Addiction to Antibiotics??

Is this possible?? I have had a recurring kidney infection since early May & I can't shake it.  I'm due to see a urologist soon, but in the meantime I have been on a lot of antibiotics until they decipher what the matter is.  In a nutshell, the most I was on was Keflex 500 mg 3 x a day for 2 weeks.  I tell you - I NEVER felt better in my LIFE!  It must have killed all the bugs in my body & gave me SO MUCH energy - my house was spotless & I felt great enough to start to work out & lose my baby weight. I'm only 32 & never had any serious health problems. I saw my GP yesterday & told him this & he just replied - "I'm glad you feel much better!" I suppose I didn't get it across just how great I felt - not so good since I was probably 9 or so.  I'm now on Keflex 500 mg 1 x a day & don't feel as good - but still much better than pre infection.  I know the cons of taking antibiotics, but I've got to be on them for now & it makes me wonder if anyone else out there has felt this great on them - I'm beginning to wonder if I'm developing an addiction to them b/c of how great I feel!

There is a lot of concern in the medical community about the over perscription of antibiotics.  We as a society are giving rise to bacteria that do not respond to anti-biotics.  There are currently killer varieties of staff infections that have to be actively attacked by doctors and the fear is one day, there will be super-bacteria that don't respond.

I don't think though that directly, keflex would have any positive feeling other then keeping bacteria at bay.  For the most part it isn't absorbed by the body and passout out through the urine (which is why they probablly perscribed it for your kindey problem because it will go right through your kidneys in about 8 hours).

Of course a possible source of course is because your kidneys are feeling better, it is somewhat psychosematic and therefore giving you a positive outlook and boost.

You can't get physiologically addicted to antibiotiocs, however, other problems can arise.  For example, women who take a some types of antibiotics will develope yeast infections because the antibiotics are killing bacteria there too creating an imbalance.  Then there is the issue of making bacteria immune to some antibiotics due to repeated and prolonged use.  This can happen mostly when people are told to take a certain amount of pills but stop taking them when the symptoms go away.  This is a big mistake as it takes a certain dose to succesfully kill the bacteria.  By stopping halfway through the treatment you are leaving bacteria behind that will grow stronger and will not be affected by that specific antibiotic next time.  For that reason, you should ALWAYS finish the treatment even if they symptoms go away before you are done as they often do. 

June

It sounds like your body is just so thrilled to finally be rid of a nasty recurring illness that you're getting some overwhelming relief.  You may just have been sick so long you forgot what "well" really feels like!

Thanks guys.  It is so odd - I know I'm not "addicted" but when something makes you feel so well, makes you wonder! 

It sounds like your body is just so thrilled to finally be rid of a nasty recurring illness that you're getting some overwhelming relief.  You may just have been sick so long you forgot what "well" really feels like!

Spot on!  I never would have known that feeling again had it not have been for this kidney infection.