[whitehouse3]

I saw an emergency doctor for a bad upper-respiratory infection (coughing blood) and was prescribed Augmentin for 10 days. It abolished the lung issue but wiped out my gut bacteria and gave me severe IBS-D.

That was seven years ago. I was forced to quit my job. I couldn't travel at all, even across town. I became dreadfully sick with even light physical exertion. After five years of every test, diet, medication, and therapy available to me I was prescribed medication (eluxadoline) which is effective, but costs me $24,000/year and is not covered by insurance. I still have flare-ups once a month but at least I can ride my bicycle again.

I wish I could sue the doctor who stole my twenties from me. But I stand no chance in court.

[gojomo]

If your hunch that the antibiotics' effects on your gut bacteria was the cause is correct, have you considered a fecal microbiota transplant to restore a healthier mix?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fecal_microbiota_transplant

[whitehouse3]

Yes! In 2019, the experimental medicine department at my local university hospital started scheduling FMT procedures. They're suspended now because of COVID-19 restrictions (much like dentists and optometrists). But I'm in the queue. Somewhat awkwardly, I am responsible to nominate a suitable donor.

[tharkun__]

So sad to hear this.

I took a lot of anti biotics as a kid. I'm pretty sure it killed off whatever gut microbiome I had multiple times over.

Never really had an issue except for becoming fat. Except for headaches. Which I never really thought about for many many years. You know, just take a pill. Probably took 20 years for me to figure it out somewhat.

This may or may not work at all for you and even for myself I can't really scientifically say anything about it. But what helped me was probiotics. I had to try a lot of them. And it got worse first before it got better while the bacteria were fighting with each other and I'm not sure what would happen if I stopped them.

However the best explanation I have found so far is that these probiotics that have Bacillus Subtilis in them made the difference. I don't want to advertise a specific product but since I've been asked before, what I take is Garden of Life Primal Defense Ultra. I tried others before and the one difference is Bacillus Subtilis. YMMV but worth a try if you ask me. I did combine it with a Keto diet too but I'm no longer on it and still fine.

Also in case you drink beer for example, I get worse when I have beer. Hard liquor? Absolutely fine now with the probiotics but beer still screws me up if I have it for a longer period of time.

[dschuler]

This is really helpful info, thanks for writing the comment!

[mettamage]

I don't know why precisely this story but it left a bit of an impact. I'm sorry for your lost twenties. I hope you can make the best of it.

[Demigod33]

I wonder whether its possible to transplant the bacteria out before such a treatment and introduce them again later..

[whitehouse3]

Perhaps if a sample could be collected when healthy and frozen for long-term storage.

In my experience antibiotics were prescribed for acute symptoms that quickly worsened. I don't think they would have delayed my treatment for the hours or days needed to collect a pre-treatment sample.

[newsclues]

Or find a way to trigger creating the positive bacteria.

Kevin rose did a podcast with https://pendulumlife.com/ that made that seem like a great path

[webmaven]

> I wonder whether its possible to transplant the bacteria out before such a treatment and introduce them again later..

In theory yes, but there is the challenge of avoiding re-infection with the one species you're being treated to eliminate.