Connect
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?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Infectious Diseases Support Group.
Connect
8 months on vanco is a very long time: I really hope all the best for you and things work out. It is a bad cycle. And c Diff is everywhere I know people that had it with no use of antibiotic it is in the community unfortunately.
Hi @mhi thanks for checking in! I did not. I am very afraid to worsen any conditions by taking a natural anti microbial. I did look into getting into the SER-109 study but my EIA came back negative (positive GDH PCR) and don’t have completely loose stools. Dr has been wanting to treat with another round of antibiotics but I’m very hesitant at this point.
If your stools are formed you could wait and see. Are you dealing with a GI or infectious disease doctor? It is good that your EIA came back negative meaning there is no active infection I think. The doctor wants to put you on another round of antibiotics like vanco? Did he say why if he only relying on the PCR or you have other symptoms?
GI doctor only. Yes, they want me to go on 8 week vanco taper. I have movement once sometimes twice a day. They are formed but a very soft form. Strange thing is, they were more “normal” for the first 3 weeks after vanco (could this indicate possibly a false negative EIA?). That’s about the only thing really other than I do get tingling again in my hands but all the doctors say it’s not from cdiff. I beg to differ on that one as the vanco rid me of all tingling for about 4 weeks. If I would have tested EIA positive I would have definitely treated but I’m holding out to see if I eventually test EIA positive because I want to get into the ser-109 trial if I have to take antibiotics.
My dr said if I cannot add more foods into diet then I need treatment as well. Not sure what to make of it all. 10 weeks post first round of vanco. maybe the biocidin I should look into taking? It could go either way, help or exasperate and awake the spores. Scary, slippery slope.
How are you doing in your recovery? Are you able to add more foods and have you had any success with any weight gain?
You could wait and see since you don’t have any other symptoms. Biocidin I heard good things about it so read more about this one. In terms of adding more to your diet it does take a long time for your gut to regulate stay away from gluten and dairy. My recovery is very slow. Still dealing with upset stomach sometimes and my bowel movements are two to three time daily and on the looser side. But I was told it will take time to regulate been 5 months for me post antibiotic and still dealing with all the fun. I am on a low FODMAP diet now because I was told you could develop IBS after cdiff so not sure will see. Good luck to you keep us posted with your progress! Wishing you all the best!
@5chances sorry you asked me about my weight I am still not able to gain but I am not loosing. How about your weight? Are you stable? How do you know when you add things to your diet if it is working or not? Still working with a nutritionist?
I do ok with some dairy and gluten (I think). The low FIDMOP is hard. Can’t seem to find much it recommends to eat that would help put any weight back on (I was at 96lbs and unfortunately having to carb load to get up to 101/102).
I understand that cdiff indeed does bring on ibs, but are you speaking in terms of the infection itself causing it or the food choices?
I no longer have upset stomach for the most part. Actually, I get quite hungry but can only eat so much during the day.
I’ve read up on the Biocidin but have also encountered some negative stories on it which made me apprehensive. Anything that might kill off any good bacteria is kind of risky in my opinion as it is a numbers game.
Hope you continue to improve in your healing. Have you tried slippery elm tincture to assist in healing the gut? I’ve been taking it for a bit and not sure if it’s due to this but the noises and cramping have gotten a lot better.
I haven’t seen nutritionist for over a month. I think she was a bit disappointed in me because I was hesitant on a few things. I need to reschedule because we’ve agreed to just focus on food building because that’s where I’m stuck.
I test out foods in very small amounts for a couple days at a time. It’s like two tablespoons per serving and only once a day. If I have little to no stomach pain and no diarrhea then I keep it at small amounts but will wait a week to try something new.
How do you test/determine if something works for you? Do you have food anxiety about trying something?
I know what you mean about taking new supplements it is risky and you want to keep building your gut bacteria. Not sure why people develop IbS post cdiff. I am on this low FODMAP been couple of weeks and will see if it will work. I do get anxious introducing something new but that’s the the only way of knowing what work and what doesn’t. Yes I did take like a powder that had slippery elm and L glutamine for almost 3 months after c Diff and I still have it if I feel inflammation sometimes I would take it.
Are you eating any raw vegetables or only cooked? And what kind? And what about fruits? What kind are you eating?
@dilly69 how are you doing after being off vanco?hopefully you are feeling good.