Shanti
Momketeer
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2015
Drinking apple cider vinegar (unpasturized, with "the mother") can help the gut better absorb probiotics. It might also help settle his digestive system a bit. He should never drink it straight. The way to do it is to put 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into a tall glass of water. Then he should drink it with a straw, both to minimize tasting it (adding a bit of honey can also help) and to minimize contact with the teeth. He should do this twice a day before brushing his teeth.YES, before anyone chastises me for asking medical questions from strangers on an internet forum, we HAVE already discussed this at length with DH's primary care doctor and infectious disease specialist. I am looking for more information.
DH had a limb/life threatening post-surgical infection and has been on antibiotic therapy for ALL of 2017 (except 4 days). He's currently on doxycycline and rifampin and will continue those for another 7 months. He has weathered this well, but the antibiotics are finally taking their toll on his digestive system/intestines. Without going into all the details, he is starting to have bathroom issues that demand immediate attention and will potentially effect his ability to teach (if you catch my drift ). The doctors all say, "Eat yogurt," which is laughable, and "Take probiotics." He has been eating Activia (he has always eaten yogurt for lunch, so we just changed brands) and taking probiotics (Advanced CD Accuflora w/5 probiotic strains) each morning. He is going to double-up on the probiotic (so 1 pill, 2X a day). None of this is helping the bathroom issues, and things are getting worse every day.
Does anyone have any suggestions, or information about probiotics? DH's doctors talk the talk, but they seem to have no good information on probiotics, what to take, how they work, etc. We are also open to information about other drugs. Is there something he can take that will help with chronic diarrhea, will bulk up stools, etc.? I suggested Immodium, but he's hoping to find something that will help manage the cause, not just the symptoms (although he'll take the Immodium, no doubt). If anyone has solid suggestions or information, I'd love to hear them.
(And for all you medical-types, DH had a high tibial osteotomy in 12/16 which became infected. He had 2 debridements and reconstruction with a gastrocnemius flap and grafting, on IV antibiotics for 6 weeks and now these for a year. Lab reports showed infection with Haemophilus parainfluenza and MSSA- thankfully not MRSA. There's still a plate and 12 screws in there- infectious disease doc says "take them out ASAP" because of biofilms and surgeons say "we're never going back in that knee again.")
Best of luck!