Trying to recover from a c. diff infection (Clostridium difficile)

Posted by acres @acres, Apr 12, 2016

I am trying to recover from a c.diff infection. This started with taking clindamycin in mid January and 3 days later I became ill with diarrhea and felt sick, loss of appetite etc...Went to the er twice, tested negative for c.diff on my 2nd visit. The Dr. told me to take imodium to rest my colon since I tested negative. That evening I had diarrhea and took the Imodium. Became constipated with pain lower right side. I went to a GI dr. pleading for help, I did another stool test and it came back positive for c.diff. I tried flagyl but could not tolerate the side effects. Tried vancomycin for 10 days. Did not work. Tested positive again, Went to a new gi doctor who prescribed dificid for ten days. I am 31 days post dificid and I have almost constant gut rumbling and urge to go. My 1st bm in the morning is usually semi normal, but after that they are always either pencil thin and or small pieces (2 to 5 times a day). This has been my routine since the vancomycin. I do not get dull blown diarrhea..... My dr. wants me to have a colonoscopy but I an scared that the cleansing will wipe out all my good flora. I currently take 2 florastor pills and 1/2 vsl3 per day. I eat fermented pickles for the probiotics as well..... I have many food intolerances since this whole mess began (fiber, many vegatables, dairy). I also have a strange taste in my mouth most of the time, have very little energy and fight with depression. My primary gave me Xanax .25 but I only take them at night when I cannot sleep...... Went to a nutritionist who put me on a no wheat, soy, dairy, gluten diet. Does not seem to be helping or hurting. I lost 20 pounds and cannot gain any weight (I weigh 120 at 5'7")... I am thinking it might be sibo, or candida but cannot find a dr. to test for these....I am in the right place for help or advice ? The urge to go is awful and limits my once active lifestyle.....
Thank you, Scott

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

ngorman25 | @ngorman25 | Mar 4, 2019

In reply to @pines "@ngorman25 I too did great while I was on vancomycin and also on the vanco taper..." + (show)

@pines Well, I asked my doctor what happens if the fmt doesn't work? His answer was "we do it again"! And I thought that doesn't sit well with me! So, I don't know anymore. I am so disgusted.

pibacher | @pibacher | Mar 5, 2019

In reply to @kathymeyers "Hello. After my second dose of Chemo I got C-Diff and it was very hard to..." + (show)

Anyone with C. Diff or even chronic diarrhea really must try Florastor. It is a yeast Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) and I've talked to two different people with Chrohn's disease who use. I used after I had to be on several different antibiotics and could not get rid of irritable bowel in which I had painful diarrhea which would empty me out once a week. Most doctors do not know about it. FLORASTOR!

pines | @pines | Mar 5, 2019

In reply to @pibacher "Anyone with C. Diff or even chronic diarrhea really must try Florastor. It is a yeast..." + (show)

@pibacher My gastroenterologist also suggested taking Florastor after my 3rd bout of Cdiff. I started taking it and after my 4th relapse, I took it along with Dificid (fidaxamicin) which seems to have killed the Cdiff spores. I continue to take Florastor or another brand of S. Boulardii every single day. I truly believe it has helped in my recovery.

nettecook | @nettecook | Mar 15, 2019

In reply to @ngorman25 "Can someone please tell me why we have to have 3 or more relapses before a..." + (show)

I had horrible tinnitus while in Vanc, and had a hearing test and had hearing loss. After getting off of vanc, I was tested again and it’s better.. plus the ringing is better. I think vanc by IV is worse for hearing than the capsules. I took capsules. I read it can be permanent. I’m hoping I don’t have to go back to the ear doc again.

musicflowers4u | @musicflowers4u | Mar 31, 2019

In reply to @bamafan94 "Hi Tammy, My 4 year old daughter just tested positive for C Diff......We are a little..." + (show)

My best advice is avoid popcorn, seeds, nuts, skins, corn. Child probiotics.

