After posting about (my fiance) Alex’s scary bout of pneumonia and all the trouble with her meds I just wanted to update that she is hanging in there and making some progress. Her temp has been normal for the past couple of days, her cough isn’t so painful, and her phlegm has gone from green/bloody to yellow which is apparently one step closer to healthy clear phlegm. (Too much info, I know, but apparently a very promising sign!)

We’re (impatiently) counting down the days until Alex is done her antibiotics so she can get off the anti-nausea meds and hopefully sleep more peacefully. It’s gotten a little better but she’s still having quite a few nightmares and occasionally yelling and kicking/struggling in her sleep. Of course, it’s much better than nausea and vomiting but she often ends up calling out in her sleep for her mom (who died ~5 years ago) which is very upsetting.

Today, her doc suggested probiotics (as many of you also have) but Alex is reluctant to try them. After the antibiotics caused severe nausea and the anti-nauseants caused all the sleep problems/delirium, I understand her trepidation. But I hope she’ll try them because her GI tract could use all the help it can get. I’m afraid she’s going to give up eating all together because when she doesn’t eat, she doesn’t get the pain and diarrhea.

Anyway, thanks again for all of your support. I just wanted to report that Alex is fighting hard and starting to get the upper hand over the evil pneumonia. I’m hoping and praying for clear phlegm, an appetite, energy, and of course for her intestine to heal.

Ryan

Ryan, thanks for the update on Alex. I'm glad she's starting to feel a little better.

I can relate to not wanting to eat .... my husband makes me eat, I'm sure you can relate to that!

Probiotics are a good idea, and she'll need them. With her intestine in such sensitive shape right now, I'd be sure they're dairy free. I can't remember if she's off dairy right now, but I would guess that she is. She'll need to take them an hour or more before her antibiotics, or at least two hours after them. They should help her intestines, but start out slowly.

I am very happy to hjear Alex is on the road to recovery. I wish her well, she has had a rough time. She is lucky to have someone as sweet as you caring for her. I will keep her in my prayers for a speedy recovery.

Dear Ryan,
Thank you for the update! We were worrying! It is good to hear Alex has improved slightly. Sorry to hear the nightmares are still bad. Meds can do some strange stuff to you! I do think the probiotics are a good idea. I was worried as well, because my system is extremely fragile, too. I was surprised that I began feeling better pretty quickly. However, she should do what she feels is right for her. If she feels she could not handle it right now, then perhaps she should wait.
Sincerely,
NoGluGirl

Much as I understand any worries I think that going with the doctors over this is a good idea... they know how strong those anti-biotics are and hence the idea for pro-biotics...

After all the trouble and hassle Alex and you have been through I would think the thing that get her well again the soonest is likely the best... and getting her into a position that is stable and you can build on together...

Thanks for that info. We weren't sure on when she should take the probiotics with reguards to the antibiotics. Alex has decided to give them a try so I picked them up on the way home from work. My fingers are crossed that they don't make her feel sick. Would taking the probiotic with food be easist on her stomach? Also if they bother her stomach at first, is it likely that would go away once she got used to them? Alex is so desperate to feel better that I know she'll try and stick it out through any tummy problems they cause if she knows they'll ultimately help her feel better.

Thanks all for your prayers and well wishes for Alex.

Ryan

Probiotics should be taken before a meal. They are best on an empty stomach. I don't think she'll get stomach upset from them, it's usually the candida dying off that causes discomfort. Though with her sensitive stomach, she might get a little upset with them, I guess you'll find out soon. My medicine causes me stomach upset, especially if I don't eat enough with them, which happens often because I'm not hungry, but the probiotics don't bother me at all.

From a practical standpoint, I try to remember to take my probiotics an hour before a meal because I take my antibiotics with the meal. If I forget, I take the probiotics before bedtime, that way they have all night to colonize my intestines without the antibiotics.

Dear Ryan,
We will all be praying for Alex! I think the probiotics will help. I always can tell if I forget them.
I will feel worse. They really do make a noticable change for the better.
Sincerely,
NoGluGirl

I hope somebody can help us with this. Alex has been having much worse diarrhea than usual the last few days; we're assuming it's due to the antibiotics (hopefully the probiotics will help with that). I don't know how to put this lightly but as a result her bottom is very, very sore and irritated. It's really making her feel miserable and it's so painful and irritating that she can hardly sit still or fall asleep. She's been taking some warm baths to ease her stomach pain/cramping but it's not soothing the irritation.

