Question about constipation and antibiotics...
#94962 - 08/01/04 02:55 PM
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Vicam
Reged: 02/24/04
Posts: 1955
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Hey Guys,
Just looking for some general advice here. The doctor put me on a really strong 10 day course of antibiotics on Thursday for a kidney infection, and there's a warning that wherever possible, you should avoid taking narcotic painkillers with it because of increased risk of constipation which apparently causes an increased risk of C-diff (clostridium).
Anyways, I'm taking percocets and the doctor doesn't want me to stop taking them because then I can't eat, and so of course now I'm worried about the constipation. I've increased my probiotic intake which I know is supposed to help prevent antibiotic complications...does anyone else have any suggestions? I'm also taking a stool softener and occasionally drinking prune juice.
Basically, I'm not sure how many days without going to the bathroom is cause for concern. I've got so many pills in me I can barely feel my body it seems sometimes, so it's hard for me to tell. I would assume maybe anything past 3 or 4 days might require a laxative, but any advice would be great. I don't see my doc till middle of next week, but I will be asking her then.
Thanks guys,
Kelly
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I don't have any super-good advice on this... I think the number of days of no-go that would be cause for concern depends partly on how much you're eating and how you're feeling otherwise. I know you say that you can barely feel your body sometimes, so I know that's not the greatest advice.  All I know is that I never worry if I've gone 3 or 4 days unless I'm in pain, because I'm really not eating a *lot* still. For me, anything more than 6 days is cause for worry.
Anyway, I think that if you've increased your probiotic and you're taking a stool softener, you should be ok. Keep drinking lots of water (essential for the stool softener to work)!
I think it's interesting that the antibiotics came with that kind of warning. Antibiotics always gave me D, so logically they and the percs should cancel each other out.  (I know, if only it were that simple.)
Good luck... hope you're hanging in there and feeling a little better, at least.
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Could you up your insolubles intake with lots of smoothies and cooked veggies?
Good luck Kelly - I can't believe what a rough time you're having of it atm. 
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