Please some advice on antibiotics

[matty]

please some advice on antibiotics

Got tooth pulled 10 days ago, took amoxillcan 500mg 4aday and stopped on day 4 because of bad cramps. Now 4 days later seen dentist, said its infected and i told him what happened and he said just take dexamethasone for 2 days and salt water and that might help, if not take the antiobitic-erythromycin 250mg, 4 a day for 10 days. Thats so much pills. Could the infection go away on its own. Right now slight stomachaches. Please some advice. I'm a very anxious person and scared theinfection will spread. What if i take them and get flareup or c-diff. I'm just sorry i got my tooth pulled.

 

[Crohns10]

matty, if your dentist told you to take the antibiotics you need to take them. If you do not complete antibiotics you can make things much worse for yourself. I know a flare or c. diff is terrible, but you have to take that chance. If you are not taking probiotics start taking them to kind of counter act the antibiotics in your gut. Sorry you are going through this, hope you feel better soon!

 

[matty]

thank you for reply, yes i know i have to take the pills but today i feel a bit worse had d 3x already and am thinking i got c-diff. My usually flares are about 1or 2 d, sometimes 3. When i go on brat diet, the next day i have 1 d and none after, that's is if i stay on brat diet. If i go 2 more times i'm going in to hospital. I can't take the antibiotics right now. If i go in and he gives antibiotics intravnenously for tooth infection, how long after do i take a probiotic, i know i can't eat yougurt right now. I going now to get my bag ready just incase and of course everything has to happen whrn a long weekend is coming. Also i do have appt. with gp tomorrow for my refills. Hopefully i can wait until then. But the awful thing is that if i wait until tomorrow and get admited. If i have no bm for the stool test then they wouldn't send out the next one until tuesday. I'll have to wait longer for results. When i had it in 07 i had to wait 4 days for results and 2nd episode i waited 6 days. I feel very low right now

 

[Jessica]

OMG I can't believe I didn't see this when I was online yesterday. So - this JUST happened to me within the past two months!

Boyfriend and I went out of town for a few days as a mini-vaca to have fun. Yes, we did have fun! However, the night we returned, my tooth started absolutely killing me! I took one of my Loratab 10's and it didn't touch the pain!

Found a dentist the next day (Saturday). Had the beginning of a root canal (included a sedative filling). Was prescribed 500mg of Amoxillcan 4x a day - same as you. Day 3 my stomach started twitching, so I cut back to 3x per day. I just came off 3yrs of steroids and didn't want to turn back!.

After the week of antibiotics, went and had the root canal (Saturday). I still had pain so they gave me . Two days (Monday) after the root canal my neck started hurting. Just on the right side. I started getting flu like symptoms. Didn't want to move, aches and pains, tired. Well, I ignored it for that week until the next Friday.

It gradually got worse. The neck pain got to the point where it was very sore to the lightest touch. And by 10a on that Friday, it started to hurt to swallow. Went to my GP. He didn't know what it was. But once I told him I have a hyperactive thyroid, he sent me to an Endocrinologist.

Sure enough, after an ultrasound and blood tests - I was diagnosed with thyroiditis and Grave's Disease. He said although the antibiotics would've hurt my stomach, he's not sure if it was better to deal with the thyroiditis or have the stomach issues!

So what happened was that the infection was picked up by my lymph nodes. He described them as the garbage men in my body sometimes. They became so inflammed that my thyroid got inflammed. Fun Fun.

So - the dentist gave me Grave's Disease. I joke only, as I know that's not the case. But yea, kinda wish I would've just sucked it up and taken the antibiotic. Instead I'm stuck on beta-blockers and soon to be thyroid meds again.

 

[Jessica]

Sorry, the second antibiotic I was given was CLINDAMYCIN HCL 150 MG CAPSULE 4x per day.

I didn't have as much stomach trouble with this one and was able to keep to direction perfectly.

 

[tiloah]

Antibiotics can cause diarrhea while you are taking them and that doesn't necessarily mean it is or you have C. diff. Don't stop the antibiotics. As it was said before, take a probiotic. I would take the probiotic at least two weeks after the antibiotic course is over (although it's not a bad idea to just keep taking it). If the diarrhea persists a couple of weeks after you finish your course, then ask about having your stool tested.

