Trying to recover from c diff infection

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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beckyt | @beckyt | Aug 23, 2022

Hi Jacque, How did you get rid of your cdiff? I too, am wondering why I am not gaining back my weight. I also caught it from antibiotic given to me for diverticulitis. It also attached my arm muscle and I needed physical therapy. Never realized they could actually harm the body, besides heal it too. Go figure...

hardingv | @hardingv | Aug 23, 2022

Does anyone have experience with using Zinplava (a monoclonal antibody) during the treatment phase of a confirmed case of c-diff to help prevent recurring c-diff?

bleachistheword | @bleachistheword | Sep 21, 2022

In reply to @gina1963 "Has any one recovering from cdiff ever got red peeling .itchy skin on face what could..." + (show)

Its a side-effect listed on the insert for the Dificid my husband has to start tomorrow. Is that the medication you're taking? Check the insert for your medicine to see if it's a side-effect. Hope it gets better for you.

arleen1972 | @arleen1972 | Oct 23, 2022

I hope you feel better soon.

epm | @epm | Oct 23, 2022

I've been that way for 1 1/2 yrs. No fun.
Have you taken Vancomycin, Rifaxan or FMT capsule?

epm | @epm | Nov 4, 2022

Re: C-diff.
(New to this posting.)
Have had 5 recurrent C-diff infections in past 1 yr. 4 mos.
Had Vancomycin, DIFICID, Vancomycin again and again, and now a recomendation to combine VAN w/Xifaxan (Rifaximin).
Next suggestion is IV infusion of Bezlotoxumab (a human monoclonal antibody) along w/antibiotic. Has anyone had these last two procedures? Successful? Negative side effects?

2) Has anyone considered FMT (Fecal Microbiota Transplant)?Or used the FMT Pill? Successful? Negative side effects?
Thank you,
Getting Desperate

ngorman25 | @ngorman25 | Nov 5, 2022

In reply to @epm "Re: C-diff. (New to this posting.) Have had 5 recurrent C-diff infections in past 1 yr...." + (show)

@epm I, too, had reoccurring cdiff in 2018. After the 4th one, I got the fmt. Best thing I ever did! Although, I still have not gained the weight back, I am doing ok. I know my body will never be the way it was before cdiff, I make sure to take probiotics every day! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me! Good luck!

Julie Chitwood | @billchitwood | Nov 5, 2022

My husband (89) just had a bout of C.Diff and had to be in the hospital for two days (they wanted to keep him a third day but he insisted on coming home). Several more days of diarrhea. Then normal stools - BUT - along with his urine incontinences he also has no control over BM.
He has a lot of side issues, CKD, CVI, some mild calcification of the aorta valve, cyst on the pancreas, nodules on lung, etc.
Last few days his feet are showing slight signs of swelling - especially right that suffers from CVI. Since his feet are almost always elevated he hasn't had the CVI swelling for about a couple of years (he lives in his recliner).
Bill has upcoming follow up doctors appointment on Friday. He has a lot of different "mild" conditions.
Currently on the Vancomycin.

epm | @epm | Nov 5, 2022

In reply to @ngorman25 "@epm I, too, had reoccurring cdiff in 2018. After the 4th one, I got the fmt...." + (show)

Thanks for your input.

Where did you have the FMT procedure done? At Mayo in MN?
Do you know if the fecal matter came from OpenBiome in MA? (They have had issues since 2020. Prior to that seems to have been great.)
OR did you have a relative or friend donor?
Thank you for allowing me to openly ask questions.

epm | @epm | Nov 5, 2022

Has anyone had the Bezlotoxumab Infusion?

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