I have been on Cipro and Flagyl for awhile now, i take my daily 30 billion probiotic at night before bed, used to do 1/2 TBS metamucil in the morning and i was doing great so i decided to go off the flagyl. about 1 week or two weeks out things got to the point where its sometimes mostly a thick liquid, no form to it all and in general started going more to the bathroom. Is there anything i can do to see if it will help before going back on flagyl? my goal is to get off all medications except for my tumeric capsules, vitamin D and probiotics but it seems like its not likely with the way things end up turning out.
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Getting off antibiotics hasn't worked for me, though I've tried a few times. Your best shot would probably look something like the following while you're off antibiotics (and perhaps starting a day or three ahead of stropping antibiotics):
1) A maximum VSL #3 dose, at least during your "no antibiotics" trial. That's 3.6 *trillion* bacteria (4 packets of DS) per day. That's the dose I take.
2) Completely eliminate carbs, at least while you're testing whether you can make "no antibiotics" last. This includes fruit, sugars, starches, etc.
If this fails, I recommend changing your goal (if you can) to something like "feeling and functioning well." It may be more achievable than "no antibiotics," and it's not so bad.
There are others who cycle through 3-4 different antibiotics. And for me, all antibiotics seem to have a positive effect on my pouch - not just Cipro or Flagyl. Doxycycline, Amoxicillin, Omnicef, etc. - I've been on then for one thing or another and my output decreases (since 50%-80% of our poop is bacteria), and I seem to then "reset" to decent function for several months.
So while you may not be able to get away from antibiotics altogether, maybe you can use more than just the two?
Steve
Flagyl sucks. but it works wonders for me.
Xifaxan - aka Rifaximin is a relatively new alternative abx and doesn't carry with it the admonition v alcohol.
Tinidazole aka super flagyl is also another possible route.
I personally have never responded to probiotics but some people do. maybe I also haven't flooded my system with enough of them.