Don't panic and don't let the anxiety get the best of you. If you take your antibiotic course as directed that may save you from having to take more/different antibiotics in the future. You want this infection taken care of.

I hope you feel better!

 

[matty]

Thank you so much for your replies, they have helped alot in gaining info for next time. I did start the erythromycin last night, took altogether 3 in total and did have stomach pain and 1 d. Had to see gp today for vit b12 shot and told him everything and he said these are very hard on stomach so gave me another pill-azithromycin for 5 days, he said this one is easier on stomach. What i'm worried about now is stopping these last 2 antibiotics without finishing them. Well i already took first dose of new pills and hope everything turns out okay. Thank you again for replies, i am always going to try tough out any future antibiotics i get so i don't get resistance to them

 

[matty]

Forgot to mention hope you get your problem cleared up jessica. This site is so awesome, lots of info.

 

[SarahAnne]

Don't risk the infection!! Like diesanduhr said, antibiotics can cause diarrhea. I ALWAYS get it when I am on them, but eventually the bad symptoms fade a little, after a week or so. TMI warning!! When I am on antibiotics, I know the difference between D caused by that and my Crohn's. Antibiotics give my D a very distinct, bad smell.

 

[Jessica]

Thanks. The thyroiditis is just about cleared up. Soon more blood to see how the Grave's is doing. Fingers crossed my Crohn's doesn't get jealous of the attention.

Keep us updated on your progress. Best wishes.

<3

 

[matty]

Well on 3rd day of azithromycin 250mg 1 a day. Have only 2 left and the infectionin mouth looks the same not worse or better. Should the redness and swelling go down a bit already. I'm so weak from not eating. If it looks the same tomorrow then i think i'll have to go to hospital, or should i go to day.

 

[Jessica]

How long have you been without food? Have you been drinking good stuff at least? Ensure maybe? How long would it take to see your doc?

 

[WCC]

In my twenty years of having Crohns antibiotics have always given me trouble, until recently. I have been taking probiotics (floraster) daily for the past year. I am currently taking antibiotics (Cipro) for another issue and I am not experiencing any troubles. I also believe that the probiotics have also assisted in my overall health.
Good Luck..

 

[matty]

thank for replies,they are greatly appreciated. Yes i am taking jamieson-5 billion probiotic. Its not expensive and i hope it still works. I take about 4 aday. Jessica, i am not too weak today as i did have some mashed potatoes and applesauceand small piece of banada yesterday. Its been about 4 days since i've got down on food. I drink lots of tea and some water. I still do feel tired. I checked my infection today and still looks the same. Thisis long weekend so i'll have to wait until tomorrow to see my dentist who will probably give me another dreaded set of antibiotics. I;m hopingnot clindamycin, it gaveme c-diff in 07. If it gets worse today, i definetly will go into er but pray it doesn't. It really doesn't give much pain, not takingany pain killers. When got it pulled my cheek got swollen but went downthat same day, but still have swollen gums and redness and some pus.

 

[Jessica]

It's good that you don't have to take pain killers.

I would consider going to the er too. But I'm glad you were able to hold down some food. Mashed potatoes are my favorite when I'm feeling bad.

Remind your dentist that you have Crohn's. Maybe see your GI doctor too. Or at least give him a call to keep him clued in on your meds.

 

[matty]

well another thing added on is my monthlys which upset my stomach. Seems to be never ending with this tooth infection. If i need another extraction i will be terrified, this is first time i've got an extracted tooth infection. Its really bringing me down as i know i am going to get another round of antibiotics. I wonder will he extend the ones i'm takingnow or will he prescibe a new one. I think i should have just taken what the dentist gave me last week the erythromycin, but i took 3 and they upset my stomach, my gp gave me thesenew ones and said less on stomach. They are only for 5 days and i read that dentists don't usually give this for tooth infections. And i reallyl think i'm going to end up with c-diff after all these antibiotics. For that i can't take the flagy pills, i have to get in interveneously which means 7 to 14 days in hospital. Sorry i just need to let this out, my stupid stupid teeth.

