How to heal my gut after antibiotics?

[Bonobojt]

I'm currently on some rough antibiotics for 7 days (flagyl) and I've been on antibiotics on other occasions a bunch of times within the last year or two 

 

I want to get serious about healing my gut and restoring the good bacteria and getting rid of the bad stuff (bad bacteria, mold, parasites). I seem to get sick quite easy in Thailand so it's a sign my immune system needs improvement, apparently 90% of your immune system is in your gut. 

 

Any advice/tips? Any herbs or foods I can eat? 

[Sheryl]

Foods:

Yogurt (real yogurt not processed sweetened versions)

Kimchi

 

Take probiotics, can get from Lazada:

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/catalog/?spm=a2o4m.home.search.1.1125719caol2tf&q=probiotics&_keyori=ss&from=suggest_normal&sugg=probiotics_0_1

 

You will note that the products on the above page include some that are lactobacillus and some that are b. longums, both are important probiotics so if you want to cover your bases get both

[RuamRudy]

Kefir, a slightly sour yoghurt, is very good for the stomach in general, I find. I am not sure how easy it is to locate in Thailand, but you can make your own if you can get the raw ingredients.

There is a specific thread on the Health & Medicine sub forum about kefir.

[xylophone]

Plenty of pre and pro-biotics around on line if you look, and the everyday ones from some yoghurts and kefir are easy to find here.

 

If you order online and/or from overseas then the shelf-stable variety are also good.

 

As I have said before, if ordered from www.iherb.com then airmail postage from the US to here is only $5.00.

[VocalNeal]

Dive into klong  ‎Saen Saeb to save a dog?  

[bubba45]

Flagyl!!  I feel for you. That stuff is worse than the parasite. After 5 days I said enough, and quit. Checked out clean a few weeks later. 

I started eating plain Greek style yogurt; believe it’s made in Australia. I don’t care too much for it plain, but find it goes well with fresh papaya (or maybe your fruit of choice).  Sometimes I add muesli to it and the fruit. 

Good luck. 

[Speedo1968]

Make a note of antibiotics you have taken and the side effects you have experienced.

The doctors may then be able to offer an alternative next time.

 

As for reinstating your proper gut flora ......

[Juan B Tong]

IMHO

 

Turmeric (Khamin Chan) can help buff up your immune system in the long run. Cheap at Fascino.

[SpeakeasyThai]

Give yourself a chance and get off the Chang for three days.

[Bonobojt]

Just to let you all know I'm currently back in the UK, I got sick in beginning of April and because songkran was approaching I decided I shouldn't be in the country for that while I'm sick. 

 

Stool test in Bangkok confirmed Shigella, got given 2 antibiotics for that because of the possibility of antibiotic resistance bacteria. But still didnt feel better aftewards

 

Stool test in England confirmed Giardia, got given the Flagyls, so my gut is getting bashed at the moment.  Feel little improvement, no more diarrhoea, actually my diarrhoea stopped before I even started the Flagyls so that's a good sign. Apparently it can take a while to fully recover from Giardia. 

 

So I have access to slightly more higher quality probiotics at the moment, I done some research and found these probiotics called vsl 3, it has 450 billion bacteria and 7 different strains per sachet. 

 

 

[Bonobojt]

47 minutes ago, bubba45 said:

Flagyl!!  I feel for you. That stuff is worse than the parasite. After 5 days I said enough, and quit. Checked out clean a few weeks later. 

I started eating plain Greek style yogurt; believe it’s made in Australia. I don’t care too much for it plain, but find it goes well with fresh papaya (or maybe your fruit of choice).  Sometimes I add muesli to it and the fruit. 

Good luck. 

Yes its awful! Was having pain near my eyes and some of my joints last night, pain in different areas of my body, feeling low and weak, I've got to take it for 7 days but I'm tempted to stop at 5 days too, but at the same time I want this  giardia gone. 

[Antonymous]

I'd go for the best probiotic you can. I had a look at lazada and can't see anything there that I'd recommend.

 

Go to iherb dot com and see a wide choice, with details and reviews. I personally use California Gold Nutrition 'Lactobif Probiotics' which have 30 Billion CFU per cap. They have 8 active and clinically researched strains:

5x lactobacilli

3x Bifodobacteria

 

Whatever you buy, go for maximum CFUs.

