Anyone have a hard time healing from illness after c diff?

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ljstagg1
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Anyone have a hard time healing from illness after c diff?

Postby ljstagg1 » Tue May 12, 2015 5:01 pm

Hello,

I am a little over 3 months post c diff, & have been ill for the past 9 weeks with 2 respiratory infections - the last of which went into bronchitis complicated by cold-induced asthma. I've had a sore throat and painful glands for 5 of those weeks. I started seeing a naturopathic doctor about a month ago in hopes of avoiding an antibiotic. He has me on high immune boosters, antivirals, doing mustard packs on my chest etc. I also do breathing treatments often. Unfortunately, I waited too long to see him and ended up having to take a Z-pak 9 days later because I couldn't take a breath without crying and could barely swallow. (I did not take this abx "lightly" - was sick for 7 weeks by then and at the point of being ready to "throw in the towel. ") The z pack helped a lot but didn't clear everything. My friends (& the pharmacist) tell me that they often need a refill of the Z-pak, especially with the strength of the respiratory infections going around. Obviously, the ND was not happy but it is what it is and I don't plan to take another round. I finished it two weeks ago and no sign of D . . yet. I know it can still happen and have a plan with my GI doc should symptoms resurface.(I have been taking a lot of probiotics and eating fermented foods. ) My ND told me that he sees a lot of this - where someone takes a lot of meds, gets low immunity and then struggles to get over something. (& this wasn't in context of having c diff. ) I am so tired of being sick and just want to be "active" again. My teen son has also been sick several times in the past two months. I am slowly gettIng better but can't believe how long it's taking. I think my friends think I'm crazy or faking. My sweet hubby has been supportive, but this chronic illness wears on him too. I was just wondering if others have had a hard time recovering from other illness after c diffand how long it took to get their immune systems back on track. The ND says this may be "one step forward, 2 steps back" for me.

NanciT
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Re: Anyone have a hard time healing from illness after c dif

Postby NanciT » Wed May 13, 2015 12:17 am

STANDARD INTRODUCTION:
Welcome to the site. Read the first forum All Users Read This First and subtopics Site History and Information and Guidelines for Posting to our Discussion Boards. (Note limits on posting.) This will guide you in using the site and answer some of your questions. Read both Dr. Borody's articles. Also see the topics under CDI – particularly ABC Bible, C. diff. Tests and Diagnosis, Antibiotics, Hygiene Tips, and Nutrition.
Doctors lists physicians our posters recommended and contains a list of C. diff. specialists throughout the world with contact information. (Many perform FMT's.) There is a new forum FMT’s and FE’s. Media Reports contains new information on C. diff.
The majority of patients (approximately 70%) recover with one to two rounds of Flagyl, Vancomycin, or Dificid. An unfortunate small percentage doesn’t and can suffer for months. Almost all recover unless there are factors such as advanced age or other severe health problems. New treatments include FMT's, which have a high cure rate. Other drugs and treatments are in the pipeline, and there is increased recognition of C. diff. You can help by educating your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Help us make others aware of C. difficle – which will lead to further advances in treating and/or preventing the infection. If antibiotics contributed to your C. diff, be careful about taking them again. Some people tolerate them; some develop C. diff again. Don’t take medications for C. diff. unless you are tested for the infection first.
The best protection for you and others is thorough hand washing and good hygiene. (See Dr. Borody’s articles and CDI – Hygiene Tips.) For more information, see other support groups on Facebook, including http://www.peggyfoundation.org, the Mayo Clinic and Web MD web sites, and The FMT Foundation.

This is a support site not a medical site. We can’t give you medical advice but can tell you what worked for us and offer support. No one will understand what you are going through except someone who has/had this unpredictable disease. All of our moderators and frequent posters had/have C. diff. (or a loved one with it) and know how physically, emotionally, and financially disabling it can be.
Again, welcome. Remember, the odds are in your favor. (End of letter.)

