1. < Digestive Health

Trying to recover from a c. diff infection (Clostridium difficile)

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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Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Jul 31, 2018
In reply to @claudiabrende "When I went to do labs I had the wrapping on for 25 minutes and when..." + (show)
@claudiabrende

When I went to do labs I had the wrapping on for 25 minutes and when I took it off blood started leaking down my arm.

Jump to this post

I don’t know what blood tests were done, but concerned about prolonged bleeding. A complete blood count would show anemia and low platelet count. Are you taking aspirin? Could be a vitamin deficiency, like Vitamin K. Check with Dr. for results on that.

REPLY
claudiabrende | @claudiabrende | Jul 31, 2018
In reply to @claudiabrende "@teresa This all first started with just nausea but since February I started having rectal bleeding..." + (show)
@claudiabrende

@teresa
This all first started with just nausea but since February I started having rectal bleeding but no bowel issues until after the colonoscopy that identified a bacterial infection and within a week or two ended up catching parasite that I experienced diarrhea, mucus, and stinky stools. Not too long after that, I had a kidney infection that caused vaginal bleeding even though I had a hysterectomy, three weeks ago I started having terrible diarrhea and my GI doctor did a stool sample which showed C.Diff. When I get lab work done it takes 30 minutes for it to stop bleeding.

Jump to this post

@kanaazpereira sorry it's my first time on this site and having a bit of an issue navigating. I'm learned though.

REPLY
itsohard | @itsohard | Jul 31, 2018
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hello @claudiabrende, Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear about your symptoms and can only imagine..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hello @claudiabrende,

Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear about your symptoms and can only imagine your worry! I'm so glad you joined this group. You may notice that I moved your message and combined it with this existing discussion. I did this because you mentioned testing positive for C.diff, and I thought it would be beneficial for you to be introduced to the many members who have discussed much of what you are experiencing.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole conversation and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.

You might wish to view this discussion, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/c-diff-23fc30/ where @itsohard just recently posted her experience with c.diff as well.

@claudiabrende, you mentioned, "I have a difficult time with getting my blood to stop bleeding after a blood test..." Would you be able to share a bit more about this symptom? Have you been tested for other GI conditions like colitis/ulcerative colitis? How are you managing your symptoms?

Jump to this post

Thank you, Claudia. I am learning the ropes, so I am thankful to have your help.

REPLY
itsohard | @itsohard | Jul 31, 2018
In reply to @npkara "HI, Im 30 yr old female caught c diff from overuse of antibiotics for UTI.first symptoms..." + (show)
@npkara

HI,
Im 30 yr old female caught c diff from overuse of antibiotics for UTI.first symptoms were just 1 or 2 loose watery D for few days and it stopped .After a week saw it again so did garlic enema to stop D.things turned upside down after the enema.I got severe lower right abdominal pain and severe nausea that I couldn't stand or sit.Ended up in the ER 2 times for the pain.But even then there is no severe D but my BM s are so different either C or D or mushy stools.
misdiagnosed for 1 month and finally tested positive for C Diff.was put on Vanco for 20 days, 4 x 250 mg for 10 days and 1 X 250mg for 10 days.(couldn't tolerate flagyl effects so switched to Vanco).now Im on 7th days of Vanco.

My Question is

1.How do I know that Im recovering from C Diff (my stools are mushy or D with 2
-3 BMs per day). is this normal while recovering.

2.I still have pain on my right side but subsided a lot.How long I will have this pain.

3.Nausea is gone and able to eat everything except got allergic to coconut water.

4.Im having excessive gas throughout the day.

5.Taking BIO k+ ,need suggestions on this.

6.im vegan and my diet contains usually fermented foods and yogurt ,fruits, diary and vegetables, but I still feel my diet is not helping me in recovering.

7.buzzing sound in rectum.

Any help is appreciated.This is really frustrating as me and my husband are TTC.Im really depressed and taking anxiety meds for this and literally crying all the day from 2 weeks and so sick of being sick.I want to be normal again asap.

Note: CT scan with ora contrast is done and normal,cbc is normal except slight increase in WBC,Haemoglobin is normal.ESR,CRP are normal, all stool tests for OVA Parasites is negative, no WBC or RBC in stool,PROmetheus IBD test is negative.
C DIFF is positive.

Jump to this post

Hi, I was prescribed Metronidazole 500mg. It helped at first. But, the symptoms returned. After this treatment, I took it upon myself to figure out the best solution. I find that a tablespoon of Cinnamon and Pure Honey helps along with the strongest versions of Probiotics. I find that keeping stress at bay, staying busy, and eating healthier help. I avoid what troubles my stomach, and only eat veggies, fruits, shrimp, unbreaded, and ironically I eat Subway Cold Cuts with loads of veggies and that is the one thing I can eat without any problems. I am still searching for other ways to cope and to recover. Unfortunately, I am not fully recovered.

