Where have all the normal flora gone?

[colleen10]

Hi everyone,

I am writing to ask for some advice.

About two weeks ago I developed a constant sinus headache, fluid and pressure in my ears, other symptoms such as fatigue, chills and a day where I generally just felt absolutely rotten. I started taking my regular Allergy / decongestant but it really didn't do much.

I thought I was coming down with an ear infection so I went to my regular doctor who said that I had no signs of ear, sinus or resp. infection but that my allergies were starting to act up and that perhaps I was on the verge of some other type of bacterial infection since I did have enlarged lymnph. and a little irritation of nasal mucosa. Considering I am in my Peds. rotation he was probably right and good only knows what I had contracted.

He put me on a stronger and very different type of antibiotic than I have ever been given ever before. For the first few days I had no problems and started to notice an improvement, symptoms lessening considerably.

Then about 4 days into it I came down with a 24 hour intestinal virus. No vomitting just abd. cramping, headache and diarrahea. About 2-3 days after I was over it I had my first solid BM. But since then, about 5 days ago, I have not. It's not as bad as it was when I actully had the stomach flu but it still is not back to normal. I am back to eating my regular diet without any problem, haven't had abd. cramping or anything else and am back to a regular BM schedule but it still isn't normal.

Another problem that developed, I am 100% convinced due to this antibiotic that he prescribed me, is a yeast infection which I have only ever had one in my life, over 10 years ago. I went back to see him two days ago for a follow up for my ears and he gave me Diflucan which is beginning to work. But I did not bring up the irregular BM to him because I thought I was over that. Now I'm thinking that the darned antibiotic has wiped out all of the normal flora in my body. :angryfire

Does anyone have any suggestions on what type of diet I should be eating to get my body back into shape? I normally eat at least one serving of yogurt a day which I know is good for yeast infections. Are there any other types of foods that I should be concentrating on to give my bowels some relief?

My body is falling apart on me. I have never had so many problems happen at one time, I am usually very healthy. Judging by my condition and the condition of my classmates I guess Nursing School does that to you.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Col

[Surgical Hrt RN]

Eating yogurt will also help with the loose stools. It has lactobacillus in it and that seems to help slow diarrhea. We had a patient at work that had loose stools. His C-diff was negative, yet he still had diarrhea. He was on tons of anitbiotics so I asked the doc if I could push some yogurt down his NG. I had read an article somewhere about hospitals doing this and the great success rate they had with it. Well......after about 2 days it worked.

Another thing you can eat is cheese. You want to eat foods that will bind you up. If it doesn't stop I would definitely go back to the doc. You could have irritable bowel.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Yogurt and acidophilus supplements are the answer, as the wise poster before me said. Additionally, You can always ask the assistance/advice of a naturopath, too. I wish you well and here's to your improving health!