To be p***ed off that I cannot get a prebiotic on prescription...

[Fourfingerkitkat]

I sat here with a massive bloated tummy, constant wind and with about 2 weeks of poo inside me. Following a kidney infection I was prescribed two courses of antibiotics and think that my stomach has been upset my them. Laxatives haven't done much other than give me stomach cramps. I've read a lot about antibiotics upsetting the bacteria in our stomach so asked the chemist if I could get a probiotic or prebiotic on the minor ailments service, she said no and that they could only give me from Fybogel, which treats the symptom rather than the cause. Also told me that a doctor would not prescribe it and I'd have to buy it myself....

What I don't understand is that if the antibiotics had caused thrush (which they have done in the past) then I would have been give Canesten or similar on prescription !

Give yourself an enema, that'll clear you out

FWIW antibiotics don't kill all bacteria. They only work on ones that are susceptible to that type of antibiotic. So it wouldn't get rid off all the "good" or "bad" bacteria in our body.

OP - ex pharm tech

All remedies for constipation and its ilk that are available OTC and on rx from pharmacies have been subject to rigorous testing; the side effects are documented, and contraindications generally well known.

L. acidophilus has not gone through all these things; yes there is evidence from a study (bovine) that it lead to a 61% reduction of E Coli 0157 infections, but there is also evidence that it can lead to a greater number of infections of cardiac valves and in those who are immuno-suppressed, as well as bowel problems in some.

As things stand, there are too many 'possibly', 'may', 'could be linked to' and nothing definite.

A cigarette will work even better if you're a non-smoker. You'll go like a rocket.

As would a coffee enema....make sure there's a clear path between you and the loo!

You only think that this is the problem, its not a proper diagnosis . Drink grapefruit juice if you need a poo.

Fwiw, you should be able to have lactulose on the minor ailments system - it works by drawing water into the bowel, increasing volume of stool (and 'moisture' content) and making it softer and easier to pass.

However, I'd recommend that you go back and see your gp if you've had such a major change in your toilet habits.

If you really haven't been for two weeks then see your doctor.

I was on high doses of anti-biotics for months to clear Pneumonia and TB.
I needed to go vegan and use pessaries.

The best thing that you can dois to have a spot on diet, to allow your body to recover.

Make sure that you are eating enough calouries and up your fluid intake.

Are you drinking lots of water? You should be if you've had a kidney infection, but dehydration however slight can bung you up good n' proper..

Have lots and lots of plain live yoghurt, the pre and pro biotic powders and tablets really don't agree with some people, including me.

Thanks for all the useful tips...am drinking lots of water... I'm actually waiting on an appointment at the hospital to have a scan because of the number of urine and kidney infections I've had in recent months. I'm veggie so my basic diet is pretty healthy. I've managed to pass what can only be described as a couple of "maltesers" each day for about the past two weeks. Within about half an hour of eating breakfast my stomach feels very bloated, I look about 5 months pregnant and am passing wind like mad.

I'll pass on the cigarette and try an espresso tomorrow morning to see if it helps.

As I mentioned, I realise that there are far more serious conditions than mine, but the whole system of what is available on prescription and what is not seems a bit inconsistent. As someone stated earlier, you can buy acqueous cream from Semi Chem or the likes very cheap but the NHS will give you the branded version, E45 which must cost them more....Anyway, fingers crossed that tomorrow I go ...

I agree you need to see your GP again. The country where I live (not UK) probiotics are frequently prescribed together with antibiotic treatments where appropriate, so not all human dr's believe they have no use. Vets certainly use them extensively. It depends on lots of factors such as the animal species, the bacteria to be killed, what other bacteria may overgrow as a consequence and the location of the bacteria.

Hope you can get to your GP and feel better soon :)

W/regards to the cream being available on the NHS - aqueous is available on prescription, as is E45, Dermol and various others (which you can buy).

I have had a patient who required full body creaming a minimum of three times a day because of a dreadful skin condition - they went through tubs and tubs weekly.

There are a multitude of reasons why various items are available on prescription, some which aren't clearly obvious at first glance.

I buy them myself in capsule form from Holland and Barretts because I suffer from regular infections myself and take prophylactic antibiotics daily, so I take a dose of probiotics too. They are fairly helpful and cost me about £15 for enough to do two to three months.

Dogs and cats might get them on prescription but we pay for each item - So just like you buying them in Boots ....

Sounds like a scan is a good idea, just to eliminate possibilities ..

If the bloatedness starts after breaky, are you having wheat at that time? could you be having a new reaction to it i wonder, because everything's out of kilter atm?

Try Dulcolax for 'overnight' relief. Around £3.
Prebiotics to help the probiotic bacteria get a foothold in your gut include bananas and onions.

try some glycerin suppositories. They should make you go pretty soon after

What painkillers were you on during your infection? You sound like you need something called Movicol, a nice big dose to kick start the system again, then if you take painkillers long term, you need to take these with them too. I have had pretty bad kidneys for about three years now, and I take tramadol for the pain, and if I don't go dose for dose with movicol I end up in the state you are in.

I try to eat healthily, use a few supplements here and there, mostly cranberry, probiotics, multivitamins, glucosamine and cod liver oil. With good exercise and the medications I can keep it all ticking over quite well, although during a bad infection it bungs up again simply because of all the opiate pain relief it takes to get through it.

My kidney only has twenty six percent function and is full of stones, so the infections really knock me out, currently recovering at home with community nurses in every day to give me IV antibiotics. Being sick is just more expensive, it sucks, but it's true. It's just cost me a fortune to have the kids collected and brought home while I was sick/in hospital, I'll be paying it off well into the summer holidays. But I've learned I part with my money or it just gets worse.

I have mega medical insurance. It isn't covered anywhere in the world. Just buy it, best is Benefibre in my opinion.

And eat a shitload of grapes (see what I did there?)

Frozen grapes are yummy!

FWIW a pharmacist worth his salt will tell you to take Vit B supplements with anti-Bs to balance out your system.

I have tried Dulcolax, Senokot and Colax Colon Cleanse...they have made very little difference. I was on paracetamol and ibuprofen when I had the infection....

Whilst rummaging through my kitchen cupboard earlier I came across some glycerol suppositories that the doc prescribed for my ds when he was holding his poo in a few years ago. They have been inserted and I await the results...think my husband thought I'd gone all kinky on him when I said I was off into the bathroom to insert something in my bum !

JumpingThroughHoops - What do the Vit B supplements do ?

Movicol is what they use to clear bowel blockages, so if you are still struggling I would recommend you try an appointment with the doctor. Can't believe you managed a kidney infection with paracetamol/ibuprofen alone! I can't even manage my normal kidney pain never mind an infection, I'm on tramadol every day.

As someone stated earlier, you can buy acqueous cream from Semi Chem or the likes very cheap but the NHS will give you the branded version, E45 which must cost them more.

The only time I get E45 is if that's all the pharmacy has left.