POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: wiser on March 27, 2009, 01:37:10 pm
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I had a tooth abcess and dentist did a root canal 3 weeks ago. He prescribed 7days 3xday Clindamycin as an antibiotic. 14 days after finishing the antibiotic I am continue to experience diarhea (moderate not severe) and increasing fatigue. My concern is that the antibiotic has knocked out some important good bacteria in the GI tract and that the diarhea could be affecting the absorption of my Atripla. As usual anxiety and ruminating on any physical changes can in itself lead to some depression. On top of it I still feel some sensation in the area of the abcess so wonder if the root canal and antibiotic didn't do the trick in knocking out the infection. I am concerned that more antibioitc or further dental work will only worsen things.
I am following the suggestions on dealing with diarhea from the lessons here and at least it is not severe in terms of dehydration of weight loss. But my mood seems to be getting more and more down as I don't see things stabilizing yet.
I see the dentist in 6 days for follow up so that will rule out the presence of continued infection I hope.
I have been feeling very well for the most part 4 years on Atripla even though my CD count has plateuaed at 220 or so. I am 62 so lower CD4s seems not all that uncommon. A lot of this emotional I think, as a minor cold or simple tooth infection raises fears and doubts about the fragility of my immune system.
Just positing here to let off some of the building anxiety and impatience. Any comments?
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It's often recommended to use a probiotic after a course of antibiotics to restore proper gut flora functioning and eat some yogurt. By your own admission your diarrhea is moderate, and I really don't think there should be any concern over HIV med absorption.
Try not to cause yourself unnecessary anxiety as I don't believe that it's warranted.
Also, if you've plateaued at 220 are you on any kind of PCP preventative med? It's kind of a fuzzy area once you're past 200, I'd probably consider it and/or staying on it if that was my situation.
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Hi,
Try some Danactive, or Danactive Activia. You can find it in any supermarket. It's not that expensive, and you may find it useful. Comes in packs of 4 and larger.
Ray
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Also wanted to say that I too had some extensive dental surgery done a few weeks ago. I was placed on Penicillin VK 500Mg.( Taken every 6 hours). Was on this for 7 days, as a precaution. I always have a Danactive and activia daily. I have the Danactive in the morning, and the Activia at night. Had no problems with Diarrhea. It might help ya.
Ray
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Thanks for the responses. Will give it a try.
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wiser - you can also try acidophilus, which is a supplement that puts the good bacteria back into your system. they are chewable tablets that I usually take whenever I take antibiotcs - drastically reduces the diarrhea potential. cheap, easy to take and they don't interefere with other meds.
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One of the side affects of Clyndamycin is significant diarrhea, which is a little more than wiping out the good bacteria. You might want to ask for another antibiotic which the dentist should understand. You may want to avoid the sugars and the dairy that are in those products mentioned with diarrhea. My doc suggested a probiotic in pill form.
here is a link that talks about the side effects note the comment about some side effects last for several weeks afterwards.
http://www.medicinenet.com/clindamycin-oral/article.htm
good luck, I was on it for a bit last year....yuck
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I took 1 Pearl Accidophilus pill last night to begin a trial of the probiotic thing. I also have taken a 4oz container of Activia. The diarrhea stopped for the day and I begain feeling quite well. I then had a bowel movement in the evening and the stool looked like small black pellets. Black stool is freaking me out a bit as it can be a sign of intestinal bleeding. I plan to see my MD Monday morning. Something strange is going on. How can a simple visit to the dentist lead to such complication? Things were going along so well. Ok time to stop whining and see a doctor for a stool analysis.
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My HIV doc went ahead and prescribed Flagyl for 7 days in case there truly was the presence of c. difficile bacteria. In three days the diarhhea cleared up. The HIV doc was somewhat annoyed that the dentist prescribed Clyndamicin as he feels it is stronger and more toxic than needed. He would prefer Pennicillin be prescribed in the future. I certainly continue to learn a lot.
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Hi,
Glad to hear that things are getting better for you. Your right, You learn something new every day.
Take care---Ray
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It's often recommended to use a probiotic after a course of antibiotics to restore proper gut flora functioning and eat some yogurt.
Actually, it's perfectly OK to take the probiotics at the same time as the antibiotics, as odd as that sounds. You don't have to wait until you are finished with your antibiotics to start the probiotics.
acidophilus is indeed a good one to take.