Antibiotic paranoia

[InterstellarOverdrive]

I've been given a 3 day course of amoxicillin for a gum infection. I have only had 2 doses and already my stomach is not happy. Nausea, bloating, diarrhoea. Would switching to metronidazole be a good bet or should I stick it out. I get quite paranoid about broad spectrum antibiotics and c diff, the thought of getting it terrifies me. I've experienced antibiotic resistance first hand, which is probably why I'm so worried about it.

Metronidazole is much, much worse for causing gastric upset. Stick with the amoxicillin and make sure you take it with food to help line your stomach.

Yeah I've had it before. It's unpleasant but doesn't come with the risk of c diff as its not broad spectrum. It's the c diff risk that bothers me really. Although I'm probably being over paranoid because of past trauma.

A 3 day course isn't that long - once you're done, take a probiotic supplement and that'll help the bacteria levels in your gut get back to normal. Antibiotics can't differentiate between the bacteria you WANT to target and the ones in your gut that are actually helpful for digestion.

Definitely finish the Amoxicillin….Metronidazole is brutal if you are prone to stomach upsets…have a probiotic supplement to help your tummy.

Carry on with amoxicillin- I took metronidazole once and after a few days would just vomit taking the capsule out of its’ packet!

Thanks everyone. I think I might be glossing over how awful metro was when I last took it. I have probiotics arriving today, fingers crossed they help my stomach and the amoxicillin actually works... No change so far really :(