Almost done with first round of Vanco and terrified.

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Amb66
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Posts: 25
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2017 1:56 pm

Almost done with first round of Vanco and terrified.

Postby Amb66 » Tue Nov 07, 2017 2:23 pm

Hi everyone! I’m a 23 yo female and up until being hit with C. Diff 2 weeks ago I was in perfect health (besides having minor IBS mostly due to dairy). For 2 weeks I thought I just had a viral infection that was upsetting my stomach (15-20 bms a day) then I finally went to the ER when my heart was pounding and I knew something was wrong. After being sent home twice from the ER I was finally admitted the third time and they determined I had C. Diff. I was put on vancomycin and I have to say overall I’ve been doing well on it. Although still not perfect, my bm’s are much better for the most part. I’m still learning what my triggers are as I’ve messed up a few times that have led to D but overall much improvement.

What I’m worried about and have questions about are what’s next. My Vanco runs out in a day and I am trying to ensure I don’t relapse. My other question is that I was diagnosed with colitis with the c diff due to how much it upset my stomach over those few rough weeks. How long will it take for that to heal? I’m so scared and just want to get better. Thank you so much for your help, I already feel better knowing there’s a community here full of support.

Amb66
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Posts: 25
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2017 1:56 pm

Re: Almost done with first round of Vanco and terrified.

Postby Amb66 » Tue Nov 07, 2017 2:57 pm

I should also say, I’ve always been really tiny so the 15lbs that I lost are crucial to get back. Any recommendations how to gain weight?

Machaon
Regular Contributor
Posts: 254
Joined: Sat May 20, 2017 11:50 am

Re: Almost done with first round of Vanco and terrified.

Postby Machaon » Tue Nov 07, 2017 3:51 pm

Hi Amb66!

Why did the ER send you home twice? Didn't they do any testing? Did they just ignore your symptoms, or say that your symptoms were because of dehydration? It just seems to me that the only way to not get bad medical care is to be treated while you are healthy and have no symptoms!

You might improve your chances for success by building up the protective bacteria in your gut by taking kefir and/or probiotics.

I felt great while taking vancomycin and my health issues improved. I also took a bunch of probiotics while taking vancomycin. I thought that I was cured, only to feel worse when I started to get off of it. While some are cured after taking vancomycin, I relapsed twice after taking vancomycin.

In my case, a 10 day prescription of dificid led me to a full recovery, without any digestive problems, now going on 61 days. I don't know if it does any good, but I continue to take two Jarrow Formulas Saccharomyces Boulardii (10 billion cells); and two Dr. Tobias Deep Immune probiotics; and one Dr. Tobias 30 Billion CFUs probiotics; and one NOW 25 Billion Probiotic-10 plus multivitamins and three 1000mg omega3, all of which I also took while on dificid. And... I feel GREAT!

Regards, best wishes, Bob
Male 77 S.Florida

900 weight lifts 750 knee bends day

Since 1987 had CHF afib asthma

I inhale $6 Flonase nasal spray for asthma :)

Ex C-diff (4/19/17- 9/12/17) after 10 days dificid

Diet:6 meals ~1500 cals 2 eggs 2 steamed broccoli, apple, bagels

Bobbie
Administrator
Posts: 12688
Joined: Sat Aug 06, 2005 8:00 pm

Re: Almost done with first round of Vanco and terrified.

Postby Bobbie » Tue Nov 07, 2017 4:08 pm

I gained weight back with Ensure - vanilla. Took me about a year. Now I weigh too much.

You are young and otherwise healthy. You should have a quick recovery.
We all panic near the end of our meds.

Amb66
New User
Posts: 25
Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2017 1:56 pm

Re: Almost done with first round of Vanco and terrified.

Postby Amb66 » Tue Nov 07, 2017 6:58 pm

Bob, I really appreciate the response. the ER sent me home after treating me for dehydration both times. My heart rate was very high due to the dehydration so once they got that down with fluids they sent me on my way. How do you know you are relapsing? I’m concerned that the symptoms of IBS are so similar, I wouldn’t know the difference.

Bobbie, do you happen to have issues with dairy? I want to try ensure but I’m worried that I’ll have negative side effects from the milk in it. Thank you for the note though, I’m glad I’m not alone.

amg
Regular Contributor
Posts: 275
Joined: Sat Oct 01, 2016 3:16 pm

Re: Almost done with first round of Vanco and terrified.

Postby amg » Tue Nov 07, 2017 8:11 pm

Hello there,

If you're only 23, and you have been in good health, chances are you will beat this without much trouble. Keep in mind as you read the posts here, that for the most part these are people who have had rougher courses than the usual, hence why they sought out the site for help and support. Factors such as recent GI surgery, immune disorders, advanced age, etc are reasons people have more trouble being cured right away.

If you are concerned about doing everything possible to decrease your chances of relapse, Saccharomyces boulardii is the only probiotic that has been shown in medical research to possibly be helpful in preventing recurrence. Some c diff specialists have touted kefir as also being helpful, but I'm not familiar with the research on that.

As for telling IBS from a relapse - try to remember how you felt during your active c diff, and what symptoms you had besides looser stool. Many of those symptoms are not commonly seen with post-infectious IBS (like fever, chills, extreme fatigue,). Also, IBS tends to get better, but in c diff relapses people tend to feel worse and worse

Good luck and try not to worry.
Last edited by amg on Tue Nov 07, 2017 10:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Machaon
Regular Contributor
Posts: 254
Joined: Sat May 20, 2017 11:50 am

Re: Almost done with first round of Vanco and terrified.

Postby Machaon » Tue Nov 07, 2017 8:19 pm

Amb66, when I get IBS-C, I am constipated for about 3 days with very bad gas pains, popping and stretching out my stomach. I get no other symptoms. It is usually a reaction to chemicals, like pesticides. Quite different from the debilitating, devastating misery I suffered from C-diff!

We all are different. Some recover quicker and better than others. Over the past two months, I felt slightly better every few days. I think that it takes a while for one's gut to heal from C-diff.

I've never had IBS-D. I'm sure someone else will respond about it.

Regards, Bob
Male 77 S.Florida

900 weight lifts 750 knee bends day

Since 1987 had CHF afib asthma

I inhale $6 Flonase nasal spray for asthma :)

Ex C-diff (4/19/17- 9/12/17) after 10 days dificid

Diet:6 meals ~1500 cals 2 eggs 2 steamed broccoli, apple, bagels

beth22
Long Time Contributor
Posts: 10852
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:23 pm

Re: Almost done with first round of Vanco and terrified.

Postby beth22 » Wed Nov 08, 2017 2:15 am

Amb66 - Ensure is supposed to be lactose free. As far as I know it doesn't have milk, but check the ingredients. Maybe some formulas do and others don't. There is also Boost. I drank some of that and it did not have lactose.


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