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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guthealth | @guthealth | Nov 6, 2018
In reply to @pines "In April, I took Clindamycin for a sinus infection. I took 4 a day for 12..." + (show)
@pines

In April, I took Clindamycin for a sinus infection. I took 4 a day for 12 days. Within two weeks from completing it, I had Cdiff. I was given Flagyl for 10 days, Within one week, Cdiff was back. I was then given Vancomycin for 10 days. Again, within a week, Cdiff was back. I was then given Vanco for 5 weeks and did the pulse and taper method. I felt great for 3 weeks and thought this method had worked. Unfortunately, Cdiff came back for a 4th time. One week ago, I completed 10 days on Dificid. I pray to God, this RX works. I've looked in to the FMT by capsules. Thirty pills taken at once and the price is $635. Has anyone done FMT using the capsules?

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Where can one get FMT capsules?

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1 reply
New to C- DIFF | @nerofish | Nov 6, 2018
In reply to @guthealth "Thank you. I think I would feel better if I could pinpoint why I suddenly have..." + (show)
@guthealth

Thank you. I think I would feel better if I could pinpoint why I suddenly have diarrhea. I can’t seem to be able to cintrol what happens to my body.

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I am having a similar problem’slrhough i tested positive for c diff both times that ii waa tested. I am seeing an infectious disease specialist next Monday so I’ll let you know if the doctor has anything informative to share.
I inquired about a study using the fecal pills and the study requirements did not allow newly diagnosed individuals. The fecal transplant via colonosccopy seems to available in different states and i may seek out someone who has experience with the procedure next.
Did you get tested for all the usual suspects ya including giardia ?

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1 reply
guthealth | @guthealth | Nov 6, 2018
In reply to @nerofish "I am having a similar problem’slrhough i tested positive for c diff both times that ii..." + (show)
@nerofish

I am having a similar problem’slrhough i tested positive for c diff both times that ii waa tested. I am seeing an infectious disease specialist next Monday so I’ll let you know if the doctor has anything informative to share.
I inquired about a study using the fecal pills and the study requirements did not allow newly diagnosed individuals. The fecal transplant via colonosccopy seems to available in different states and i may seek out someone who has experience with the procedure next.
Did you get tested for all the usual suspects ya including giardia ?

Jump to this post

Yes I tested negative for CDiff twice, and also underwent a stool panel that ruled out Giardia and other pathogens. GI doc thinks it is SIBO because I initially respond to antibiotics (Flagyl) and then slide back to loose stools and diarrhea. A CT scan of my belly did not show abnormalities and a routine colonoscopy a year ago was normal. I have been plagued with this for nearly four months which is nothing compared to others here but have lost nearly twenty pounds and don’t know what to eat to heal my gut. The reason it was thought to have been CDiff initially was because this all coincided with me taking Clindymycin for another infection. But something is clearly wrong with me

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2 replies
pines | @pines | Nov 6, 2018
In reply to @guthealth "Where can one get FMT capsules?" + (show)
@guthealth

Where can one get FMT capsules?

Jump to this post

Since I've had 4 bouts of Cdiff since May, I've been looking into the FMT capsules. The company is called OpenBiome. You can google it for more information. The cost for 30 capsules is $635. I'm 12 days out from completing the RX Dificid. I still hope and pray that this med will work. My gastroenterologist has me taking Florastor also.

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1 reply
gina1963 | @gina1963 | Nov 7, 2018
In reply to @guthealth "Yes I tested negative for CDiff twice, and also underwent a stool panel that ruled out..." + (show)
@guthealth

Yes I tested negative for CDiff twice, and also underwent a stool panel that ruled out Giardia and other pathogens. GI doc thinks it is SIBO because I initially respond to antibiotics (Flagyl) and then slide back to loose stools and diarrhea. A CT scan of my belly did not show abnormalities and a routine colonoscopy a year ago was normal. I have been plagued with this for nearly four months which is nothing compared to others here but have lost nearly twenty pounds and don’t know what to eat to heal my gut. The reason it was thought to have been CDiff initially was because this all coincided with me taking Clindymycin for another infection. But something is clearly wrong with me

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How do they test for sibo

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1 reply
New to C- DIFF | @nerofish | Nov 7, 2018
In reply to @guthealth "Yes I tested negative for CDiff twice, and also underwent a stool panel that ruled out..." + (show)
@guthealth

Yes I tested negative for CDiff twice, and also underwent a stool panel that ruled out Giardia and other pathogens. GI doc thinks it is SIBO because I initially respond to antibiotics (Flagyl) and then slide back to loose stools and diarrhea. A CT scan of my belly did not show abnormalities and a routine colonoscopy a year ago was normal. I have been plagued with this for nearly four months which is nothing compared to others here but have lost nearly twenty pounds and don’t know what to eat to heal my gut. The reason it was thought to have been CDiff initially was because this all coincided with me taking Clindymycin for another infection. But something is clearly wrong with me

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Can you get retested for x-diff as well as for other pathogens? What about an endoscope? Your routine bloods were normal as well?

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guthealth | @guthealth | Nov 7, 2018
In reply to @pines "Since I've had 4 bouts of Cdiff since May, I've been looking into the FMT capsules...." + (show)
@pines

Since I've had 4 bouts of Cdiff since May, I've been looking into the FMT capsules. The company is called OpenBiome. You can google it for more information. The cost for 30 capsules is $635. I'm 12 days out from completing the RX Dificid. I still hope and pray that this med will work. My gastroenterologist has me taking Florastor also.

Jump to this post

Will definitely look into that

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gina1963 | @gina1963 | Nov 7, 2018
In reply to @guthealth "Breath test" + (show)
@guthealth

Breath test

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Thank you

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dp1733 | @dp1733 | Nov 10, 2018

I found out I had c diff 8 days ago after suffering with severe diarrhea for a month. After several er visits with no answers I had to go and ask to give a stool sample. I have no idea how I got this, I havent been on antibiotics in months, however I’m taking vancomycin for 10 days (on my 8th day) I still have pain in my lower right side, is this normal? How will I know if it’s gone? I am taking 2 different probiotics for bacteria coverage and I am drinking kombucha, is this enough??? I’m worried that I still have pain. Does anyone know if this is normal? Please help!! Thank you

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