Living with High-Risk C-Diff and Preventing Re-Infection
My name is Renee or Faithwalker007 for those who may have met me in the Chronic Pain, Neuropathy, Addiction, and other groups having to do with CRPS type 2. I am a chronic C. Difficile patient with 5 cases of C. difficile infectious colitis under my belt. The antibiotic that I’m at now to treat it is Vancomycin. I’m at the stage of recovered, but HIGH-RISK. I guess at any time another flare can hit depending on the circumstances— hospital visit, exposure to community source (the initial cause,) illness requiring antibiotic treatment, etc.
My main issue is persuading OTHERS like nurses, doctors… to exercise PREVENTION MEASURES if I need any procedures which was a contributive cause to my last and worst case.
Does anyone else have problems like this? I have nobody to talk to about this. The subject is awkward since c diff is not exactly considered a subject for dinner time or casual conversation.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Infectious Diseases group.
Hello Colleen,
I'd like to comment on what I am doing as far as prevention for my episode of c-diff. Thank you for bringing me into the conversation. I had 10 days of Vanacomycin from my Mayo GI and was very nervous about a relapse. Mentally, I was a basket case. My GI was great and reassured me of the options that were out there, especially that Mayo was on the cutting edge of treatments for c-diff. He calmed me down. It has been two months since my diagnosis. I developed c-diff after taking Clindomycin. They need to take that drug off of the market.
I take two Florastor capsultes daily. One in the morning and one at night. I never miss. I also changed my diet. I eat totally dairy free and gluten free. I have found great substitutes for the foods that I used to eat in these categories. I also do not eat any processed foods to the best of my ability. Basically, I eat whole, fresh foods. I also have cut out sugar. Do I cheat? Yes. 🙂 Everyone needs a treat now and then but I really stick to this diet. It works for me.
I am praying that my episode was a one time occurrence for me. All my doctors are aware of the fact that I have had c-diff. I don't know what will happen if I need to go on an antibiotic. But I do know that the worry can be as bad as the infection so I am trying my best to just move forward and enjoy my life.
Blessings to all of you and stay safe,
CeCe 55
@msgoose76 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.
You said that you are making a decision to have a Abbott Burst DR SCS. Is that for pain relief and if so, is your cause of pain?
@faithwalker007 After reading your posts through the last few months.. it has made me critically aware that Location, Location, Location is a real advantage not only in Real Estate but Medical Care.. The use of Technology brought to the front of our awareness during the Pandemic should become critical to those who live, by choice, in remote locations at advanced age….
The last appointment I had with my GI doc at Mayo MN was by phone … and the next one will be that too… I have decent Medical Facilities here in Central Iowa.. but Mayo is just a 3 and a half hour drive away to the North.. Hearing Aids can be adjusted remotely now… so much is available through internet connections… Our connectivity is critical to our health these days… Ken
I have suffered with neuropathy for years, effects my lower back down to my feet, horrible pain. Have had 2 back surgeries, the first leaving me with a drop foot. My neuropathy effects my feet the most, lose of sensation in feet & legs. Making it difficult to feel my feet but yet they are in pain. Have also tried acupuncture, massages & physical therapy. I had the Abbott Burst trial 1/4/21, only helped about 40%. I just cannot go on living with pain & thought the permanent one may help more than the trial. I'm torn. Thanks
@ken82. Boy, you got that right. Having to travel to see a specialist and/or hospital becomes more difficult as we age. Decisions to live near medical facilities are important. We have been considering Sun City,Arizona (before and after the covid 19 is under control). Besides the weather and activities offered, the medical facilities and doctors are close and highly trained. I don’t want to pick a doctor and/or facility based on location instead of his/her expertise. virgo52
This is my own suggestion: There is a company called Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc. Spanish Fork, Utah 84660 . Their number is: 1-800-223-8225, http://www.naturesunshine.com I get natural cleaning products from this company. They have a wide variety of products. I have even heard of some of the things they sell from Dr. Oz. He didn't mention this company, just some of the products!
You many get some of the naturopathic remidies from them. I am sure you can. Woogie.
what probotics are you using
What probiotics do you tske
I just take a generic probiotic. Walmart brand. I also drink Clearlax (Walmart) every am (powder) and midday I eat 4-6 fiber gummies for helping to creating bulk snd helping me regulate my bowel. It’s been a little over 2years since my surgery and I have to still make sure I have fiber, stay hydrated and exercise daily. Life in my “new” normal!
What probotic do you take?