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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wendyw | @wendyw | Aug 10, 2018

I am so sorry for the people in this thread suffering C Diff, In Australia it is now being treated with Fecal Matter Transfers. As unpleasant as that sounds the results are incredible and occur instantly.
Please research it for yourselves.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016508516353549

gina1963 | @gina1963 | Aug 11, 2018

Im on difficid for cdiff very weak and low back pain

Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Aug 11, 2018

In reply to @gina1963 "Im on difficid for cdiff very weak and low back pain" + (show)

Hello @gina1963, and welcome to Connect. You may notice that I moved your discussion and combined it with a discussion titled "I am trying to recover from a c diff infection." I did this so your post would be seen by the other Connect members already discussing C diff and the recovery process. If you are replying by email, you can click on VIEW & REPLY to be brought to the new location of your discussion.

@gina1963, do you have any specific questions for the other members who are and have recovered from c diff? How long have you been trying to recover?

claudiabrende | @claudiabrende | Aug 11, 2018

@gina1963 Hi, I am on my second round of antibiotics since I was diagnosed with C diff and has I feel put my life on hold due to the symptoms. I keep getting repeated infections and now may be looking at a fecal transplant. How are you feeling now?

wendyw | @wendyw | Aug 11, 2018

Claudiabrende, FMT is having fantastic results curing CDiff. I hope you can report the same results here so others will be encouraged to look into it.

gina1963 | @gina1963 | Aug 11, 2018

In reply to @claudiabrende "@gina1963 Hi, I am on my second round of antibiotics since I was diagnosed with C..." + (show)

This is my 2nd round of antibiotic the difficide seem to do the best as to antibiotic.the doctor said fmt will be next i had this since may ...

gina1963 | @gina1963 | Aug 11, 2018

In reply to @gina1963 "Im on difficid for cdiff very weak and low back pain" + (show)

I have had this since may

layceelu | @layceelu | Aug 13, 2018

I was Diagnosed with C Diff and started on Flagyl 500 mg three times a day 9 days ago. I seriously feel alone. I am unsure if it’s the antibiotics or C diff but I feel horrible. I was admitted to the hospital for four days. They had to give me Atavan and Phenogran to help me sleep. Since I’ve been home I CAN’T eat or SLEEP! My heart rate is high and my anxiety has become unbearable was give ln Xanax .5mg. I go see a GI tomorrow’sI HOPE AND PRAY I can’t stop these awful antibiotics!! Has anyone else felt this was on Flagly

suez | @suez | Aug 13, 2018

In reply to @layceelu "I was Diagnosed with C Diff and started on Flagyl 500 mg three times a day..." + (show)

@layceelu , I really understand you feeling alone. It's very depressing to be sick and hopeless. I do know that anxiety makes inflammations worse. Ask your Dr for xanax or something similar. Good luck!