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Sudden GERD after Antibiotic

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Posted 6/8/2012 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hello.

I know there are a few threads already about this issue, but they only have one or two replies and not many success stories for people who have been through the same thing. I am hoping this thread will at least gain some success stories about this because I really need the encouragement right now :(

I am 21 years old and have never had a problem with chronic acid reflux or GERD. I got a UTI and was prescribed Cipro (antibiotic) for 3 days 250mg twice a day. I took it, infection was gone, felt fine.

All of the sudden, a week later after completing my last dose, I got chronic heartburn that never went away no matter what. It has been like this for two weeks now with no end in sight. It is worse at night and when I am sleeping.

I have done everything I can think of, with a hugely restricted diet (just lean meats, veggies, fruits), sleeping on the left side at an incline, probiotics, DGL, L-Glutamine, HCL supplements, digestive enzymes, Apple Cider Vinegar, not drinking water during or after meals, small meals throughout the day, not eating 3 hours before sleep, manuka honey, etc.

Will my body sort itself out on its own, or am I going to go through this forever? Please help me. Even if you are cured or have gotten better or still going through this, please post your story here. I feel really alone, depressed, and angry that this has happened to me.

Thanks
Posted 6/8/2012 6:53 AM (GMT 0)
Have you tried conventional methods like ppi's or acid reducers?

This is interesting, because one of my theories on GERD something is wrong in the intestines whether is SIBO, natural flora unbalanced, or something is pushing up things from below the stomach.


I think there a couple of ppl who's acid starte after taking antibiotics.


My began after eatin McDonalds one day. I remember that day like yesterday. Ever since, I've never eaten at fast food places. A month earlier though I had this dry chronic cough for 2 months. I can't recall if the dr. ever gave me antibiotics, but I doubt it. I was 17 years old at the time.

My advise is to research and keep reading. If you have insurance take advantage of the tests. Endoscopies, ph, emptying stomach, bravo etc. the more you know the better.
Posted 6/8/2012 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mel,

I can identify with your situation.  In fact, looking back on it, an antibiotic (Augmentin) was the trigger that let my primary care doc know that I had GERD.  It's not that the Augmentin caused it, but rather that when it flared up my reactive stomach, it became very obvious that it was there.  At that point he even had the opinion that the silent GERD I'd had prior to this episode had been affecting my lungs and adding to my asthma issues.  Thi was probably 15+ years ago.

What happens in my case is that my stomach reacts to the antibiotic (I avoid anything except Amoxicillin and Z-Pac) and it gets my reflux going.  Next, my esophagus gets inflammed and raw from the acid that passes through the insufficient LES and burns it.  This happened pretty much any time I took an antibiotic, and before I figured it out, I took Augmentin (with food, and carefully) and ended up in the hospital with uncontrollable asthma and a very painful upper GI tract. 

It takes a long time to heal a raw, irritated esophagus and gastritis, which is probably the pain you're feeling.  Be sure to avoid spicy and citrus foods.  Also, stay away from things that can't be chewed to a smooth consistency so that they don't scratch the esophagus or further irritate the stomach lining.  (the stomach mashes food with a muscular motion, so rough foods are very irritating.)

Also, taking a PPI (you could get a script from your doc or use Prilosec OTC) can reduce the acid content of your stomach and protect your esophagus.

Have you been to your doc about this?  I think that you should if you haven't.  I am certain that he/she would want to put you on a PPI for a while, or at least Zantac, to help your upper GI tract heal.

Just because you've had this flare-up doesn't mean that you'll have it forever, so don't go there!  Here's a link to information on gastritis from Mayo Clinic:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gastritis/DS00488

Also, here's their link for esophagitis:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/esophagitis/DS01154

Hang in there...if you're careful (over the next couple months...this isn't a quick fix issue.  It takes time to heal those sensitive tissues) you can get yourself back to normal.

Good luck!

Denise

Posted 6/8/2012 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't tried PPIs, but I did try some heavy duty natural methods to reduce the acid in my stomach, and they made me worse. When I take HCL supplements, they make me better.

This leaves me to believe that my stomach is suddenly not producing enough acid. IDK if the antibiotics messed up my stomach balance so badly that it wont produce acid enough anymore or what. I was hoping the heavy doses of Probiotics would fix the balance, but it hasn't.

