Hello Everyone-

Last Wednesday, I got diagnosed with pouchitis over the phone. I have been on Cipro and flagyl ever since. My symptoms were alleviated but then I started having slower BM that were SUPER formed---almost like PRE-UC. I'm not in pain, so I know I am not obstructured. Just not going normally.

Anyways, now I am panicking a bit because since last night, I feel slightly light headed and nauseous--but it's been a while since I took flagyl. I feel pretty off but feel like I have to go in to work. Does this sound like anything??? I am still having formed stool but havent had URGENCY to go to BM for about 3 days now. I have not taken my flagyl and cipro this morning yet---I figure it will make my nausea/light headedness worse.

Anyone have any ideas!

Struggling in Richmond-
Sana

Hi Sana,

Are you making sure you are drinking enough? Dehydration can cause nausea as can being partially obstructed. Of course it could well be the combination of antibiotics because both Flagyl and Cipro used to make me feel the same way that you do. I used to have to take Metaclopromide (an anti-sickness drug) whenever I was on them.

Certainly increasing your fluid intake, particularly with something like grape juice can help to thin the stool and make it more comfortable for you.

How much longer are you supposed to be taking the antibiotics for? Perhaps a call to your doctor to discuss your concerns is in order if only to put your mind at rest.

Hope you feel better soon.

Take care.

Shell

I second Shell's thought that dehydration may be causing some of your problems. Antibiotics (didn't matter if it was Flagyl, Levaquin, augmentin, amoxicillin, or other) have always seemed to "suck" water from my body and leave me with a formed stool. I always increased my fluid intake while on antibiotics (partially due to any illness, partially due to the antibiotics themselves) and still had formed stool and fewer bowel movments (like 3-4/day instead of 5-7/day).

Diarrhea or constipation is a side effect for any antibiotic. For most of us, it tends to make for firmer stools that sometimes can be difficult to pass. The reason is simple. A good portion of your stool is made up of bacteria. Kill the bacteria and you lose a lot of your bulk. I still am unclear why on earth you were placed on two antibiotics right off the bat, when the usual prescription is Cipro or Flagyl, not both. Personally, I think you can get by with one. I'd call your doctor back, tell him what you told us and see about dropping one or the other antibiotic. This should help quite a bit. In the meantime, drink LOTS of fluids to help keep things moving, and increase your soluble fiber if you can tolerate it.

Jan

Thanks again!

As you all suggested, I drank a ton of liquids today and had mainly bread like things today and feel a ton better. I had stayed away from caffeine most of the week...I guess you all are right about antibiotics dehyrdating you.

I made a call to the doctor to get off one of the meds...I'm still waiting for a return call...

Will keep you all posted. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
It's really nice to know that there are people who understand and, more importantly, CARE.

flagyl did that to me once I stopped the problems stopped ask them to try just cipro and see how you do. I now can take it but before no way ...

Thanks to Kathy Smith telling Chris about hydralite he has had NO hydration problems. Although we found a similar supplement called Stamina at the health food store. Stamina only requires you to mix it with 4 oz of water or less and replaces all the electrolytes, etc without the sugar and salt of other drinks. It is so much easier than drinking alot and much more beneficial.
It is sold in single packs or boxes of 32 and it is $14.00 for 32 or 49 cents a pack, orange or lime and our store allows us to mix it and pay the box price.That is much less than several bottles of anything per day.