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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Hello. After my second dose of Chemo I got C-Diff and it was very hard to get rid of it.<br />
But I was told not to take Imodium. You need to be in the hospital and let them give you IV therapy <br />
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Hi @acres, welcome to Connect.
You've definitely come to the right place to get help and advice from others patients who may have had similar experiences to you. It is clear from your message that you are at the end of your rope. This must be so exhausting and frustrating.
I'm tagging @concernedmtnmom and @momochan who may have some thoughts for you. You may also wish to read and post a message to either of these discussion threads:
SIBO https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hi-i-have-been-suffering-from-small-intestine-bacterial-overgrowth-since-last/
H Pylori https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hello-i-was-treated-for-h-pylori-by/