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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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Did you have C- diff from an antibiotic? If so what antibiotic where you on?
I had some of the same problems. Not as bad but I know what you are dealing with. I started with acupuncture about 3 weeks ago and it seems to be helping. You might want to try it.
Of course insurance doesn’t paid for any of it. I’d be interested if any one else has tried this and had success. Good luck.
This is great that’s what I took. I took as well GI revive by designs for health it has slippery elm in it to heal any inflammation caused by c Diff. Wishing you a speedy recovery! Keep us posted.
I am taking a 30 billion probiotic, a prebiotic, florastor and 1tb of sauerkraut daily because they said being it is fermented it would help. If you have any other advice it would be appreciated
Yea, they gave me vancomycin while I was in the hospital, but my GI tract has been a mess since. And the hiatal hernia reopened again, except there’s not enough tissue left to repair it.
I really hope this will be end of story for you. Yes in fact It does take a long time even sometime longer than 6 months. I am 10 months into recovery and still have lots of lingering symptoms. In fact they repeated the c Diff test for me couple days ago and haven’t heard back so I will take that as good news. Sometimes you can develop post inf IBS and this can take time and I think this is what I developed. What are you taking with your antibiotic? Keep us posted and wishing you a speedy recovery.
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3 ReactionsMy heart goes out to you I totally understand what you are going through. It is awful that’s exactly how I felt when my c Diff was active. I went through two rounds of antibiotic to get rid of it I had a recurrence and 10 months after now and still terrified and still having gut issues it will take a long time to recover. I worked with a nutritionist to know what I eat. Most importantly once you feel better you need to ensure you are upping you fiber intake to help the good gut flora. Take the boulardii and probiotic. Practise lots and lots of hand washing and use bleach in your toilet that’s the only thing to get rid of c Diff spores. Are you taking any probiotic or anything with the antibiotic now?
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1 ReactionThank you so much for your replies. My dr gave me vancomycin. I’ve been eating very bland foods and low fat since my gallbladder was removed. A lot of grilled chicken, vegetables, I do still eat pasta I can’t give that up. My drs feel from all the IV antibiotics maybe that is how I got it or the hospital stay. I have an appointment with my gastroenterologist on Monday so I’ll know more. I was in the hospital for 7 days. When I first arrived I was septic. I was jaundice and not in good shape. They placed a biliary stent in my duct to help the blockage and a few days later removed my gallbladder. I also went into bradycardia my second day there. I don’t know if any of that has to do with how I contacted C Diff. I’m 42 and I feel right now as if I am 95. This C Diff is awful. I’m afraid to leave my house in fear I’ll have to run to the bathroom. I pray that you will all feel better soon. Thank you so much for letting me vent and being here for me. I truly appreciate it with all my heart
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1 ReactionI am finishing up my 2nd round of meds for c diff. I am on my last week of 14 day, then a taper. I am terrified that once my vancomycin is completed it will come back again. My dr said it could take 5/6 months before back to feeling normal. What if you need to take antibiotics again.
I am sorry to hear you have contracted c Diff was it from the surgery you had for being on antibiotic in the hospital? How long you had c Diff for and what were you given for it? Make sure you are taking S Boulardii with it two hours apart from the antibiotic it helps a lot fighting C Diff. What is your diet like what have you been eating? My heart goes out to you it is a very slow recovery. Please ask away whatever questions you have we’ve all been there fighting this vicious bacteria.