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

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@kaceclancy

Hi. 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

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My husband suffered through six months of diarrhea after a c. Diff infection. What finally helped his gut normalize was cholestyramine. He started on a high dose and decreased week by week. He still keeps it on hand for flare ups, but daily Culturelle and Metamucil keep him stable. Wish you the best.

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I with you. My story is a little different. I had c diff 12 years ago. Twice. It nearly killed me. Anyway, I’ve been a mess ever since. The Doctors say that once it’s gone, it’s gone and that’s the end of it, but I’ve been miserable since c-diff. I’ve tried everything, I’ve seen specialists, I’ve done a lot of research and have given up several types of food while keeping a food journal, and nothing made a difference. I took pig enzymes I took prescription probiotics,. After 12 years, I’m ready to give up. I got suckered into the Dr. Gundry scam as a last ditch effort, but that isn’t helping either. Before completely giving up, I thought I’d get in here to see if anyone knows anything. I wish you the best and I hope you find some answers.

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@juniper2

I with you. My story is a little different. I had c diff 12 years ago. Twice. It nearly killed me. Anyway, I’ve been a mess ever since. The Doctors say that once it’s gone, it’s gone and that’s the end of it, but I’ve been miserable since c-diff. I’ve tried everything, I’ve seen specialists, I’ve done a lot of research and have given up several types of food while keeping a food journal, and nothing made a difference. I took pig enzymes I took prescription probiotics,. After 12 years, I’m ready to give up. I got suckered into the Dr. Gundry scam as a last ditch effort, but that isn’t helping either. Before completely giving up, I thought I’d get in here to see if anyone knows anything. I wish you the best and I hope you find some answers.

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I meant, I’m with you.

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@juniper2

I meant, I’m with you.

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THE DOCTORS AT MT. SINAI IN NY ARE TREATING POST INECTIOUS IBS FROM CDIFF WITH TOFRANIL-IMIPRAMINE, TRYCLIC DRUG . OFF LABEL. A SMALL DOSE. I HAD CDIFF SINCE DECEMBER, AFTER 8 WEEKS OF VANCO, 2 WEEKS OF DIICID THE ONLY THING THAT HELPED WAS VOWST(THE POOP PILL) BUT NOW IM LEFT WITH TERRIBLE CRAMPING UNDER THE BOTTOM OF STOMACH. I DID TRY THE TOFRANIL FOR ONLY 3 DAYS,10MG. AT NIGHT, BUT IT GAVE ME INSOMNIA THAT NIGHT. IT DID HELP THOUGH, IM GOING TO TRY IT AGAIN AND STAY ON IT FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.CDIFF IS AWFUL. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.THERE IS A DOCTOR IN MT. SINAI HOSPITAL IN NY. DR. ARI GRINSPAN, HE IS THE EXPERT OF CDIFF- YOU CAN LISTEN TO HIS PODCAST ON YOU TUBE.

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@karel

THE DOCTORS AT MT. SINAI IN NY ARE TREATING POST INECTIOUS IBS FROM CDIFF WITH TOFRANIL-IMIPRAMINE, TRYCLIC DRUG . OFF LABEL. A SMALL DOSE. I HAD CDIFF SINCE DECEMBER, AFTER 8 WEEKS OF VANCO, 2 WEEKS OF DIICID THE ONLY THING THAT HELPED WAS VOWST(THE POOP PILL) BUT NOW IM LEFT WITH TERRIBLE CRAMPING UNDER THE BOTTOM OF STOMACH. I DID TRY THE TOFRANIL FOR ONLY 3 DAYS,10MG. AT NIGHT, BUT IT GAVE ME INSOMNIA THAT NIGHT. IT DID HELP THOUGH, IM GOING TO TRY IT AGAIN AND STAY ON IT FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.CDIFF IS AWFUL. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.THERE IS A DOCTOR IN MT. SINAI HOSPITAL IN NY. DR. ARI GRINSPAN, HE IS THE EXPERT OF CDIFF- YOU CAN LISTEN TO HIS PODCAST ON YOU TUBE.

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Thanks!

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