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Can Amoxicillin Usage Lead To Stomach Pain?

Posted on Tue, 29 Apr 2014

Question: I've had general stomach pain for a couple weeks and have been tested for multiple things such as thyroid issues, h pylori, blood cell counts etc, all which came back fine. I'm going in for a ct scan tomorrow. The reason I'm writing is because over the past few days my stomach pain has now been accompanied by a fatigued or weak feeling. I don't feel like I'm eating any less though my appetite is not 100% as I usually eat because I know I need to and not because I'm actually hungry. With that being said, why am I feelimg weak? Are there any additional questions or tests I should request from my doctor? I truly feel that after having to be pulled off of amoxicillin due to stomach issues was the start of this long downhill trend. Could the medicine be to blame?

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Detailed below. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Antibiotic intake can have an impact to whole digestive tract. Its because it kills most of the good intestinal bacteria. Without this bacteria, digestive tract is kind of naked so the bad bacteria can grow. This usually gives non-specific abdominal pain, loose stools or constipation, lack of appetite. The other possible reason of your symptoms is peptic ulcer or stomach inflammation. Please note that H.Pylori test taken from blood is not a good one and can leave undetected stomach infection. I`m pretty sure that your CT wont give any answer. Its because either intestinal infection or peptic ulcer are invisible in CT. Here is what you should do: - start probiotic supplementation, avoid fatty foods, spicy foods, coffee, chocolate, orange juices, alcohol - if it wont help in a day or two stool test and stool culture test should be done - if it wont give any answer, gastroscopy should be next If you have stool problems with this pain, Rifaximine treatment can be tried before any tests. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (18 minutes later)

I've been on pro biotics for a couple weeks now with no luck. Stool sample currently in the testing stage. Can all of what you had mentioned, spontaneously lead to a fatigued or weak feeling that has just started occurring in the last few days?

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer: . Detailed Answer: Yes it can. Digestive tract problems and lack of appetite lead to the being fatigue like during the flu. It can start suddenly like in your case. This is normal. If probiotic didnt help, gastroscopy seems unavoidable. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (2 hours later)

Can all of this be the result of taking amoxicillin? I was never told when I was on it to take pro biotics so I went a week of being on it and after that week was pulled off of it due to severe stomach pain and I was then told to take pro biotics. Just curious how all of this can come about as I've never felt like this before and tend to be very healthy.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (20 hours later)

Brief Answer: . Detailed Answer: Yes, it all can be caused by amoxicillin intake. Like I have mentioned before it eliminates good intestinal bacteria. Sometimes it causes chronic infection which can be treated with Rifaximine. Please discuss it with your doctor. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (9 minutes later)

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: . Detailed Answer: You are welcome.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (15 minutes later)

Sorry one last question. I've got an apt on Friday with a gastro and was curious if there is anything you feel I should specifically bring up to him based on what we have discussed? Also, just out of curiosity, if I did have a chronic bacterial infection from amoxicillin is that something that would eventually clear up on its own and if so how long would it take? Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (15 hours later)

Brief Answer: . Detailed Answer: You should point out that the symptoms have started after Amoxicillin treatment. If its chronic bacterial infection, mentioned before Rifaximine along with probiotic should clear it up in few days. Please ask your gastrologist about this medicine. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (3 hours later)

If I did have a chronic bacterial infection would that show up in a stool sample? Only reason I ask is because I had one done and it came back fine.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: . Detailed Answer: It should be visible in stool culture. This is different from regular stool sample test. But some infection, especially those in small intestines can be invisible for this tests. That is why I suggested to try Rifaximine before any other tests and treatment. Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar