How Common Are Gastric Issues Post-African Hunt

[PARA45]

On a serious note, a lot of my Asian and Hispanic friends swear that freshly squeezed lime juice on nearly everything they eat helps keep some of the bad things in local food in check.

All the other basic precautions should be your primary way of avoiding problems, but I've always wondered if Lime juice had any real effect? @PARA45 may have some valuable input on this one.

My mom swears by it. It you’re having stomach issues, you squeeze one or two limes or lemons and drink it. Apparently the juice kills any bacteria’s you may have in your stomach. I’ve tried it and it has worked.

 

[jpr9954]

I returned stool samples for testing to the doctor's office yesterday. Now the wait for results.

 

[LeftySixgun]

Damn, ya’ll are scaring me. I have my first safari this time next year. I have enough stomach issue here.
What precautionary meds do I need to take?

 

[Rare Breed]

I just found out something today I did not know until my new pharmacist told me. The only thing I have a violent reaction to is the antibiotic Levaquin…I just found out Cipro falls into that drug type! Thankfully even though I have taken it with me on all my safaries I have never had to take it…who knew. Tuesday my DR will be prescribing me a Cipro replacement before I am wheels up Thursday

 

[Sabre]

I just found out something today I did not know until my new pharmacist told me. The only thing I have a violent reaction to is the antibiotic Levaquin…I just found out Cipro falls into that drug type! Thankfully even though I have taken it with me on all my safaries I have never had to take it…who knew. Tuesday my DR will be prescribing me a Cipro replacement before I am wheels up Thursday

I debated posting about this many times in this thread. I see many people saying they carry cipro religiously for traveler's diarrhea. Cipro is in a class of antibiotics that has an unfortunate side effect of causing tendon damage. It can cause spontaneous tendon rupture, primarily in the achilles tendon. That could put a damper on a hunting trip.

I debated posting it because allegedly, the odds are something like 1-2 cases per 10,000 depending on which literature you read. Many people will take it and they will only feel better from their stomach symptoms.

But there are alternatives that are prescribed for the same symptoms that don't carry the tendon damage risk.

 

[mdwest]

Ive been fortunate to never have gotten sick on a hunt.. but...

I have ended up in med clinics in more than a couple of african countries.. the worst was South Sudan with food poisoning.. also got really ill in the DRC at one point.. and had a pretty "shitty" experience in Nigeria on one of my trips over..

Thankfully my primary care physician knows I travel to less than developed parts of the world on somewhat regular occasions and is very good about supplying me with precautionary meds.. Ive always got Cipro, a Z-Pack, and Doxy..

To @Sabre point, Cipro is something you need to be careful with.. I was unaware of the tendon issue.. but I do know of several other potential side effects and problems associated with it.. but.. frankly, if you find yourself capable of shitting through a screen door because of some bacteria in your food/water that you ingested in some developing country where the closest medical care is a somali "doctor" that got his medical license in Kenya working out of a filthy clinic in Juba.. Cipro is a wonderful alternative (spoken/typed by the guy who found himself in said filthy clinic in Juba)...

 

[Sabre]

To @Sabre point, Cipro is something you need to be careful with.. I was unaware of the tendon issue.. but I do know of several other potential side effects and problems associated with it.. but.. frankly, if you find yourself capable of shitting through a screen door because of some bacteria in your food/water that you ingested in some developing country where the closest medical care is a somali "doctor" that got his medical license in Kenya working out of a filthy clinic in Juba.. Cipro is a wonderful alternative (spoken/typed by the guy who found himself in said filthy clinic in Juba)...

That's why I was hesitant to post about it. I wrote a similar post about three times and deleted it because sometimes you have to just make the best decision available to you at the time. Everything in life has risks, and every antibiotic does also have risks as well. I just think it's worth being aware of in regards to Cipro because people deserve to be well informed of the risks.

 

[Jack Stevens]

I debated posting about this many times in this thread. I see many people saying they carry cipro religiously for traveler's diarrhea. Cipro is in a class of antibiotics that has an unfortunate side effect of causing tendon damage. It can cause spontaneous tendon rupture, primarily in the achilles tendon. That could put a damper on a hunting trip.
I debated posting it because allegedly, the odds are something like 1-2 cases per 10,000 depending on which literature you read. Many people will take it and they will only feel better from their stomach symptoms.But there are alternatives that are prescribed for the same symptoms that don't carry the tendon damage risk.

