What I Learned on my Summer Vacation

Who doesn't take selfies in an ER?  This was back in August.

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Like said before, I spent too much of my summer feeling less than tiptop. In July I took an antibiotic to treat an infection and then got c diff that wouldn’t go away so I was prescribed more antibiotics. I’ve no doubt those doctors and medicines saved my health and possibly my life. At the same time, it took me 10 weeks to recover.

I’m better. I've felt good for almost a month.

Here are things I wish I’d known before this started. 

1. When they give you a new Rx, don’t just read the info sheet that comes with the medicine. That info is mostly there to protect the pharma guys from lawsuits, not to explain things that COULD and often do happen. They list about 30 basic yucky and/or deadly possibilities, too many to really log into any of them.

If the Rx is new to you, Google it. Put in your sex, age, and the name of the drug. See what pops up. Go ahead, tell your doctor ahead of time you are going to do this, they might discuss common issues so you have a better idea of what to look for. My antibiotic in July is famously associated with c diff in older people. The blood thinner prescribed by Len’s cardiologist is even more famously associated with the permanent eye damage he now has. 

2. If you take an antibiotic, also take probiotics (Culturelle was mentioned by two medical people). Take them hours away from the antibiotic because antibiotics kill the good stuff in probiotics and yogurt and all the other things we think will protect our innards. When I shifted to taking the probiotic when I awoke in the night, that helped. Who knew?

3. If your digestive system has gone to hell in a handbasket after antibiotics or other new Rx's and no medical professional can pinpoint what’s going on - consider your diet. You don’t have the same digestive system you did before these follies started so don’t assume nothing has changed in what you can and can’t eat.

After months of craziness, plus a helpful and reassuring appointment with a doctor who ordered tests to make sure all my numbers were regular (they were), I came home and googled “digestive upset after antibiotics.” Whoa! Many folks described new and surprising gluten sensitivity. What’s so obvious now is that the sicker and more tired I felt, the more I was eating cereal, toast, and baked treats. When I cut wheat products, especially wheat flour baked with sugar – within 24 hours I was better. Becoming gluten sensitive or developing other new food issues, is not illogical after multiple rounds of antibiotics. I didn't heal overnight, but it made a difference and over time, I'm almost back to normal. 

Obviously, I was going to doctors (mine plus I saw others when she wasn’t available). I wasn’t self-diagnosing. There’s a line to walk here. Medical caregivers are professionals but our American medical system is aimed towards profit. Medical people know and recommend accepted protocols; but they aren’t going to sit with you in the middle of the night, scared about what's going on. 

I recomment Fiber Fueled, by gastroenterologist Will Bulsiewicz. (Thanks Pat, for the suggestion from your daughter.)  He’s not telling you to cut stuff from your diet (unless one has diagnosed allergies, obviously) but to add lots of foods with fiber into what one eats through a day. Eat all the colors, all the grains and beans, all sprinkled with nuts and seeds. Channel your inner baboon. I’m still eating meat, dairy, and some sweets so this is not about what I’m not eating - but that I’m eating twice as many fruits, vegetables, and not-wheat grains as I used to consume.

I’ve not felt this good in a long time. This makes me laugh but it’s true. I just turned 70 ... but, hey, I don’t feel a day over 65.

Next post? We’ve been hiking!