 

When ordering from iHerb be sure to order under $46 per shipment and the free shipping option. They will arrive in about 12 days to Thailand and will not be subject to Customs duty/tax. I have done this scores of times.

 

If you go over that amount, or if you use a courier, they will be stopped by Customs and you may not ever receive them.

 

 

[Bonobojt]

7 minutes ago, Antonymous said:

I'd go for the best probiotic you can. I had a look at lazada and can't see anything there that I'd recommend.

 

Go to iherb dot com and see a wide choice, with details and reviews. I personally use California Gold Nutrition 'Lactobif Probiotics' which have 30 Billion CFU per cap. They have 8 active and clinically researched strains:

5x lactobacilli

3x Bifodobacteria

 

Whatever you buy, go for maximum CFUs.

 

When ordering from iHerb be sure to order under $46 per shipment and the free shipping option. They will arrive in about 12 days to Thailand and will not be subject to Customs duty/tax. I have done this scores of times.

 

If you go over that amount, or if you use a courier, they will be stopped by Customs and you may not ever receive them.

 

 

Hey, I done some digging on the Web and found these by a company called VSL 3, it has 450 billion bacteria and 7 different strains 

 

https://www.vsl3.co.uk/

[tropo]

1 hour ago, RuamRudy said:

Kefir, a slightly sour yoghurt, is very good for the stomach in general, I find. I am not sure how easy it is to locate in Thailand, but you can make your own if you can get the raw ingredients.

There is a specific thread on the Health & Medicine sub forum about kefir.

Kefir is the best way to flood the gut with billions of friendly bacteria and other micro-organisms.

 

It's not a "slightly sour yoghurt. It isn't yoghurt at all and sourer than. There are no temperature requirements when making it, so much easier and less hassle to make.

 

Here's a place in BKK where you can buy the kefir grains to make your own kefir. HK Probiotics - look it up. 

 

[AsiaHand]

ENO from the pharmacy.

[SpeakeasyThai]

44 minutes ago, Bonobojt said:

Just to let you all know I'm currently back in the UK, I got sick in beginning of April and because songkran was approaching I decided I shouldn't be in the country for that while I'm sick. 

 

Stool test in Bangkok confirmed Shigella, got given 2 antibiotics for that because of the possibility of antibiotic resistance bacteria. But still didnt feel better aftewards

 

Stool test in England confirmed Giardia, got given the Flagyls, so my gut is getting bashed at the moment.  Feel little improvement, no more diarrhoea, actually my diarrhoea stopped before I even started the Flagyls so that's a good sign. Apparently it can take a while to fully recover from Giardia. 

 

So I have access to slightly more higher quality probiotics at the moment, I done some research and found these probiotics called vsl 3, it has 450 billion bacteria and 7 different strains per sachet. 

 

 

Whinging Pom.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

I don't trust non refrigerated probiotics especially in Thailand.

 

Also, every time I order something online, it arrives very hot from product being on motorcycle all day.

[lvr181]

Have a read of these:

 

www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/gastroenteritis-giardiasis

 

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/giardia-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20372786

 

Don't fall for anectdotal "evidence" or "association", put more trust in "empirical" evidence to treat your condition. You may have to change your drug regime.

[nervona81732]

I would recommend sauerkraurt ,Kim Chee or any fermented vegetable, real yogurt ect. Check on YOUTUBE, there is a wealth of videos's on this subject. 

[laislica]

Let food be thy medicine.

 

After being hospitalised with a kidney infection in November where I was given intravenous ciprofloxacin, this is what I did.

 

For a few weeks, I avoided dairy, ate little meat also avoided all processed foods and anything with wheat.

Cut out alcohol.

Needless to say, no sugar in any form neither in food or drinks. (don't feed the fungus or mould)

 

Ate loads of lightly stir fried veggies using coconut oil not cheap veggie oils.

Added turmeric to the veggies during cooking and some sea salt. No other sauces or additives.

Add crushed garlic just before I ate.

Had as many different coloured veggies as I could.

Ate eggs.

 

I also ate some fruit each day, again, not so much but many colours.

 

Exercise, daily walks is good but not easy to do in Thailand.

Got plenty of sleep.