I have been getting slightly better, but some days I take a step backwards, so I don't really know if I am getting better or I am just hoping I have.

I am going to go to the doctor on Monday to maybe get some form of answers.

Also, I am going to try my best to get rid of this thing, and I promise that if I do, I will list out everything I have done here. If I dont, I will stay and look for answers too.

This thing is really depressing. I watch all of my friends go out and eat whatever they want and not have to worry about health and only have to worry about stupid things. I don't know what I did to cause this. I only took an antibiotic for 3 days.
Posted 6/8/2012 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Denise,

Thank you for your helpful message. I am willing to work very hard to get this under control. I wont deny that I could have had this before and maybe the antibiotic just caused it to become very noticable.

I have been staying away from all processed foods, anything with grains, legumes, lentils, dairy, and citrus fruits.

I have mainly been eating lean meats and veggies. Maybe some fruits, but my body is really against fruits right now (just have no appetite for them and I listen). My problem is getting the leafy greens down. I know I need to be eating more greens, but it is hard for me because I am used to washing them down with water, but now I try not to because I read that water with meals dilutes the stomach acid and the acid does a worse job of breaking down foods and it could make reflux worse.

I will keep everyone updated on what goes on in my GERD ridden life.

On Monday, I go to the doctor. I am going to specifically ask for an H. Pylori test and a Candida test. Today, I am starting a basic cleanse to try to help my body get rid of nasty stuff and function a bit better. I have cut out most of the supplements, but I will keep taking probiotics and digestive enzymes.
Posted 6/8/2012 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone have a good idea how long a GERD flare up will last if it was triggered by antibiotics? It has been between 2-3 weeks of 24/7 heartburn. It remains in the lower part of the esophagus during the day, but I know it must reach my throat during the night.

On average, how long does it usually take for a person's body to restore balance after a strong dose of antibiotics?
Posted 6/9/2012 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
So I think I have figured out that my flora balance in my gut is just really off right now due to the antibiotics.

If I take probiotics consistently throughout the day, I have like 90% less reflux.

If I don't take any probiotics, I have reflux literally 24/7.

I hope this can be fixed, I think it might just take a while.

I am going to a naturopath on Tuesday. I have my doctors appointment on Monday and I will have him test me for Candida and H. Pylori.

I also think the really strict diet is helping, though I am having a hard time getting enough calories.
Posted 6/9/2012 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you've found something that helps Mel, well done.

I have had very brief run ins with GERD in the past, both short lived. Just over 2 years ago I was given a lot of antibiotics for recurrent cystitis - a few weeks after the last course I started with upper abdominal pain (mid sternum) and nausea. I've been battling it since. I haven't managed to take any probiotics due to milk allergy.

Are you taking liquid probiotic or capsules, just out of curiosity?

MMM
Posted 6/9/2012 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
It always took me 2-3 months of eating very little and very carefully.  I'd generally lose about 20 pounds during that time. 

Denise

Posted 6/9/2012 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking capsule probiotics. Its Garden of Life, Raw Probiotics for women or something like that. It has 32 strains and 85 billion in each capsule. I have to take like 6 a day in order to calm down the reflux.

Post Edited (Mel81189) : 6/9/2012 5:14:32 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/9/2012 11:06 PM (GMT 0)

dencha said...
It always took me 2-3 months of eating very little and very carefully. I'd generally lose about 20 pounds during that time. Denise

Did you return to your "normal" after those 2-3 months?

I know I will be dealing with GERD probably for the rest of my life, but I am hoping that I can get to a point where I don't have to be taking so many pills and eating so little all the time. I am kind of really scared and sad about it.
Posted 6/9/2012 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mel,

Yes, I returned to completely normal.  It takes a lot of patience and extremely careful eating.  When I asked for guidance as to when I could resume eating normally, with abandon, he said that I should wait 2 weeks after I'm feeling perfect, then introduce foods back in gradually.

To be clear, I did continue to take PPIs...mainly because I had severe asthma that was GERD related.  My heartburn issues weren't all that severe, which is why it took me about 5 years to get a GI doc to refer me to a surgeon.  I really didn't mind taking the PPIs as long as I wasn't suffering from painful gastritis and esophagitis.

