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Trying to recover from a c. diff infection (Clostridium difficile)
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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@npkara - you still have a couple of weeks left on Vanco and you have improved relating to nausea and lower abdominal pain. It might take a while to improve stools, because the infection damages the intestinal lining and takes time to recover. Just stay with recommended treatments for now and follow up with MD at end of Vanco. My sympathy!
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1 ReactionYes I informed my doctor, I read it in google ,I was actually having C Diff infection by the time I have done garlic Elena which I wasn’t aware of. I’m very much worried about CDiff recovery.can I ever get rid of it.
Rifaximin is an off-label treatment with minimal side effects, but fecal transplant is a proven cure. Works immediately but you may have to eat specially to rebuild the gut cilia that C. Diff. cytotoxins destroy. High fat diet for a week then high carb, then add proteins. Miracle!
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1 Reaction@aconcerncedmama yes I heard the same thing that it is a proven cure I hope she talks to Dr.about it ,for it is hard to cure medically
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1 ReactionKanaaz, My cDiff infection is gone, but I have been left with awful flushing of my head, neck and arms that wakes me every hour, making it impossible to sleep. A CT scan was done, showing that I now have enteritis and I have been prescribed Xifaxin for 14 days. I am fearful that this will bring my cDiff back. Anyone have an idea of what could be causing the flushing? Has anyone been diagnosed with enteritis and taken this drug? Any advice/information or ideas are very welcome.
Hi @gstill,
I saw that you were prescribed Flagyl to treat the C.difficile, which could probably be a cause for the flushing. https://www.medicinenet.com/side_effects_metronidazole_flagyl/article.htm#what_is_metronidazole_flagyl_flagyl_er
I'm tagging @loriel59 @jlfisher56 @techmom @amyintucson @coffeelatte to see if they might have more information to share about enteritis and Xifaxin.
I am using Xifacin on a daily basis to treat Hepatic Encephalopathy as indicated by high ammonia levels in the blood. Have not been told I have enteritis. Have had numerous esophageal varices banded over the past 4 years but nothing noticeable in the intestine except ongoing discomfort after eating.
In January, I had a seven day course in antibiotics for a sinus infection. In February, I was taken to emergency with high blood pressure, severe pain under right breast, and severe nausea. I was given a sonogram for upper right abdomen, a series of blood tests, and sent home with high blood pressure meds which were discontinued (per primary care dr) two days later because blood pressure was tanking. Serious nausea and pain persisted through Feb. and into March and I was barely mobile. Went to gastro who appeared not concerned and said he thought perhaps a nerve or muscle was the cause of pain and said I needed to lose weight (5’3, 145 lbs then). Since I have gerd, hiatal hernia, and diverticulitis, I asked him about nexium and he gave me a prescription. My primary care does not like proton pump inhibitors so together we chose Prilosec as least offensive instead of Nexium because of lower. MG. About 7 days later, still with pain and nausea, I developed a urinary infection with blood in urine. Gastro prescribed Bactrim and the night I took ONE pill I woke up thinking I was going to die and didn’t know what to pray for! Nausea and pain unbearable so back to emergency room. They did a CT scan of the upper abdomen, gave me morphine, told me to continue Bactrim (which I didn’t) because of the urinary infection with blood, said that I had a lot of stool in my colon and gave me a laxative which they said would literally bomb me out. Five days later and no movement, I went back to Miralax with some success, but the pain and nausea were still present. Went to an orthopedic screener per gastro, and he said he thought the problem was digestive. At this point, after having no appetite, I was starting to feel a bit betterheading into April. No one suggested c diff screening, I guess, because I wasn’t presenting with normal symptoms. Finally I got an appointment with a holistic doctor who did a stool test where c diff flagged. I was feeling almost normal, and it was May. I’d begun eating and actually had an appetite but was down to 120 lbs. We wanted to start with probiotics and supplements but the probiotic was so strong, I developed frequent bowel movements (for me, not necessarily a bad thing!) and nausea which finally stopped two weeks later. 30 day restricted diet ends tomorrow, but feeling pretty normal, although I did the beginning of June. So, my question is, with all my continued improvement, can a body heal itself of c diff naturally? All my intestinal bacteria scored in the normal range at the same time as the c diff toxins flagged! And I’m feeling so close to normal now, with no pain or nausea for the most part. Took all info to my primary care who ordered another stool test to verify before starting antibiotics. I’d appreciate any feedback about the possibility of body healing itself vs antibiotics at this stage. Thank you for the opportunity to post.
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1 Reaction@mosey You have sure been sick Hi I'm Linda a retired nurse also believes in holistic medicine In glad the holistic Dr made you feel better my question to you is why do you want to begin antibiotics? Sounds like your doing fine without them our bodies can heal themselves if we give them clean ,natural foods .Do you know the dangers of antibiotics and intestinal problem s The Dr. Will tell you that to many antibiotics can cause intestinal problems as well as other problems when you take to many Eating organic foods ,drinking good water ,going out in nature , getting your Vi t D from sunshine goes along way to healing the body Antibiotics are good when needed but you don't want to overdo them
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1 ReactionMosey read above post from mine
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