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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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@judy75 We go to M.D.s, Ph.Ds, Lawyers, and other accredited experts... and then we are hesitant to follow their directions or recommendations ... Why not at least give the recommendation a try? What does this say about ourselves, certainly this is our body, but we are not the experts.. ..Yes, certainly Mayo Clinic Connect has shown the value of getting a Second expert Opinions or another test.. Do the internet or reading research from CREDIBLE sources... build up confidence in that advice.. Doing nothing and expecting change is really not a realistic approach to solving life's hurdles.. ken
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1 Reaction@dilly69 Well, my gastro did not do a complete colonoscopy at the time he did the fmt! When I went back to him, 2 months after the fmt, he wanted to schedule another colonoscopy! I was so stunned! I went home and then tried to find out why he didn't do a complete colonoscopy the first time, and never got an answer. So, that was the last time I saw him.
Glad to hear you are doing better and FMT worked for you! As for the weight I know what you mean bad c Diff in June and dealing now with Post infectious IBS and still struggling to put weight back on and still have bad days and nausea. As for being afraid to get sick again I totally agree same here and now continue to take Boulardii and probiotic and Vitamin D and brought up my B12 as well. But I heard that the majority of people develop antibodies for CDiff I hope it is true because living with the fear of getting it again is beyond stressful. Let’s all hope a vaccine will be out for this vicious bacteria. Stay strong and God Bless!
So glad your C Diff is now gone! Did you get tested or based on your symptoms? Hope you continue to get better. How is your stool now?? Glad to hear Boulardii is helping and yes it is a game changer. I recommend you test your B12 and D because those two keeps you strong and fight anything. I tested both and I took vitamins to bring them up at a good level. I continue to take vitamin D everyday. Keep us posted with your progress and may God bless!
@mhi After the fmt, I didn't get tested anymore cause I had no symptoms and I didn't go back to my gastro because he wanted me to have another colonoscopy, 2 months after the fmt! My poop is different since the fmt, but it's been fine.
How many bowel movements you still have per day? My bowel still far from being normal again they told me could be post infectious Ibs.
@mhi Actually, I couldn't tell you! Some days I don't even have 1! Not an issue for me. But I feel okay.
If you don’t mind me asking about the VSL#3 probiotic is it Visbiome are they the same? And what strain are you taking? How many billions? And do you take daily?
And what about boulardii you take daily as well?
Hi dilly69. I always learn so much from these conversations. I had cdiff after my colon re-section and it went undiagnosed for 21/2 months. I knew I had but the surgeon and nursing staff were unconvinced. I guess I didn’t fit the “ patient in life threatening pain” category for them. But, eventually i was tested (I sent them a diary of how many times I was visiting the bathroom. Literally, a running monologue)🤣🤣. Finally, I got the attention of a physician assistant. I was successfully treated with antibiotics and have also incorporated vitamin supplements and a diet to create healthy bacteria. So, anytime I see a chat involving cdiff, I try to read it and learn from it. Thank you and mhi for your discussion. It helps us all virgo52