Vancomycin for C-Diff

Thank you so much for responding so quickly! Have you been able to eat normally as you did prior to infection? I am 1 month after completion of vancomycin. I don’t seem to have symptoms of recurrence but I am very limited in what I can eat now. I am down 24 lbs since infection and am trying to eat enough to keep weight on without upsetting my gut.

One more question: Which Visbiome are you taking? I see a couple different strengths out there.

@btc46 I have been eating normally. However, I have not been able to gain any weight! Very frustrating!

@btc46 I have the Visbiome high potency probiotic-112.5 billion capsules.

No, not able to eat normally I am almost half way through the second 10 day cycle of Vancomycin. Still having stomach rumbling. cramping and numerous episodes of diarrhea per day.
Frankly, it doesn’t appear to be working nearly as well this time. Last time by this point, about halfway, my diarrhea was gone.
I made it about 8 or 9 days after the first cycle before the it returned.
I would like to know how long you and others who have made improvement stick with a careful controlled diet after going off Vancomycin?

How many cycles of Vancomycin did you take before being able to return to a normal diet?

While I was on Vanco I continued to have diarrhea between 3-5times per day with lots of rumbling, etc. My doc was only concerned if diarrhea episodes were 6 or more times per day). It seemed to get worse after I ate anything, therefore I ate a very limited amount of food, dropped weight too fast and felt weak. I continued to have up to 5 episodes of diarrhea for 10 days after completion of Vanco. My doctor was still not concerned (unless it was 6 or more) because he said the antibiotic itself could be causing the diarrhea and would be in my system for up to 10 days after completion. I learned from watching C. Diff survivors on YouTube that some benefitted from eating a low FODMAP diet temporarily. Another doctor recommended a very strong probiotic. Once I started the low FODMAP diet and started the strong probiotic I was able to tolerate more foods and felt much better, although I can only tolerate a small amount of food and continue to lose weight. The diarrhea stopped a few weeks ago, unless I eat more than my gut can handle, and in that case it goes right through me - it’s unpredictable. I will see a gastro doc tomorrow. Hopefully he can help me with my food/weight issue.

Thanks very much for the info. Really helpful. During my first 10 day Vanco cycle, the diarrhea went away after the first three days, and only returned 8 or 9 days after I finished the cycle. This second cycle, it disappeared after 2 days, but came roaring back on day 4 and hasn’t stopped.
It’s good to know that the Vanco may actually be causing it.
One question: Were you ever on two meds Vanco and Dificide at the same time?
My pharmacist said if the first one fails, it’s common to prescribe it again along with a second med.
Seems like a lot of antibiotics.

@btc46 I took vancomycin for 4 cycles. Then my doctor said I needed the fmt, that the vancomycin wasn't working cause cdiff kept coming back. As for a "normal " diet, once I had the fmt, I pretty much could eat whatever. Although, not as much food each meal.

She tested positive for 027/NAP1/B1 on August 3rd. Went on vanco for ten days. There was a slight improvement, but not much. Got a negative result on August 13th, but she was still anxious and wanted more answers since she was still feeling meh, so she went back to ER and they put her on Dificid. Within 2 days she started feeling better and had four straight days of feeling almost normal. Then her stomach started gurgling and she has had small diarrhea episodes about 3 times a day. It looks brown colored and sometimes there are semi solids floating in the toilet bowl, but not yellow. She even had some little rabbit sized pellets as well. She has tried some anti-diarrhea meds to help alleviate, as her doc said it might help. She basically eats wheat toast, saltines, apple sauce, eggs occasionally and mashed potatoes. Drinks gatorade and water.
My questions are:
1. Is she eating the correct things and what else should she try that you might have had success with? I see the lists of food, soluble fiber and so on, but what has worked the best for you? Her last ER visit she asked when she could start eating normal again and the Doc said she could now, basically. During those four days I know she ate some cookies, she had a sausage muffin egg and also a hamburger patty and some corn. Was that too soon and could it have started her issues again? I've talked to her about trying different foods, but of course when I mention that it is usually when her stomach is upset and food is the last thing she is thinking about. Should she try to eat more even if her stomach is bothering her? What can make her poop more solid?
2. Should she drink more fluids and how much have you consumed to help? Its around 60 oz a day.
3. Is it normal for her to go back and forth, feel better and then not feel better? I've seen online, which is so difficult to navigate because of varying opinions and information (although a majority of it says the same thing), that even if you tested negative, which she did, you can have issues for days, weeks and even months. I'm sure she has seen "years" herself and that is an extremely horrible outcome to witness or read about.
4. Does sleeping upright or at an incline and not flat on the back help?
I don't think she would ever join a message board like this, so I am joining to try and help her get some information because it always seems like she doesn't get enough. I know how crappy (pun not intended) this disease is by seeing peoples journeys online and watching her struggles.
I try to tell her to keep positive and have a fighters mentality, to do whatever she can to help her feel better and try and do some different things.
If I can get some answers to my questions, that would be great and if I can get any other suggestions to help her that would be great. ANYTHING different for her to try to help. Please.