Okay, can you name some alternatives to Cipro that are equally as effective at remedying severe diarrhea, bloating, etc., but without Cipro’s side effects?

 

[Hyde Hunter]

I will be talking to my Dr this coming Tuesday also so I will ask about an alternatives also, I leave next Saturday

 

[mdwest]

There are numerous milder alternatives to cipro… but I’m unaware of any alternatives with the same strength/power… perhaps one of our docs here on AH will see the thread and chime in…

 

[Sabre]

Okay, can you name some alternatives to Cipro that are equally as effective at remedying severe diarrhea, bloating, etc., but without Cipro’s side effects?

I personally take Azithromycin with me, it is also commonly prescribed for "traveler's diarrhea" as is Cipro.

 

[Jack Stevens]

I personally take Azithromycin with me, it is also commonly prescribed for "traveler's diarrhea" as is Cipro.

I’ll note that. Thanks.

 

[Rare Breed]

That's why I was hesitant to post about it. I wrote a similar post about three times and deleted it because sometimes you have to just make the best decision available to you at the time. Everything in life has risks, and every antibiotic does also have risks as well. I just think it's worth being aware of in regards to Cipro because people deserve to be well informed of the risks.

I can’t spell it but I am now taking Azithomysin instead of Cipro with me

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I have had some issues with respiratory on trips. I always carry 2 inhalers now and sometime three. I am allergic to Cipro, I take Amoxicillin and Doxy with me.
Like many Cipro and Leviquin I can not take.
Also carry a bottle of Macrobid for bladder kidney related issues.
I have a primary care doctor that will give me whatever I think I may need or he thinks I may need for a safari. I’m lucky in that respect

Question was asked why Amoxicillin?
It was what I was always given when Diverticulitis flare up happened since allergy to Cipro. Also it is according to my Dr an excellent all around alternative to Cipro

 

[jpr9954]

I have had some issues with respiratory on trips. I always carry 2 inhalers now and sometime three. I am allergic to Cipro, I take Amoxicillin and Doxy with me.
Like many Cipro and Leviquin I can not take.
Also carry a bottle of Macrobid for bladder kidney related issues.
I have a primary care doctor that will give me whatever I think I may need or he thinks I may need for a safari. I’m lucky in that respect

Question was asked why Amoxicillin?
It was what I was always given when Diverticulitis flare up happened since allergy to Cipro. Also it is according to my Dr an excellent all around alternative to Cipro

Docs can be picky about what they will prescribe for you to take on trips to Africa. My PA had no problem whatsoever giving me a script for amoxicillin. However, when I mentioned tick bite fever, gave her info on it, and requested a script for doxycycline she absolutely refused.

 

[Sabre]

I have a primary care doctor that will give me whatever I think I may need or he thinks I may need for a safari. I’m lucky in that respect

Docs can be picky about what they will prescribe for you to take on trips to Africa. My PA had no problem whatsoever giving me a script for amoxicillin. However, when I mentioned tick bite fever, gave her info on it, and requested a script for doxycycline she absolutely refused.

Yeah, I would love to have a doctor like that. The travel clinic I use has one NP or PA (can't remember) and she used to be willing to prescribe quite a bit just in case. I have noticed over time she has become incredibly stingy of any meds. Unfortunately all primaries in our plan refer to the travel clinic for that kind of thing and she is the only one you can see.

 

[Russ16]

Docs can be picky about what they will prescribe for you to take on trips to Africa. My PA had no problem whatsoever giving me a script for amoxicillin. However, when I mentioned tick bite fever, gave her info on it, and requested a script for doxycycline she absolutely refused.

Interesting maybe ask for the doxy as your malaria preventative. My doc gave me a choice between that and malaprone.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I feel lucky to have such a great small town PA now that does it compared to what some of you have to go thru to get meds for a safari.
This last trip I didn’t even go in to see him. Just phoned his nurse and told her my plans and he sent scripts to pharmacy

 

[Rare Breed]

Me as well. I see him once per year for complete blood work then 12 months of prescriptions. When I go to Africa he describes whatever I ask

 

[LivingTheDream]

requested a script for doxycycline

Why would they refuse doxy?