Clostridium difficile (Cdiff) and worried about weight loss
I have cdiff and just finished 10 days of vancomycin. I’m down to 99lbs. I’m feeling better but very worried about the weight. Suggestions? What about starting back on vitamins?
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health group.
Hi @mhi,
Yes, it did take several months to get my system to work properly. Besides nausea and loose bowels, are you having any other symptoms? Pain, abdominal cramping, rapid heart rate?
No other symptoms just pretty much nausea and loose funny stool still is all. No pain anymore. Thank you!
5chances, I was surprised the role thiamine (vitamin B1) plays in the health and function of our digestive system. Thiamine requires magnesium to make it bioavailable.
After courses of antibiotics bad bacteria grow faster than good bacteria creating it's own set of problems by producing toxins. Magnesium depletion caused by the trauma.caused by C. Diff leads to a thiamine deficiency impacting the GI system and more. Also research olive leaf extract for control of bad bacteria and yeast in addition to boron that is antifungal. Search on "nothing boring about boron"
https://www.sinusitiswellness.com/explaining-small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth-or-sibo-and-its-connection-to-chronic-and-environmental-illness/
https://www.eonutrition.co.uk/post/thiamine-deficiency-a-major-cause-of-sibo
https://www.krispin.com/magnes.html
https://www.medindia.net/patientinfo/vitamin-b1.htm
https://nootropicsexpert.com/vitamin-b1-thiamine/
Should I even demand my dr retest? I’m 16 days off of vanco. He only does pcr test. I’ve had a couple rough last couple of days. No diarrhea (mine was actually just unformed, mushy stools when diagnosed), but not quite the formed stools I was seeing for the last 2 weeks. I’ve been having more of the neurological symptoms lately that I’ve had prior to diagnosis. I’m hoping I don’t relapse but also anxious at not knowing, or knowing for that matter.
How are you feeling now? Did you get retested? What kind of symptoms you are experiencing? I am 4 month past infection and still experiencing symptoms.
I have the same issues you have. I am on my 4th course of Vance, saw an infectious disease specialist. Have all the same things as you with BM's. Lost over 10 lbs I can't afford to lose. Know this is temporary and didn't know it was so common.
Hi, I know this post is from awhile ago but did you ever resolve your weight loss? I believe I went undiagnosed 4 years ago and then was diagnosed three months ago. I took Vancomycin. I initially lost weight and then I changed my diet completely with limited gluten, less dairy, less sugar…so it’s understandable that I lost weight but I have been trying to keep weight on after losing 30 pounds in 3 months. I was overweight though 3 moths ago. So, although the weight loss numerically is not that concerning, I question when the weight loss will stop. I have one very big and lose (often more yellow in color) BM a day. So, the doctor is not concerned but I am. I’m taking a probiotic, eating fermented foods, I can’t take zinc it reignites the Cdiff, but I’m looking for vitamins and would like to see how people maintained weight. I’m also eating a whole avocado a day for fat. I’m just worried. Thank you for any info and for reading.
Hello it took about a little over 3 months for me to stop loosing weight but I couldn’t gain weight anymore. It has been a year now and my body finally seems to be getting back to somewhat normal. I put on about 4 pounds from the weight I lost and that’s about it. I am still eating clean and taking vitamin D omega 3 and probiotics. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables and the good carbs gluten free multigrain bread and all lactose free cheese and yogurt. Did the doctor tell you anything about your weight?
Thanks for the reply. I’m glad to hear you are doing a little better after one year. I’m just concerned that I won’t stop losing weight. I’m eating yet when I go to the bathroom it’s so much. Even though it’s only once a day. Thank you for listening.
And the doctor does not seem concerned at all. Which makes me confused but at some point I don’t know what to do.
Have you been tested again for c Diff to see if it is gone? It took me over 4 months to stop going a lot to the washroom and yes my bowel movements were a big volume and that’s why I couldn’t gain weight and was loosing a bit my body wasn’t absorbing all the nutrients and the colon is irritated so it takes a while. Hang in there it is a very difficult time it is hell and don’t wish it on anyone. Even to this day I still sometimes have extra trips to the washroom I am still very careful with my food and eat very very clean. Good luck to you wishing you a speedy recovery and please keep us posted.
@catherine1234 I am coming up on 3 years since my cdiff started. After 7 months of agony and 3 relapses, I finally got the fmt. That seems to have worked so far. With regard to weight, I was only 100 lbs when I got sick and went down to 86 lbs. I have only gained back 3 lbs. I decided a while ago not to worry anymore about the weight cause I think my whole system changed. As long as I don't lose weight, I have accepted it. If you have any questions, please feel free.