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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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How do they test for sibo
Since I've had 4 bouts of Cdiff since May, I've been looking into the FMT capsules. The company is called OpenBiome. You can google it for more information. The cost for 30 capsules is $635. I'm 12 days out from completing the RX Dificid. I still hope and pray that this med will work. My gastroenterologist has me taking Florastor also.
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1 ReactionYes I tested negative for CDiff twice, and also underwent a stool panel that ruled out Giardia and other pathogens. GI doc thinks it is SIBO because I initially respond to antibiotics (Flagyl) and then slide back to loose stools and diarrhea. A CT scan of my belly did not show abnormalities and a routine colonoscopy a year ago was normal. I have been plagued with this for nearly four months which is nothing compared to others here but have lost nearly twenty pounds and don’t know what to eat to heal my gut. The reason it was thought to have been CDiff initially was because this all coincided with me taking Clindymycin for another infection. But something is clearly wrong with me
I am having a similar problem’slrhough i tested positive for c diff both times that ii waa tested. I am seeing an infectious disease specialist next Monday so I’ll let you know if the doctor has anything informative to share.
I inquired about a study using the fecal pills and the study requirements did not allow newly diagnosed individuals. The fecal transplant via colonosccopy seems to available in different states and i may seek out someone who has experience with the procedure next.
Did you get tested for all the usual suspects ya including giardia ?
Where can one get FMT capsules?
I don’t even have a definite diagnosis yet.
Thank you. I think I would feel better if I could pinpoint why I suddenly have diarrhea. I can’t seem to be able to cintrol what happens to my body.
Don’t get discouraged ... this illness sucks but you unfortunately have to roll with the punches until you improve. I try not to think about it too much but it can be overwhelming at times.
Milk seems to be a prob for many after they’ve had c-diff but just keep documenting and hang in there -
Having a very depressing day today and looking for support. I started the modified carb diet on my own two weeks ago. Originally did relatively well on it but then have suffered two days with bouts of diarrhea. I will see a nutritionist for the first time Friday so I am probably not doing it correctly, but it seems like random things give me diarrhea and I cannot make heads or tails of my food journal. I continue to lose weight. Will see GI doctor next week again but I feel so discouraged again.
Stick to the diet. The fact that you have gone from diarrhea to semi solid or pencil thin stools means you are improving. I am finding out that it takes a long time (months) for an inflamed colon to heal. Even if you have SIBO, the diet is very similar. Talk to your nutritionist about eliminating complex carbs and rice and potatoes from your diet for a while. Rice was actually giving me diarrhea. I am following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and went from diarrhea to the type of stool you are describing. To me that has been a huge improvement. But I cannot eat a lot of food I easily ate three months ago.