I know it seems unbelievably long and drawn out, but that's my experience, and it happened repeatedly before I had my Nissen surgery.  It was a very difficult recovery each time, but in the end, I was able to eat normally again, and felt fine.

Good luck!

Denise

Post Edited (dencha) : 6/9/2012 5:43:15 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/21/2013 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Mel, did you ever resolve your herd issues? If so, how? I'm dealing with the exact same problem. It started after antibiotic use 7 months ago. I'll have a few days or even a week here and there when ill think I'm better, only to have the reflux return. I appreciate your insight.
Posted 5/21/2013 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
My worst GERD symptom at this point is a burning throat, btw. Thanks again, Mel. I hope you have good news and suggestions for me.
Posted 12/3/2013 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
I got treated with Azithromycin two weeks ago. To this day I cant eat anything without getting so sick! Im trying the Omeprazole 20mg. and taking anti nausea pills. Hope these meds help. I got diagnosed with G.E.R.D. December 2 2013.
Posted 12/3/2013 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hello to all. In my case it was lot of stress and use of antibiotics (Amoxicillin 500 3 times/day for 3 days) for a throat inflammation without use of any probiotics! The first time I felt pain in the sternum was like some seconds after swallowing a pill (antibiotic). It's been about 9 months now with stomach issues. This is so sad.
Posted 1/8/2014 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
Mel,
I am suffering the same things you were. I am very interested to know how yours all turned out. I am about to have to undergo two more tests I would rather avoid. One is the stomach emptying test and another to test how my esophagus working. I have had this for over 3 months now. Hope this reaches you.
Posted 2/18/2014 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
I had chronic acid reflux for years after a nasty infection treated with antibiotics. Doctors couldn't figure out why, but after my wife was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer we begain a health food regime. We started with huge amounts of probiotics, and within 2 weeks my acid reflux was gone. We continued with jucing for breakfast and and as a late night supplement. Chronic coughing stopped, rashes dissapeared, and our energy levels were improving. I just had sinoplasty, tonsils, and soft tissue from my throat removed and was given antibiotic s to prevent infection. To say my acid reflux has returned is an understatement! I am waiting on a shipment of probiotics to get here and it's killing me! This is no joke! Antibiotics kill off all the good bacteria/microbes that help maintain our health and replacing them is essential to prevent other chronic problems. I hope this help s others with these problems. Our gut is the most important organ in the human body
Posted 2/18/2014 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
One of the most promising and easy cures for many intestinal problems is a simple feces transplant. Basically taking the good bacteria from a healthy person and transplanting it into yourself. Our bodies are about 10 to 1 bacteria. That means we are basically giant bacteria colonies with legs. There is a reason for this and antibiotics kill without discrimination. This article should get people to start searching and researching more. http://mobile.nytimes.com/2012/06/14/health/human-microbiome-project-decodes-our-100-trillion-good-bacteria.html?pagewanted=all
Posted 2/18/2014 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
I should add that using acid blocking meds promotes the growth of bad bacteria that's causes acid reflux. Only by replacing the good bacteria in enough numbers can stop the growth of them and reverse the trend. Basically we've been treating the symptoms for years and not trying to cure it. Beware of any doctor that thinks only more antibiotics will solve the problem. Diet that has pro prebiotics is all that's needed.

Post Edited (probioticguy) : 2/18/2014 6:49:47 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/30/2015 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
I have had terrible Gerd symptoms for the past 6 weeks. This followed a 2 1/2 month course of Doxycycline. I have tried dozens of naturL remedies so far including probiotics, DGL licorice, mastica, NAC, homeopathic detox, digestive enzymes, ACV, lemon juice, pickle juice, slippery elm, marshmallow root, antioxidants, juicing, low acid diet...etc. nothing has cured me. Seems like something helps short term and then I go backwards. I have lost 10 or 11 pounds in the past few weeks as a result of this affliction.

Right now my homeopath has suggested I try Betaine HCI with another supplement called heartburn essentials. I mentioned to him that I felt it was easier to digest when I ate a salad with ACV. He felt the reason for this could be because my stomach acid is too low which can cause Gerd. I am taking one of each capsule before meals. I started yesterday and although I think it's way too early to tell. I think it may be helping. Not sure if I have to adjust the dosage of Betaine or not. I have read it has helped a lot of other people but you need to try different doses to see what's right for you.

