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Suggest Treatment For Acute Gastroenteritis
Question: hello I've had diarrhea for 9 days.I went to the emergency room 2 days ago. there didn't run any test.They just asked what were my symptoms listened to my stomach and checked to see if I was dehydrated. I explained my only symptoms were stomach rumbling , very mild pain before a bowel movement and bloating.. Sometimes I have gas. they prescribed bentyl and bactrim and said it sounds like IBS. My question is how long can it take for symptoms to subside? also I'm not sure if the bactrim is helping me because a side effect of that is diarrhea..
Brief Answer:
Seems more like acute gastroenteritis, you need to change antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic!
Based on the history you have shared, it seems more likely to be infective diarrhea or acute gastroenteritis rather than IBS. It could have been triggered by some unusual food intake which can be irritant to gastric mucosa or may be contaminated. It is difficult to suggest IBS based on such short history.
If Bactrim hasn't worked till now, it is better to switch antibiotics. Right approach would have been to have your stool tested by routine microscopy and cultures. Antibiotic choice might have been done on the basis of senstivity spectrum. Also getting complete blood count for WBC count would have suggested whether it is of infective origin or not. Blood cultures also have role in some cases.
In either case, If you had been my patient I would have favored to use prophylactic antibiotics cover till then with ciprofloxacin 500mg twice a day for atleast five days alongwith metronidazole cover. Using antispasmodic like drotaverine or hyoscyamine would have helped with other symptoms of cramps and bloating. Using probiotics in sachets can also be useful.
Meanwhile keep an eye on excessive water and salts loss, and to replace these adequately with Oral rehydration salts consistently. Electrolyte imbalance and acute kidney injury can be caused by excessive unchecked electrolytes and water loss.
Use soft diets. Use adsorbants like ispaghol husk and take soft diets for a week or so. Avoid greasy,oily, fatty or high protein diets for a week.
Hoping you a speedy recovery. If you dont have any more questions, please close the discussion. You can also reach me directly through my profile in future, in case of any more questions. Regards.
Seems more like acute gastroenteritis, you need to change antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic!
Based on the history you have shared, it seems more likely to be infective diarrhea or acute gastroenteritis rather than IBS. It could have been triggered by some unusual food intake which can be irritant to gastric mucosa or may be contaminated. It is difficult to suggest IBS based on such short history.
If Bactrim hasn't worked till now, it is better to switch antibiotics. Right approach would have been to have your stool tested by routine microscopy and cultures. Antibiotic choice might have been done on the basis of senstivity spectrum. Also getting complete blood count for WBC count would have suggested whether it is of infective origin or not. Blood cultures also have role in some cases.
In either case, If you had been my patient I would have favored to use prophylactic antibiotics cover till then with ciprofloxacin 500mg twice a day for atleast five days alongwith metronidazole cover. Using antispasmodic like drotaverine or hyoscyamine would have helped with other symptoms of cramps and bloating. Using probiotics in sachets can also be useful.
Meanwhile keep an eye on excessive water and salts loss, and to replace these adequately with Oral rehydration salts consistently. Electrolyte imbalance and acute kidney injury can be caused by excessive unchecked electrolytes and water loss.
Use soft diets. Use adsorbants like ispaghol husk and take soft diets for a week or so. Avoid greasy,oily, fatty or high protein diets for a week.
Hoping you a speedy recovery. If you dont have any more questions, please close the discussion. You can also reach me directly through my profile in future, in case of any more questions. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you... I have one other question.. Should I stop taking the antibiotics and bentyl? i Dont have an appointment until mid November. also could supplements or otc meds cause something like to happen?
Brief Answer:
Continue bentyl and stop antibiotics after 3 days if diarrhea worsens
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for sharing your concerns. Yes OTC drugs and foods can cause that to happen specially if that drug is notorious to cause loose motions.
Since your next appointment is little far away, so as for this moment you can continue taking bentyl as it's anti spasmodic actions will help with the symptoms if cramps and pains. Antibiotics choice depends upon there effect. If the diarrhea worsens after 72 hours usage instead of getting improved, best strategy is to with hold the drug and consult your GP for replacement. If diarrhea is profuse and not settling, you may not wait for the appointment and seek medical help from ER. Meanwhile keep following the helpful measures as we have discussed earlier in our discussion.
Hoping you a speedy recovery. If you dont have any more questions, please close the discussion. You can also reach me directly through my profile in future, in case of any more questions. Regards.
Continue bentyl and stop antibiotics after 3 days if diarrhea worsens
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for sharing your concerns. Yes OTC drugs and foods can cause that to happen specially if that drug is notorious to cause loose motions.
Since your next appointment is little far away, so as for this moment you can continue taking bentyl as it's anti spasmodic actions will help with the symptoms if cramps and pains. Antibiotics choice depends upon there effect. If the diarrhea worsens after 72 hours usage instead of getting improved, best strategy is to with hold the drug and consult your GP for replacement. If diarrhea is profuse and not settling, you may not wait for the appointment and seek medical help from ER. Meanwhile keep following the helpful measures as we have discussed earlier in our discussion.
Hoping you a speedy recovery. If you dont have any more questions, please close the discussion. You can also reach me directly through my profile in future, in case of any more questions. Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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