Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Sorry TMI but has anyone had side effects from antibiotics like this, am panicking

59 replies

Flightputsonahat · 06/08/2008 20:34

Sorry, have rung NHS direct as googling got me into a right old state

Have been taking cefalexin for mastitis - 5 days worth didn't knock it out and so then they prescribed 7 days at a much higher dose.

I've been having stomach cramps for 3 days so stopped taking them yesterday morning (after completing 5 days worth) but since then am still having urges to go to the toilet and when I do there is some blood.

I looked it up and it said this could be a rare and severe complication of the cefalexin...caused by overgrowth of C difficile in the intestine...so I am now in a complete state.

NHS said that even if it is this (pseudomembranous colitis) then it usually responds to just stopping the medication. But mine hasn't stopped, in fact it seems worse than yesterday.

Heeelp.

OP posts:
tissy · 06/08/2008 21:35

GO TO THE DOCTOR

bloody diarrhoea after a course of antibiotics needs to be checked. It could be C. diff which needs treatment with a different antibiotic. It could be another bug (eg salmonella, shigella). Stopping the antibiotics alone may not be enough. You need a sample of stool cutlured. It is WRONG to tell you that stopping the medicine cures C.diff it doesn't.

It won't kill you overnight if you are generally healthy, but you need to see someone soon.

Gut inflammation may get better on it's own, but infection needs to be ruled out before that diagnosis is made.

Original poster
Flightputsonahat · 06/08/2008 21:43

Well the OOH Dr just rang me back, and said that if it was C diff it would be real, nasty diarrhoea so he doesn't think it's that - also no temperature, and he reckons it should be fine after a few days now I've stopped the antibiotics.
He wasn't worried at all...said C diff is very rare. If things get any worse tomorrow i will go and see someone urgently, but at the moment it's just a bit of cramping and some mucus so I think he's probably right that it's completely normal with this drug.

OP posts:
Original poster
Flightputsonahat · 06/08/2008 21:45

Tissy you sound like a pro though, are you a nurse?

OP posts:
Original poster
Flightputsonahat · 06/08/2008 21:49

OMG you're a consultant - just seen other threads - so what do you think, I am so confused now! Would I not be more ill if it was an infection?

OP posts:
tissy · 06/08/2008 21:53

not a nurse...no, a doctor! OK if it's just bloody mucus, then and not diarrhoea as well, it may just be inflammation, but you did say it was getting worse. Suggest you get an appointment with gp tomorrow and get a stool sample kit, to be sure. Meanwhile plenty of LIVE yoghurt/ probiotics.

Yes C.diff is rare, BUT its main cause is antibiotic treatment. Bog-standard "antibiotic diarrhoea" usually isn't bloody, ime.

Voice of experience speaking here...I got shigella dysentery in Egypt, and it was much the same as you described. No harm in checking.

tissy · 06/08/2008 21:54

NB, this is not my specialty, so being a Consultant means bugger all

Original poster
Flightputsonahat · 06/08/2008 21:58

Eek! That sounds bad...I never travel, because I know I'd catch something like that. Such a wuss

I think it probably hasn't got worse as such, just I've noticed it more - only been a couple of times today and trying to go makes it hurt more iyswim, if there's nothing there.

I'll get a kit anyway (sounds like fun if nothign else )

Thankyou and also thanks for being a Dr, there are not enough of them around, it is a difficult job non?

OP posts:
HereComeTheGirls · 06/08/2008 21:58

I would definitely go to your GP. I tested positive for C. Diff and I didn't feel that ill, but I might have if it wasn't treated. Can't hurt to rule it out!!

tissy · 06/08/2008 22:01

obv, main cause of C diff is antibiotic treatment and catching (or harbouring) the bug. Just having antibiotics doesn't give it too you, or we'd all have it!

Original poster
Flightputsonahat · 06/08/2008 22:04

Oh I thought we all had it anyway - or most of us? Just that anti b.s reduce the other bacteria, making the resistant ones more prevalent and they get carried away thus making you ill?

OP posts:
jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 06/08/2008 22:05

If it's c difficile shove yourself full of probiotocs. (but obviously do the doctor stuff too).

tissy · 06/08/2008 22:08

you may be right, Flight- I did say this wasn't my specialty, but i still think you should be tested.

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 06/08/2008 22:14

I spent quite a bit of time talking to a doc about C diff recently (an expert in it). I don't think it's that rare at all - and it has increased enormously in recent years, although usually it would be kept in control by other friendly bacteria. I agree that it needs to be tested.

misi · 06/08/2008 22:32

russelbrussel, the doc was a bit wrong with the pro biotic drinks. if tyou take at the same time as the anti b pill, the pill will jst kill off the friendly bugs first as this is what is nearest to them. take friendly bug tabs half way between pills for best effect.

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 06/08/2008 22:34

you can also take saccromyces which is non-colonising, won't be affected by antibs but prevents candida in the main, but also to some extent bacteria overgrowing.

It really sorted out ds1's guts/

Original poster
Flightputsonahat · 07/08/2008 06:17

Well having been up three times in the night (each time accompanied by bfing 1 year old )
I think I might go to Drs today...still the same, but it is v uncomfortable having the spasms. Not sure about leaving the house but has to be done I think!
Thanks for all the suggestions.

OP posts:
MrsJohnCusack · 07/08/2008 07:02

go anyway and get it checked.

I started a thread last week because my antibiotics made me so ill I thought I'd end up in hospital on a drip. the diarrohea & random mucousy stuff for me was the final insult after a chapter of hideousness. I shall not be taking the bloody things again (this has happenbed to me a couple of times before with different types)

anyway, I hope you are on the mend soon and the mastitis is on the mend too

Original poster
Flightputsonahat · 07/08/2008 08:14

Did you MrsJC? I will have a look and see if I can find it.

They are horrid aren't they?

Broad spectrum ones worst I think, they just kill off everything.

Am eating live yogurt

OP posts:
Original poster
Flightputsonahat · 07/08/2008 08:16

Oh your children are utterly beautiful btw! Just had a sneaky look!

OP posts:
MrsJohnCusack · 07/08/2008 11:22

OH thank you!

thread was here. not very interesting. I got thrush cream along with the prescription, if only that had been the problem! (the doc said 'this one isn't very "thrushy". that's as maybe, but it damn near finished me off)

Original poster
Flightputsonahat · 07/08/2008 11:28

Thanks - found it and had a read. That is really bad.

I'm lose to giving up here, rang my usual practice as I've been feeling rotten all morning, and the Dr rang back (he is very brusque) and said, 'No, you NEED metronidazole NOW or it will just get worse
So i drove to get it

Got back and it is massive tablets which I cannot swallow.

Will have to go back.

Also enjoying last breastfeed with ds2, as he said I have to 'pay a price'...for what exactly? Can't feed if on Metronide.

He is such a sadist.

OP posts:
Original poster
Flightputsonahat · 07/08/2008 11:32

Sorry that sounded like he's horrid for helping me, it's not that he just is really rude and confrontational. He said it like it was my fault for breastfeeding this long
He's always rude.

Ds won't take a bottle.

OP posts:
bythepowerofgreyskull · 07/08/2008 12:51

how old is your DS?
Your GP sounds very rude indeed!

Original poster
Flightputsonahat · 07/08/2008 12:54

He's 14mo. Thanks - thought maybe I was imagining it!
Have started another thread in breastfeeding as I don't know how to stop.

OP posts:
bythepowerofgreyskull · 07/08/2008 12:58

14 months and he is telling you you should have stopped by now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought your little one must be 2 or 3 years old!!

Sorry no good contructive advice, just annoyed on your behalf!!