 

[Jessica]

Can't believe I forgot about the saline mouthwash. Assuming you're talking about putting salt into a cup of water and just using that? We did that a lot when I was younger and had teeth coming in.

And I know the link. But I've already been dx'd. And I just wanted it to go away and not get worse. Silly, I know.

Matt - have you been able to talk to your GI yet?

 

[RFarmer]

Can't believe I forgot about the saline mouthwash. Assuming you're talking about putting salt into a cup of water and just using that? We did that a lot when I was younger and had teeth coming in.

And I know the link. But I've already been dx'd. And I just wanted it to go away and not get worse. Silly, I know.

Matt - have you been able to talk to your GI yet?

Oops. I didn't want to imply you're the *******. Just whoever had the brilliant idea of choosing clindamycin.

Saline mouthwashes mixed with baking soda will take away a little bit of the sting, btw.

 

[matty]

thanks everyone. Just updating, saw dentist today and said still infected but its healing. He gave me another prescription for the azithromycin. I hope this is the last of antibiotics. I got angry yesterday because i couldn't get in to see dentist until today, so i ate some fries and big mistake, 1 hr later pain with 1 d. Went back to brat diet. I did eat some chicken breast today with rice and so far okay. I have been rinsing with the salt water. Jessica, no i have never seen a gi dr. I am going to ask dr. to refer me but haven't done that yet. Also i am from manitoba.

 

[Jessica]

If you have a gp, they can be helpful with referals. Having Colitis, I would strongly suggest you seeing one. I don't know how your symptoms are holding up. My GI is wonderful with knowing about the medications that I take and how they help me. But just knowing I can call his office with any questions is how he helps me most. They will tell me if something is serious and need to go to the ER or to just wait it out and see what happens.

I hope this next dose of antibiotics is nice to you. Please keep us updated. <3

 

[matty]

just updating. I finished 2 sets of azithromycin on mon. Pharmacy said it will stay in my system about 10 more days. It still looks a bit red on gums and a small hole that looks like grey or brown in it. It did improve but not completely gone. I'll keep an eye on it and hope it goes away and if not, i'm thinking next monday if its still the same i will make an appt to go back to dentist. Crossing my fingers it will heal and not need any other antibiotics. It still has very slight pain once and awhile, nothing major. I'm still rinsing with the salt water. Jessica, i am going to ask gp to refer me but haven't yet. I have to see a urologist next month. I will tell you the truth, i have been hestitating asking for referal becasue i hate to do another colonoscopy, just did one in april. I'm going to have to try be tough and see one.

 

[Jessica]

I switched to my current GI a month after a colonoscopy. He didn't give me a new one. Only asked for past records and reports from the past. He went off the other doc's findings instead of doing one himself. However, I am stuck getting one every year it seems.

When you do get referred, don't be afraid to let them know you don't want anothre one quite yet. If you need one, then by all means... but if not, then make sure you tell them that. I try not to hide anything from my current GI. Except the occasional salad.

Urologist? Best wishes, I know my father & grandfather both hate theirs.

Definitely glad things seem to be healing. :heart:

 

[matty]

thanks jessica, that eases my mind a bit about the gastro dr. using the past records. I will definitely ask dr. to refer me now, like you said i can always tell him i don't want to do a test right now, unless really needed. I'm seeing a urologist next month because alot on my past urine tests always seem to have blood in it. I hope nothings wrong there. I'm really big time chicken for pain, sometimes i feel so whimpy. Even just getting a mole removed was a big thing for me.

 

[Jessica]

Even I forget sometimes... It's my body, and I can say no. I'll tell you why I say no, but I still said no. lol. Don't be nervous about the urologist. And if you have to, let them know that you don't like to be in paid. Remember to be upfront and ask questions.

Ha, and having moles removed has turned into a big thing for me. I had one taken off my lower back. Well I didn't, the doctor said she had to take it. End of story. Well, now I have a crator type healed hole in my hip. Guess needing your skin to heal while taking steroids isn't a good thing. Silly, me.

Glad to hear your mouth doesn't seem to be getting worse.