Trying to recover from a c. diff infection (Clostridium difficile)

@nerofish do you mean diflucan?this is generally what they give

HI -everyone
I am so sorry to hear about all of the suffering.
I tested positive recently for C-Diff. 2 days after having surgery at Columbia Presbyterian in NY, I came down with diarrhea and the stool test revealed c-diff. I was given 10 days of vanco which failed since I still had diarrhea. The follow-up stool test showed that I still had C-diff. Now I am taking 10 days of Dificid and I have horribly nauseous. I did not go to work this week and I generally do not take sick time. I am frustrated and upset since I do not feel as though the Dificid is working either.

Try doctor recommended VSL kept behind the counter in fridge - you have to ask the pharmacist for it and I get mine from the pharmacy at Hannaford Supermarket

What probiotic do you suggest. I take physillum fiber capsules, Align and Florastor now.

@guthealth maybe a good probiotic and fiber is what you may need just a suggestion .When I had gas,bloating ,diarreah this is what the Dr put me on it worked fine now I have a greek yogurt every day

I never had the smell but I don’t think I ever had CDiff either. That was the initial working diagnosis but both CDiff tests came back negative. I have read about nurses at hospitals mentioning the smell.

@guthealth @musicflowers4u and others with cdiff the one thing you will notice is the smell its unlike anything you have. Like a sweet rotten potato thats the closes I can tell you as a retired nurse Dr put them on flagle ?sp.

One thing I can eat during the worst of flareups is organic chicken broth and jello. Have both at hand and consume them throughout the day. Drink broth instead of water if you can. I agree with poster above regarding avoiding gluten, lactose in milk and a lot of sugar. I take two Florastor and one Align daily. Two slippery elm capsules between meals. Not sure what the ER would do but at least they can stabilize you if you are dehydrated or in a great deal of pain. Otherwise I don’t think they will provide a comprehensive workup. I live in Texas and people here can go to the public hospital and apply for a discount card. I have found all sorts of gluten free crackers and dairy free products at the store. I rarely eat out. I now eat like a baby or like a geriatric patient. All bland basic food. Research Low FODMAP diet. It has not eliminated my diarrhea completely but certainly helps with gas, bloating and pain. If you have an overgrowth of bad bacteria, which can be a residual effect of the CDiff, these bacteria feed on certain foods that are high on certain types of sugars and carbs. These foods are not necessarily bad but just bad for us right now because the “bad bacteria” feed off them and cause the bloating and pain. There is so much I did not know but have had to learn over the past three months to advocate for myself. I have been given very little nutricional advice by doctors who tell you to eat everything or whatever you can tolerate. That creates a vicious cycle because food definitely irritates the colon and feed into these disorders or perpetuates them. I feel for you. I have insurance and am under the care of a GI doctor and there are days I want to pull my hair out. Can’t imagine not having medical attention or guidance. By the way, how were you diagnosed with CDiff and how do you think you acquired it? I think CDiff is now being over utilized. I was told I had CDiff, tested twice and both tests came back negative. I have taken two rounds of antibiotics anyway because the second theory is that I have SIBO. I don’t think that is clear either. Keep us posted.