Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Ruchie,
I'm totally supportive of wanting to avoid the antibiotic route!

Traditional Medicinals makes a number of cold-care teas that might be of use--I grew up drinking Throat Coat when I had strep, Breathe Easy or Gypsy Cold Care when I had a sinus infection, and Herba Tussin for coughs. There are now a number of new formulas that might help, including some with echinacea.

The best cough medicine is a glass of water. But in the case of a cough that keeps one up at night, an OTC cough suppressant is worth considering. One's body needs to get rid of the "junk" in one's chest--but getting enough rest is also essential.

During illness, one can absorb up to 1000 mg vitamin C without causing diarrhea (whereas normally one only absorbs about 200 mg/day). However, this may be different for those with IBS-D.

Now, as for when antibiotics ARE necessary...since August, I've had three sinus infections. The first time, I just felt bad forever and ever and ever. When I finally saw my nurse-practitioner, she was pretty upset with me--I'd had a sinus infection for a month! That warranted antibiotics. Of course I accompanied them with extra rest, extra fluids, and a soy yogurt for every day of antibiotics. The second time, I'd only felt bad for a day or two, and the nurse-practitioner sent me home with a prescription decongestant. Again, lots of fluid and rest. The third time, I'd only felt bad for a day or two, but I already had a full-blown sinus and ear infection, so--antibiotics again. And rest. And fluids. And yogurt. I guess I'm lucky, because I can trust my nurse-practitioner to decide whether or not antibiotics are warranted. If you don't have a healthcare provider you trust, you're probably better off staying home. But don't do what I did and wait a month, if you really can't shake your illness!

Hope this helps!

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