Sick of being Sick

[Norma]

Anybody else had trouble with upset stomach and diarhea that won't go away???

I had this happen in July after dropping down to fast on the Paxil. The doctor told me at first it was a bad reaction to a supplement I had been taking (which I no longer do). The emergency room said I had a urinary tract infection. Later the doctor told me it was probably kidney stones even though I had none of the related symptoms. I told everyone I was tapering Paxil. I am the one who diagnosed paxil withdrawal and got a prescription for 30mg. (Originally on 40, dropped to 20 within a couple of months). Felt better within days.

I stayed at 30mg for 2 months, then 27 for 2 months and now I am at 24.3mg. I had planned on dropping 10% a month from this point on.

Two weeks ago I had 2 wisdom teeth pulled and was put on a strong antibiotic. My mouth is doing just fine, but the diarhea and upset stomach started within a couple of days of starting the antibiotics. I finished them last Tuesday. I still have the stomach problems. I have started my period too, which I have been known to have pms problems with.

I am at a point where I am getting desparate to stop the diarhea and stomach aches. I am totally worn out and can't get anything productive done. The symptoms are identical to those I had in July. BUT I really don't want to go back up on the paxil as it has caused me so much grief already. I also don't want to be diagnosed with something I don't have or be given more nasty drugs.

Got any suggestions on what to do??? I could really use some!

Thanks,
Norma

[anjopom]

Antibiotics alone can give you bad stomach upsets, have you had that ab before i wonder?

[Norma]

Not this one. It was clindamycin. I took two 150mg pills twice a day.

[Tammi]

I totally feel for you, have been off lexapro for 10 weeks and am having issues with stomach upsets and chronic anxiety. Hope things improve for you

Tammi

[Norma]

Thanks Tammi.

The scarry thing for me is that I am not even half way in the tapering process.

Norma

[LCrawford67]

Antibiotics are notorious for causing stomach distress. Start taking some kind of probiotic, such as Acidophilus to help.

[Lucy]

I think clindamycin has the potential to cause some serious gut problems. If you continue to have diarrhea, be sure to see your doctor.

Florastor probiotics have been great for my gut. I've also used Culturelle, which might be easier to find (at CVS).

[Norma]

I think I will try to get some probiotics tomorrow. I may try to get in to see my regular doctor tomorrow too.

I have been basically making myself eat. I am wondering now if it might actually be better if I just had ensure and liquids for a day or so to give the digestive track a brake. What do you think?

Thanks for all your help!
Norma

[nickels]

hey Norma,

I think your stomach issues are most definitely a combo of all the things you've mentioned...tapering paxil and ABs can certainly cause stomach upset, but so does PMS, so you've got a few things going on.

Don't up your dose just yet...try the probiotics and I can't see it hurting to drink ensure and a bland diet tomorrow. Might want to cut out dairy and other stomach upset triggers like caffeine, red meat and fatty stuff, till your stomach calms down.

Feel better!

[scotty]

Norma, get your stool checked for C difficile. Clindamycin is notorious for "overkilling" the good bacteria resulting in nasty diarrhea.

[frankdee]

Antibiotics can destroy beneficial bacteria living in the gut. Try acidophillos pearls, or Culturelle brand probiotic supplements, or any good high quality probiotic to restore that flora. This has been known to help with diareahh, or even eating plain yogurt. personally, since eating greek strained yogurt plain and adding my own fruit or granola to it i have noticed great improvement in regularity, and size and form of the stool. Do keep in mind however that serotonin issues do play a role in this as well. Most of our serotonin resides outside of the brain, like in the blood vessels, and along the gut. Whatever, try this out and get back to me.

[Songbird]

I've found aloe vera juice (inner gel only) very helpful to reduce the intestinal problems caused by paxil withdrawal. I take about 30ml daily.

[Norma]

I am feeling a little better this morning. I had taken some pepto bismo yesterday and for the time being, I am not making frequent trips to the bathroom. I still feel very run down and kind of woozy (dehydration?).

