Long Term Antibiotic Use Side Effects

[V82]

Hey guys,

I was on tetracycline for a year and a half for acne.

I've been freaking out for a good 3 months now about the side effects of my long term antibiotic use. My digestive system has been messed for 4 months, with pain and diahrea, and I'm afraid that it's permanent. I'm afraid of getting Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fybromyalgia or Chron's which I read can result from long term antibiotic use.

My dermatologist did not warn me about any of these side effects and I was completely ignorant as my parents took tetracycline for years for their acne and swore that it was safe, my mom still takes monocycline daily. My dermatologist would just give me a 10 months prescription without any questions I'm just so upset that I was so careful with my benzo usage but I'm brough down my tetracycline. None of these negative side effects are listed on the mayo clinic or anything.

I had a colonoscopy but it came back clear. My family doctor labelled me a hypochondriac.

I'm just really worried that my life is now going to slowly fall apart because of my antibiotic use. I'm seeing a naturopath about my digestive problems because the doctors just tell me to eat for fibre which makes my pain worse. I'm just so frustrated and scared and pissed at myself for taking this drug for so long.

If anyone has any info on this please let me know, I'm at the end of my rope on this one.

 

[dopemegently]

I'd just stop if I wasn't in pain. But that's just me.u wouldn't want to get an infection, take antibiotics, and find they do nothing because ur tolerant to them. I read a story recently that this is happening on a large scale cause people are taking them when they don't need to.

If they were damaging my health too...i would definitely stop.

 

[Marauder]

The stress is probably more damaging to you than your antibiotic use. For acne, I suggest going to any pharmacy and getting 10% benzyl peroxide. It was available by prescription only but is now over the counter. It's an ointment that really works. The downside is, being a very strong peroxide, it can bleach your hair, pillow, clothes, etc. It works very fast and there's nothing more powerful over the counter.

I was only given a 1 month prescription of an antibiotic for acne. After that my doctor suggested we try something else. I flat out told him I want Accutane and it has bad side effects (dry mouth, dry eyes, chapped lips, etc) but it made my skin almost "perfect." After I stopped taking it I began to break out here and there but I wouldn't say I have acne anymore. It has been more than 6 years and most of my break outs now are due to hygienic neglect on my part (usually during a 3 day drug binge I won't wash my face much and I'll smoke a lot of tobacco, etc.)

Anyway, you risk the bacteria causing your acne to become resistant to that (class of) antibiotic(s.) Your stomach should be fine in time. Stay hydrated, take a lot of probiotics (yogurt, etc..) and fiber. You saw doctors and they claim you're fine. I remember when I was 20 and I freaked out over this stuff all the time. All doctors told me I was just being anxious and I hated that response, but it was true. I have anxiety. It sounds like you do as well, if not clinically than certainly situationally.

 

[tweex]

Aren't you the same guy I recommended get checked for c. diff a few weeks ago?

Sounds plausible to me.

 

[Toz]

You are not going to develop fibromyalgia, crohns or any of the other 100 extremely rare 0,0001% chance side effects. Stop being silly. Either the acne is so bad it's worth the risk of these side effects, or it isn't in which case you could just stop the medication.

 

[nintey]

I know it may seem like the craziest thing you have ever head but I want you to research fecal transplant. You are suffering the results of destroying your normal intestinal flora which is a very complex and specialized system in our bodies. You could try to replace the flora with probiotics but there is lots of problems with those, the main being that they do not attach to our cell walls and have mostly a transient effect.

I could almost guarantee a complete resolution of your issues within days if you go through with this process. I am enclosing a link that has all necessary information for the process.

http://thepowerofpoop.com/

 

[jess046]

I'd stop the antibiotics straight away. I was on them for a few months on and off for recurrent UTI's and developed a lot of stomach problems afterward. It has been a few months of being off antibiotics and most of my stomach issues are managed with other medications and diet changes. Go see a gastro doctor, they will help you. You probably have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which is a very real condition. You can manage all the symptoms through diet and lifestyle changes.

I can't believe any doctor would be so negligent to prescribe antibiotics for years! If you have to take them again for an infection make sure to take a probiotic with them and probably start a course of probiotics now.

 

[pasha]

I'd consult with your doctor. If you're not getting clear answers, find another doctor. Don't discontinue your medication without having this discussion with a physician.

 

[viviansuthers]

I'd consult with your doctor. If you're not getting clear answers, find another doctor. Don't discontinue your medication without having this discussion with a physician.

I agree since there are drugs like antibiotics that requires tapering before you can permanently stop taking them. Tapering is done to prevent withdrawal to medication especially if you've been taking it for quite sometime. I also read from an article that even farmers have made it common practice to give animals antibiotics to ensure they are healthy, even if the animal would not normally be healthy. The Food and Drug Administration, however, will be limiting some of this practice in order to keep human antibiotic resistance from growing. If you want to read the full article, go here.