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Stool consistency while on vancomycin and its significance
I apologize up front if this is not the right “board” to ask this question, but can anyone share with me what I should expect regarding my stool consistency while on vancomycin? I am on my second course (actually in the first week of a four week taper right now) and the consistency of my stools seem to have regressed back to what they were after I had been on vancomycin a few days. When I started the vancomycin, my stools were watery diarrhea with small flecks in it. After a few days, I had formed but very soft loose stools that did not stay intact when flushed. Then they progressed to firmer but still soft stools that partially stayed intact. After I started Florastor (saccharomyces boulardii) 10 days into that 14 day course, my stools started firming up to well-formed small stools (usually three or four at a time). I thought that was a sign of curing cdiff. Then I read that saccharomyces boulardii can cause constipation, and figured that could be the cause of the firm stools. I was dejected. Then about the time I started on the taper, I started having softer looser, stools, like a step or two better than watery diarrhea. Then a couple days of firm stools, then back to very loose, soft “stools” nearly the consistency of diarrhea. Is this a sign of recurrence? If so, how can that be when I am still on vancomycin, albeit a lesser dose?
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Interesting this is why I am doing the low FODMAP because I might have IBS now post cdiff and that’s why I am still not feeling great. Didn’t think of SIBO but I have an appointment with my GI in couple of weeks and will ask her.
What are your symptoms that would make you think you have IBS?
Cramping sometimes upset stomach gas bloating and loose stools. Now with cdiff I never experienced gas which I am not sure while having cdiff the Colin can produce gas I am not sure...
I have gas but not really more than before cdiff. Not much bloating, unless I eat a lot at one sitting. Yet my intake is way down, but yesterday started to slowly increase it because I’m losing weight. Total loss 24 lbs since October when this started, 14lbs of which were lost in last five weeks. Maybe I’ll run into more gas and bloating as I increase intake.
I’ll be interested to know what your doc says in couple weeks. Does s/he gauge your recovery on the type of stool, i.e, has you keep track, or is s/he interested in other symptoms? For me that’s the only guage I have and I fear I rely on it too heavily. I just want a doc to tell me specifically what any importance the output has in this recovery and what specifically I should be looking for. I cannot get specific answer. Last I asked, I was told by gastro the three day rule does not mean anything to him specifically about cdiff, because he and his colleagues have IBS patients who don’t have cdiff but who have 8-10 watery diarrhea bouts per day. Well that really doesn’t help other than to say if i get to that stage it still may or may not be cdiff! Frustrating
that`s exactly what I`m doing.Rice only if Basmati or brown. Mineral water with no sugar. My hardest to eliminate was sugar as I have a massive sweet tooth. I know eat dried fruit,a few dehydrated apricots,blueberries and bananas. Only use olive oil to cook with. Chicken and fish. Haven`t done the gluten free but sounds like I should. Today is my last day on vanco, am scared of what`s ahead but trying to be positive.
there really needs to be a more consistent approach to this C Diff, no follow ups, no diet instruction, no telling what to expect. When I first started this merry-go-round 8 months ago if someone had told me what not to eat,what vitamins will help me,my doc said nothing about probiotics, only that if I couldn`t afford them it wasn`t necessary as no studies have proved that they help. Are we just believing advertising reaching for anything that will help????
I`ve been doing lots of reading, books by Dr. A Hillary Steinhart, it seems to determine between crohn`s, colitis and IBS it depends where the infected area is in the colon. I`m assuming they can tell this by a colonoscopy or MRI. Can anyone feel normal again after having C Diff, I wonder why after 8 months I`m lucky to have a good day here and there with no symptoms. I truly believe that diet is our answer to build up the good bacteria again and that it is constant. I`m still researching and will keep posting as I find things that work. so glad to have this website to help guide us as the doctors [I live in British Columbia,canada] here don`t go the whole nine yards. covid hasn`t helped this situation either as I haven`t physically seen a doctor yet.
Absolutely not one doctor can give you the answer. I had to explore a lot of things on my own. I will keep you guys posted with what my GI tells me. I was told to stay away from dried fruits as they are higher in sugar. So focusing on fresh fruits and raw and cooked vegetables. Started drinking lactose free kefir coconut kefir. And I started eating lactose free cheeses. But this is only all now that I introduced. Good luck to you I will pray for you that you don’t relapse. As I discussed with @wty2020 did you think of seeking the help as well from a naturopathic doctor?
@dilly69 and how is your stool now? Formed? And frequent?
I don’t think doctors know much about cdiff either we have to explore on our own unfortunately. I will kee you posted with what my GI says.