Hi and welcome to the site. I'm sorry you are having such a difficult time, as you read through the site you will find many people take quite some time to recover and often some other type of infection can come up. Treatment varies from doctor to doctor. Many have Gi's and infectious disease Md's . It sounds like you have a GI and an ND that have been treating you and that you have consulted the GI after taking the Z Pak. It's tough to say whether you will end up with CDiff or not. I developed a UTI while on DIficid. I ended up taking Keflex at the same time which is a big offender, but did well as I continued to take the DIficid also.
It is very difficult and hopefully your infection will clear up and you will continue to build strength over time. For some, they move on quickly, others like myself took 10 months of treatment before becoming C diff free. I think we all worry about infection and having to take antibiotics.

Hope this treatment will do it and you will be feeling better soon!

getwellsoon
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Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2011 8:33 am

Re: Anyone have a hard time healing from illness after c dif

Postby getwellsoon » Wed May 13, 2015 6:58 am

Most people recover and never give it a second thought. Unfortunately if you find yourself here you are one of the unlucky ones who has ongoing problems or relapses. It took me over 3 yrs to feel almost better and I suffered many relapses, treatments and symptoms. It just takes some longer to get well but hang in there, you will get to a better place. The gut takes a long time to heal for some, sometimes over a year. Hope you feel better soon.
CAROL

justme
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Re: Anyone have a hard time healing from illness after c dif

Postby justme » Fri May 15, 2015 7:37 pm

C. Diff is a difficult illness to deal with and predict with any certainty. Even if a relapse was avoided, a recurrence is always a worry. No two people seem to have exactly the same experience in healing or with dietary issues. I did not relapse, but it has been 2 years and 2 months since my initial recovery began and I am still plagued with IBS. Of course, I am elderly (71) and have health issues, so I am an exception, not the rule. Most people recover fairly quickly, but for some of us it can take years. 3 months is really not that long for a C Diff recovery, but since your immune system as been compromised, you may be more likely to pick up other infections and/or viruses. It sounds like your doctors are taking good care of you and you are fortunate to have an understanding spouse. If your system can tolerate the probiotics, that is a very good thing. Try to avoid crowded places, use nasal flushes, drink lots of water, get enough sleep (naps are good too), and try not stress too much (stress can suppress the immune system), and don't worry about what others think. Take care and good luck.
Aloha,
Anne

Lisa33
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Re: Anyone have a hard time healing from illness after c dif

Postby Lisa33 » Fri May 15, 2015 9:34 pm

Hello ljstagg1,

You are not alone with feeling like you keep catching sicknesses after c-diff. During my recovery, I came down with several cold viruses and felt like I had a constant flu. I felt so run-down, tired, achy and just sickly. I found a great internal medicine doctor who also believed in functional medicine (or alternative natural remedies). She explained to me that after your body fights off a severe infection such as c-diff, along with taking strong antibiotics, your immune system can really take a beating. It takes time to build it back up. She recommended changing my diet to gluten-free, taking some vitamin supplements such as Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin D and boosting up foods and drinks with anti-oxidants. I was desperate to feel better, so I gave it a try. I started this in January, and within about 3-4 weeks, my energy level really increased and I did start to feel better. I am still following the gluten free diet about 90% of the time and still taking probiotics and supplements. I also eat pretty healthy and mostly non-gmo/organic foods. This was a drastic change for me, as prior to c-diff, my diet was definitely not the greatest. I do not have that flu-like feeling any longer, my energy level is up and I haven't been sick since, with the exception of a stomach virus, but I don't think I caught that because my immune system was down. I have a 4 year old who is in daycare, and believe me she is a walking germ. These kids are always coming down with something. I haven't caught any respiratory illnesses or colds from her in quite some time. I probably just jinxed myself. ;-) But, my point is that my experience is that it does take time to build your immune system back up after your body has gone through such a battle. I have been c-diff free since the end of November. It really took me quite a few months to not feel sickly anymore. However, I am still battling digestive issues and IBS issues that I never had prior to c-diff. I think for some of us, our bodies have changed, and we have a new normal now. But, your immune system will improve. You just have to find what diet and supplements work for you.

-Lisa

foots
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Re: Anyone have a hard time healing from illness after c dif

Postby foots » Fri Jun 26, 2015 6:23 pm

Yes!! Very swollen throat, blocked ear. Pain every day and night. Fevers.


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