Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

"glutened" By Antibiotics?/same Reaction? Please Help!


oceangirl

Recommended Posts

oceangirl Collaborator

Hi, Everyone,

Just me harping on antibiotics again. Does ANYONE have experience with antibiotics giving them the same symptoms as a glutening? I've now had zithromax and amoxicillin and am having similar GI symptoms as well as low back pain and joint cracking- all this ALWAYS worse for me at night. My acupuncturist thinks it's the antibiotics. I know they screw up your system and I am taking probiotics, always do, just wondering if anyone has any experience with this. I make all my own food from scratch and I'm pretty sure I'm not having gluten. I did have some Hall's strawberry cough drops, but I did read they are now gluten-free. Help!!!!! I feel like I'm going back to square one!

lisa


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



queenofhearts Explorer

Antibiotics almost always give me D, though I haven't taken any since gluten-free. I think it's a common reaction. Don't know about the other symptoms, but I wouldn't be surprised that they could echo glutening.

Leah

Jennas-auntie Apprentice

I think your acupuncturist is probably right. Antibiotics frequently not only kill off whatever harmful bug you have in your system but also the helpful bacteria you have in your GI system. Even with the probiotics it is quite possible you will have a shift in what is growing in your colon, and might have the diarrhea because of what has already died off. Different antibiotics have different fillers (sometimes have stuff like modified food starch) and I don't have a list but maybe someone here does or you could call the company maybe. Hopefully it will clear up really soon for you.

Guhlia Rising Star

I would also suspect those Hall cough drops. The new formulations may very well be gluten free, but did you get a new pack? It could have been sitting on the shelf for a while at the store. I know there are several people who have gotten ill off of Halls cough drops.

oceangirl Collaborator
I would also suspect those Hall cough drops. The new formulations may very well be gluten free, but did you get a new pack? It could have been sitting on the shelf for a while at the store. I know there are several people who have gotten ill off of Halls cough drops.

Thank you all! Yes, I did check the date and it's Dec. 2007 for the Hall's but I'm not going to have any just to be sure for now. I do know the antibiotics are killing off things both good and bad so I guess I should blame them for now. Today and tomorrow and then I'm done. Of course, my ear infection doesn't feel like it's done with me yet so...sigh. I am ramping up my visits to my acupuncturist- she healed me of pneumonia several years ago and I do believe it's the way to go. Thank you all for replying.

lisa

jesscarmel Enthusiast
Thank you all! Yes, I did check the date and it's Dec. 2007 for the Hall's but I'm not going to have any just to be sure for now. I do know the antibiotics are killing off things both good and bad so I guess I should blame them for now. Today and tomorrow and then I'm done. Of course, my ear infection doesn't feel like it's done with me yet so...sigh. I am ramping up my visits to my acupuncturist- she healed me of pneumonia several years ago and I do believe it's the way to go. Thank you all for replying.

lisa

Hi Lisa

Right now i'm on antibiotics too for a bad cough infection. uch i hate antibiotics. im taking doxycyline. ive defintily reacted to antibiots before with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting , d and stomach aches so its probably that. how many days do you have left? hopefully not too many! im only on day 3

Jess

oceangirl Collaborator
Hi Lisa

Right now i'm on antibiotics too for a bad cough infection. uch i hate antibiotics. im taking doxycyline. ive defintily reacted to antibiots before with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting , d and stomach aches so its probably that. how many days do you have left? hopefully not too many! im only on day 3

Jess

Jess

I have two days left. Of course, my ear is still hurting a bit and feels "full". I started with a bronchial infection, like you- my daughter had it as well and just recovering! I hope you feel well soon!

lisa


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



ravenwoodglass Mentor
Jess

I have two days left. Of course, my ear is still hurting a bit and feels "full". I started with a bronchial infection, like you- my daughter had it as well and just recovering! I hope you feel well soon!

lisa

Have you called the pharmacey where you got the pills? The druggist can tell you for sure if the pills are gluten free and should be happy to do so.

oceangirl Collaborator
Have you called the pharmacey where you got the pills? The druggist can tell you for sure if the pills are gluten free and should be happy to do so.

