For those concerned about Fish Zole REALLY being Flagyl

You know, I'm thinking with some convincing I could get my PCP to perscribe it. Mostly it's just at my job right now I'm working 12 hour days m-f and have no way to get the time off to go to the doc, that plus the fish zole is extremely cheap I'm not worried about saving any money. Plus, between researching on these forums and about the drug itself, I'm pretty confident in my dosing schedule:

500 mg 3x day for 2 weeks, then
500 mg 2x day for 2 weeks, then
250 mg 2x day for 2 weeks, then
250 mg 1x day for 2 weeks, then
maintenance dose of 250 mg 3x a week

This seems to be the best way to wipe it out, keep it wiped, and lower my risk for developing anit-biotic resistance. I'll be blogging on my progress.

Here's my big concern about Flagyl.   It's a Big Gun in the infection fighting world.   If one develops a resistance to it, all that's really left for fighting infection is Vancomycin.   I know several folks with C-diff that are basically out of options because Flagyl stopped working for them, then Vanco.   Antibiotic resistance is a scary scary problem in this counry, because of rampant over-prescribing of antibiotics for years.    If I were in the same boat (and again, I'm not flaming) I'd try everythng possible to control the gas before resorting to flagyl.   I know others on the board do not agree with me, but I just feel it's a drug that should not be taken casually.
Also, you may very well have a valid case of C-diff that needs to be treated, and that's fine.   With your compromised health and all you've been through, I think it's REALLY REALLY important that at the very least, you let your PCP know that you are on such a powerful drug.  

Concerns noted and understood. I HAVE tried absolutely everything else, and I don't want to lose my job, it's THAT BAD.

Awww - I DO understand.    There's nothing worse then being bloated up like a balloon and not being able to let it out for fear of clearing a building, but do at least let your PCP know just in case something goes wrong!  Good luck and please report back how it works out for you.

 So Anette, are you buying the Fish Zole over the counter too? What dose do you take? 

This is really interesting to me. I guess I don't know if my issues are classified as 'nasty' or not. If I eat ANY pasta, bread products, vegetables, or anything with more than just a few sugar alcohols I get HORRIFIC gas. I also get bloating that makes my stomach feel terrible and look like I'm several month's pregnant. I end up with diarrhea or needing to use the bathroom multiple times in the morning. Usually at least 5 times and it's urgent. My poops and gas stink so badly I could clear out a movie theater and the smell lingers. The smell is bad no matter what I eat. I spray when I use the bathroom though and it mostly is only an issue if I have gas.
The gas/ diarrhea is really only an issue if I eat the high carb/ sugar alcohols. I've tried dreamfields pasta and that is a definite NO GO for me too.
How do you determine what is 'normal' and what is 'nasty'??

edited to add: I also can't eat even a grain of rice or I'll suffer (and so will everyone else)

Have you tried probiotics at all?

 Yes, just for about a week when I was also on antibiotics for a tooth ache. I didn't notice any difference so I just stopped them (figured I could do without yet another pill if it wasn't doing much anyway).