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Trying to recover from a c. diff infection (Clostridium difficile)
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. Took my 10 day on vanco, retested and still positive! Haven't heard from Dr yet to see what next round might be.. when should i ask to be referred to a specialist??
@femalegolfer I would ask to see a GI right now. The vancomycin didn't work for me either. I did the 10 days first and then I also did the vanco pulse & tapper for 6 weeks. I was good for 3 weeks after that. But then I had my 4th relapse and that's when I asked for Dificid (fidaxamicin). I had a friend who had taken the Dificid after her second Cdiff and it worked for her also. It's pricey and I'm sure that's why they wait and try other meds first. You also should be taking S. Boulardii. It's a probiotic that goes straight to the colon and it's not dissolved by the acid in your stomach. If you just tested positive again, what's the plan your doctor wants you on?
@pines .. i am taking the probiotic like you had suggested. I actually do feel better and not as bloated and not nearly as many trips to the bathroom. My results just came in this morning, i can view them online and i haven't heard from my Dr. yet..
So I'm not sure what their suggestion will be. The vanco cost my insurance $850... I thought that was ridiculous! I wanted to hear from you and research before the Dr calls. Thank you!
@femalegolfer Yes, Vanco is also expensive. Dificid was over $4,000 for 20 pills. My co-pay was $900. I was shocked.
@pines YIKES! If it works - I would feel better - I would for sure pay the money...Waiting to hear from the Dr. is killing me.
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1 Reaction@femalegolfer I took the last Dificid on October 26, 2018. So far, NO more Cdiff. And I knock on wood every time I write or say that. I would never want another year like 2018 and 4 bouts of Cdiff. And I will think twice before ever taking an antibiotic again. My heart goes out to anyone who is taking Clindamycin.
My first C. Diff infection lasted 3 months. Clindamycin was the cause. Treatment included Flagyl and Align as well as a low fiber diet. I had loose stools up to 12 times a day which made commuting and work difficult, but somehow I managed. Plain yogurt, cheese and homemade sauerkraut were all well tolerated. I avoided sugar and beverages that contained sugar.
My son who is severely disabled was diagnosed with C-Diff from his last hospital stay four months ago and has been on Vancomyicyn ever since, I was told by doctor that this antibiotic only kills half the bacteria, so after careful research the fecal microbial transplant was his best option to rid him of this. Fingers crossed we go tomorrow for colonoscopy to do transplant.
@thrasher3062 I've heard nothing but good results from the FMT. Vancomycin didn't work for me either. I think part of the problem with vanco is that it also kills the good bacteria. I think the reason I had good results with Dificid is that is ONLY kills the Cdiff spores. The worst part for your son is probably doing the cleanse today for tomorrows procedure. I'm saying a prayer for him. Please give us an update how he does.
Can someone please tell me why we have to have 3 or more relapses before a doctor will offer fmt? If fmt is so successful, why not offer it after the first relapse? It blows my mind! Personally, the more I think about it, I think the makers of vancomycin and the other drugs they use are responsible. After all, think of all the antibiotics we take before fmt is offered. Makes me mad! My guess is it's about money. Ifwe did fmt after the first relapse, we wouldn't spend all this money on antibiotics first! Plus, who knows what we will have to deal with health wise after taking hundreds of vancomycin?
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