Is "antibiotic induced colitis" a 'thing'

[Katymac]

It's down as a possible side effect on some medication & I wondered what it was

Is it just getting the 'runs' after taking anti-biotics or is it something else?

bump

I know someone with ulcerative colitis and if they take antibiotics it always sparks off a new attack.

Yes it is a thing although thankfully rare. It is severe diarrhoea with blood. Up to 20-30 times a dat.

day

Oh right - so fairly similar to my IBS when it's at it's worse

The meds are causing some pain but nothing like a full blown attack, so I'll ignore unless it changes dramatically

Sorry I forgot to say 'thanks'

I hate googling for medical stuff

Some antibiotics cause diarrhoea, which is unfortunate but usually not severe. However, some antibiotics can bring on something called c. difficile collitis which can be very severe.

Generally speaking, treat it as you would anyway. see how you get on with the drugs. If you have loose stool but are well, just carry on and drink plenty of water. It should stop when the antibiotics finish. If it is really bad with stomach pains and feeling generally unwell, then see a doctor.

It's not too bad atm - I would be thinking normal "Oh crap what have I eaten" rather than sitting n the floor searching the contents of the bin so that I could avoid it next time

But I probably won't go into work tomorrow morning unless it calms dramatically

It might help to guzzle probiotics at the same time.

Thanks but the probiotics I tried really upset my tummy; I don't really want to add anything to the mix right now

In theory, yes, but if you had colitis, you'd know about it!

Colitis is a chronic condition, not a one-off reaction. And yes it can be triggered by ABs. Mine always flares up if I have to take ABs, i take probiotics which helps.

You shouldn't in theory have any bleeding with IBS. Thats not recognised as a symptom of IBS and ought to be investigated every time.

If you develop any bleeding alongside the diarrhoea, or instead of it, then please go to be seen urgently and don't hang about. (contact surgery first - don't turn up at A&E, but if you do and state that you have suspected C difficile you will probably be isolated VERY quickly - hospitals don't want you there)

Having had the thing you are asking about, yes it's a thing and it is very different to ordinary diarrhoea. IME there was a severe and distressing need to go, like being in labour - somewhat surreal. Nothing was there, except just sort of blood, and not even much of that.

It's very nasty and it can kill you, plus there are precautions to take to ensure you don't give it to anyone else. And a lot of antibiotics, (different ones) and then testing, and repeat testing, and relapses and so on before it finally went away.

It is rare though. What I'm trying so badly to say is that you probably don't have it, but if you did, it would be fairly severe and unusual and upsetting.

Antibiotic induced diarrhoea is far more common and normally resolves by itself though again if it persists it is best to be seen.

Sometimes it is probably caused by the same germ, but doesn't progress to colitis.

I regularly bleed with IBS - the consultants (& I've seen 3) say it's just IBS - generally it's triggered by things that are very 'bitty' like nuts or oats or tomato seeds or coconut - I've suggested it is some sort of internal contact allergy (as I can have a similar reaction to almonds/coconut on my skin) but they have said I don't know what I am talking about

I have been assured I don't have colitis, Crohns, or coeliac; I have a "fast transit time & bleed a bit" (I always thought that would be called a description of symptoms rather than a diagnosis - but there you go)

But it really hurts when it happens and for many days later

These are just pains & a tiny amount of blood (very dark) so not even like a bad IBS attack, which I hadn't thought of describing as labour - but it's a very good analogy especially the unrealness of it

I can't remember where I found that information about bleeding and IBS, probably a C diff website/support forum. I think bleeding from fissures and so on isn't anything to worry about and I am certain that there are people with IBS who bleed internally but being a syndrome, it doesn't have a set cause and I would suggest, probably, that the bleeding must have one. Though I dont know what it might be.

As long as you're under consultant care (or have been) then I wouldn't be too concerned - I'm just repeating what I read.

The bleeding I had with my episode was light red and on its own, pretty grim. I'm sorry you have had such problems, bowel issues are uniquely unpleasant and I wouldn't wish them on anyone. I did think I would never be normal again at one stage - I've still got PTSD from it I think.

Hope yours clears up soon and is harmless x

Thanks

My IBS bleeding is worse than this is; but both much darker blood & sort of grainy/flakey (but wet)

Who knows - I was just hoping this might be a hook to hang it all on - but I think not