has anyone taken antibiotics will having GERD, gastritis, possible ulcer,etc.?

Digestive health
1

I hate meds but really think I need the prescribed azithromycin/zithromax for bilateral chronic ear infections (caused by a doc). on the other hand, i have been having serious gut issues that have caused me alot of weight. Started with bad reflux and dysphagia and progressed to know stomach inflmattion and possible ulcer as well (these last 2 courtesy of anothe med i was on- valtrex). plus lower GI symptoms of diarrehea nd lose stools. The combo of everythingmeans i am way way way too thin.

So what happens if i try to take the antibiotic? i already can's swallow pills- i've always had an esophogaus where stuff gets stuck on the way down- so i have this now in powder form. what on earth will it do to my esosophogause and stomach gastritis/ucler, not to mention the diarrehea.

i've never taken this one before. i had asked for liquid erythromycin which i have taken= that gives me bad diarrhea but does not affect upper GI - or at least it never did. this is in the same family, but doen'st mean it will act same on gut. Label says "take with food" so i suspect even in normal people it can be hard on digestion to get that warning.

ther's no other antibiotic i can take for one reason or anotehr.

so anyone with experience on this or related? would appreciate the input. seems like i have to choose between my ears and my gut!

2

Antibiotics create trouble in the stomach.It is bad for the individual health and for the healths of generation to come.Pregnent women must avoid it.

3

There are lots of problems with antibiotics but they save lives. I dont think your post is very helpful. I and many like me would not be alive without antibiotics.

4

Hi Viki, one of the main risks with taking antibiotics (and some other medications such as oral steroids) is that they make the stomach more acid and so can cause more reflux problems. I have to take them for serious lung infections which are life threatening due to a condition i live with. 

I dont know the answer to specific problems with the different ABs you mention. Maybe to take Gaviscon advance or temporarily take a ppi if you dont already.

That would give your eosophagus some protection. You can take probiotic yoghurt to help replace the good gut bacteria which the ABs kill, but dont take it at the same time as you take the ABs.

Good luck.