Ravenwoodglass,

Yes, it was all checked out. I guess my question is: can it still FEEL like a glutening? Thank you for the advice, though.

lisa

aprilh Apprentice
Thank you all! Yes, I did check the date and it's Dec. 2007 for the Hall's but I'm not going to have any just to be sure for now. I do know the antibiotics are killing off things both good and bad so I guess I should blame them for now. Today and tomorrow and then I'm done. Of course, my ear infection doesn't feel like it's done with me yet so...sigh. I am ramping up my visits to my acupuncturist- she healed me of pneumonia several years ago and I do believe it's the way to go. Thank you all for replying.

lisa

If its an ear infection, try soaking some garlic cloves in some olive oil. After about 20 minutes, drop some drops of the olive oil in your ears. Do this 3 x per day. Works Great!! and Fast!! I use it on my kids too.

April

elonwy Enthusiast

I had the same experience recently. I was sluggish, exhausted, imsomniac, sick to my stomach, had D and generally felt like poo. I checked on the meds before I took them ( how well my pharmacy knows my requests now) but it felt like I'd been uber glutened. Horrible. This is the first time I've taken antibiotics since being gluten-free, and they used to make me sick before but this was mind blowing how terrible they made me feel. I think it was Clindomyacin or something like that.

Elonwy

tarnalberry Community Regular

antibiotics cause GI distress for a lot of people. "D" is a *common* side effect of them. zithromax is gluten-free, but it can still cause GI distress whether your celiac or not. it's mostly an issue of figuring out how best to settle your stomach (I adjust what I'm eating a bit), taking probiotics, and just getting through it. I hope you're feeling better soon!

oceangirl Collaborator
antibiotics cause GI distress for a lot of people. "D" is a *common* side effect of them. zithromax is gluten-free, but it can still cause GI distress whether your celiac or not. it's mostly an issue of figuring out how best to settle your stomach (I adjust what I'm eating a bit), taking probiotics, and just getting through it. I hope you're feeling better soon!

Thank you all!

April, thank you- that's an old remedy on both my French and Greek side and I'm definitely doing that next- I don't want any more antibiotics! Yes, Elonwy an Tiffany, I've always had problems with them- this just seems off the charts! If we could just get more than two days in a row of sun in Maine maybe I could bake it out of me! Thank you all for your help and kind thoughts and right back at ya!

lisa

jenvan Collaborator

Most antibiotics upset my stomach, cause D, cramping, naseau for me, and for a majority of people. Always take probiotics during and after antibiotic round. Don't take the antibiotics on an empty stomach and trying drinking gingerale, sprite. These things help me get through the round.

oceangirl Collaborator
Most antibiotics upset my stomach, cause D, cramping, naseau for me, and for a majority of people. Always take probiotics during and after antibiotic round. Don't take the antibiotics on an empty stomach and trying drinking gingerale, sprite. These things help me get through the round.

Jenvan

Good advice, thank you.

lisa

teebs in WV Apprentice

I need to share my experience. I was prescribed an antibiotic for acne by the same dermatologist that diagnosed my DH (which prompted my family doctor to send me to the GI for celiac disease diagnosis). When I went to the pharmacy to have my prescription filled, I asked the pharmacist if there was any gluten in this medication. I was newly diagnosed and very naive to the whole process and when the pharmacist told me there was no gluten I assumed he knew what he was talking about. After a couple of weeks I learned more about the disease and product ingredients, and for some reason decided to check my prescription on the manufacturers website. Sure enough I found that it contained gluten. I called my derm. and he prescribed another type of antibiotic for acne. Needless to say I have learned my lesson and I do not rely on anyone else except for the manufacturer.

Tracy

jerseyangel Proficient

It's always best to call the manufacturer directly and ask them. I've never had a problem with a pharmacist or nurse at any drug company that I have called.

I've not had luck with my doctor or the local pharmacy (CVS)--

As far as antibiotics, I always get D and nausea with them--my doctor suggested I take them with a meal--not just a snack or a few crackers. I find that taking them with a lot of food seems to help a little, especially with the nausea--

