Did antibiotic cause these symptoms or is it anxiety or a combination of both?

Blake · Post by **Blake** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 6:35 am

I decided to stop taking my antibiotic for the last few days that I'm supposed to be on it. I have a head cold anyway so it's not like the antibiotic can help with that. In fact, the reason I took myself off is because I believe it's making me feel worse. Also, I have been experiencing unusual tiredness.
The medication is Augmentin twice a day (AM and PM). I have heard that people get very sick to their stomachs from this antibiotic.

Last couple evenings I became nauseated and last night the stomach pains were so bad that I threw up. I don't know if it takes 24 hours or more to get it out of your system but I still feel a bit nauseated (even after eating some chicken noodle soup and drinking water).

I realize that anxiety can cause upset stomach and fatigue........ however, my stomach upset and fatigue has been more severe than just butterflies in the tummy.

I am working on Lesson #3 this week and been journaling about twice a day. I realize that I had a setback and am trying to get myself out of this hole.

I am thinking about going and talking to someone on a weekly basis. It's not good for me to be depressed and tired like this at 33.

Thank you,

aliengal24 · Post by **aliengal24** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 7:25 am

Hey,

I was on Augmentin before and it made me incredibly nauseous as well and stomach pains and very tired. But I think the tiredness might also be your bodies way of trying to recover from your cold and stuff. talking with some weekly really helps a lot, plus they have more ideas too!

jillzmind · Post by **jillzmind** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 5:22 pm

Ask your doc for another one that wont upset your stomach. You should never stop taking your prescription antibiotics , you need to build up your resistance to the sickness. Not taking the rest of your med will make the cold come back stronger and you will just need more meds AGAIN. Ask for something else. I have asked my pharmacist to give me milder and more affordable ones before and they called my Dr and they approved it no problem.
One thing I NEVER do and this is just me but I almost NEVER read the possible side effect list on the order or I will obsess thinking I am having some of them. So if I get a symptom that keeps happening then I call and ask if thats normal for that med? We are just so suggestable . But again that's just me.
But yeah I really suggest just asking for another milder med.
Take care

Jill~

jillzmind · Post by **jillzmind** » Tue Jan 18, 2011 5:24 pm

Oh and I also got ZICAM for my hubby's head cold and that's mostly vitamins like Airborne and anyway it helped him TONS.
Feel better .

newrunner · Post by **newrunner** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:39 am

Hi John-

First off, I am a pharmacist.

So- you are right that Augmentin can cause stomach upset. It's the ingredient added to the amoxicillin. It broadens the range of bacteria that the drug kills, but has that side effect. Take it with a meal, eat yogurt with probiotics starting now and continuing a few weeks to replace your good flora, drink lots of non-caffeinated liquids and rest when you are tired. Sinus stuff is yucky and if your head is cloggy and you feel gross then anxiety would be a normal response for us sensitive souls.

You are SICK. It's OK. You aren't "too young" to be sick. You aren't too macho to show that you are sick. Just let it run it's course and lay low until you feel better. Give yourself a hug and finish those darn pills. If you aren't professionally trained on how to deal with infections, then listen to those you went to and trusted.
I hope you feel better soon. Gray skies are gonna clear up so put on a happy face.

Dakereb · Post by **Dakereb** » Wed Jan 19, 2011 1:26 pm

Blake, I second the probiotics suggestion. If you don't want yogurt, you can buy them as a powder you sprinkle on things like toast or whatever you are eating. They work great for me not just when I am antibiotics (which is infrequently), but when I was combating IBS, too. The nervousness I was suffering cleared by bowels a bit too thoroughly, and probiotic powder helped. Pretty much any drug store should have it.