Antibiotic alternatives

[HealthAddict]

Today I went to the dentist and had a tooth extracted due to it becoming severely infected. The whole side of my face has swollen up, including my jaw, due to the infection. However, the dentist said there is some drainage from the infection, which is promising.

Nine days ago I started a 5 day course of Metronidazole (200mg, 3 tablets a day), due to me being allergic to penicillin, and Metronidazole has left my immune system in a mess, I suffered from a load of symptoms including, stomach cramps, headaches, high blood pressure, confusion, feeling high, and I came close to collapsing on thursday due to severe diarrhea and a fever.

I have completed the course of the previous medication (Metronidazole), but since the infection hasn't gone yet, and due to my reaction to the previous medication, my dentist has prescribed me Clindamycin instead (150mg, 4 capsules a day).

Since reading about the medication on the internet, i think it is a really bad idea for me to take it, since it is only to be used in extreme circumstances, due to the potential, and even fatal side effects that can come from taking it; pseudomembranous colitis, Toxic megacolon, etc.

So I am asking for your advice. I would like to know if there are any natural herbs/supplements I can take to fight the infection. Would taking a very large amount of Vitamin C, probiotics and L-glutamine powder help?

I currently take 4 grams of Vitamin C, 10 grams of L-Glutamine and 4 capules of probiotics (lactobacillus acidophilus, 2 billion per capsule) per day. Aswell as a regular medium to high strength multivitamin and mineral, 1g of MSM, and Omega 3 capsules. Before the new year I bought a load of supplements in bulk, so I can take as much as is necessary to fight the infection.

[adamace1]

All i can say is good luck. I am on antibiotic and need to be for 3-4 years to the rest of my life. My problem with them is they lower my immune system and i keep getting different virusis and other infections. I'm pretty sure the first thing you mentioned is c-diff- where your colon gets in big trouble. You could ask the doc to test you half way through the course of the meds to make sure your doing ok if you still have diarrhea. You have to do a stool sample though. Some people belive echinacea will boost your immune system, but i wouldn't advise useing that for the infection you got alone. And it does nothing for me, it will make a sore throat go away for 10-20 min then it comes right back.

[Titchou]

You might try a Z pack...most people tolerate it well...just be sure to eat with it...and it only is a 5 day regimen. I took it for years with no trouble until 2 years ago...so now it's on the "no" list with penicillin, tetracycline and sulfa drugs.

Also, if you are allergic to ragweed, don't take the echinacea...it's a member of the ragweeed family.

[Duncan01]

I would take things like Tumeric, Coconut & Linseed oils (note that Coconut Oils bad press is unjust, but feel free to research), Garlic and Cinnamon in foods or smoothies as all together would be yuckee

[feelbad]

unfortunetly,nothing will actually replace the actual need for an antibiotic in your particular type of situation.it sounds like you had a pretty verwhelming type of an infection.i am wondering too if the z pack may be a bit less taxing on your system.it is not related to the "cillins" it is in the eyrithomycin(i KNOW i spelled that wrong) group of anti Bs.I think your best bet here really would be to speak with your actual pharmacist instead of the dentist then tell the dentist what was reccomended by your pharm.they just know much more about the overall effects of the best types of anti Bs for a particular problem and the persons reactions to specific group types of anti Bs.and make SURE to tell the pharm about your allergy and also the type of reaction to the last anti B you took.the thing about any anti Bs is they can cause as many problems as what you are takingthem for in the first place.almost all anti bs have a huge list of possible contraindications and side effects.you just don't really know about it til you actually take the time to really read the literature on them.

that z pack is good only becaue you only have to take it for five days.it packs a wallop tho.just speak with your pharmacist for the best possible answers.hope things clear for you soon.let us know how this all goes,K?good luck,FB