<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Firstly, I would like to thank all who took the time to respond to my post.

Below are "sound bytes" of each response as well as a final note of my
own...

Jessica in Indy wrote - "... there are many types of bacteria within your
gut.  There are, for instance, almost innumerable different types of
E-coli....   These microorganisms have a symbiotic relationship with us...
These organisms can help us by prohibiting other (bad) bacteria from having
room to grow.  However, these organisms are all in a delicate balance... I
would imagine that Celiacs are as susceptible to this as anyone else;
perhaps more so even, considering how delicate our systems are.  That is
part of why it is so important for us to take vitamins and supplements to
assist our natural system in optimal function, as well as eat products that
will replenish our intestinal normal flora (such as the lactobacillus in
yogurt).  Unfortunately, because of the overuse of antibiotics... there are
many bacteria that possess a wide variety of resistance genes to
antibiotics... Doctors should... do something called an antibiogram before
they prescribe antibiotics.  This would show them what antibiotics the
(original) invading organism is susceptible to before you end up treating
yourself with something that may not effect the disease-causing
microorganism and may promote a superinfection...  I don't think that
there's any way to quantitate the levels of intestinal flora while in your
body.  A doctor or specialist might be able to sample your lumen and culture
it to tell you what is there.  They can usually compare to the growth in
cultures to a chart which can give them an idea of the overall population...
Remember that an antibiotic is designed to kill the organism without killing
you...  It is hard on your system--especially a system that is already
damaged.  There are almost always side effects from an antibiotic, many of
which are diarrhea or nausea... I think that it's definitely fair to talk to
your doctor about your concerns.  I also recommend eating yogurt when you're
on antibiotics (again, those lactobacillus), and taking ginger
supplements..."

C.  in Arizona wrote - "...my sister takes a low dose of antibiotics everyday
for R.  arthritis...apparently it is a current method of treatment...  I
think once you start taking the stuff...it is downhill after that.  In August
I took some vancomycin for c-difficile bacteria and I still have watery bowel
movements...only time and slow healing may help...  I wish I had never taken
an antibiotic EVER!  I am interested in identifying foods that promote the
growth of good bacteria....acidophilus does nothing but dry up my digestive
tract and cause acid indigestion...BTW, I took some biaxin and my gut seemed
to improve, but then it got much worse....antibiotics cause candida
overgrowth.  The Amish take up to five charcoal capusles a week to get rid of
the bad bacteria...  I suspect it removes the good bacteria as well as the
bad bacteria...it works well to take it for diarrhea.Also when the candida is
bad, I can take 2 capsules at bedtime with a big glass of water and wake up
the next day feeling great...but the candida comes back.  It may be like the
antibiotics...once you start taking it...you have to keep taking it.  I have
also read that garlic will kill the good and bad bacteria...so once you start
eating it...you have to keep eating it...garlic is suppose to be good for
controlling candida..."

Becky in Alberta wrote - "Interesting!  One of the things my naturopath did
was have me "replace" the natural flora in my intestine - mostly by eating
yogurt with active culture.  I have also taken acidophilous to manage canker
sores before diagnosis."

Ann S. wrote - "EVERYONE'S flora and fauna get wiped out by antibiotics.
Probiotics acidophilus, which is multitrain, replaces it.  One with each
meal.  One of the few antibiotics I can take which is gf is cipro liquid."

Rosemary C. wrote - "Look on the Great Smokies Diagnostic Labs Web Site
http://www.gsdl.com In particular look up the info on Comprehensive
Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA)..."

Lil H.  wrote - "my doctor says that one shouldn't have antibiotics without a
fever present, because too many antibiotics will make mold grow in the lungs
of which there isn't any cure..."

Barb wrote - "... I believe my cd is from some sort of "bug"
which then unbalances my gut flora.  I have been operating on that
assumption for several months.  Recently I took a backward leap in symptoms
and have been trying to find an antibiotic that might help (after which I'd
take lots of replacment probiotics)...  I wondered about the protocol for h.
pylori and ulcer treatment..."


A Final note from me  (a la Jerry Springer)...

Antibiotics are a double edge sword.  They can (sometimes) quickly kill off
an invading bad bacteria but they also can do damage to the good bugs that
live within our gut.  We Celiacs are probably more likely to develop
imbalances to the intestinal flora and we may in fact need antibiotic
treatment to help.  Unfortunately we are subject to serious side effects, if
the antibiotic chosen does too much damage to the needed bugs.

As for me - I am currently in "remission" from CD symptoms after the use of
Vantin.  I will seriously consider Rosemary C's suggestion on - Great
Smokies Diagnostic Labs comprehensive digestive stool testing
http://www.gsdl.com - the web site looks very interesting.  I have begun
using charcoal tabs as per C in Arizona.  I am drinking Pacific Enriched
Rice Drink (contains l. acidophilus & bifidobacterium cultures) I will also
look for other probiotic substances (containing acidophilus) like yogurt.
As for the garlic - I won't go there!!!

Thanks again to all & sorry for the LONG summary
Jim Cafiero