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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@pines

@dp1733 If you had been to the hospital recently and also taken Clindamycin the cause could be either one. It's probably the most recent. Mine started just a couple weeks after finishing the Clindamycin.

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I am particularly ill tonight.
This infection is horrible.

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@nerofish

I am particularly ill tonight.
This infection is horrible.

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So sorry to read you are feeling unwell. Similar day here. Woke up with diarrhea not being able to pinpoint why.

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@pines

@dp1733 If you had been to the hospital recently and also taken Clindamycin the cause could be either one. It's probably the most recent. Mine started just a couple weeks after finishing the Clindamycin.

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Clindimycin caused some horrible symptoms for me. Not CDiff. Not sure what I have yet

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@nerofish

I thought that maybe it was from a procedure that Inhad in the hospital but I also had been on clindamycin for a sinus infection - scary

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Clindimycin has ruined my life since I took it four months ago. Can’t get over whatever I have

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@guthealth

So sorry to read you are feeling unwell. Similar day here. Woke up with diarrhea not being able to pinpoint why.

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Sorry to hear that - me too today with diarrhea, the nausea is awful - May go back to ER

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Hi @guthealth and @nerofish,

I’m so sorry to hear about your struggles with C.diff. I quickly wanted to jump in and mention some very recent information I found; I’ve copied some relevant notes: "Clostridium Difficile Colitis Medication" https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/186458-medication

"Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), which contains C difficile antitoxin, has been reported as an effective adjunctive treatment for refractory and severe cases of C difficile colitis/diarrhea. In some individuals, a poor host immune response to C difficile may be a risk factor for the lack of clearance of C difficile and may be the reason for the benefit of IVIG.”

I hope this helps some, and may I also ask if you’ve considered fecal transplant as an alternative to treat C.Diff?

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@guthealth

So sorry to read you are feeling unwell. Similar day here. Woke up with diarrhea not being able to pinpoint why.

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Has any one felt dizzy with the cdiff i had this since may got rid of it in october im having symptoms again i hope its just a bug

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@gina1963

Has any one felt dizzy with the cdiff i had this since may got rid of it in october im having symptoms again i hope its just a bug

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I do get lightheaded if my output of stool is a lot. Maybe you are dehydrated?

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@gina1963

Has any one felt dizzy with the cdiff i had this since may got rid of it in october im having symptoms again i hope its just a bug

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@gina1963 with diarrhea you have to replace your electrolytes get water that has them In it or gator aide not the flavored just plain gator aide .Have you considered a fecal transplant they are haveing good results .

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@guthealth

Clindimycin caused some horrible symptoms for me. Not CDiff. Not sure what I have yet

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@guthealth ,nerofish so sorry your both having a rough time hope you feel better

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