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I recently had a wisdom tooth pulled (Wednesday) and they put me on antibiotics because the reason it was pulled was because it was getting infected and all kinds of nasty stuff.

Would I be correct in assuming that the reason I have been extremely bloated and seemingly unable to digest even vegetables is because the antibiotics have wiped out the good bacteria in my digestive tract that took on the task of digesting all my meals properly? I can't seem to eat anything without getting (or remaining) bloated. It's super uncomfortable, but the last round of antibiotics I have to take is today. Is there any faster way to stop the bloating, maybe with a probiotic drink?

Thanks,
veganteen

Yes, probiotics, in big doses. I have seen great effects from Bio-K which comes in a soy based/vegan version. Each little container of liquid contains 50 billion cfu (colony forming units). Take one a day for a week or two should put you right. Any good brand, should be refrigerated in store, will do the trick.

Probably don't need 50 billion, but 10-20 billion might be good.

Mostly I prefer multi-strain ones but Bio-K was researched and selected to work in cases of C. dif (antibiotics caused colitis which can be fatal) and I have seen two brought back from "they will be dead within two weeks" so even though that is just anecdotal, it gives me some confidence.

p.s. I'm not a real doctor but I've been around

Thank you so much! I have been to the store and avoided buying a probiotic supplement simply because it seems absurd to have to spend money as a result of these antibiotics, but I guess if I want a healthy stomach again I'm going to have to rely on more than probiotic drinks.

Yes, sad to say, one of the dangers of antibiotics. When you need them you need them but probiotics can alleviate much of the fallout. I actually recommend to people that they take them while they are taking the antibiotics, just at a different time of day, as far away in time as possible (esp bedtime so they are in there all night doing their thing and multiplying). That way, with a bit of luck, you can sort of stay ahead of the damage.

How interesting. Thanks for the tip. I was on antibiotics a month or so ago and things were just not right after that for awhile.

Interesting. Would taking a antibiotic close to the same time as an probiotic just cancel out the effects of the probiotic?

Yes, the antibiotics will kill the probiotics you ingest, same as they do the ones living in your gut. Taking the p.b.'s in same time period though keeps replenishing them so hopefully, you don't go day after day w/ so much of the total population stripped out. Then you would continue to take for at least a couple weeks if not a couple months after to rebuild. There is a lot more going on than just the "bugs" that live there. They secrete all sort so beneficial stuff including things that promote the growth of their buddies (who are also your friends).

Well thank you for being so prompt in responding. Looks like I'm going to the store today to get some probiotics :/

So Geoffrey would you suggest I also take some probiotics even though it has been about 6 weeks since the antibiotics?

Up to you. "If it ain't broke no need to fix it." On the other hand, they are VERY safe and won't do you any harm. Low grade flora imbalance could conceivably cause problems later. If you eat a lot of fermented foods, cultured (low to no sodium) veg, that should also do the trick of replenishing.

Thanks Geoff maybe I will give it a try. It can't hurt since now I think of it things really are not back to normal yet.

Geoff, and others,

In your posts you mention probiotics. You don't mention soy yogurt as a source. Do you have any information on this?

I have been put on antibiotics for a urinary tract infection for 1-1/2 days. My symptoms, fever, stomach cramps, low back ache, have pretty much gone away; but I feel crappy. Weak.

From this thread and others it appears as though the antibiotics have done the good things, but I am also experiencing some of the common side effects.

I will try the probiotics that you reccommend, but first I would like to try soy yogurt since it is one of my favorite treats.

Any thoughts?

You could try the soy yoghurt, but it won't have anywhere near the same amount of active bacteria as a proper probiotic. Having gone through a bad experience with antibiotics myself, i would just go get some Bio-k. It saved me.

Yes, yogurt is very weak ie low concentration of "colony forming units" aka cfu's and more importantly, mostly made up of non-colonizing bacteria. What you really want, icky as it sounds, is bacteria that normally colonize the human g.i. tract plus some of the ones that though they don't live there permanently, they do produce a lot of secretions that make for a very hospitable environment for the good guys that do.

Greentea and Goeffrey,

Thanks for your input. I'm going to pick up some Bio-K today.

One other question which I may post to the Lounge. MD's always say that you should continue the full course of antibiotics that they prescribe.

My inclination is to stop after the symptoms (in my case, symptoms consistant with urinary track infection) go away.

My reasoning being that the supposed benefits of the continued use of the antibiotics needs to be balanced with the known damage to the liver and kidneys.

What do others think?