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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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My diet include brown rice basmati rice and multigrain gluten free bread I have carbs with my meals. And white potatoes and sweet potatoes Mary’s crackers those are the carbs I am allowed to eat and quinoa.
No, I didn’t know about bananas until the nutritionist told me they are actually good. I had thought the sugar was feeding the cdiff, but she said the same thing you just said. I was worried you knew something.
I’ll look into Mary’s crackers.
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1 Reaction@wty2020 Just checking in to see how are you doing?
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1 Reaction@5chances hello just following up to see how are you doing? Did you end up taking the herbal supplements? How is your progress?
Hi mhi, thanks for asking. Same. Challenging trying to stay up and not live bowel movement to bowel movement, but I don’t know what else on which to gauge my progress or lack thereof. My stools still are consistently very very loose, about a half a step or step better than diarrhea and a couple steps better than watery diarrhea. Everyone says don’t worry about stools til you get to watery diarrhea. All confusing because in the middle of my 14 day course of vancomycin a couple weeks ago I was having formed small to medium small stools. I thought I was cured. With the exception of a day or two, I got the same thing during the first two weeks of my taper, then they loosened up and have steadily gotten looser over the past week. I’m on a pulse now, and they are loose. And I just saw that I’ve lost another 14 lbs since Christmas. Sorry, I guess this conversation is getting negative quickly.
Sorry to hear about your struggle. Have you thought of looking into seeking a naturopathic approach along with what you are doing? Sometimes taking antimicrobial along with your antibiotic can help. Check it out and read online about it.
On Friday l completely go off vanco, fingers crossed. It's been like 1 good day one bad day but gotta try with diet and probiotics before anything else. Thank god l don't have to go to work everyday
No not negative, your providing info to help us along the way.
I will pray for you to no relapse after this antibiotic. And yes it is not negative we are all in this together. What probiotics are you taking and what’s the strain?