LymeNet Flash: ABX and Tums

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » ABX and Tums

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Author

Topic: ABX and Tums

sickandtiredofbeingsandt
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 10189

posted

Hi all,
I know you aren't supposed to take antacids with Zith but what about the other abx's. I am on oral Biaxin and Flagyl. I get heartburn regularly and whenever I use Tums, I get loose bowels.

Is this a common side affect? Just wondering because I really need to take something for the heartburn but hate having to get up several times in the night. Anyone know?

Thanks in advance!

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Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

Posts: 185 | From Colorado | Registered: Sep 2006 | IP: Logged |

BOEJR
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 1734

posted

UP

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Please consult your LLMD before making any changes to your treatment regimen.

Posts: 641 | From NJ, USA | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged |

ByronSBell 2007
Unregistered

posted

read:

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/7-12-2006-102101.asp

IP: Logged |

ESG
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 4816

posted

Good grief - if you are on Flagyl you should be on something to protect your stomach. You can also try Tindamax, a Flagyl derivative that is less harmful to the stomach. My daughter and I both ended up on prescritpion stomach protectors, and eventually had to be on the more expensvie Nexium - although docs usually have samples. OTC was not enough.

We were never told not to take antacids with Zithromax - my daughter was told it was okay to take something while on Zithromax.

However, you need to find out the time-spacing required, depending on what you do take. OTC antacids were to be 2 hours away from the ABX. Nexium is to be taken 1 hour before ingesting something so we keep ours by our bedside & take it when we wake up in the early AM hours then go back to sleep; I was on something else that could be taken 30 minutes before ingesting anything.

Heartburn is creating its own damage which can cause you further problems in the future - speak to your doc and get help.

I don't know what is in Tums, but too much magnesium can cause loose bowels & many of the OTC products are mainly magnesium.

ESG

Posts: 424 | From Connecticut, USA | Registered: Nov 2003 | IP: Logged |

ESG
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 4816

posted

PS - if you are frequently having loose bowels, as you said, you are also losing nutrients and fluids: this is not good either.

ESG

Posts: 424 | From Connecticut, USA | Registered: Nov 2003 | IP: Logged |

sickandtiredofbeingsandt
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 10189

posted

Byron,
Thanks for that link. It reminded me of a few things. One is that chocolate is my best friend and also my worst enemy.

ESG,
Thanks for your replies and your concern. Flagyl doesn't seem to bother my stomach. I had the heartburn problem before I started any abx.

I had asked my PCP about GERD meds and he told me there were a lot of undesirable side affects. I told him that Tums helped me so he said to use them.

When I started the Biaxin and Flagyl was when I noticed the loose bowels. So I am just trying to figure out the co-relation.

I try to stay hydrated. I don't have diahhrea so I don't think I am loosing nutrients. I just have to "go" alot when I take the Tums now.

Thanks again!

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Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

Posts: 185 | From Colorado | Registered: Sep 2006 | IP: Logged |

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