Pseudomembranous Colitis

[Mobi]

Following my recent road accident I developed a fever whilst recuperating in hospital which was treated with antibiotics. I was discharged after two nights and given a course of antibiotics – Amoxicillin Clavulanic Acid (Amoksiklav), 1000mg, twice per day.

Since then, (last Friday), I have suffered from medium to severe diarrhoea, intermittent fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. This morning the diarrhoea was very severe with stomach cramps.

I have been reading the information sheet for this antibiotic, and it advises that if diarrhoea develops I might have pseudomembranous colitis – a bad infection of the colon caused by the antibiotic upsetting the ‘balance’ by killing one but not all bacteria. The result is a serious infection, which must be treated. Also I am a diabetic, and the sheet says that diabetics are at high risk.

Does anyone have any knowledge of this problem, and should I continue with my antibiotics? I know that stopping antibiotics half way through the course can create further problems.

Any advice appreciated.

(BTW the hospital I went to is dump)

[FBN]

This condition more common with more "potent" antibiotics but basically any antibiotic can cause this. Intestinal bacteria develop resistance to penicillin based antibiotics relatively quickly but this one (Amoxicillin) at that dose can cause intestinal upsets.

Being diabetic complicates the issue and fungal overgrowth in the gut may now be your problem.

If fever and cramps continue, you should see someone at a reputable clinic; have stool cultures etc and get specific treatment for the clostridium if this is found in stool samples.

It may be necessary to stop the antibiotic you are on, depending what you were taking it for. If it was just to "prevent infection" stop it.

[Mobi]

This condition more common with more "potent" antibiotics but basically any antibiotic can cause this. Intestinal bacteria develop resistance to penicillin based antibiotics relatively quickly but this one (Amoxicillin) at that dose can cause intestinal upsets.

Being diabetic complicates the issue and fungal overgrowth in the gut may now be your problem.

If fever and cramps continue, you should see someone at a reputable clinic; have stool cultures etc and get specific treatment for the clostridium if this is found in stool samples.

It may be necessary to stop the antibiotic you are on, depending what you were taking it for. If it was just to "prevent infection" stop it.

Thank you for your prompt advice. The antibiotic was prescribed for my fever which the hospital thought was caused by infection arising from my accident wounds (lacerated eye and ear).

I will stop the meds and see what happens over the next 24 hours.

[bina]

augmentin (amoxyclab) will do that: many docs nowadays (in the states and starting to here also_ give probiotics (neccessary bacterias) in the form of capsules u can get at a pharmacy.to be taken during the time ua re using antibiotics.. if u cant then live bacteria yougurts help... if u can eat milk products... these are to help maintain the balance of flora/fauna in your stomach...also make sure u are drinking the proper amount of liquids, some antibiotics (tetracyclines et al) need to be taken witha full glass of water not just a sip or two

bina

Edited March 27, 2008 by bina

[huggybear]

augmentin (amoxyclab) will do that: many docs nowadays (in the states and starting to here also_ give probiotics (neccessary bacterias) in the form of capsules u can get at a pharmacy.to be taken during the time ua re using antibiotics.. if u cant then live bacteria yougurts help... if u can eat milk products... these are to help maintain the balance of flora/fauna in your stomach...also make sure u are drinking the proper amount of liquids, some antibiotics (tetracyclines et al) need to be taken witha full glass of water not just a sip or two

bina

Bina, unless you are a certified physician, I wouldn't send Mobi down the yogurt, dairy road.

I had a severe case of colitis in December of 04, (it was like constant shards of glass rumbling in my intestines) was trying to treat myself with what you are prescribing as I thought the same, until I ended up in the emergency ward with the doctor saying "who told you to do that?"

Mobi-welcome back, I hope for your full recovery, try and get yourself to a real physician if this current situation does not improve.

[Mobi]

I haven't taken any antibiotics since Tuesday evening.

I still have diarrhoea - 6 days now, but it's not as bad , and no stomach cramps. The fever seems to have gone, but I have no appetite. I've only had one piece of toast all day.

I 'll give it one more day.

Correction - I just checked and my temp is up again.

Edited March 27, 2008 by Mobi

[Crushdepth]

Amoxicillin Clavulanic Acid (Amoksiklav), 1000mg, twice per day.

I was on this does for a couple of weeks and eventually had to stop - my skin started peeling off, started getting fungal infections all over the place and developed a nasty metallic taste in my mouth.

Anyway, suggest you don't rely on advice from this board no matter how well intentioned - try to find a better doctor if you can. If you're out in the sticks it might be a good idea to head into the city.

Re. your cramps etc - if you've had those for more than 3 days its worth asking the doctor if you may have giardia (particularly if its 'profuse watery' diarrhoea). It's quite common and usually misdiagnosed but clears up very quickly once you're on the right drugs.

[Sheryl]

Mobi,

1. What was the nature of your injuries from the accident?

2. how long did you take the antibiotic?

