I went to the doc and they found colitis, gasritis and vaginal bacteria and was put on flagyl. No yeast. Was also put on prevacid. Any advice on these meds. I already have bowel problems and want to keep them going. flagyl is suppose to constipated. I do take priobiotica once a day is that enough? I was having lower abdomen pain and diarrehea. Also found vagina atrophy and I can not take estrogen. I am in menopause but feel fine. Wants me to take estrogen but can not cause of side effects. She suggested estrogen vaginal creams. But never had an actual estrogen test. Is it lack of estrogen that causes that stuff only?

Denise,

You should read both Topics about Flagyl side-effects on this board and the IBS board posted by busymommy. I don't know the length of time you're going to take this antibiotic but it is a strong and effective one and will kill all bacteria including parasites in Your Gastrointestinal tract and you may need more probiotic supplements and eat yogurt ---because it will cause a yeast infection usually in about 5 days. It makes my mouth so raw I can't hardly eat. I really got to know that its the only one that'll do the job before I take it!!!

The Prevacid reduces your stomach acid by causing the cells that put out the acid not to function as strong ---it's called a proton pump inhibitor. You can look up the side-effects on http://www.medlineplus.gov. As you know everbody is different. You can also look up Flagyl!!!

I know very little about harmone replacement therapy so I won't comment!!!

Take Care---Harry


[This message has been edited by Harry (edited 09-09-2002).]

Vaginal atrophy or dryness is one of the most common side effects related to menopause. Many women sucessfully use the estrogen creams. This is something you want to discuss with your doc. If your doc seems rather unconcerned about your menopause you may want to seek out a female doc who might have a better understanding of all of this. Normally I am hesitant to recommend one sex of doc over another but I get the impression that your doc isn't giving you all the facts regarding menopause and possible treatments. Also you stated you can take estrogen therapy but never mentioned why.

Migable-estrogen causes racing heart.

Harry, I am suppose to take flagyl for 7 days it has been 2 days now-not sure whether to take it anymore cause i have been itching terribly and constipated really bad now. Been taking 1 acidolifuls pill and one priobiotic a day for awhile. I wish I knew of an alternative for bacteria infections-it was given to me for vaginal bacteria. As for the prevacid I took it 2 days and irritated my stomach and colon-passed mucus from it. I don;t know what to do now. Docs keep saying i need something no actual test was done-just have pressure and feel like things come up-nexium was tried to and had the same problem with that.Feel like I am going in circles with this.Any advise?

Spirit -
I can't take estrogen either because it makes my heart race as well as gives me palpitations, so I went off it. Doc diagnosed the same as you and suggested a pill suppository called Vagifem. It's wonderful. No racing heart, no palpitations, and the low-dosage estrogen stays exactly where you need it. Only a very small percentage enters the blood stream. My doctor said she wished she'd invented it!! Just a thought....

Is vagifem a prescription? Thanks!

Migable-I forgot to add i have no vaginal dryness at all. She said i was saggy and non healhty female organs