 

Increase vitamin C, I take the powdered one from Natures Best,

I dilute several grams of C in water and sip it through the day.

As the carafe emptied, I refilled it so I was taking about 8-10 grams/day.

It has performed magic for me.

 

In Thailand you can buy fermented veggies in the local markets so buy small amounts of as many different ones as you can.

Keep them in the fridge and every time you pass the fridge, eat a fork full of a different fermented veggie.

 

It was so successful that I have decided to make it my lifestyle.

I've gone from 79Kg to 69 Kg in about 5 months.

BP now normal without meds.....

I have a waist that is smaller than my hips.

About 3 months into this I did a 5 day water only fast and felt so much better for that.

 

What ever you choose to, good luck but remember;

Your immune system needs to be nourished and your body needs to rest.

 

Digestion takes an enormous amount of energy and resources.

I try to eat during a small time window.

Now I skip breakfast and don't normally eat until after midday. I try to finish eating by early evening.

The eating time is about 6-8 hours and the rest of the time my digestive system is having a break.

 

We've been back in Spain for about 3 weeks now so I am drinking some wine.

Even so, my weight is still going down slowly.

I do more exercise and am replacing muscle lost in Thailand.

My waist size is also reducing and I am feeling much better than I have for many years.

I am 76, height 5'10", waist 35".

 

PS, when buying store bought products like sauerkraut, check to see that they are NOT Pasturised....

That kills all the bacteria you're trying to get - they do it to extend the shelf life.....

 

 

 

 

[totally thaied up]

1 hour ago, Bonobojt said:

Stool test in England confirmed Giardia,

I know one guy that had that. Sorry stuff. It took him six months to get over it.

I am on antibiotics now, have an ulcer that is nasty and major stomach problems. I have to get a scope yearly now (front and back) to keep an eye on things. 

Stomach bacteria takes a while to come back and kick in after heavy drugs. I have been constipated for several days now, not pass a stool on average for four days when on antibiotics. I have to say, every time I get handed a script, I feel sick as I know what I am going to go through via my stomach.

My wife makes Kimchi. The yogurt here is expensive and just does not cut it Kombucha and Kefir work well. I need to know a supplier of Kefir in Chiang Mai now. Most probiotics do not make it to your stomach intact. My doctor told me they needed to be cold or in an, an extremely hard casing (on once again not in a hot environment) that won't disintegrate on the way down. I tried probiotics from iHerb.

It never made any difference.

In general, my specialist tells me Kimchi, Kombucha, and Kefir with a well-balanced diet of green veggies, three prunes a day and a small serving of red rice is good for your gut. 

I have at least another week of pain a head of me now. I need to find some Kefir.

 

Best of luck

[GeKoSc]

2 hours ago, Antonymous said:

I'd go for the best probiotic you can. I had a look at lazada and can't see anything there that I'd recommend.

 

Go to iherb dot com and see a wide choice, with details and reviews. I personally use California Gold Nutrition 'Lactobif Probiotics' which have 30 Billion CFU per cap. They have 8 active and clinically researched strains:

5x lactobacilli

3x Bifodobacteria

 

Whatever you buy, go for maximum CFUs.

 

When ordering from iHerb be sure to order under $46 per shipment and the free shipping option. They will arrive in about 12 days to Thailand and will not be subject to Customs duty/tax. I have done this scores of times.

 

If you go over that amount, or if you use a courier, they will be stopped by Customs and you may not ever receive them.

 

 

I ordered some pills from iHerb for USD 46 but they never arrived in Pattaya....

 

[Bonobojt]

I just went to a local health food store and brought the following:

 

L Glutamine - repairs intestinal lining 

Garlic Supplements - kills  bacteria, candida, parasites

Organic Turmeric - fights inflammation. 

 

I just ordered Wild Oregano Oil soft gels on Amazon - has many benefits. 

 

Thanks everyone for the info on Kefir, I'm looking at some Companies that make real Kefir, I prefer to avoid dairy so I'll look for Coconut Kefir. 

 

I've read that Olive Leaf Extract and Peppermint Oil also has antibacterial and antifungal antiparasite properties.

[Top Chef]

Yoplait yogurt

[Bonobojt]

1 hour ago, laislica said:

Let food be thy medicine.

