r/Microbiome • u/QueenClarion777 • 19h ago

Destroyed Gut After Metronidazole (Antibiotic)

So about two months ago I was diagnosed with BV and the urgent care doctor prescribed me with metronidazole. I did not know anything about this medication and they didn't tell me anything about it even though it is an extremely potent antibiotic that wipes out all of your good gut bacteria. I was on it for one week and a couple days after my last dose I noticed that I felt very bloated and distended. As the days went on the bloating got worse and I felt like I had pockets of gas trapped along my large intestine. It is now two months later and I am still extremely bloated and have been experiencing slight changes in my bowel habits. My doctor has put me on two different pro biotics but I'm just worried that I will be stuck like this forever since I haven't noticed any real improvement. I know it can take up to 6 months for your microbiome to fully rebuild itself but it feels permanent. This has completely taken over my life and I am uncomfortable 24/7.

Idk if it is worth mentioning that I was also on Accutane at the same time as the metronidazole and I know that that can also cause GI problems. I have since stopped taking the Accutane and it hasn't gotten better.

I got ultrasounds and xrays done and everything looked normal and according to my doctor and everything I have researched, I will go back to normal. It just doesn't feel that way since this has been persisting for 2 months.

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5

u/Pure-Champion1129 19h ago

oof that combo of accutane and metronidazole at the same time is rough, your poor gut was basically taking a double hit with no warning. two months feels like forever when you're living in it but your body's still very much in the thick of trying to sort itself out

what probiotics did they put you on? some strains are way more helpful for antibiotic recovery than others, and if you're just taking whatever the doc grabbed off the shelf it might not be doing much

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u/QueenClarion777 18h ago

She gave me orthobiotic and orthospore IG. I started orthobiotic 2-3 weeks ago and then two days ago she gave me the orthospore and I take them at the same time. She also gave me ortho digestzyme to take before eating.

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u/theladyofthedarkstar 18h ago

I was going to say take a spore based. That was the best for me after antibiotics. Also femdophilus is great for the vag issues. I also have ibs so I know a bit about bloating, and in the moment I really like chewing fennel seeds and gas relief tea from traditional medicinal. It takes time to heal. Since you just started the spore based and stopped the Accutane hopefully you will feel better soon! You got this!

1

u/lovesports4444 3h ago

I was put on Clavulanic Amoxicillin for a UTI two months ago. It has flared my gastritis. I’m taking Famotidine because I can’t tolerate PPIs. My doctor told me to take a Probiotic. He said Align but I don’t know which one to take . Has anyone heard of Cultured Coconut. I find the gastritis mentally stressful. 😥

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u/CowOverTheMoon12 18h ago

Our local grocery store has these, but I'm sure there are other brands. Check out the microbiome sub and find a microbiome health focused GI doc. It's not covered a lot in our area, but ther're finding it can end up causing a ton of other physical and mental health problems when things don't get repaired correctly.

https://www.cvs.com/shop/garden-of-life-critical-care-probiotic-capsules-30-ct-prodid-2080049?skuId=305899&cgaa=QWxsb3dHb29nbGVUb0FjY2Vzc0NWU1BhZ2Vz&cid=ps_pla_fs_hm_dh_na_nab_na_mp_ggl_na&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21054315279&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlsfWBhD4ARIsACL7p1FwfTcrGA5n5o8B5E5iPooQ2HCfmDZ4RE6VV9ch7Qgqk7_5CGsXKB8aAhpjEALw_wcB

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u/tcatt1212 17h ago

I think you should give it more time. I’ve had to take so much metronidazole over the years due to a chronic issue and with the right interventions I can get back to normal in about 3-6 months. Unfortunately you may have to experiment a little on your own.

A probiotic with s. boulardii will help if yeast has overgrown.

Cut sugar back as much as possible. Up fiber to tolerance.

As much fermented foods as you can tolerate - plain yogurts, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, etc

If you suspect yeast overgrowth, there’s lots of effective herbal candida killers to experiment with.

I just came off a year of using the antibiotic monthly. Once I got yeast in check, the above has worked great and I’m better now than before the antibiotics. I wouldn’t lose hope yet.

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u/cvouw9 8h ago

The combo of accutane and metronidizole (plus cipro in my case) is what I believe set the stage for my total health collapse after COVID. I think it basically destroyed my bifido population. But I did absolutely nothing afterwards to fix the issue. I'd do a tiny health test to evaluate where you are.

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u/Dark-sloth 4h ago

I would recommend you to watch the work of William Dickinson.

https://youtube.com/@williamdickinson_?si=2N1kH-yMN7MfMBKj

I worked with him for some time but you can also check all his videos. He helped me get my life back when no doctor could help me. I couldn't work or function and nowadays I am fully functioning human being.

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u/gs-warrior-0806 3h ago

Sorry to hear you’re going through this. I went through something similar and this is how i would go about it if i was you. Basically it comes down to fixing the deeper pockets of the lower abdomen. I would implement all these at the same time.

  1. Fix the motility. This also helps with reducing gas pressure - I prefer prucalopride ( low dose might suffice for you. 0.25 mg or even 0.5 mg ) or if you want natural ways - motility pro is a solid choice or enzymedica pro motility ( i think that’s what it’s called ).
  2. A potent and effective probiotic - I would recommend Hyperbiotics pro 15 advanced or Visbiome. Visbiome is highly potent.
  3. You have to include prebiotic fiber. Chickpeas, legumes etc to feed the good bugs that you’re adding. Aim for 15-20 plant based foods a day, Fruits, veggies etc. Yes in a day. Easier than you imagine. Don’t shy away from it.
  4. Some more nutrients might be helpful for you - magnesium, zinc, b12, vitamin d and k.

Give it some time and you will recover. Good luck.