Antibiotics for an unconfirmed kidney infection "cured" my IBS-D (at least for now!)

[Borelis]

I was given Macrobid (Nitrofurantoin) antibiotic (which apparently specifically targets the kidney - so not useful for infections in other body parts) after having a few symptoms resembling a kidney infection.

The urine dipstick test was "normal" but I was given the antibiotic due to me insisting and symptoms having lingered for over 4 weeks (nausea, diarrhea etc.).

I already have IBS-D as a pre-existing condition anyway.

To my surprise, the Macrobid (Nitrofurantoin) cleared up my symptoms (nausea etc.) as well as me having stools of quality I hadn't had for over 10 years (i.e. since before puberty) = sorry for tmi but well-formed snake shaped (no strong odour and no sticky skid marks in the bowl) - I'm sure it has to be the Macrobid (Nitrofurantoin) as I've not made any other change recently and it's drastically improved my stools to a level I haven't had for over a decade.

I think it's likely not a permanent cure but has anyone else experienced this? Do you think this somewhat provides evidence that dysbiosis (imbalanced bacterial populations e.g. overgrowth of bad bacteria) is may be a hugely contributing factor for IBS-D? So all that would need to be done is to clear out the bad bacteria and somehow allow good bacteria to flourish (easier said than done as probiotics, kefir etc only temporarily pass through the gut i.e. don't colonize it seems)

Could be linked but you’re probably better searching the medical journals than asking us plebs on Mumsnet

Clutching at straws, but did you give up milk whilst on the antibiotics?

Who diagnosed your 'IBS'?

Read some work by Professor Robin Spiller - he's a world leader in IBS, and microbiota is one of his areas too - I rather suspect that you're right, it's killed and changed of some of the flora in your gut - hope it stays that way (or you can ask your GP if you could perhaps try it again or have a prophylactic dose?!

I have UC and find that any antibiotic use causes a flare, I try and avoid antibiotics at all costs, my gut reacts so badly.

Hi, I know this thread is years old, but I punched my symptoms into Google and I am in the exact same situation! I have a severe, treatment-resistant “ibs” that has never responded to anything else. If you see this, please let me know if you ever found out why the Macrobid helped, or any underlying causes.