. I had Chronic Acute Colitis years ago and had to have my colon completely removed. YOU do NOT want that IF you can help it. Be SUPER CAREFUL on WHAT drugs you take. Many times the risks and side effects far outweigh any benefits. I know from experience.
I can't believe all the drugs some of you are taking and are still alive, more or less. It is scary in my way of thinking.
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