Clostridium difficile (Cdiff) and worried about weight loss

I did retest again two months after stopping the antibiotic and the test came back negative twice. Thank you for sharing this article. When you say it took you some time to normalize was it like few months? Or less? Thank you once again!

I’ve gone through c-diff twice now. I learned a lot about it the second time, like taking PPI’s long term can make you more susceptible to getting C-Diff and that the c-diff molecules never totally leaves your body and taking antibiotics can trigger a reoccurrence. One major discovery is the infection has been treated wrong all these years. They usually load you up on antibiotics to treat it and in doing so it destroys the good bacteria that is needed for extracting the nutrients from the food that you eat. The key is to improve your immune system and keep it strong. And question taking antibiotics for more than a week, two weeks max. The c-diff bacteria will be living in you waiting for a drop in your immune system to attack again. I tested positive after being on antibiotics for 3 weeks then tested positive so they gave me a 9 week course. After learning about the difference between active and inactive C-Diff molecules, I looked at the test results and it didn’t list both active and inactive. Now they know that the test results need to be looked at closer and be repeated to see if the C-diff cells are active. Now they know that there are inactive cells form a colony that was sent out to see if your immune system is low and it’s time to attack. In the past any positive tests would result in a corse of antibiotics then they would do another test and it would be negative so they stop the antibiotics. I was tested 5 times after my last bout with C-diff and just about every test was opposite than the last one. I have an artificial aortic valve so I have to take antibiotics before a dentist appointment and just taking 1 has set off the c-diff and anyone that has had it knows just what those signs are. The main problem now is the general lack of knowledge about what they know now by so many Dr’s, and the older you get the more important it is to get it right. Go ahead and google what I just said and don’t be afraid to bring it up with your Dr before your put on antibiotics to treat the C-diff or anything else, because your life or quality of life is at stake. If the test doesn’t show both the active and inactive molecules , tell them that you want a full test. More and more people carry inactive c-diff molecules that might not ever cause a problem. They are just waiting for their chance to become active. Having it once greatly increases the chance for a reoccurrence, and taking PPI’s too makes it much more likely. I guarantee you that every door handle no matter where it is will have a few c-diff molecules that won’t effect most healthy people, but if you’ve already had it you might want to think about wearing gloves too. Start paying a lot of attention to strengthening your immune system. Getting the nutrients from food is best because it’s in your system longer and has a better chance of being absorbed. C-Diff is a “Super Bug”. It’s at the top of the CDC’s list. The tests should show both “gram positive “ and “gram negative “ numbers. You don’t need antibiotics if their just negative! Now it’s more important than ever to pay attention to taking antibiotics. They are still over prescribed and in fact crowned C-Diff the king of consequence. Don’t take my word for it, research it with google and pay close attention to the year that the article was written. If it’s not at least 2020 keep looking!

Hi @mhi,
Yes, it did take several months to get my system to work properly. Besides nausea and loose bowels, are you having any other symptoms? Pain, abdominal cramping, rapid heart rate?

No other symptoms just pretty much nausea and loose funny stool still is all. No pain anymore. Thank you!

5chances, I was surprised the role thiamine (vitamin B1) plays in the health and function of our digestive system. Thiamine requires magnesium to make it bioavailable.
After courses of antibiotics bad bacteria grow faster than good bacteria creating it's own set of problems by producing toxins. Magnesium depletion caused by the trauma.caused by C. Diff leads to a thiamine deficiency impacting the GI system and more. Also research olive leaf extract for control of bad bacteria and yeast in addition to boron that is antifungal. Search on "nothing boring about boron"
https://www.sinusitiswellness.com/explaining-small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth-or-sibo-and-its-connection-to-chronic-and-environmental-illness/
https://www.eonutrition.co.uk/post/thiamine-deficiency-a-major-cause-of-sibo
https://www.krispin.com/magnes.html
https://www.medindia.net/patientinfo/vitamin-b1.htm
https://nootropicsexpert.com/vitamin-b1-thiamine/

Should I even demand my dr retest? I’m 16 days off of vanco. He only does pcr test. I’ve had a couple rough last couple of days. No diarrhea (mine was actually just unformed, mushy stools when diagnosed), but not quite the formed stools I was seeing for the last 2 weeks. I’ve been having more of the neurological symptoms lately that I’ve had prior to diagnosis. I’m hoping I don’t relapse but also anxious at not knowing, or knowing for that matter.

How are you feeling now? Did you get retested? What kind of symptoms you are experiencing? I am 4 month past infection and still experiencing symptoms.

I have the same issues you have. I am on my 4th course of Vance, saw an infectious disease specialist. Have all the same things as you with BM's. Lost over 10 lbs I can't afford to lose. Know this is temporary and didn't know it was so common.

Hi, I know this post is from awhile ago but did you ever resolve your weight loss? I believe I went undiagnosed 4 years ago and then was diagnosed three months ago. I took Vancomycin. I initially lost weight and then I changed my diet completely with limited gluten, less dairy, less sugar...so it’s understandable that I lost weight but I have been trying to keep weight on after losing 30 pounds in 3 months. I was overweight though 3 moths ago. So, although the weight loss numerically is not that concerning, I question when the weight loss will stop. I have one very big and lose (often more yellow in color) BM a day. So, the doctor is not concerned but I am. I’m taking a probiotic, eating fermented foods, I can’t take zinc it reignites the Cdiff, but I’m looking for vitamins and would like to see how people maintained weight. I’m also eating a whole avocado a day for fat. I’m just worried. Thank you for any info and for reading.

Hello it took about a little over 3 months for me to stop loosing weight but I couldn’t gain weight anymore. It has been a year now and my body finally seems to be getting back to somewhat normal. I put on about 4 pounds from the weight I lost and that’s about it. I am still eating clean and taking vitamin D omega 3 and probiotics. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables and the good carbs gluten free multigrain bread and all lactose free cheese and yogurt. Did the doctor tell you anything about your weight?