Montezuma's Revenge..Cure's & Tips

[BillysBride]

I came across this and thought it might be helpful for some who want to do a newsletter or put together some helpful tips to go into OT bags. Its a cure for Montezuma's Revenge...the bacterial sickness many foreigners get while traveling in Mexico due to the water. Simple, and should be easy to lay hands on the only two necessary ingredients. Got it from the owners of a beach villa we are thinking of renting for our honeymoon..they claim its fail safe and always works within two tries.

 

Simple: Juice of two fresh limes w/ a "generous" pinch of salt. Mix, then down it like a shot. You should feel "Much" better within 2 hrs, if the mixture doesn't alleviate your symptoms withing 6 hrs, then repeat.

 

Also a few tips to avoid it:

 

• Integrate yogurt into your diet daily for a couple of weeks prior to your trip. The "good" bacteria in the yogurt will combat the "bad" bacteria you may intake in Mexico

   

• Use the dispenser water, (these are everywhere, including most public restaurant bathrooms), or bottled water for EVERYthing, including quick hand washing for meals and brushing your teeth. Wash your hands often, and carry some anti-bacterial gel with you.

   

• Charcoal pills. These can generally be ordered online as well as acidophilus, the old standby to help your body combat any bacteria introduced to the stomach.

• Many locals also swear by drinking Guava juice for "icky" tummies. Its reported to "work like a charm". Also much easier to tolerate than lime juice, though possibly not quite as effective.

• Grapefruit seed extract.

• The ever popular Immodium. Though this does nothing to "cure" the bacterial infection, it does mask some of the more unpleasant symptoms.

• Pepto- not always effective for everyone, it coats the stomach. Its advised to use something else to actually combat the bacteria in the system.

• The "official" Revenge comes with fever as well as the diarrhea. Diarrhea alone may simply be your body adjusting to different diet and overindulgence. This happens a LOT with the advent of all inclusive resorts. Normally, this adjustment period will last only a 12-24 hrs. True Montezuma's Revenge takes hold and can last up to 7 days.

Hope this helps!

[melwru]

There is a vaccination that you take orally. Its called Ducoral. Its suppose to immunize you against certain bacteria that causes diarrhea. A friend of mine that just got back from a trip to SE Asia took it before his trip and never developed any GI symptoms while away. Not sure what bacteria it fights against but I suppose it might be an option for those who are very sensitive to GI upset. I guess it might be an option.

[Yari]

Very cool tips, thanks for sharing!

[Duchess]

I have heard that if you take a few pepto pills a day starting right before you go it can help fend off the Revenge. Haven't tested this, but have used immodium when I got back to get me thru the day!

 

I used to go to Juarez for work and without fail, would have some problems for several weeks after I got home. The cure was Cipro, an antibiotic by prescription. If you let a doctor know you are going to Mexico, they will give you a small scrip for it. When I did that, I believe he told me to take it while there, regardless of symptoms. I actually waited until I had symptoms.

 

Don't get me wrong, if a natural cure will work, that is great. But if you are the bride, it might be a good idea to have a little insurance just in case. Especially because some of those symptoms might ruin your day!

[tlomlad]

thanks for the post!

[Maura]

if you are going to ask for an antibiotics scrip in advance, i would not recommend cipro -- its really strong and can cause major yeast infections if you are sensitive to that like me.

[Sandra E.]

Now I buy bactrim once I get to Mexico and take one a day, I've never gotten sick.

[happyone]

Thanks for the post it is helpful!

[Duchess]

Good point, I didnt think about that with Cipro. For me it's a lifesaver because I am prone to UTI's. I think it is actually avail over the counter once you are there anyway. But yeah, make sure you are tolerant of it beforehand!

[Jenn3878]

Thanks for posting this