She's refusing to see or talk to her doctor about this. She sick and tired of discussing bowel habits and other intimate details with doctors. I hate to rant, but it really angers me that our society makes people feel ashamed about the bodies and bodily functions. I wish Alex didn't need to feel embarrassed to discuss her symptoms with people because society makes things like defecation taboo.

Anyway, does anyone know how to ease the discomfort so Alex can relax and get some sleep. Is there an OTC treatment or home remedy that might be soothing. I hate seeing her feeling so miserable -- she deserves to feel better. But on a happy note, the pneumonia really seems to be on its way out. And we've also been able to halve her dose of nausea meds which has helped greatly with the sleep problems.

Ryan

Hopefully the probiotics will help with the diarrhea.

For the sore bottom, I'm thinking that whatever it is that parents of small children use to help with diaper rash might work well. Maybe some parents will chime in...

Pauliina

Dear Ryan,
I know exactly what you mean. People would ask about what is wrong, then they say it is gross and they do not want to hear it! I told them, if you do not want to know, do not ask! People have a lot of nerve. Doctors especially have this issue. They do not listen. I would get some Preparation H cream for Alex. If it is the outside instead of her rectum, some hydrocortizone cream may do the trick. You can find it just about anywhere. Be sure to call the manufacturers to see if they are gluten free.

It is wonderful news to hear the pneumonia is finally easing up. The diarrhea may be worse due to the die-off of the bacteria. I was so happy to hear she was able to reduce her anti-nausea medication. Reglan is known for causing some odd reactions in people. I got very ill from it. Promethazine is the best one for me. It does make me terribly drowsy, but if I can sleep, that is no problem. It is better than being so ill! Naturally, you choose the lesser of two evils.

Sincerely,
NoGluGirl

Ah, good idea. I don't know why I didn't think of that myself. I guess this stuff isn't exactly common knowledge to most 24 year old guys. Hopefully it helps and allows Alex to sleep all day (besides frequent trips to the bathroom )

She's very sad and angry at the world right now (which is VERY un-Alex-like) and being kept up most of the night in pain was NOT good. And a bunch of her friends flew to Vegas for the weekend which makes being stuck at home sick and uncomfortable all that harder to take. We know she's eventually going to be healthy again but it's just a little hard to see that right now.

Well I'm off to the drug store,
Ryan

It seems from looking at dates that the D became worse after she started the probiotics. Personally I would stop them until this bout is done with.

Desitin (what parents put on babies bums) might also be good. I hope she feels better soon!

Dear Ryan,
Don't feel bad! I am 24 as well, so Preparation H is not something I think about all of the time either! I hope Alex is in less pain today. Having constant D like that is really miserable. Everything is difficult when you feel like that.

I understand how she feels. You suffer day-in, day-out. You resent being stuck in your house, and a prisoner in your own body. It is not fair that everyone else goes to weddings, funerals, restaurants, family gatherings, and vacations while you are at home. All you do is be depressed about all of the fun you are missing. Working your way toward health can be a long journey. It is something you have to do in baby steps.

Sincerely,
NoGluGirl

I can't even begin to equal the experienced answers you've gotten so far, but I have a little boy who is presenting a mad amount of celiac disease symptoms. He's going to his first appointment with a Ped GI on May 9...I wish I could do it sooner but apparently she's terribly busy & the only qualified Ped GI within 30m of us. The other is in Orlando, 30m the other way (West) and I can't stand him... we saw him last year.

We started Steele on probiotics about a week ago. He finally started having normal BMs and his appetite has improved IMMENSELY.

But as was stated, if she's not up to it, leave it lie until she can take it without fear.
It is better to wait if she's not ready to try something new.

Also, antibiotics...I hate the frequency with which those things are prescribed. What most doctors don't tell women is that at high doses, as one would take with pneumonia, they kill off bacteria AND antibodies naturally manufactured by her body, resulting in a hyper vulnerability. Have your lady increase her intake of yogurt or garlic, or both. These foods help replace lost antibodies, and rebuild the Helper Bacteria usually present in the body.

Blessings for you & yours!

~Raven