A question about antibiotics:

[hedgehog]

Here's the back story: I had an infection around a tooth that had an abscess died about 15 years ago and was treated with a root canal and crown back then. The dentist said that this time the tooth had to come out, and put me on a week of antibiotics while awaiting an appointment with a dental surgeon. (There was a possibility that the tooth was so brittle that a simple extraction wouldn't get it.). There were still signs of an infection, so he put me on a different antibiotic. Finally, the tooth was pulled and I'm on a third antibiotic post-op.

So, here's the question: Two of these antibiotics really knocked me out. I don't mean disruptions in digestion, I mean real fatigue, like a walk to the mail box is a big deal. Is this a common reaction?

I'm not complaining about antibiotics, because without them I'd be in real trouble! I'm just curious.

[randr]

1. Just recently had a very similar reaction to an antibiotic double dose

I have a recurring diverticulitis issue and rather than opt for surgery as my internist doctor suggests I reluctantly accept the week long regime of two antibiotics that relive the possibility of infection. This has only happened twice in about 4 years as I follow a sort of strict dietary policy.
I attribute the fatigue to my aging process though you have me wondering. My wife is an ER nurse and tells me it is normal and to exercise more.

[hedgehog]

2. I always tended to think of the antibiotics as attacking the bacteria

and forgot that our bodies are a mass of cells as well! Not to mention, the liver and kidneys have to work to dispose of the medication!

[Warpy]

3. It's more likely the general stress of dealing with a serious infection

I do hope you're eating yogurt with live cultures, though. That will help your guts get back to normal once the antibiotics have killed off most of the bacteria that you need to survive.

Also get some follow up on this thing, make sure the infection hasn't invaded the bone.

[hedgehog]

4. Oh for sure on everything you said! I love me some yogurt!

Modern dentistry is amazing. Apparently gum tissue grows much faster than bone. There is an empty socket now from the tooth and where the infection destroyed some bone. The oral surgeon packed the area with cadaver bone which will speed the growth of new bone. In a few months, he'll set in a post to replace the tooth, then later put a crown on that.

[Namvet67]

5. M.D. here. Often, once tooth is out abscess will drain so antibiotic only needed for ....

few days. Ask them to culture the abscess and to put you on most narrow spectrum drug that will kill whatever bacteria are present. Example.....Cipro can cause mental changes and give you C.diff. colitis....whereas penicillin not nearly as likely. Probably just a lot of "covering their asses going on".

[hedgehog]

6. I think what happened was that I had 3 different dentists involved at different stages -

it seems to have all cleared now. Thanks for replying!

[Namvet67]

7. good......happy to help