Will a scheduled colonoscopy cause a relapse of C-Diff?

Posted by minge @minge, Oct 5, 2021

Currently 3 weeks recovery from C-Diff after taking vancomycin . I have two questions.
I am scheduled for a routine colonoscopy in November (5 years since last colonoscopy). That will only be 2 months of recovery time from C-Diff. Will the colonoscopy create a relapse of C-Diff? Should I wait to have the colonoscopy since this is a routine 5 year check?
Second question is I am due for a tetanus shot (10 years since last one) Can I get the tetanus shot or will it create a relapse of C-Diff?
I do not want a relapse of C-Diff and I am only 3 weeks into recovery!

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@minge did you ever end up getting the colonoscopy? Did it cause a relapse? I too am 2 months post antibiotics for cdiff and nervous of getting my colonoscopy because of that reason

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I am also interested to find out if the colonoscopy or tetanus shot caused a relapse in the c diff. The majority of 2022 I was dealing with a flareup of diverticulitis that never went away after numerous double antibiotics. Ended up having a sigmoidectomy June 2022. At that time they said I tested positive for. C diff. I was not treated for that. Then I ended up taking amoxicillin in October for a dental issue. After 10 days the c diff reared its ugly head, and I ended up spending seven days in the hospital. Was treated with Vancomycin and florastor. Was released from the hospital on another 10 days of Vancomycin and Florastor. I have continued on once a day with the probiotic. And here I am at the beginning of March 2023. Scared to death to ever take another antibiotic. So I understand what you mean by it coming back. I am afraid to even take Tylenol. So afraid it will trigger the C diff again! It is always on my mind, but I am trying to move forward. Trying to stay as healthy as possible. Good luck out there. May we all keep away from this horrible c diff!

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@bbarbiee

I am also interested to find out if the colonoscopy or tetanus shot caused a relapse in the c diff. The majority of 2022 I was dealing with a flareup of diverticulitis that never went away after numerous double antibiotics. Ended up having a sigmoidectomy June 2022. At that time they said I tested positive for. C diff. I was not treated for that. Then I ended up taking amoxicillin in October for a dental issue. After 10 days the c diff reared its ugly head, and I ended up spending seven days in the hospital. Was treated with Vancomycin and florastor. Was released from the hospital on another 10 days of Vancomycin and Florastor. I have continued on once a day with the probiotic. And here I am at the beginning of March 2023. Scared to death to ever take another antibiotic. So I understand what you mean by it coming back. I am afraid to even take Tylenol. So afraid it will trigger the C diff again! It is always on my mind, but I am trying to move forward. Trying to stay as healthy as possible. Good luck out there. May we all keep away from this horrible c diff!

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Hi BBarbiee I can relate also as after my first bout with it in 2019 i worry also. But i do take an antibiotic every time i have dental work and so far no reoccurrence. I can suggest that when I was last on Vancomycin my PCP Doctor put me on a probiotic that worked well for me. He was very specific that it had to be Lactobacillus Acidophilus and not to take the one that had the acid part first. Now i would definitely check with your doctor as because of my transplant drugs I'm on they will only let me take it when I'm on a longer term of antibiotics since it plays with my other meds and that the one-day I'm on Amoxicillin for dental work is not long enough to cause cdif and I'm now 3 years of twice a year dental cleaning and no problems with cdif. Hope that helps. Let me know what you find out as I too would not want to wish that disease on anyone.

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@danab

Hi BBarbiee I can relate also as after my first bout with it in 2019 i worry also. But i do take an antibiotic every time i have dental work and so far no reoccurrence. I can suggest that when I was last on Vancomycin my PCP Doctor put me on a probiotic that worked well for me. He was very specific that it had to be Lactobacillus Acidophilus and not to take the one that had the acid part first. Now i would definitely check with your doctor as because of my transplant drugs I'm on they will only let me take it when I'm on a longer term of antibiotics since it plays with my other meds and that the one-day I'm on Amoxicillin for dental work is not long enough to cause cdif and I'm now 3 years of twice a year dental cleaning and no problems with cdif. Hope that helps. Let me know what you find out as I too would not want to wish that disease on anyone.

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Dana,
It is interesting that you say your doctor suggested a specific probiotic for you. When I was in the hospital they had me taking the probiotic Florastor three times a day, along with the Vanco. When I was released from the hospital, I had to take the Vanco for 10 more days and with that I continue taking a probiotic Florastor. I have since continued taking that same probiotic one time a day at night. If I feel a little loose, then I take one during the day. I have not felt right about venturing out and trying any other probiotic since this is the one they put me on. I am interested in what you said that your doctor recommended to you and I will remember that. Have not had to take any antibiotics since the time in October 2022 that ‘woke’ up the horrible C Diff. It has almost been five months. And I am careful, so as not to get sick or be in any need of antibiotics. Thank you so much for your comment. Hopefully we will all not have to deal with this. The infectious disease doctor that saw me in the hospital was telling me that if I can go one year without having an issue then I would probably be OK. One year. !!!! Well one year seems like an awful long time but I will inch my way there and hope for the best. Stay well.

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@euqcaj

I am eight months into recovery,..........and now, because of a dental issue, I have to take another antibiotic. I am praying this does not created a relapse of the C-diff. Supposedly we chose one that would have less risk. My question back to you is why would a tetnus shot cause a relapse of C-diff? This whole situation is so awful.

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I take probiotics any time i must take an antibiotic. C-Diff is horrible.

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@bbarbiee

Dana,
It is interesting that you say your doctor suggested a specific probiotic for you. When I was in the hospital they had me taking the probiotic Florastor three times a day, along with the Vanco. When I was released from the hospital, I had to take the Vanco for 10 more days and with that I continue taking a probiotic Florastor. I have since continued taking that same probiotic one time a day at night. If I feel a little loose, then I take one during the day. I have not felt right about venturing out and trying any other probiotic since this is the one they put me on. I am interested in what you said that your doctor recommended to you and I will remember that. Have not had to take any antibiotics since the time in October 2022 that ‘woke’ up the horrible C Diff. It has almost been five months. And I am careful, so as not to get sick or be in any need of antibiotics. Thank you so much for your comment. Hopefully we will all not have to deal with this. The infectious disease doctor that saw me in the hospital was telling me that if I can go one year without having an issue then I would probably be OK. One year. !!!! Well one year seems like an awful long time but I will inch my way there and hope for the best. Stay well.

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I had C-Diff. It was bad. Any time I need to take an antibiotic (I try not to) I take a probiotic. No specific kind, just from the drug store, or from Amazon. It works for me.

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