My plan for today is to eat a bland diet, drink lots of liquids, buy probiotics and try to relax. I also plan to call the clinic to see if my doctor is available today.

Thanks for all the support. I will let you know how it goes.

Norma

[Lucy]

Hi, Norma

glad you're better today.

Just want to let you know that the c difficile that Scotty mentioned is a serious problem that can happen after antibiotic use. If you continue to have diarrhea, be sure to get that test she recommended. Not trying to frighten you, just want you to be aware that it shouldn't be ignored if it continues. However, the probiotics may be a big help in getting your gut back in balance. Take care!

[Norma]

I went to the doctor's today. Turns out I have a fever of 104. My blood preasure is higher than normal. I think the nurse said 120 over 80. I think it is usually like 100-something over 60 something. She gave me stool collection kit and told me to bring it back tomorrow. She also said to use Acidophilus and drink lots of fluids.

The pepto bismo wore off and the diarhea is back. I feel very weak. The test results won't be in until Friday. I am feeling so run down I don't know if I should wait it out and see if the Acidophilus works, or if I should seek further treatment before then.

What do you think???

Norma

[Songbird]

BP is pretty normal, but your temperature is high, sounds like you have an infection. I would go for a purpose-made fluid replacement product, such as pedialyte or gastrolyte.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Songbird

BP is pretty normal, but your temperature is high, sounds like you have an infection. I would go for a purpose-made fluid replacement product, such as pedialyte or gastrolyte.

This could be cdiff....the symptoms are very indicative of it. If it is cdiff, then you're going to have to take another antibiotic to get rid of it...I know, it's sounds crazy, but that's how it works.

OR, it could be a GI virus that will run it's course, but it sound like it's been going on for a while.

[Norma]

At this point I am wondering if it makes more sense to ask for the antibiotic rx tomorrow rather than waiting for the test results. I could really use some relief. Plus I don't want to just keep getting sicker on Thanksgiving and ruin it for other people too.

Do you think that would be an OK thing to do?

Norma

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Norma

At this point I am wondering if it makes more sense to ask for the antibiotic rx tomorrow rather than waiting for the test results. I could really use some relief. Plus I don't want to just keep getting sicker on Thanksgiving and ruin it for other people too.

Do you think that would be an OK thing to do?

Norma

I would call the doc and explain how sick you are with this. Not a bad idea to start treating it while your waiting for the results. You can always stop it if the result is negative.

[Norma]

Yesterday (and today) I haven't eaten much solid foods. I also started taking the acidophilus. Haven't had to "go" since yesterday afternoon. Kind of hard to do a test without a sample. Don't know if I am getting better or just plain ran out of anything to poop out. Our digital thermometer isn't working either. My mom said she would buy another one.

I wish that someone could tell me exactly what was wrong and what to do about it. That, and when I will feel better. To bad real life isn't like that.

Sorry about all the complaining, but I don't have any other outlet.

Norma

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Norma

Yesterday (and today) I haven't eaten much solid foods. I also started taking the acidophilus. Haven't had to "go" since yesterday afternoon. Kind of hard to do a test without a sample.

That's a GOOD thing! This may be viral and doesn't need anything to fix it. The fact that it's not constant points away from Cdiff

[Norma]

Glad to hear that!

I know have a small "sample" to take to the clinic. Its not very much so I hope its enough to test.

I think my fever has gone down but I can't check it until my mom brings back a new thermometer.

I think I will head for the clinic.

Norma

[Norma]

Another good sign for me... temperature is down to 100.

[Norma]

The fever is gone and I am eating again... but, I am still going back and forth between diarhea and "normal". I have no energy and couldn't even do my normal 1 1/2 hours of volunteer time today.

How long does it take to get better from something like this???

Norma

[Songbird]

I don't think anyone can tell you that. Just rest as much as you need to, that will help your body to recover.