3. How high was your fever in the hospital?

4. How high is your fever now?

5. Any musus or blood in the stool?

[Globeliner]

Amoxicillin Clavulanic Acid (Amoksiklav), 1000mg, twice per day.

I was on this does for a couple of weeks and eventually had to stop - my skin started peeling off, started getting fungal infections all over the place and developed a nasty metallic taste in my mouth.

Anyway, suggest you don't rely on advice from this board no matter how well intentioned - try to find a better doctor if you can. If you're out in the sticks it might be a good idea to head into the city.

Re. your cramps etc - if you've had those for more than 3 days its worth asking the doctor if you may have giardia (particularly if its 'profuse watery' diarrhoea). It's quite common and usually misdiagnosed but clears up very quickly once you're on the right drugs.

I too was prescribed this antibiotic after a dog savaged my leg,and indeed that taste is foul, even sweat tasted metallic, no other symptoms though

[FBN]

Mobi

You have done the research so you know what you are talking about; you have all the risk factors.

By all means take the yoghurts and natural stuff, for sure they will help.

Most important is to exclude clostridium dificile in the stools. Does not matter how high your temp goes or what your injuries were for that matter. Diabetes will modify all those indicators..

One more day then have the stool culture in a reputable facility. Don't delay...

Best of luck to ye!!

[Mobi]

Mobi,

1. What was the nature of your injuries from the accident?

2. how long did you take the antibiotic?

3. How high was your fever in the hospital?

4. How high is your fever now?

5. Any musus or blood in the stool?

Sheryl,

1. Lacerated eye (3 stitches), lacerated ear (7 stiches). Very sore neck and back.

2. About 7 days

3. I think it was over 100 (report said "high grade fever")

4. Yesterday it was 99. Today it is below normal so far. (It tends to spike)

5. No mucous or blood as far as I can see. Very foul smelling.

Still have diarreoah today, and feel toatlly washed out and little appetite.

[Beardog]

Mobi, I hope you have a quick recovery & it turns out to be the best case scenario with a quick recovery

Thats a nice looking dog by the way!

Barry

Edited March 28, 2008 by Beardog

[Sheryl]

OK Mobi. 7 days course of antibiotic is plenty so no concern about your stopping.

What you describe could be either antibiotic-associated diarrhea (C. Difficle, or sometimes undetermined organism) or giardia. Both are treated with mebendazole (flagyl) or tinidazole (fasigyn). Absolutely no alcohol will taking either of those medications or you'll be very nauseated & ill.

Above all, stay off the antibiotics. Live ypgurt good if you can get it.

Good luck

Sheryl

[Mossfinn]

I hadn't heard of the accident Mobi, so best wishes on both the crash injuries and subsequent infection.

Moss

[bina]

huggybear, every person i know is given probiotics and/or live culture yougurt to eat when taking augemetin and other antibiotics ... except for me since i dont eat dairy products; and im allergic to augmentin...

you cant take dairy with doxicillin et al so u have to space the dairy stuff a few hours in between

its standard procedure. in the states they used this long before israel ; we used to be also a few years behind the latest medical updates and probiotics is one of them. we even use them for goats nowadays that are getting antibiotic injections.

obviously if it is happening so intensively he should get checked out since it could also be something entirely not related but most likely related... augmentin has that effect on lots of people...

[Mobi]

Thank you Sheryl, and all the others who have advised me and wished me well.

It is now 5 days since I stopped the antibiotics, and while yesterday morning I still had diarrhoea and didn't feel too good, I feel much better today and the diarrhoea seems to be finally getting better. Loose stools, but nowhere near as bad as it was. fever seems to have gone as well.

I'm not completely out of the woods, but I reckon I'm on the mend now.

It's all been a bit traumatic, what with the accident, and the subsequent sickness.

It all ended in farce when my wife discovered that the doctor had forgotten to remove one of the stitches in my ear yesterday, and I had to go in and have the wound re-opened to get the stitch out.

[elektrified]

augmentin (amoxyclab) will do that: many docs nowadays (in the states and starting to here also_ give probiotics (neccessary bacterias) in the form of capsules u can get at a pharmacy.to be taken during the time ua re using antibiotics.. if u cant then live bacteria yougurts help... if u can eat milk products... these are to help maintain the balance of flora/fauna in your stomach...also make sure u are drinking the proper amount of liquids, some antibiotics (tetracyclines et al) need to be taken witha full glass of water not just a sip or two

bina

Bina, unless you are a certified physician, I wouldn't send Mobi down the yogurt, dairy road.

I had a severe case of colitis in December of 04, (it was like constant shards of glass rumbling in my intestines) was trying to treat myself with what you are prescribing as I thought the same, until I ended up in the emergency ward with the doctor saying "who told you to do that?"

Mobi-welcome back, I hope for your full recovery, try and get yourself to a real physician if this current situation does not improve.

Exactly. I had ulcerative colitis a number of years back and the first thing the gastroenterologist said to me was "immediately discontinue all dairy products for at least 90 days." I also was given sulfa drugs. That was a terrible time. Hope you get well soon.