How to help stomach upset w/antibiotic

Capistrano · 09-25-2006, 08:16 PM

I am currently on a heavy duty antibiotic for an upper sinus infection. In the past year I had UPPP surgery, pneumonia, a panic attack, gastritis, and was diagnosed with a mild hiatal hernia and acid reflux. I've also experienced recurrent nausea, lack of appetite, coated tongue, sour/dry mouth and other delightful GI experiences. My primary doc thinks the antibiotics used to treat the pneumonia (IV and at home) may have upset my GI tract, so now I am really upset that I have to be on antibiotics again! Can you suggest ways to minimize the stomach upset the inevitably goes along with a heavy dose of this stuff? What is the best time of day to take it? Any suggestions for how to get my appetite back? I miss it!

diamond79 · 09-26-2006, 02:06 AM

I know the feeling and sympathize with you. I just finished a round of Macrobid for a bladder infection and I was sick as ever (I have gastritis and acid reflux--so it was not fun at all). I had to take 2 a day (or every 12 hours). I took one in the morning and one before bed. The morning one was the worse! I was told to take the medication with food to avoid the nausea which I did and it didn't really help the first couple of days. I did find that when my stomach was empty is when the nausea was the worse so I kept crackers with me all the time and nibbled on them which helped a little. The nausea did eventually go away after the first few days and hopefully the same goes for you!

nanna_T · 09-26-2006, 03:48 AM

Have you tried acidopholus capsules? They balance the bacteria in your stomach and are usually very beneficial to alleviate upset stomach caused by antibiotics. Hope you feel better soon.

Earlene · 09-26-2006, 03:31 PM

Capistrano
I have all of your symptoms also. Was on antiobiotics for a supposed sinus infection and come to find out I did not have an infection. What heavy duty antiobiotics did you take? NannaT is saying what my doctors said to take an acidophilis and bifido probiotic.
As far as appetite, mine has not completely returned as it was before....but the probiotics definitely helped. Are you taking anything for your reflux.
Antiobiotics can really upset your digestive system, I know.

Capistrano · 09-26-2006, 11:18 PM

What was causing your sinus problem if it wasn't an infection? I am taking ketek (day 5). I think I'm better but am not completely sure as I still have slight headaches,and the full dose is 2 a day for 14 days. The nausea was better today. I've been taking it on a full stomach and also eating activia.
Does the doctor have to take another CAT scan to determine if the infection is gone? For the reflux I take prevacid and ranitidine. My ENT thinks some of my reflux symptoms may have been caused by the sinus infection (which probably had been going on for some time). It seems to me now that the acid reflux, sinus and GI problems are all interrelated, somehow.