What to do if I need to take antibiotics?

I'm working my way out of a flare that started in the beginning of August. Unfortunately, I've had a nasty head cold for the past week that I'm afraid may have transitioned into a sinus infection or strep throat. I'm finally breaking down and going to the doctor tomorrow morning. I really, really don't want to have to take antibiotics. Not only am I allergic to all the penicillin-related ones, but I know they can really do a number on your digestive system. Which is the last thing I need right now!

I have taken some antibiotics in the past with no ill effects -- but I wasn't flaring then. Hopefully it won't come to having to take any, but if the doctor says I need them, are there any tips to help keep them from throwing me back into the flare again? I know I should take some probiotics, but are there some types of good bacteria that I should make sure I get? Or make sure to stay away from? I've seen both that bifidus is good to take for UC and bad to take for UC. And that FOS should be avoided. So I'm confused.

Thanks for any input!

I just had to take antibiotics about 4 weeks ago while in the midst of the worst flare of my life.  I didn't know that antibiotics made UC worse.  I honestly can't say whether they had an ill effect on me because, as I said, I was flaring badly BEFORE, during and after taking them.  I needed to take them because I had a tooth extracted and there was an abcess in the gums above the tooth.  The only thing I know for a fact that I did get from the antibiotics is a major yeast infection....boo!  Then the pill I got from my doctor to cure it said it could cause lots of stomach pain and diahrrea...that gave me major pause for several days as I definitely didn't need anymore of that!

Unfortunately antibiotics are sometimes a necessary part of life and one can't avoid them forever.  I have UC as well and I do agree that docs often prescribe as a knee jerk reaction.  As a dentist I prescribe them often for clear infections of the mouth.  My advice to my patients with or without UC and for myself when I take them is to eat a daily yoghurt while on them to help replenish the good bacteria.  I often rec. Keflir shakes that sport the probiotic mixture.  For hardcore UC people I would recommend PB8 or VS#3. 

To answer your question directly look up on the internet PB8 or  VS#3 and you will see the 8 different strains of GI bacteria that have been proven to be of benefit to a healthy GI tract.  VS#3 has the most published research I believe. 

In closing I also would try to avoid a long course of antibiotics, longer than 10 days and I am also rec. to patients to ride it out without any abs to see if they can shake if off without them.  Now if they run a fever, etc... that's a different story.

MyUC

I had a bad a sinus infection last fall.
My PCP is really sensitive to UC issues and thought awhile, saying, "Hmmmm.... what is especially gut-friendly....?" and then prescribed something called Moxatag - amoxicillin extended-release tabs. Once a day for 10 days.

I took them dinnertime each day, (he said that was fine except not to have dairy near when taking them) and took probiotics morning, early afternoon and night, and made it through without a UC blip.

We're all different, and I find I have responded differently at different times.

Make sure you take probiotics a couple of hours after you take antibiotics (since these kill a lot of the gut friendly bacteria).

After antibiotics are done, make sure you continue with the probiotics to replenish without impediment what has been killed in your gut.

Just stumbled across this thread..I have to go to the doctor today and this is going to come up as i have the flu but i think its a sinus infection and i have a had a fever the last couple days. Im currently in remission a little over a month and doing well.. Im sure hes going to want to put me on antibiotics...I took them actually back in oct 14 and i was in remission and didnt have any issues, just doubled my probiotic intake... I started a flare feb 1st 2015. Would it have taken that long to go from using the antibiotics to a flare? I actually changed probitotics and flared 2 weeks later so thats what i thought caused my last flare

I'm not entirely sure that is true as many here take probiotics while on antibiotics and it seems to help. I don't think anyone really knows the answer for sure though. Doctors often recommend eating yogurt while on antibiotics. They also suggest taking Florastor which I believe is a probiotic but it is a yeast that won't get killed by the antibiotics. Florastor made my UC worse though after just one dose.

Colon damaging did not cause your UC it is very possible that it was he trigger
As it is an antibiotic