How can I stop the diarrhea I've been having (as a side effect of antibioti!


Question: How can I stop the diarrhea I've been having (as a side effect of antibiotics)?
I got an ear infection and originally I was put on a 5-day antibiotic, but my ear infection only worsened. I was then put on a stronger antibiotic for a 10-day period. About one day after I started taking the new antibiotic, I started having some really bad diarrhea, causing me to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes with heavy amounts each time I went. I've also been wearing menstrual pads for any of the involuntary diarrhea that comes out. I've been feeling bloated constantly. It's been going on for 3 days now and it hasn't gotten any better. I still have 6 days of antibiotics left to go through.
I've only eaten rice, bananas, and bread, but pretty much no matter what I eat, it all passes right through my body and ends up in the toilet. Originally, my mother told me to eat lots of yogurt, but I stopped after the pharmacist told me that yogurt would worsen it. She told me to stick to rice, bananas, tea, toast, and apples (??? I thought that apples were supposed to make diarrhea even worse). But still, the diarrhea has been persisting and it hasn't been getting any better at all.
I'm starting to notice I've been getting dizzy and I've been losing weight (which is a bad thing, since I'm already underweight in the first place).
On the bright side, my now my ear is almost completely better, and I started noticing that it was getting better after I started getting diarrhea.
I'm having oral surgery for wisdom teeth removal on Monday, but I think I might need to cancel, even if that means needing to reschedule for sometime next year (appointment must be made far ahead). Think that's a good idea?
Also, what else can I do to help relieve this diarrhea? Or can it not be helped while I'm still on this antibiotic for the next 6 days?

Answers:

You're talking to your mom, you're talking to your pharmacist, you're posting on Yahoo....you're doing everything except the one thing you should have done already -- TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.

Sounds like you already know that diarrhea is a common side effect of antibiotics. Ask your doctor if you can take loperamide (Imodium AD). Do not take it on your own.

"I thought that apples were supposed to make diarrhea even worse" -- If you have constipation, apples can help relieve it. If you have diarrhea, apples can help bind. It's because fiber helps gives diarrhea/loose stool more form and substance. The pharmacist was advising you to stick to the BRAT diet -- Bananas, plain steamed Rice, Applesauce and dry Toast -- but she didn't get it quite right. Drink plain water instead of tea unless the tea is caffeine-free.

"Also, what else can I do to help relieve this diarrhea? Or can it not be helped while I'm still on this antibiotic for the next 6 days?" -- BRAT diet, call your doctor. You may have to reschedule the oral surgery but that may not be such a bad thing. I wouldn't want you to have to deal with both diarrhea and post-procedure pain. But first see what your doctor has to say.

I'm a nurse.



Try eating yogurt or taking an over the counter probiotic.



Bananas,bread,cheese




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