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Trying to recover from a c. diff infection (Clostridium difficile)
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
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So the age of 75 that I seemed to find more than once in the Google-verse is perhaps an average, guesstimate or something else.
I can only aspire to be on top of things like you are. Bravo!
I also can't help thinking that when things get really complex for me health-wise, I need to head to a top facility like Mayo.
I appreciate hearing back from you!
I’m undecided. I’m 74 and my last two colonoscopies have been normal - the one 5 yrs ago had 2 polyps but were benign. The one last year showed no polyps but did confirm dx of microscopic colitis. They said I could discontinue for purpose of screening for colon cancer. I hate the prep. I mean I really really hate it. So it will be a game time decision 🙂
Screening guidelines have changed over the years, and they now even start at an earlier age.
Key is the risk factor. People who have family members with a history of polyps, or colon cancer are considered at higher risk and should be sure to get colonoscopies.
And having precancerous polyps means one should really stay on top of it!!!!
Everyone hates the prep. It is a topic of conversation! But I found that the prep situation was "easier" this time. Before I recall they just said don't eat red meat. But this time they had me start a low fiber diet 7 days before with a one dose of Miralax. I think that kept too much from building up in colon. Two days before procedure only liquids with Ducolax added. Then night before 12 cups liquid and next morning 4 cups. The prep had a lemon flavor package with it so it really wasn't bad tasting. And my colon prep was scored with highest mark!
I pointed out that my last two colonoscopies were only small non-cancerous polyps. Yet this week they found 3 precancerous ones, 2mm, 10mm and 12mm. Go figure. But if one has higher risk profile, there is never certainty. I suspect also that already having a different cancer is an added risk factor, because cancer also indicates a weaker immune system.
It starts 3’days ahead with clear liquid diet then the day before start the stuff I have to add a gallon of gator aide to. Then morning of test a soda bottle filled w/a mix that made me throw up - so whatever it was intended to do didn’t happen.
Now that I’ve thought about it - nope not doing that ever again.
There is a big selection in preps. I do not know why they chose one over another.
My feeling is if we can put a woman in space surely we can figure out how to clean out my colon without the drama. But apparently not.
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1 ReactionHi. I am on my 5 th day of dificid pills and having Zinplavia this Tuesday. I am anxious. I don’t know much about the zimplavia and don’t feel comfortable about getting it. Did you get treated with it and how was your experience? Thank you in advance
i had cdiff in December, was on 6 weeks of Vanco, still tested positive.2 weeks of DIFICID, then Vowst, fecal transplant pill. You need to go to a good GI doctor, get retested for CDIFF.
Im negative and still having pain, bowel movements like yours semi firm, 2-5 times a day. Now I was told I have
post infectious IBS, and it can take weeks or months to subside. I dont know if you live in NY, there are CDIFF
experts. You can also go to the following link https://cdiff.org/ The peggy lillis organization. Email them and
they will give you experts in cdiff in your area. If you live in NY or Conneticut here are top cdiff specialist. Send them a fax with your symptoms and then call to see if they receive it. They will answer you, Dr. paul feuerstadt
203 281 4463, fax 203-287-2914 He is on the foundations board. If you live in NY, there are 2 doctors
Dr. Ashish Atreja 212-241-0500 I dont have fax. Dr. ari grinspan 212-241-2800 Dont fax just speak to call center and ask his office to call you back. Good luck. They just put me on imipramine, I suffer from Narcolepsy/Cataplexy and have been on it for years. Latest research is that IBS pains is helped if take a dose at night. So its only been 2 nights but I dont feel anything yet, however the upper pain is slightly better. Good luck, hang in there.