REPLY
itsohard | @itsohard | Jul 31, 2018
In reply to @claudiabrende "@teresa This all first started with just nausea but since February I started having rectal bleeding..." + (show)
@claudiabrende

@teresa
This all first started with just nausea but since February I started having rectal bleeding but no bowel issues until after the colonoscopy that identified a bacterial infection and within a week or two ended up catching parasite that I experienced diarrhea, mucus, and stinky stools. Not too long after that, I had a kidney infection that caused vaginal bleeding even though I had a hysterectomy, three weeks ago I started having terrible diarrhea and my GI doctor did a stool sample which showed C.Diff. When I get lab work done it takes 30 minutes for it to stop bleeding.

Jump to this post

Teresa, hi. I am sorry to hear you are struggling. It's, unfortunately, you have all these symptoms. I struggle with Cdif myself and haven't experienced any bleeding, so I can relate to some of your problems. I hope you get well soon!

REPLY
wendyw | @wendyw | Jul 31, 2018
In reply to @npkara "HI, Im 30 yr old female caught c diff from overuse of antibiotics for UTI.first symptoms..." + (show)
@npkara

HI,
Im 30 yr old female caught c diff from overuse of antibiotics for UTI.first symptoms were just 1 or 2 loose watery D for few days and it stopped .After a week saw it again so did garlic enema to stop D.things turned upside down after the enema.I got severe lower right abdominal pain and severe nausea that I couldn't stand or sit.Ended up in the ER 2 times for the pain.But even then there is no severe D but my BM s are so different either C or D or mushy stools.
misdiagnosed for 1 month and finally tested positive for C Diff.was put on Vanco for 20 days, 4 x 250 mg for 10 days and 1 X 250mg for 10 days.(couldn't tolerate flagyl effects so switched to Vanco).now Im on 7th days of Vanco.

My Question is

1.How do I know that Im recovering from C Diff (my stools are mushy or D with 2
-3 BMs per day). is this normal while recovering.

2.I still have pain on my right side but subsided a lot.How long I will have this pain.

3.Nausea is gone and able to eat everything except got allergic to coconut water.

4.Im having excessive gas throughout the day.

5.Taking BIO k+ ,need suggestions on this.

6.im vegan and my diet contains usually fermented foods and yogurt ,fruits, diary and vegetables, but I still feel my diet is not helping me in recovering.

7.buzzing sound in rectum.

Any help is appreciated.This is really frustrating as me and my husband are TTC.Im really depressed and taking anxiety meds for this and literally crying all the day from 2 weeks and so sick of being sick.I want to be normal again asap.

Note: CT scan with ora contrast is done and normal,cbc is normal except slight increase in WBC,Haemoglobin is normal.ESR,CRP are normal, all stool tests for OVA Parasites is negative, no WBC or RBC in stool,PROmetheus IBD test is negative.
C DIFF is positive.

Jump to this post

Please research the Fecal matter transfers. They are having more than 90% cure rate here in Australia.

REPLY
claudiabrende | @claudiabrende | Jul 31, 2018
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hello @claudiabrende, Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear about your symptoms and can only imagine..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hello @claudiabrende,

Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear about your symptoms and can only imagine your worry! I'm so glad you joined this group. You may notice that I moved your message and combined it with this existing discussion. I did this because you mentioned testing positive for C.diff, and I thought it would be beneficial for you to be introduced to the many members who have discussed much of what you are experiencing.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole conversation and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.

You might wish to view this discussion, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/c-diff-23fc30/ where @itsohard just recently posted her experience with c.diff as well.

@claudiabrende, you mentioned, "I have a difficult time with getting my blood to stop bleeding after a blood test..." Would you be able to share a bit more about this symptom? Have you been tested for other GI conditions like colitis/ulcerative colitis? How are you managing your symptoms?

Jump to this post

@itsohard I'm also thankful for your courage to share your story. I hope there are other people on here that may relate to me and my symptoms.

REPLY
cupcake420 | @cupcake420 | Aug 9, 2018

Sounds like you need an infectious disease Dr, Godspeed

REPLY
itsohard | @itsohard | Aug 9, 2018

You are one horrible, disgusting human being. I am reporting you. These people signed up for support, and awful people like you come along to upset people who are already struggle. You should be ashamed of yourself. And cupcake isn't a good name for you.

REPLY
4 replies
claudiabrende | @claudiabrende | Aug 9, 2018
In reply to @claudiabrende "When I went to do labs I had the wrapping on for 25 minutes and when..." + (show)
@claudiabrende

When I went to do labs I had the wrapping on for 25 minutes and when I took it off blood started leaking down my arm.

Jump to this post

@astaingegerdm they did but nothing of concern. I never take aspirin so it's just a bit odd.

REPLY
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