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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amyintucson | @amyintucson | 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 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

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@layceelu - I hope you have a very informational meeting with a GI doctor. Being sick and feeling alone is something most of us can empathize with. I am blessed to have a loving husband on my liver transplant journey. Take notes of symptoms, feeling and medications before you get there, ask doctor to clarify things that you don't understand. Writing answers/notes while in the dr office may help - I always find seeing it my own notes helps me to understand. Please keep us posted.

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gina1963 | @gina1963 | Aug 13, 2018

Has any one recovering from cdiff ever got red peeling .itchy skin on face what could this be i swear it is 1 thing after another

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Aug 13, 2018

@gina1963 I'm not sure but YOU could be allergic to the medicine or some kind of procedure? ask your Dr.

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layceelu | @layceelu | Aug 14, 2018
In reply to @layceelu "I was Diagnosed with C Diff and started on Flagyl 500 mg three times a day..." + (show)
@layceelu

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

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Just got back from the GI doctor. He stopped the Flagyl and I start Vancomycin for a total of 14 days. Due to diarrhea started again at the 3am this morning! Which I crazing seeing how I can’t eat! I am praying that this antibiotic isn’t as harsh as the Flagyl. My blood pressure is now high and still having tachycardia!! This C Diff is no joke and just when I think it’s over BAM here we go again. For those that pray please send them my way. My children and husband need me. I am so sick of being weak and shaky!!

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musicflowers4u | @musicflowers4u | Sep 15, 2018
In reply to @pmj41 "I just completed my treatment for my second bout of c. diff. I am not certain..." + (show)
@pmj41

I just completed my treatment for my second bout of c. diff. I am not certain if it was just one long siege of two separate cases. Because I have had my colon totally removed and have had 6 sections of my small intestines removed because of perforations, having diarrhea is not an indicator for c. diff for me. I am all "hooked up" but I have diarrhea all of the time. I do have abdominal pain and my stools are different. After reading these posts I feel I should return to be tested again. I do have good insurance but am now in the famous donut hole and the last 10 day prescription of Vancomyacin was $651.00 for my co-pay! My surgeries have all occurred at Mayo Rochester.

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Sorry I have been busy helping a family in need and haven’t been responding on this site. Regarding your c-diff. Recurrence is common I have been told. Subsequent bouts can be more problematic. My best advice to prevent future bouts is a good probiotic. Also soluble fiber. Keep hands clean, be super careful with food prep.

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taxpayinghorse | @taxpayinghorse | Sep 20, 2018

I have been going though much of what you described and worse. Is there any chance we could talk via phone? I maybe able to offer you some suggestions. I am not selling anything. Just too much to type on here. I am also a patient at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville Florida. I have had C -diff 3 times. If I get it again I think I'll die. I can't take flagely or vancomycin anymore either. My bowels are all messed up too. It is from the over use of antibiotics and over doses of them I believe. Have you ever had your appendix removed? I had a nurse tell me that is what has caused a lot of problems for people. The appendix actually the seed vault that produces the good bacterial we need in our guts. When our appendix is removed we lose the good bacterial it produces. My name is Paula.

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1 reply
wendyw | @wendyw | Sep 20, 2018
In reply to @taxpayinghorse "I have been going though much of what you described and worse. Is there any chance..." + (show)
@taxpayinghorse

I have been going though much of what you described and worse. Is there any chance we could talk via phone? I maybe able to offer you some suggestions. I am not selling anything. Just too much to type on here. I am also a patient at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville Florida. I have had C -diff 3 times. If I get it again I think I'll die. I can't take flagely or vancomycin anymore either. My bowels are all messed up too. It is from the over use of antibiotics and over doses of them I believe. Have you ever had your appendix removed? I had a nurse tell me that is what has caused a lot of problems for people. The appendix actually the seed vault that produces the good bacterial we need in our guts. When our appendix is removed we lose the good bacterial it produces. My name is Paula.

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Paula please ask about Fecal matter transfers which have over 90%cure rate for C Diff.

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2 replies
falko1984 | @falko1984 | Sep 20, 2018

I feel for you, I’m going through the same thing. I was prescribed antibiotics and now have had a c diff infection for 3 weeks. I’m on a second course of antibiotics and they are not working nothing is. I’m loosing weight, and I’m severely depressed due to my social life, work life and personal life being negatively impacted by this infection. The doctor told me I may have an “upset stomach” She never mentioned colitis caused by a C Diff infection being a possibility if she had I would have never taken the antibiotics. I’m very upset by negligence on the part of my doctor. Something has to be done to help all of us who are suffering from life changing ailment.

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3 replies
musicflowers4u | @musicflowers4u | Sep 20, 2018
In reply to @falko1984 "I feel for you, I’m going through the same thing. I was prescribed antibiotics and now..." + (show)
@falko1984

I feel for you, I’m going through the same thing. I was prescribed antibiotics and now have had a c diff infection for 3 weeks. I’m on a second course of antibiotics and they are not working nothing is. I’m loosing weight, and I’m severely depressed due to my social life, work life and personal life being negatively impacted by this infection. The doctor told me I may have an “upset stomach” She never mentioned colitis caused by a C Diff infection being a possibility if she had I would have never taken the antibiotics. I’m very upset by negligence on the part of my doctor. Something has to be done to help all of us who are suffering from life changing ailment.

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Fecal transplant is supposed to correct the problem by having good bacteria set the intestines on a normal path. I would certainly opt for it if I was experiencing the problem you all describe. Please consider this break-through in gastro procedures. Wishing you all wellness.

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guthealth | @guthealth | Sep 21, 2018
In reply to @falko1984 "I feel for you, I’m going through the same thing. I was prescribed antibiotics and now..." + (show)
@falko1984

I feel for you, I’m going through the same thing. I was prescribed antibiotics and now have had a c diff infection for 3 weeks. I’m on a second course of antibiotics and they are not working nothing is. I’m loosing weight, and I’m severely depressed due to my social life, work life and personal life being negatively impacted by this infection. The doctor told me I may have an “upset stomach” She never mentioned colitis caused by a C Diff infection being a possibility if she had I would have never taken the antibiotics. I’m very upset by negligence on the part of my doctor. Something has to be done to help all of us who are suffering from life changing ailment.

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So sorry to hear about your pain. I am in the same boat, Developed diarrhea, gas and bloating following a course of Clindimycin (a terrible antibiotic in my opinion). Doctor thought I had CDiff, put me on Flagyl for ten days, got a little better but then I slid back. My tests came back negative for CDiff and I finally got to see a gastroenterologist who thinks I have SIBO and put me back on Flagyl. I am a little better but eating little and feel a lot of bloating, lost ten pounds in two months. Did you test positive for CDiff? Have you seen a specialist? Unfortunately, I don’t think PCPs know much about this. Mine is the one who basically messed up my GI by prescribing Clindimycin for a minor UTI, Try to get to a specialist if you can. In my case I have a bacterial infection but it was not CDiff but dysbiosis caused by too broad acting an antibiotic. I hope you feel better soon. Using Loperamide and a low FODMAPS diet is helping me a little bit. I am beginning to accept that my recovery from this is going to be gradual. Baby steps. I know what you mean about work and social life because I am sick of apologizing to my friends and or going to a restaurant and end up spending money for a meal I can’t eat or that gives me horrible diarrhea. This is not fun. Hard for others to understand how this can turn your life upside down so fast. Do hope you find answers and feel relief soon.

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