Perhaps somebody can ease my anxious mind.

Last month I was prescribed amoxicillin(Penicillin) for a bacterial sinus infection. It didn't take care of my problem, so I saw my doctors assistant last week, and got prescribed cefuroxime axetil (cephalosporin). For financial reasons I wasn't able to get the drug right away. Now that I have it, I'm afraid to take it, in fear of getting Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.

Any good methods to prevent the dreaded D? I heard probiotics can help, but some are really expensive. I'm afraid a cheaper one may be useless. I also can't swallow pills, due to a gag reflex that's like a ninja.

I know my sinusitis is not going to go a way on it own, I had it since February. :/

Hi S.K. and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your illness, medication dilemma and fears and worries about the whole situation.:(

I understand your concern, as I hate the dreaded 'D' as well.

However, I have taken numerous antibiotics and have only had one very mild issue with this effect.

How about getting some probiotic drinks to take during and after your treatment?

Actually, I would save some money by taking the probiotics after you have finished your course of the abx...because it is likely that a lot of the benefit will be wasted while you are still on the pills...

...but you can help build up good gut flora now and during your course with the less expensive drinks such as Yakult and Kefir.

I hope that you will go through your treatment, get well...and not have any 'after effects'.

I am sure you will be fine.:)

Post with us anytime with anxiety concerns, okay?

Scaredy Cat

Thanks for your thoughts guys.

I'm going to take the medication soon, with a probiotic rich diet. (Yogurt, Kefir, Pickles, ETC.)

I don't know why, I haven't given it much thought before, but it probably wasn't best to store the medicine underneath my sweater...

It's summer where I live, and I don't have air condition. ^^;

Edit- The medicine bottles are not hot, so the pills should be fine.

Now to find the courage to take the meds. I had a normal bowl movement the other day, so my gut flora must be good. Despite taking amoxicillin, May 7th-May 20th. During, and (right) after I had very mild D.

If I didn't no better, I say I'm mildly constipated. In fact constipation has been more common with me, then D. Does that mean my gut flora is outstanding?

How much Kefir should I drink after each dosage? (To reduce side effects, or even better nullify them.)

My mother said, she had no side effects with cefuroxime axetil. Other then mild D. Assuming my response is similar, I'll live to see 2015, and so on. Any abnormalities will be reported to my doctor/pharmacist pronto.

Also the pills can be crushed. To avoid the awful taste, I'm going to mix them in pudding.

Post Edited (Sky Kitty) : 6/26/2014 1:26:50 PM (GMT-6)

S.K.

Have you started your abx yet? How has it been going so far?

Try not to anticiapate any ill effects, but rather just be prepared with any of the above mentioned probiotic products.

The Kefir is ususally in drink form, (unless you are culturing your own), and can be consumed as a drink or in yogurt form that you could drink/eat a couple times a day.

Another thing I forgot to mention is Kombucha. It can be purchased as a drink and has a lot of probiotic properties.

The worries that are bothering you currently could be worked through with positive mantras/thinking and stress relieving coping skills. Check out our Resources for a whole collection of great self-help ideas.:)

Wishing you well, and keep posting!

S.C.

Sky,

I'd encourage you to call your pharmacist and ask them about the medication storage situation....




M.

Update- Guess it's all, or nothing at this point. Either I caught the common cold, or I have premature strep. ^^;