Long-term side effects from a single course of antibiotics?
February 1, 2014 7:24 PM Subscribe
Anyone else left even worse for wear?
Last summer I took a 10 day course of Pylera (a combo of Tetracycline and Metronidazole). It cleared the condition it was prescribed for (SIBO, not H. Pylori), but I've been in chronic abdominal pain since a few days after finishing it. I took probiotics for a month afterward and have been through a huge GI work-up. Not much has been found other than low WBC count, low complement levels, and some questionable thickening of the small bowel. Neg. for Chron's, celiac, etc. I've been on a PPI since then which helps a little, but my life is literally miserable right now. I'm on TPN due to the weight loss of barely being able eat anything, and am losing faith that my body will ever recover. Has anyone else had such a reaction to an antibiotic? If I could turn back time, I certainly would and never have taken it. The pain is epigastric in nature, mostly on the right side but stretches down toward the belly button. Gallbladder is functioning fine and no gallstones, so that's not the cause.
I'm just putting this out there as a warning and some reassurance that others might have had a similar experience that with enough time eventually resolved. I'm seeing multiple doctors that I have trust in, but some anecdotal reassurance is always welcomed.
Last summer I took a 10 day course of Pylera (a combo of Tetracycline and Metronidazole). It cleared the condition it was prescribed for (SIBO, not H. Pylori), but I've been in chronic abdominal pain since a few days after finishing it. I took probiotics for a month afterward and have been through a huge GI work-up. Not much has been found other than low WBC count, low complement levels, and some questionable thickening of the small bowel. Neg. for Chron's, celiac, etc. I've been on a PPI since then which helps a little, but my life is literally miserable right now. I'm on TPN due to the weight loss of barely being able eat anything, and am losing faith that my body will ever recover. Has anyone else had such a reaction to an antibiotic? If I could turn back time, I certainly would and never have taken it. The pain is epigastric in nature, mostly on the right side but stretches down toward the belly button. Gallbladder is functioning fine and no gallstones, so that's not the cause.
I'm just putting this out there as a warning and some reassurance that others might have had a similar experience that with enough time eventually resolved. I'm seeing multiple doctors that I have trust in, but some anecdotal reassurance is always welcomed.
This post was deleted for the following reason: This needs to have an actual question, sorry. -- restless_nomad
As I read it, the question is pretty plain - have others "had a similar experience that with enough time eventually resolved"?
posted by cairdeas at 7:40 PM on February 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by cairdeas at 7:40 PM on February 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Thickening of the small bowel where -- a section or the whole darn thing? In what way was Crohn's ruled out?
Repeated use of antibiotics for chronic tonsillitis is what triggered the ulcerative colitis flare that resulted in my colectomy. You said you were looking for stories that were similar, there's mine I guess. Ulcerative colitis is an incurable, lifelong condition and I'll never have a colon again, but I have returned to living a normal life without chronic pain and with a reasonably normal diet (plus job, social life, etc).
It's unclear to me if your doctors are still searching for answers or if they've decided to leave you on the PPI and TPN indefinitely. If it's the latter, second opinion. Third opinion. Whatever. Keep searching. Mayo and Cleveland Clinic have well known top notch GI departments as well as many teaching hospitals in major cities throughout the country.
posted by telegraph at 7:43 PM on February 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
Repeated use of antibiotics for chronic tonsillitis is what triggered the ulcerative colitis flare that resulted in my colectomy. You said you were looking for stories that were similar, there's mine I guess. Ulcerative colitis is an incurable, lifelong condition and I'll never have a colon again, but I have returned to living a normal life without chronic pain and with a reasonably normal diet (plus job, social life, etc).
It's unclear to me if your doctors are still searching for answers or if they've decided to leave you on the PPI and TPN indefinitely. If it's the latter, second opinion. Third opinion. Whatever. Keep searching. Mayo and Cleveland Clinic have well known top notch GI departments as well as many teaching hospitals in major cities throughout the country.
posted by telegraph at 7:43 PM on February 1, 2014 [1 favorite]
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posted by Jacqueline at 7:29 PM on February 1, 2014