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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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Thank you for responding. I ended up going to the bathroom last night and it was little pieces and a lot of mucus. Same with right now. Not watery diahrrea. Is this normal? I tried getting an appointment with the GI in town, but they are booked out until aug 19. I booked it and started crying 😭
I ended up going to the bathroom last night and it was little pieces and a lot of mucus. Same with right now. Not watery diahrrea. Is this normal? I tried getting an appointment with the GI in town, but they are booked out until aug 19. I booked it and started crying 😭
Post c-diff recovery can be stressful, so let the tears flow when you feel frustrated. Lots of people have long term changes to their colon, like irritable bowel syndrome, but not necessarily a recurrence of c-diff. Just pay attention to what helps you feel better - foods, probiotics, etc.
I totally understand the feeling. Don’t be afraid I went through upset stomach for 9 months and some scares and it turned out nothing. Hang in there and hope you get better. Please keep us posted! Wishing you all the best.
I’m 34 and has been 3 weeks since I finished vanco. Everything seemed good and this morning my stomach was upset. Not sure if it was the eggs, or if if cdiff is coming back. I couldn’t help it but to break down and just cry by myself. Now I wait and see what my stomach does tomorrow morning. I want this nightmare to be over.
Oh my goodness. That IS interesting! I'm so happy that he is feeling better. I know how uncomfortable a person can be in this recovery. Thank you for the info!
It’s an off-label use of Questran. As I understand it, doctors discovered that the binding properties of the drug for cholesterol also work for post C-diff disruption of the gut.
I'm happy this worked for your husband but I'm confused as to how a cholesterol lowering powder can get rid of C-diff. Did the Dr. explain how that works?
Thank you. I absolutely do drink plenty of water. I have upped my intake to 100 fl. oz. per day. I have some coffee and one diet soda in that total.
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1 ReactionThis sounds similar to my husband’s experience. After multiple rounds of Flagyl and Vancomycin and no relief, his GI doctor finally prescribed Questran, a cholesterol lowering powder. After one week, he finally could begin living a normal life again.