Effect of antibiotics on training

[Robbi]

Hi Docs!

First of all, thanks for making yourselves available, I really appreciate the chance to bounce things off of you.

I have, let's call it a condition. It presents with an assortment of symptoms that fall into the autoimmune space - rashes, bruising, fatigue etc. After two years of bouncing through specialists at UCLA medical center there was still no diagnosis, so now about 10 years later, I just live with it.

One thing that was very effective was antibiotics, so I lived on Erythromycin on and off for a couple of years. I stopped taking them about 6 years ago when I moved back to South Africa and my stress levels dropped enough that the symptoms backed down to an annoying rather than an impeding level.

On season change my symptoms do flare a bit, and this transition into summer is worse than usual, so I'm considering a course of anti-b's again. I am curious what the effect of this on my fitness and running would be, if any?

And I suppose in general whether I should just tough it out and avoid taking them...it hasn't got to the point where I'm suffering from fatigue and brain-fade, so it's not affecting my work yet, but it is causing rashes and spots and some slight joint pain. It hasn't escalated beyond this in years, but this season is worse and I'm getting concerned about what may happen next.

I know this is not something you have enough data to really advise on, but I'm curious to hear your opinion.

Thanks!

 

[Dr Emily Splichal]

Thank you for the question Robbi.

I understand your frustrations of bouncing around from Doctor to Doctor trying to find the diagnosis for your symptoms. If you have stopped taking the antibiotics that were prescribed six years ago - I would be apprehensive to take them again.

It is possible that an infection was the initial cause of your symptoms - or an infection was occurring concomitantly at the time your autoimmune symptoms. I always shy patients away from self-prescribing medications - especially antibiotics. Improper use of antibiotics can lead to resistance.

If you are starting to have your symptoms again - I know you may not want to go see another Doctor - but that would be my recommendation.

Best of luck!

 

[Robbi]

Thanks Dr. Splichal!

No, under no circumstances would I attempt to get medication outside of the supervision of a doctor. I was just curious as to what the effect may be on training - would it hinder, potentially help or generally have little effect.

Symptoms are persisting so I'll call my doc. Thanks again!

 

[Dr Emily Splichal]

You are very welcome!