Connect
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
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.
Connect
I am just reading your post now, 2023. I have battled cdiff for years with 2 fecal transplants. And after having a bout of diverticulitus landed me on antibiotics and on the cdiff train. I now learned about floraster, it has helped alot, but like you no dairy, i eat gluten because my foodcintolerances are a long list, too much fiber goofs my stomache, no meat but eggs are ok. Lost a butt ton of weight but i have no gallblader so I am careful with my fats. I hope you are doing well. This is a lonely isolating problem. I understand lifestyle change. Id like to hear about a follow up!!
I had C-diff after surgery for hiatal hernia. Was so sick I didn’t want to live. The antibiotic helped and no more C-diff. Now I have SIBO. Took Xifaxan (very expensive) for two weeks. Felt like my old self again. After two days off the antibiotic, it returned. Waiting for insurance to approve a second go around.
I didn’t have to get tested fir SIBO. Went on the antibiotic for SIBO, xifaxan. After two weeks was like a new person. However, it came back again. Waiting for insurance approval for xifaxan again. It’s very expensive with my insurance but I have no
. Btw the tests for SIBO are not conclusive that’s why my GI Dr put me on the
Antibiotic to see.
@parrotlady Have you given any thought to getting the fmt? That's the only thing that worked for me.
I asked my GI and they told me it’s only for c-diff which I no longer have according to stool tests.
How’s your son doing now?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHe is great! He gained weight and has excelled in life. He weights 235 lbs now! Thanks for asking.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI had C-diff back in 2011 caused by 10days of Amoxicillin prescribed by my dentist. Since then I had not touched antibiotics except second half of 2023 I had to take some for lung infections . I took 10days of Doxycycline Monohydrate, and 4 weeks of Bactrim. These are not high risk antibiotics for C-diff. Fortunately, I had no problems. But because of my lung problems I know I am always at risk of needing antibiotics and I will not have a choice since lung issues can be life threatening.
I am wondering if anyone has been prescribed something like Vancomycin as protection when they are in a position of really needing a strong antibiotic.
I recently had C-Diff from taking an antibiotic. My infectious disease doctor in Boston told me that if I ever needed to take an antibiotic again I would have to take it with Vancomycin. I would certainly do that. I don't want to go through that nightmare again!
thanks for your reply. What drug gave you c-diff?