Is it safe to take antibiotics for an extended period of time?
Hi there Dr Teitelbaum. I was very interested to read your article on CFS and antibiotic treatment. I've had quite bad CFS for over 20 years but have noticed that when I take a course of antibiotics for whatever infection I have picked up, I always feel relief from the CFS. Last year I was prescribed Cephalexin two separate times, and each time I felt 'normal' - an extremely unusual feeling for someone with CFS! Do you think it would be safe to take Cephalexin for a time? If so, how long for and at what dosage? I just can't find a doctor who believes in CFS, let alone antibiotic treatment for it. I live in Brisbane, Australia. Look forward to your reply.
Answer
In my patients given your history, I give the antibiotic at the dose that helped (eg- Cephalexin 500 mg 4 x day) for 6 months to see if there is sustained improvement and also give probiotics and other antifungals to protect against Candida overgrowth.
L&B,
Dr T
Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.
