Sick as a dog
I was taking Augmentin (Amoxicillin/Clavulanate) in relation to my recent surgery.
Possible Adverse Effects (unusual, unexpected, and infrequent reactions)
[...]
Serious Adverse Effects Drug-induced Pseudomembranous colitis: severe abdominal pain and cramping, marked diarrhea, bloody stools, fever.
Yep, that's the effects I'm suffering with. Haven't heard back from the lab tests but I have all the symptoms.
Pseudomembranous colitis is a complication of antibiotic therapy that causes severe inflammation (irritation and swelling with presence of excess immune cells) in areas of the colon.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Almost any antibiotic can cause this condition. Clostridium difficile, which occurs normally in the intestine, overgrows when antibiotics are taken. This bacteria releases a powerful toxin which then causes the symptoms. The lining (mucosa) of the colon becomes raw and bleeds (hemorrhagic). Risk factors are antibiotic usage, [...], and history of previous pseudomembranous colitis.
The cure, Metronidazole, may have the same thing as a side effect.
This is not something I would wish on anybody.
Update: Lab results confirm the condition. I am now on Metronidazole. No alcohol for the next twelve days, unless I want to be really, really sick.
