Help! Antibiotic Troubles - tummy pain and rash

[CFSanDiego]

Hi.

After a rash started on day 9 of bactrim, we discontinued and waited a few days. The ear infection my daughter had came back and Dr. prescribed augmentin. She has had this countless times before, but now it REALLY hurts her stomach, all day and night. We are giving probiotics, but with 7 days left of this augmentin, I don't know how my poor daughter is going to mentally cope. Any tips on easing the pain?

Thanks a bunch,
Edan

 

[Aboveallislove]

I'd call the doctor and see if he can change the antibiotic; I know that some can easily be substituted mid-prescription without problem, although the problem might have been from the bacterium screwing up her GI tracks "normal" "good" bacteria. I'm so sorry. . . our son has horrible GI issues so I know how hard this is. . .
Love

 

[CFSanDiego]

Thanks Aboveallislove. I forgot to mention...we started this whole deal with a few attempts at the tablet form of augmentin because we were travelling (before the switch to bactrim). She threw those up!!!!!!!!!!!!Anyway, we have an appt at clinic tomorrow afternoon.

 

[ehtansky21]

How high of a dose are you doing of probiotic??? We do at least 30 billion units when the boys are on antibiotics.

blessings,
missa

 

[Aboveallislove]

To add to missa's point: I believe different probiotics have different "good" bacteria. Maybe ask them at clinic how much and if you can add different ones to help. But given the added point re the vomitting, she just might not tolerate that antibiotic. our son had that reaction to flagyl--we had to hold him down and give him .1 of an ml (like 1/8 of a 1/8 teaspoon!) at a time, fan him, followed by water, to not vomit and he still did a couple times even with that routine.

 

[CFSanDiego]

Thanks you two. I am doing 20 billion of probiotics. Problem is, I can't space them too far away from the actual antibiotic because of school. Anyway, maybe that problem will be solved since she states she is "no longer going to school until the antibiotics are through". She has had this antibiotic at least 8 times now, without issues (other than the horrid taste). We use culturelle (the "L" good bacteria). What other one is a good one?

 

[ehtansky21]

I have found that the culturelle works well while the boys are on antibiotics....but we use a product by vitacost that has 10 different strains that seems to be working great
http://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-probiotic-10-20-20-billion-cfu-100-vegetarian-capsules-1

If you give the probiotics close to the antibiotics, it is not going to make the antibioitics ineffective. The antibiotics are going to make the probiotics less effective, but some may get through and be helpful??? We do usually give antibiotics at 8 am and 8pm and then the probiotics between 12 and 4pm, but I think anyway you can get the probiotics in will be helpful!!!

Is she taking the liquid or the chewables??? The boys absolutely love the liquid, but the chewables are pretty disgusting, per my oldest. I read on the label, and it said that the chewables can actually be swallowed. So I cut the chewable in half and then my oldest swallows each half.

blessings,
missa

 

[Rebjane]

I just wanted to add; the times my daughter had to take augmentim for ear infections; it was awful on her stomach as well. I agree about giving the probiotics, too..... I also have switched up my daughter's diet when she is antibiotics that upset her stomach. I will give her mild and bland foods. For example, a banana is great; it can bind the kids up a bit and slow the diahrea. In fact, it is likely the only time I give my daughter bananas because of that effect. I also have done white rice and plain chicken. The white rice is easily digested and mild on the stomach. Of course yogurt, or yogurt smoothies.

What did the doc say?

 

[CFSanDiego]

Thanks everyone. Rebjane, that is interesting. This is my daughter's first time taking augmentin for an ear infection in a long time, if ever. And, it is the only time it has hurt her. Things seem to be a bit better with the 40 billion of probiotics I have given her in the last 24 hours, although she still came home from school early with a tummy ache. However she is romping around here, so although it definitely hurts her tummy, it may have lessened.
Thanks again for your insight.

Edan.

 

[Aboveallislove]

So this weekend I looked at the Culterelle and one packet is only 1.5 billion. So are you guys giving like 20 packets a day when on antibiotics? What do you do for maintenance? Our DS GI said to just do what was on box when I asked maximum and box says 7 a day. Did you get any other directions from GI? Can you buy it in bulk or something (it is soooo frickin' $$$$ and not covered). Thanks!!!

 

[ehtansky21]

I am pretty that Culturelle has a product that is 10 billion units each serving. Before the boys could swallow pills, I would just pour the contents of the pills in yogurt and they ate it great. We truly found that the vitacost brand works great and is ALOT cheaper!!!

blessings,
missa

 

[LittleLab4CF]

Stopping Augmentin may be your only choice but beware of any other penicillin based antibiotic such as Augmentin for the usual reasons behind quitting any antibiotic early. I have often taken dicyclomine or the brand name Bentyl concomitant with antibiotics or anytime abdominal spasms become too much. Bentyl is prescription and has been around a long time. One advantage to being misdignosed the first fifty years of my life is being treated for "nervous stomach, neuro gastric disorder, pre ulcerative condition, IBS,…" is all the cool drugs they try on you. Just avoid taking Bentyl super long term. Her relief with Bentyl may be tempting to continue as I did for years. For now I hope it helps a few suffering from serious tummy cramps.
LL

 

[CFSanDiego]

Thanks everyone.