Why do I have stomach cramps and diarrhea after taking antibiotics?

Question

Hello doctor,

Last year I suffered from a stomach infection (fever and diarrhea). I took two antibiotics (tablets of Azithromycin 500 mg and Doxycycline 100 mg) simultaneously because I tried other antibiotics that did not work. After taking these two antibiotics, my fever was gone, but I started to get stomach cramps and pain. After a few days, I got diarrhea. Since last year I have been getting stomach pain and cramps, but I get diarrhea occasionally. I get diarrhea only after breakfast or dinner. This year my doctor prescribed the tablet Rifaximin 550mg (two times) for one month, and after taking it, I got some relief, but after stopping it, my symptoms returned. So I took the tablet Rifaximin for another month, and I was alright, but after stopping it, it started again. I also cannot eat every type of vegetable. I get nausea, appetite loss, and abdominal pain from vegetables like potatoes, onion, eggplant, etc., and foods like wheat and fatty or deep-fried foods. Please advise a solution for this.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Please do not take any medication without a specific diagnosis. You have been having the problem for many days. Rule out infective etiology by stool routine micro examination and occult blood test. USG (ultrasound scan) abdomen scan should be done to exclude any cause if present. The Lactic Acid probiotic tablet can be prescribed. Rule out H. pylori with a urea breath test. Rule out celiac disease by serum anti-tissue transglutaminase study. If no cause is identified, then an endoscopy can be planned. If endoscopy and all other reports are negative and no cause is identified, it can be a functional bowel problem induced by anxiety. Consult a gastroenterologist for examination. Thank you.