Antibiotics and Ostomies: Seeking Advice and Experiences

Just looking for input and experiences on taking antibiotics, especially for lengthy periods. I'm six months in with an ileostomy, was also born with a congenital immunodeficiency. I receive IVIG infusions, times 30 years, so I take a lot of antibiotics. I was on three, down to two, one of which has turned into an 8-10 week course, and another is a permanent addition for prevention measures. The surgeon is concerned I may have a hernia from coughing, so I'm getting a CT scan. She also said antibiotics are rough on ostomy patients...any advice? TIA!

As far as I know, the only problem with an ostomy is that they can cause loose output, but your surgeon is more qualified than any of us. Did they expand on the problems they cause with ostomies? I'm prone to abscesses, so I have to take them when needed. Much to my doctor's surprise, I never get loose output while taking them. That said, lol, I do have loose output all the time, even when not taking them, but not high output.

Only problem I had with A/B is a foul taste in my mouth after a week or so.

Funny this has come up... Yes, they can do a number on your stomach... depending on what they give you.... I've been in the hospital this last week fighting an abscess and am stuck on IV antibiotics and one oral... until the culture grows anything to pinpoint what I can go home with... and they're kicking my butt right now.... I had extremely high output 3 nights ago and am trying to keep up with my fluid intake.... The last 2 times I've had the same issues... plus some of them can make your BS low too.... I'm sure healthy people can have the same thing happen.... but when we lose fluid it's way harder on our kidneys....

Thank you, and I do hope you're starting to improve! I normally have high, watery output, but it worsened and even got foamy. Nausea worsened. BP dropped, and with Addison's, for years I've taken a steroid every morning to raise mine - the dehydration is a real problem. Hope you can go home soon; there's no place like home!

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Thank you!!! I finally got out last night. I had to somewhat fight with the doctor about not sending me home with a midline for IV antibiotics, especially when she doesn't know what she's treating yet because nothing has grown from my cultures. I did get some funky side effects from what I was on. I noticed the difference last night when I got home; my stomach settled down. But now I had to see what these oral antibiotics do. I'm sure the same thing happened when I was treated for M.A.C. A year of three very hard antibiotics to try and cure it, and after a year of on-and-off stomach issues, it didn't even work. Thankfully, the infection, if I even still have it anywhere in my body, never spread to my lungs. But while this time I was in the hospital, they gave me some Metamucil to try and thicken my output. BIG mistake. Every 40 minutes in the bathroom for about eight hours. The only thing that finally worked was taking Imodium at night. I've always taken it during the day, never before bed, and the last four nights, I've only had to get up once or twice instead of the normal three to four times. Anyways, two more weeks of antibiotics, and hopefully my abscess will close soon. And the shots they have me on will work so I don't need surgery anytime soon, because then it's more antibiotics for who knows how long.

I hope you get on top of this soon, Rose.

Hi Rose & friends,

This is just a heads up. After nearly 60 years with an ileostomy and virtually no real issues, I began having a lot of gastric distress, very loose output, which landed me in the hospital countless times for dehydration. After much testing multiple times, no foreign bacteria was causing the issue. It became my new normal, and I could barely get through the night without leaking or soiling myself (and my bedding). I slept wrapped in towels. The doctor seemed to have no suggestions, so I "suffered." Apparently, I didn't "cry" loud enough. After three years of "misery," I took an antibiotic (Amoxicillin) after having a tooth pulled, and it stopped the "runs." The doctor thought it was a coincidence. It wasn't! We tried another medication, and it did the same thing. But one can't live on an antibiotic "forever." So he prescribed "Alestron." It was miraculous! It worked. I take it at night but can also take it in the morning if needed (2x a day). That's too often for me, as it really does cause "painful" constipation. I'm not sure of the category of drug, but for me, it was a solution. Yes, I'm still severely dehydrated, but not requiring hospitalization or IV fluids. Another medication that worked (stopped the persistent gas) is an orphan drug, Sucraid (very expensive), but my insurance covered it. Unfortunately, it has severe side effects for some people, and I broke out in a hive-like rash after 2 weeks. I had to stop it. So proceed with caution. Even after all these years, I learned a new lesson. Really question (pester) your health care professionals if you think you're not being heard. I just didn't "cry" loud enough.

Sometimes we (as patients) are an enigma to our doctors, and they are at a loss. At the ripe old age of "77," I'm learning to be more assertive. (I always thought I was... but apparently, not enough.) Best wishes. I hope this motivates those of you searching for better answers!

Hi Rose Bud! So glad to hear you're finally back home and hopefully on the mend. It can take a while for cultures to grow...no advice, as I've never been known for my patience, lol. Metamucil made me pancake; Benefiber works more gently for me. I've also had MAC...and yes, it makes for a long year - I don't recommend it! Feel better soon - - -

I regularly need antibiotics for UTIs. The biggest problem for me is yeast infections, so I usually need fluconazole, as I can get very sore under the water.

Heide,

I have been on antibiotics for the last 3 months, and it has not caused any problems. I have an ileostomy, and stool is loose, but it is no worse now with the antibiotics than it was before.

I contracted hospital pneumonia in the ER after my sudden ileostomy due to a perforated colon and sepsis requiring a colectomy. They kept me in the hospital on IV antibiotics and asleep most of the time. I got really weak. After that, I went to a rehab hospital and contracted another case of pneumonia after aspirating almost force-fed protein shakes! Again, IV antibiotics. Flat on my back. Losing more strength every day. Finally - off the IVs. Respiratory therapy as well as physical and occupational therapy. Another stint at rehab and outpatient rehab. I am now religious about my vaccinations and try to avoid crowds. The ileostomy was a traumatic surprise but manageable. Pneumonia is a scary killer.

I'm feeling a bit better, thank you... If I time my meds long enough between the two, I seem to be doing okay so far.... So you had M.A.C. Did treatment work for you? I don't know if mine just was in my abscesses, but I stopped treatment over 2 years ago and have never been told if it was still in my body.... other than it was positive when they drained the 2nd abscess... but I had that one at the same time as another one, but at the time it was small and they wanted to see if it got bigger or if they could just drain it out... But the 3 antibiotics they gave me really did a number on my stomach after all that time. Just hope this is the last time I have to deal with another abscess for a while... I'm on some kind of shot that should help with slowing down the learning of my pancreas duct.... My poor body looks like I've been beaten... my arms and legs are all black and blue... Guess we'll see if all this extra pain pays off.