sandyabbey | @sandyabbey | Apr 1, 2019

I am having the same problem getting my gut somewhat normal after Cdiff. I relapsed 4 times after treatment. Mine was also caused by clindamycin given to me for a severe sinus infection. I took Flagyl first & got better for a few days. I was sent to a GI who put me on vancomycin. I thought I was better because I went 10 days seeming ok for 10 days after finishing 10 days of that. I was very sick that time & had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance. I couldn’t even stand. I got diarrhea at night on the Saturday before Christmas & had the diarrhea at least 40 times & couldn’t even get back to bed. My my husband called my son who came to try & help him get me to the ER. I was passing out & couldn’t stand so they couldn’t get me there safely. We called the Dr on call for my GI & he said call an ambulance immediately. As soon & they for here they started an IV & left immediately. My BP was very low but started up when the fluids started. The Er gave me Dificid. I did well with that & again I thought I was going to be ok. I went 32 days then another relapse. Out of other options I had an FMT. I had mine via endoscopy down through my stomach into my small intestine. My GI said if I relapse again he’ll do another one via colonoscopy. I’m 32 days post FMT. & my stools still aren’t normal. I either get constipated & have to take miralax for a couple of days, then I’ll have several BM’s a day. Not diarrhea, but soft small thin pieces. When I eat anything except soft foods I have problems. I’m about to start Florastor. I’ve been drinking Kefir & eating yogurt everyday. I’m just praying I don’t relapse again. My GI is going to test an another month unless I get sick again. Everyone I talk to that has had Cdiff says it destroys your gut very badly & it takes a long time to get to a normal. Some say a year or more. I’m depressed over this because I weigh 85 pounds after loosing 20 pounds. I am desperate to gain some weight. This is such a bad thing. I wish they could come up with something to help all of us. Also my I say I’m 71 & have heart issues also. I hope you can get help, but maybe you are going to have to be patient like they want me to & that’s so hard. I’m praying for you & all of us.

pines | @pines | Apr 1, 2019

In reply to @sandyabbey "I am having the same problem getting my gut somewhat normal after Cdiff. I relapsed 4..." + (show)

@sandyabbey

Jump to this post

Why are you waiting to start Florastor? I think the S. Boulardii has really helped me. Although my BM's are far from normal and I'm never constipated after my 4 bouts of Cdiff last year.

virgo1952 | @virgo1952 | Jan 29, 2020

In reply to @sandyabbey "I am having the same problem getting my gut somewhat normal after Cdiff. I relapsed 4..." + (show)

@sandyabbey

Jump to this post

Hi Sandy. I’m accessing your last post as a starting point for my experience with c-diff. I am also in the colon cancer chat group. This is where I started after having a colon re-section surgery when my colonoscopy showed cancerous tissue. When I was healing at home, I started experiencing more pain/discomfort and bowel frequency. Then came that smell. Two months later, I tested positive for c-diff. I just finished my second round of vanco and I am feeling much better. Still have bowel issues, food sensitivity and gas. Last night I woke up to stomach acid in my throat. So, it’s been 3-4 months since my surgery and I am reading chats with the same symptoms as other chat members. My surgeon is no help and he is talking about referring me to a gastro specialist. I’m not willing to do that quit yet. I reported my c-diff to Risk Management in the hospital where I received my surgery and will not do anything until the investigation is over. How have faired since your last correspondence? Anything advise? Any helpful info? I would appreciate you or anyone responding to my situation. I guess I’m wondering if I will have a relapse and be dealing with c-diff (again) and a new antibiotic. Not sure how I feel about a bowel transplant, but I’m not totally against it either. Virgo1952

mala1921 | @mala1921 | May 21, 2020

Hello,

I was on Clin 150mg twice a day for tooth infection. Ten days after stopping the antibiotics I have developed severe stomach cramps, loose stool and etc. GI suspected and tested me for C-Diff. He has put me on Flagyl 500mg three times a day along with probiotcs. I would love to hear some feedback if you have been on Flagyl and if it worked and how quickly it worked. Everything that I've read is just so scary it's literally giving me anxiety. Thank you so much.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 21, 2020

In reply to @mala1921 "Hello, I was on Clin 150mg twice a day for tooth infection. Ten days after stopping..." + (show)

Hi @mala1921 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion called "Trying to recover from a c. diff infection (Clostridium difficile)." I did this to better connect you with other members talking about C-diff like @sandyabbey @pines @virgo1952 @femalegolfer @ngorman25 @pibacher and others.

You may also be interested in this discussion where several members talk about taking Flagyl.
- C. difficile – Are your guts ever normal again? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/c-difficile-are-your-guts-ever-normal-again/

Mala, How long have you been taking Flaygl? How is it working for you?

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