 

After being hospitalised with a kidney infection in November where I was given intravenous ciprofloxacin, this is what I did.

 

For a few weeks, I avoided dairy, ate little meat also avoided all processed foods and anything with wheat.

Cut out alcohol.

Needless to say, no sugar in any form neither in food or drinks. (don't feed the fungus or mould)

 

Ate loads of lightly stir fried veggies using coconut oil not cheap veggie oils.

Added turmeric to the veggies during cooking and some sea salt. No other sauces or additives.

Add crushed garlic just before I ate.

Had as many different coloured veggies as I could.

Ate eggs.

 

I also ate some fruit each day, again, not so much but many colours.

 

Exercise, daily walks is good but not easy to do in Thailand.

Got plenty of sleep.

 

Increase vitamin C, I take the powdered one from Natures Best,

I dilute several grams of C in water and sip it through the day.

As the carafe emptied, I refilled it so I was taking about 8-10 grams/day.

It has performed magic for me.

 

In Thailand you can buy fermented veggies in the local markets so buy small amounts of as many different ones as you can.

Keep them in the fridge and every time you pass the fridge, eat a fork full of a different fermented veggie.

 

It was so successful that I have decided to make it my lifestyle.

I've gone from 79Kg to 69 Kg in about 5 months.

BP now normal without meds.....

I have a waist that is smaller than my hips.

About 3 months into this I did a 5 day water only fast and felt so much better for that.

 

What ever you choose to, good luck but remember;

Your immune system needs to be nourished and your body needs to rest.

 

Digestion takes an enormous amount of energy and resources.

I try to eat during a small time window.

Now I skip breakfast and don't normally eat until after midday. I try to finish eating by early evening.

The eating time is about 6-8 hours and the rest of the time my digestive system is having a break.

 

We've been back in Spain for about 3 weeks now so I am drinking some wine.

Even so, my weight is still going down slowly.

I do more exercise and am replacing muscle lost in Thailand.

My waist size is also reducing and I am feeling much better than I have for many years.

I am 76, height 5'10", waist 35".

 

PS, when buying store bought products like sauerkraut, check to see that they are NOT Pasturised....

That kills all the bacteria you're trying to get - they do it to extend the shelf life.....

 

 

 

 

That's a great story, so glad you  took your health seriously, I'll take it slow and start with high strength probiotics and possibly some coconut Kefir, some natural supplements and a high fiber diet. 

 

I decided to recover in the UK and we have this amazing organic Vegan health food store that do fresh vegetable juices and sell all kinds of foods, it has some fermented Sauerkraut, Betroot, Kimchi, Miso, Kefir, yogurt and Kombucha. All refrigerated and unpasteurised. 

[NickJ]

Look into inulin. 

[totally thaied up]

1 hour ago, GeKoSc said:

3 hours ago, Antonymous said:

 

I ordered some pills from iHerb for USD 46 but they never arrived in Pattaya....

I lost more then I ordered over about a month a few years back from iHerb. I never ordered again for ages, but then I ordered Lithium Orotate a few months back, and it showed up. 

 

Who knows how iHerb in Thailand works. 

[shaurene]

You can buy from the pharmacy vitamin called Probiotics. They are good I take them, I have the same prob here as you. Also make plenty of soups with beans like kidney beans and others with lots veggies. Do not eat deep fried foods with batter either.

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, totally thaied up said:

.....The yogurt here is expensive and just does not cut it ....

Easiest thing in the world to make your own.

 

Buy a good yogurt as starter (Yolida if they have it, is good. If  not available, Bulgaria plain unsweetened will also work, that is carried everywhere even 7-11)

 

Add 2 tablespoons of it to a quart of milk. Stir well and leave out overnight, covered with a cloth only.

 

At this time of year, unless you have a/c running at night in the room where it is, you'll have yogurt by morning.

[Bonobojt]

15 minutes ago, shaurene said:

You can buy from the pharmacy vitamin called Probiotics. They are good I take them, I have the same prob here as you. Also make plenty of soups with beans like kidney beans and others with lots veggies. Do not eat deep fried foods with batter either.

I also eat a lot of beans, my favourite is black beans, I like to mix some turmeric, black pepper and garlic with my beans, high in fiber and protein.