Probiotic recommendations for c difficile infection

Posted by carolm13 @carolm13, Feb 19, 2022

In Dec. I got c diff after a round of antibiotics. Gastric Dr put me on Vancomycin but the symptoms came back in Jan. (Not as severe). I read about the benefits of Probiotics for c diff so I started taking them (Natures Bounty Probiotic 10, has 20 billion live cultures) in Jan. The problem is There are so many products out there and I wanted to know if there is a specific brand that helps with this illness. Some days I feel OK but others I have bloating, and lower abdominal pain. The diarrhea has abated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

mhi | @mhi | Feb 19, 2022

Sorry you are dealing with this awful disease. I took saccharomyces Boulardii Ang brand it is yeast base and very good to combat this along with a broad spectrum probiotics that has lactobacillus in it. Good luck and please ask away hope you get well soon. You need to give it time it will take a long time to fully recover.

kaylasills | @kaylasills | Feb 20, 2022

I also have issues with cdiff. Had fecal transplant in 1918. Recurring cdiff occasionally. My doc recommends florsrar when taking antibiotics. It takes my gut months to recover from vancomycin. Also have post infectious ibs. Good luck . Also was told last visit there is infusion administered by infectious md to keep from having cdiff reoccur.

rashida | @rashida | Feb 20, 2022

@carolm13 - I tried Align for a few months, but it was not very effective. My pharmacist suggested one with 30billion or more active cells and more strains so I switched to Costco’s Health Balance (made in Canada - where I live). It might be sold under another name at the US Costco. I have been on this for three months and it is working better for me than Align. Probiotics are all trial and error, and it seems what works for one doesn’t for another.

Whichever brand you choose to take, try something with 30 billion or more active cells, and more than eight or ten strains. Mine has eight.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 20, 2022

@carolm13, I'll add my welcome to the posts you received from others. You may appreciate this interview about The 'Pros' of Probiotics on Mayo Clinic Radio. Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist Dr. Joseph Murray, M.D., discuss the benefits of probiotics on Mayo Clinic Radio, and learn more about:
- Probiotic dietary supplements
- Difference between prebiotics and probiotics
- Fecal microbiota transplant
- Mayo Clinic's ongoing initiative in the area of microbiome research

@kaylasills, you may appreciate this discussion about preventing re-infection.
- Living with High-Risk C-Diff and Preventing Re-Infection: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-high-risk-c-diff-re-infection/

kat1251 | @kat1251 | Dec 17, 2022

I am trying to find the best probiotic for c diff

mariajean03 | @mariajean03 | Dec 18, 2022

In reply to @kat1251 "I am trying to find the best probiotic for c diff" + (show)

Fecal transplants are a cure for C-Diff. I know a Dr. in Iowa City who's done a thousand of them. Look into it!

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 18, 2022

In reply to @kat1251 "I am trying to find the best probiotic for c diff" + (show)

Hi @kat1251, I moved your question about probiotics for c diff to this existing discussion in the Digestive Health group:
- Probiotic recommendations for c difficile infection https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/probiotic-recommendations-for-c-diff/

I did this so you can read previous posts and connect with members like @sandyabbey @vic83 @rrf67 @mhi @mariajean03 @carolm13 @rashida and others.

vic83 | @vic83 | Dec 18, 2022

In reply to @kat1251 "I am trying to find the best probiotic for c diff" + (show)

I had C-diff in 2011 from 10 days of Amoxicillin given to me by my dentist. I was in the hospital for a week. Besides fluids and antibiotics, the hospital also gave me Florastor probiotic. I have continued to take it whenever I have a hint of diarrhea. I would expect that you could ask a Gastroenterologist about what would be the best probiotic product for you to take.
When I left the hospital, they prescribed me 10 days of Vancomycin. Fortunately, I have not had any reoccurrences and it is 11 years now. I bleached my home when I got home from the hospital to kill any spores of C-diff I might have left.
I have not used oral antibiotics since my episode. Has anyone used general oral antibiotics since having C-diff? Are there any studies? I am wondering what happens if one really needs to take them