Abx cause severe constipation

Any ideas as to why abx would cause severe constipation? I already have really bad constipation but I can at least keep stuff moving with my supplement. If I am on abx, nothing moves.

New protocol is 2 weeks on (mino only) and 1 off. It takes me 1 week to get myself kind of moving again and then I am back on abx.

Do you think it could be a vagus nerve issue? If so why would it get worse with abx?

I saw a Dr a few years ago for chronic constipation. I take high quality flax seed oil, high quality fish oil and 2 TBSP of California brand Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This should take 2-3 days to kick in but once it does and you stay on this 2x a day you should have normal BMs.

yep - numerous possible explanations

the gut is normally kept healthy by a balance of gut bacteria - antibiotics alter that balance - and so constipation and or loose stools are a common side effect.

also - many of us with chronic lyme, bart etc have other gut issues already - slow motility, leaky gut, inflammation from messed up microbiome or direct infection of gut tissues by bart etc - and nerve damage from inflammation from the above - low stomach acid ( which helps promote SIBO and SIFO ) poor enzyme production that upsets digestion - etc etc .

it could also be that herx like reactions from the abx can cause more inflammation and exacerbate any of the above issues in the short term - but treatment should help the overall condition in the long run - so it may just be linked to the herx type reaction ( worsening of existing symptoms and new symptoms while on and after abx )

probiotics can help for some - some find beneficial yeasts - like saccharomyces Boulardi - can help speed up the gut time of travel - and ease constipation that way.

there are other supplements in this class also - they are called prokinetics - they stimulate the peristaltic motion of your gut that is responsible for the speed at which the matter in your intestine and colon travel
these include - ginger extracts, LDN and many others

a breath test can be used to determine the time of travel from mouth to colon - which is the most important measure - to know if you are experiencing issues with peristaltic action or not

you can also experiment and see what types of fermentable fibres/ resistant starches you can tolerate as they can help feed beneficial bacteria and also hold water in the chime - thereby softening the stool and making it pass more easily.

exercise - even gentle exercise like walking - helps speed up the peristaltic action and tends to help constipation

obviously proper hydration is important - constipation is a pretty standard outcome of dehydration

oils like olive oil and coconut oil can be used to help lubricate the stool - to make it easier to pass - if it is not well lubricated when you do produce it - on its own.


i would avoid proprietary constipation remedies wherever possible.
i have found that GP's primary care doctors are not well informed on these - and will tell patients things like - "they are quite safe - the chemical is not absorbed in the gut"
but then i have read the actual research and found that at least 10% is in fact absorbed systemically and is known to be toxic to the liver ( poly ethylene glycol type products )

no one with lyme needs more toxins in there system if they can help it

I dont have specific experience with mino. I'll assume its similar to the other "cyclines".

As someone who used five other ABX's, I will say that it can cause both- diarrhea and constipation. Dr google will even mention this is not uncommon.

Because: It can easily create a bacterial imbalance, also making SIBO more likely possible. And SIBO also causes both.

ABX can mess up your gut so much that just about anything can happen.

Been there, done that..................

Post Edited (astroman) : 8/16/2022 2:43:18 PM (GMT-7)

Gastroparesis is a form of autonomic dysfunction or dysautonomia (as is POTS). If your gut doesn't get the nervous system signals to move, then it can't. Neurological inflammation and dysfunction happens often when people are overloaded with toxins, having mast cell reactions, severe stress, or infections. I'm not sure of other mechanisms that would draw a direct line from antibiotics to constipation, but gastroparesis is what first comes to mind for me when I hear that someone is persistently constipated.