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Letters

Increased risk of irritable bowel syndrome after bacterial gastroenteritis: cohort study

BMJ 1999; 318 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.318.7183.565 (Published 27 February 1999) Cite this as: BMJ 1999;318:565

Rapid Response:

Kept saying I wasn't stressed!

The bacterial angle in possible causeative factors for irritable
bowel syndrome is an interesting one, one that I as someone with IBS have
long suspected. Initial IBS symptoms commenced after a gastroenteritis
episode and continued for 13 years until by coincidence I took a course of
oxytetracycline (for acne) whereupon IBS cured, or so I thought. All IBS
symptoms returning after cessation of antibiotic course, although a 24 hr
gastrorenteritis did also intervene once again.

After approx. 10 months later, started another course of oxytet. (for
the skin), eureka! IBS cured again......

The problem with this is not knowing the dose/frequency/duration to
aim for and obviously not wanting to take antibiotics longterm for the
many different reasons which are obvious. It seems the IBS symptoms return
2-3 weeks post antibiotic therapy.

Competing interests: No competing interests

29 March 1999
Marie Downes
staff nurse infectious diseases
Royal Hallamshire Hosp. Sheffield