As a side note I was also suffering from constant constipation and my regular doctor suggested I add up to 1000mg a day of Magnesium citrate or oxide. I started taking 800mg last week and so far it seems to have resolved that issue.

If anyone has experience with Betaine please let me know.
Posted 1/30/2015 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
I get nausea when I get a bad sinus infection that progresses to the throat and maybe my lungs, because then the globs of mucus make my stomach unhappy. I get prescribed antibiotics when I know for sure it's not just a virus, and that reduces the infection but doesn't always cure it.

I can't take anything in the Cipro group of antibiotics, including Avelox - hives. Sulfa drugs seem the best for sinus infections. The reason is hardly any antibiotics get to where they're needed in the sinuses because of very poor blood flow there.

Nexium and some other PPIs are helpful for nausea, in addition to reducing acid for those who have acid reflux. It's best not to take them too long unless your GI doc says otherwise. I was on them for years before I finally needed surgery for my reflux. My gastro doc tells me to take Nexium for nausea, and it works for the most part. I have Zofran on hand for nausea also, because after Nissen surgery I can't vomit, just keep heaving.

There's no reason to overdo on any OTC treatments, including probiotics unless your real doctor says to. You don't want to get a load of bacteria into your small intestine, because it can give you a problem with diarrhea. I found, through experimentation, that taking a probiotic a few hours after my antibiotic helped me avoid nasty side effects of killing off my good bacteria. I use the relatively inexpensive Phillips Colon Health just once a day during and briefly after taking a course of antibiotics. I have never used the latest fad "cures." If I can't find an actual scientific study I don't trust the remedy.

Another thing that helps reduce nauseating mucus that flows down my throat is a warm saline sinus wash. Right now I'm getting over a nasty infection that came in on top of parainfluenza that was bad enough to send me to the hospital. I'm on an antibiotic, but washing out the mucus 2 or 3 times a day really helps reduce that sick feeling in the stomach. And of course, there's the daily probiotic.
Posted 1/31/2015 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
stay away from apple cider vinegar, hcl or anything remotely acidic. the antibiotic caused gastritis. it is very unlikely you have a problem with low stomach acid. gastritis can heal by avoiding acidic foods and cabbage juice. hcl and apple cider vinegar are not for people with gastritis.

i had developed gastritis and lpr from nsaids about 7 weeks ago. from following a holistic regimen, i am 90% better now. gastritis is completely gone. and only some minor lingering lpr symptoms.

good luck!

i know not everyone has had the same success as i've had, but within a week of the gastritis and lpr diagnosis, i did everything i could to heal.
Posted 2/16/2015 6:32 AM (GMT 0)
I had GERD for years. Mine was recently worsened by some antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. The sad part is that it didn't end up being a bacterial infection at all. They start prescribing drugs way too fast in my opinion. I recently read a book titled "Why Stomach Acid Is Good For You". It totally changed my opinion on what I thought the cause of Acid Reflux was. Even before reading this book I was skeptical that PPI drugs actually fixed the problem. The book states that most people who have GERD suffer from too little stomach acid, not too much. The book advocates having your stomach acid levels tested to determine if the problem is low stomach acid production is the problem. So I reasoned if my issue was too little acid then if I did eat foods that stimulate a more acidic stomach then It would get better. So I started taking about two tabblespoons of Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar right before eating. I expeinced immediate relief! My symptoms were bad (throat feeling constructed, tightness in my chest to name a few symtoms I experienced) I've also been drinking a concoction of Fresh graded ginger, Honey And finally one whole fresh squeezed lemon) I have had lasting relief. My point is I don't think its good advice to make blanket statements such as "stay away from apple cider vinegar". ACV helped me and its helped many others. It does work for many people and I believe as the Dr who wrote the aforementioned book that most peoples issues stem from too little acid production. The author validated his hypothesis through the experience of successfully treating patients after each patient had the heidelberg stomach acid test which concluisvly shows if a patient is suffering from too little stomach acid.
Posted 2/16/2015 6:08 PM (GMT 0)

probioticguy said...
I should add that using acid blocking meds promotes the growth of bad bacteria that's causes acid reflux.

Can you provide a source/evidence that bad bacteria can cause acid reflux?
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