ibs and antibiotics
I recently was given an antibiotic for a UTI. Is there a way to take this antibiotic without upsetting the stomach (ibs)? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I feel your worry about the antibiotic upsetting your IBS. In my experience, taking the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus alongside the antibiotic can help a lot with reducing the diarrhea side effect. I've also heard that Saccharomyces boulardii (another probiotic) can help.
Maybe you could ask your pharmacist about one of these (or other) probiotics? They should be able to recommend something to you and also tell you how and when to take them, depending on the antibiotic you're taking.
I hope this helps.
Karina (team member)Thank you. Have been taking it since last Friday and today is the first time I have really experienced nausea. I am taking Florastor to help but today it doesn’t seem to be. I don’t want to stop this med because I am allergic to a lot of antibiotics and this is the first one that has worked with only loose bowels and nausea. I really need this.
I feel you. 🙁 My husband is allergic to many antibiotics as well and it's terrible.
How many days do you still have to take it? I hope the nausea calms back down so you can finish your treatment. Please keep us updated.
Hugs, Karina (team member)You remind me of myself. There's only one antibiotic I seem to be able to manage without dramas, and that is Amoxicillin. Even before IBS, in 2006, when I had to take it, I got slightly looser stools than normal and some nausea, and a weird drained exhaustion, but nothing I couldn't cope with.
But that was nothing compared to what any other antibiotic did to me.
I didn't take any probiotic during that 5 day course, simply because I didn't know about them ! and came out the other side just fine. My gut was perfectly well after I stopped taking it. And my gut continued to be fine for the next 14 years with not the slightest upset or twinge.
I think some side effects with even an antibiotic that suits you are probably going to happen. But it's how tolerable they are that counts. Hopefully your course won't last long.
I have heard that Saccharomyces Boulardii is a good probiotic to take to relieve any effects of antibiotics.
I must say though that I dread having to take antibiotics again, as I am not sure at all what I'd be like now on them, since I have IBS.
So I haven't tried that probiotic.
I have also heard that taking the antibiotic dose with or close to -food can lessen effects on the tummy? I did actually find that if I ate a snack with my tablet, things were a bit easier with the side effects and I had only slight nausea, or it would happen for only 10 minutes and then go. (Those were the days when I could eat bananas! Happy days...)
Bummer that the antibiotic is causing nausea and loose stool. I have had success treating my diarrhea with Saccharomyces boulardii, a yeast probiotic. As you know, it is the active ingredient in Florastor. S. boulardii has been used for decades to treat traveler's diarrhea and antibiotic-induced diarrhea. It can also protect the gut lining, and aid the microbiome in various ways. See this link: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/saccharomyces-boulardii-probiotic But, in my case, I have to take 2 capsules to stop diarrhea. I'm not a healthcare professional so I can't suggest you do the same. I can suggest you consult your prescribing physician about upping the dose of Florastor.
What's more, I buy NOW brand Saccharomyces boulardii on Amazon for under $9 USD. It is the same ingredient as Florastor for a much lower price.
If you decide to tough it out until you complete the course of antibiotics, I hope you find relief very soon! Big hugs, Kim, moderator
I upped my Florastor and things have been much better. Thank you all for your help. I'm so glad to hear that things have been better. Hopefully, your symptoms will continue to improve.
Wishing you all the best, Karina (team member)
