Vancomycin for C-Diff

Posted by terridrag @terridrag, Jan 23, 2019

Getting very frustrated one more day on vancomycin and still having stomach pain extreme bloating and lots of rumbling in my belly I pray that it’s caused by the meds I am taking 3 Florastor a day I’m so over this I quit smoking 6 months ago I figured I would be healthier 😩

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btc46 | @btc46 | Aug 21 7:06pm

In reply to @ngorman25 "@btc46 I have been eating normally. However, I have not been able to gain any weight!..." + (show)

How many cycles of Vancomycin did you take before being able to return to a normal diet?

cas924 | @cas924 | Aug 21 8:08pm

In reply to @btc46 "No, not able to eat normally I am almost half way through the second 10 day..." + (show)

While I was on Vanco I continued to have diarrhea between 3-5times per day with lots of rumbling, etc. My doc was only concerned if diarrhea episodes were 6 or more times per day). It seemed to get worse after I ate anything, therefore I ate a very limited amount of food, dropped weight too fast and felt weak. I continued to have up to 5 episodes of diarrhea for 10 days after completion of Vanco. My doctor was still not concerned (unless it was 6 or more) because he said the antibiotic itself could be causing the diarrhea and would be in my system for up to 10 days after completion. I learned from watching C. Diff survivors on YouTube that some benefitted from eating a low FODMAP diet temporarily. Another doctor recommended a very strong probiotic. Once I started the low FODMAP diet and started the strong probiotic I was able to tolerate more foods and felt much better, although I can only tolerate a small amount of food and continue to lose weight. The diarrhea stopped a few weeks ago, unless I eat more than my gut can handle, and in that case it goes right through me - it’s unpredictable. I will see a gastro doc tomorrow. Hopefully he can help me with my food/weight issue.

btc46 | @btc46 | Aug 22 12:34am

Thanks very much for the info. Really helpful. During my first 10 day Vanco cycle, the diarrhea went away after the first three days, and only returned 8 or 9 days after I finished the cycle. This second cycle, it disappeared after 2 days, but came roaring back on day 4 and hasn’t stopped.
It’s good to know that the Vanco may actually be causing it.
One question: Were you ever on two meds Vanco and Dificide at the same time?
My pharmacist said if the first one fails, it’s common to prescribe it again along with a second med.
Seems like a lot of antibiotics.

ngorman25 | @ngorman25 | Aug 22 2:04am

In reply to @btc46 "How many cycles of Vancomycin did you take before being able to return to a normal..." + (show)

@btc46 I took vancomycin for 4 cycles. Then my doctor said I needed the fmt, that the vancomycin wasn't working cause cdiff kept coming back. As for a "normal " diet, once I had the fmt, I pretty much could eat whatever. Although, not as much food each meal.