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      127,509
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Mr-Collateral531
    Newest Member
    Mr-Collateral531
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121k
    • Total Posts
      70.2k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Matt13
      Thanks for the reply ! I am asking because tomorow i have egd and nobody told me not to eat gluten-free oats… and i was scared that it could ruin my biopsy results… 
    • trents
      Yes, I would think that for the 10% of celiacs who can't tolerate oats it would cause villous atrophy just like gluten. No, it would not produce marsh 3b villous atrophy in a couple of days. Nothing will produce measurable villous atrophy that fast. It takes at least two weeks of at least 10g of gluten consumption daily (10g is the amount found in about 4-6 slices of wheat bread) to develop measurable villous atrophy and even then probably not 3b villous atrophy. Are you asking these questions in because you are considering taking on a gluten challenge?
    • Matt13
      Thanks for the awnsers i understand there is maybe system reaction but do they create or cause villious atrophy? And igmf you it them for example a couple of days di they instantly induce marsh 3b?
    • robingfellow
      My gallbladder was at 94% ejection fraction according to my HIDA scan before surgery, when the "normal" range is considered to be between 30-80%, so the surgeon recommended removal because I had been experiencing severe chronic upper quadrant pain and even vomiting despite having a strong stomach. A biopsy after surgery showed intense inflammation suggesting my gallbladder was on the verge of bursting if I hadn't gotten it removed.   The last time my iron and vitamin d levels were checked post-gluten free diet they were in a normal range (I take 60mg iron tablets every other day, and vitamin D capsules daily) I do also take magnesium daily, specifically 400mg magnesium bisglycinate at night to aid my sleep since I try to avoid taking melatonin due to personal preference.   I'll definitely have to keep in mind the point about celiac possibly causing gallbladder problems, I'll probably wait until I can see a proper GI and get their input before I attempt to reintroduce gluten back into my diet that way any reaction I may or may not have can be properly assessed.
    • Mr-Collateral531
      I have dealt with gallbladder issues on-and-off for about ten years now. I was diagnosed with biliary dyskinesia in 2016 but chose to keep my gallbladder. Then in July 2022, I was diagnosed with celiac disease. Your surgeon is partially right in that your gallbladder can definitely cause some of those issues. However, the flip side to the coin is celiac can cause issues with your gallbladder. It’s a lesser studied area of disease manifestation, but limited research has shown a correlation between celiac, gallbladder dismotility, and how a gluten-free diet can help increase the gallbladder ejection fraction. Which literally happened in my case. In 2016 my HIDA scan measured my gallbladder ejection fraction as 29%. Then in 2023 after going strict gluten free, my HIDA scan measured it as 100%. It’s not perfect. I get right upper quadrant pain from time to time still. But at least I got that piece of evidence for myself.  I haven’t found any empirical studies on it but I have a theory. The gallbladder stores your bile for digestion. When the food enters your small intestine, the cells of your duodenum secrete cholecystokinin (CCK). CCK is what tells your gallbladder to empty. It’s literally Greek for “bile sac move.” Since the duodenum is a prime location for epithelial cell damage in celiac, it seems very possible that this can alter production of digestive hormones like CCK. As the small intestine begins to heal it produces more CCK and therefore the gallbladder can once again function. If you care to share, why did you need to have yours removed? In regards to the low iron and low vitamin D despite supplementation, that is also common in celiac. I fought vitamin D deficiency for almost a year despite taking 5000 IUs a day. I don’t have anemia, but I know I can use more iron based on my last round of blood work. Best I can say is you need to right cofactors as well. My vitamin D level virtually stayed the same for three different blood tests all 12 weeks apart. One was even after taking the prescription vitamin D of 50,000 IUs once a week. Once again, something not all doctors seem to know, but a nutrient deficiency isn’t necessarily treated by just taking more of that nutrient. Vitamin D metabolism requires many cofactors and processes in the small intestine, liver, and kidneys. And iron metabolism requires many cofactors as well including vitamin D. The biggest thing is to find a supplement regiment that works for you. Do you take specific vitamins or do you take a multivitamin? How much iron is in the supplement you take? What type of iron is it? Do you take magnesium? Another big game changer for me was adding 450mg/day of magnesium supplements for about two months and then dropping to 200mg/day. I would take 250mg of magnesium aspartate at lunch time and then 200mg of magnesium glycinate around 7:00pm. Magnesium is a huge cofactor for both vit D and iron metabolism. And that’s just one. Zinc, copper, vitamin K, boron, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin C are all contributing cofactors to vitamin D and iron metabolism. But too much supplementing is also dangerous. I’ve also been through iron overload and zinc toxicity in my post-celiac journey. Once again, doctors just saying to do one thing without considering anything else. I hope this helps and if you have any more questions don’t hesitate to ask.          
×
×
  • Create New...