Diarrhoea apocalypse after antibiotics

[nothingevergoesright]

I was prescribed azithromycin yesterday (2 capsules once a day for three days), for a chest infection that didn't fully clear from amoxicillin last month.

I collected them today and took them at 3.30pm. About half an hour ago, I felt that awful sweating feeling you before diarrhoea and my tummy rumbled so loud it spooked the cat.

I've spent the last half-hour on the loo. Every time I thought it was safe to get up I had to go again.

I'm guessing this is a normal side-effect? The leaflet said it is common, but this happened two hours after one dose, usually it takes a while for antibiotics to do this, surely two hours is a record.

It's actually worse than moviprep for a colonoscopy.

I phoned the GP, but they are too busy to talk to me and asked me to wait till they've closed then call 111, I also feel a bit nauseous. I guess I want someone to tell me it's OK.

To be clear the antibiotic is Azithromycin and I don't think I've ever had it before.

It can happen, I'd make sure you keep your fluids and electrolytes up and try some live yogurt/actimel type stuff alongside. But if it's really bad you may need an alternative antibiotic.

Yes that's common with that group of antibiotics.

You are just unlucky to get it that bad.

Had similar with hefty antibiotics for H Pylori infection. I didn't make it to the loo a few times. Awful, but it was indicated as a side effect. Pharmacy recommended that I take a good probiotic and it did help, can't remember the name now, but widely available in health shops and pharmacies. And I took Yakult also.

It is unreal and I sympathise. The cure is often worse than the disease!

Oh dear
I have this for pneumonia atm

if this happened to me, I'd ask for a different one

apart from anything else, it's not staying in your system.

ridiculous they asked you to wait till they close. I suppose they want 111 to make a suggestion which they will prescribe?

what about augmentin?

To add, I do feel a bit nauseous but what you've had is making the med pointless, and IME strong antibiotics usually make your stomach worse as you go along.

I have had this before, just take lots of probiotics after your course of antibiotics to replace the good bacteria in your gut

Guess it is a side-effect. I read all sorts of things about liver damage and that's terrified me. Got probiotics in already.

@EmmaH2022 I guess that's what they're waiting for, 111 would just contact them and they're too busy, so want me to wait until there is no alternative. Hope the pneumonia clears up soon, are you on a three day course?

I think they chose this as I have an operation in less than two weeks, so need my chest to be clear or it will be cancelled.

I guess my concern is that the diarrhoea started two hours after the first dose.

The worry is that if you having diarrhoea that badly, you won’t be absorbing it and it therefore won’t be affective. Speak to 111 and see if they recommend an alternative.

That is my experience of a number of antibiotics but I always assumed I was unlucky. I would still speak to your prescribing GP to see if there is something you can switch to. Try to eat before taking them if you can (if you are allowed). Dioralyte or electrolyte drinks are a lifesaver, coconut water is good if you prefer something natural.

I've had the GP prescribe loperamide (immodium basically) alongside amoxicillin before and it did help take the edge off, obviously this can be bought very cheaply over the counter or in the supermarket etc.

Also be aware if you’re on the pill I seem to remember acute diarrhoea can prevent that being absorbed too.
If someone can get you some SevenUp a GP recommended that years ago for replacing electrolytes. If your stomach can’t take it at full fizz let it stand a while.
Hope you feel better soon.

OP I typed a full reply and MN ate it

hope you get it sorted asap. Your GP should sort it, they are just offloading.

i'm on 5 days and worried it's not enough. Had 7 days in previous incident. Going back a long way, I was ill for longer so had a lot more.

maybe do sone research, perhaps that family of antibiotics doesn't suit you?

when amoxicillin doesn't work for me, they move to augmentin as a next step. I think they went straight for AZT this time as it's the drug du jour - or perhpas they think it's more likely to work better and stop the kind of post illness problems I had before.