Medical-related question

[Shanti]

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.")

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.

Best of luck!

 

[debknight]

Metamucil will also "bulk up" stools, it absorbs water. This is what my doc advised after gallbladder removal resulted in loose bowel movements.

 

[leebee]

I haven't read all of the replies but as you know, antibiotics do affect the normal flora in the gut. Has he had a stool analysis and culture? Often C-diff (clostridium difficile) emerges in that environment. You won't know without a culture. The treatment for that is Flagyl or the more costly vancomycin. I wouldn't hesitate to use Imodium for symptomatic relief. Do consultant gi doc but I would insist on stool cultures to rule out C-diff. If he has taken any proton pump inhibitors such as over the counter Omeprazole, he is particularly at risk.

C. diff was mentioned early on but not since mid-January, so it's something I haven't thought of since this started a few weeks ago. He did 6 weeks of vancomycin, IV, three times a day, about four hours PER infusion, but that ended at the end of February, so maybe worrying about C.diff is back in play. Something else to ask the doctor.

 

[amberpi]

Good advice here. I would have suggested C.diff testing, kefir, and I'll add bananas. I've always heard that they will help for loose stools, and they did when I was re-establishing my stomach constitution after a decently long period on a feeding tube. Worst case, lots of good stuff in bananas.

 

[maxaroni]

My DH had a severe case of cellulitis that turned into necrotizing fasciitis (flesh eating) that was destroying his leg. He was close to an amputation as they could not stop the infection from progressing up his leg. My husband said to try everything to save his leg. He was put on 2 antibiotics (can't recall one), but one was reception. Massive doses. It was an all out go for it. His leg was saved. However, he experienced severe side effects, such as vomiting everything he ate and clear diarrhea...sorry, tmi. I will have to ask him what they did but do recall all sorts of high doses of meds to counteract side effects. I was doing the IV antibiotics for weeks after he came home. It was awful. (((HUGS)))

 

[Pipkin]

C. diff was mentioned early on but not since mid-January, so it's something I haven't thought of since this started a few weeks ago. He did 6 weeks of vancomycin, IV, three times a day, about four hours PER infusion, but that ended at the end of February, so maybe worrying about C.diff is back in play. Something else to ask the doctor.

I'm thinking oral vancomycin isn't absorbed and works directly in the gut. C-diff forms spores. He definitely needs a stool culture before pursuing any treatment. Good luck to him.

 

[jaminmd]

C. diff is actually my specialty. There is no evidence in the literature to support probiotics, although many providers still use it. Your gut has hundreds of bacteria - one type will not be enough to restore a healthy balance if he has a C. diff infection.

He needs to be tested ASAP. C. diff can lead to pseudomembranous colitis and toxic megacolon. It is a very serious infection.

PM me if you want to talk.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

I have so many digestive disorders and medicine just complicates things. Anyway, the ONLY thing that has truly worked for me is getting a probiotic with saccharomycess boutardii in it. The only place I found it is on Amazon called renew life ultimate flora probiotic. Again, make sure it has saccharomycess boutardii in it.

The saccharomycess Boutardii is my miracle and gave me back my life.

 

[Kitty 34]

Good advice here. I would have suggested C.diff testing, kefir, and I'll add bananas. I've always heard that they will help for loose stools, and they did when I was re-establishing my stomach constitution after a decently long period on a feeding tube. Worst case, lots of good stuff in bananas.

I was just going to post about adding lots of bananas to his diet!!

 

[Micca]

I don't think I have any suggestions but wanted to say good luck to your DH in dealing with this. I'm sure they'll find a fix!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have so many digestive disorders and medicine just complicates things. Anyway, the ONLY thing that has truly worked for me is getting a probiotic with saccharomycess boutardii in it. The only place I found it is on Amazon called renew life ultimate flora probiotic. Again, make sure it has saccharomycess boutardii in it.

The saccharomycess Boutardii is my miracle and gave me back my life.

Good to hear.