Metformin related to C-Diff?

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Tonya0504
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Metformin related to C-Diff?

Postby Tonya0504 » Tue Dec 09, 2014 1:26 am

Hello! I am a 38 year old female. I was diagnosed with diabetes in May... started on Metformin in September and a side effect of metformin is diarrhea. I was informed that the diarrhea should improve if I stayed on the medicine so I continued the medicine until November, which at this time I have profuse, watery diarrhea, no energy and just feel down right lousy. I go back to the doctor and he discontinues the Metformin saying it just isn't for me... I am back on diet/exercise for blood sugar. I have been off Metformin for 4 weeks now... Diarrhea still present. My dad had colon cancer, so the doctor wanted me to go ahead and have colonoscopy/egd which proceeded with stool sample and biopsy...and then an abdominal ultrasound.

The colonoscopy looked good, haven't received results of biopsy or ultrasound yet, but today I was called by the MD who said I have tested positive for the C-Diff in my stool sample. I started on Flagyl tonight (to take 3 times a day) and have been told to eat Activia yogurt twice a day.

I am wondering if anyone has ever got C-Diff after Metformin use? It's just odd how intertwined these two are... but I am glad to FINALLY have some answers to why I have been feeling SO BAD! I hope this medicine helps me feel better.

Thank you all for having a forum where I can read about things! :)

beth22
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Re: Metformin related to C-Diff?

Postby beth22 » Tue Dec 09, 2014 2:28 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 Dr. Borody's articles. Also see the topics under “CDI” – particularly Recent CDC Report, The C. diff. Bible, Tests, Antibiotics, Hygiene, and Nutrition.

“Doctors” lists physicians our posters recommended and also a list of C. diff. specialists throughout the world with contact information. (Many perform FMT's.) See the new forum “FMT’s and FE’s” or “Media Reports” for new information on C. diff.

The majority of patients (about 70%) recover with one to two rounds of Flagyl or Vancocin. An unfortunate small percentage doesn’t and can suffer for months. Most 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, and Dificid. 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.

If a medication contributed to your case, please fill out an Adverse Event Report online at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm. Under "Resources for You," in left-hand column, click on "Report a Serious Medical Product Problem Online." (Allison provided this information.)

The best protection for you and others is thorough hand washing and good hygiene. (See Dr. Borody’s articles and “CDI.”) 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” under “Links” on the homepage.

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.)

I have not heard of cases of c difficile triggered by drugs used to treat diabetes, but I am not very familiar with them either. An ID doctor would probably know or you could call the pharmacy where you got the drug and speak to one of the pharmacists. They should know. I assume that the literature that came with the med did not mention it? It could just be coincidence. The important thing is that you get treated if you are still having D and that the c diff resolves.

seekingcure
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Re: Metformin related to C-Diff?

Postby seekingcure » Tue Dec 09, 2014 2:31 am

I've never heard anything about Metformin being linked to c-diff, but I suppose the profuse diarrhea that it often causes could disrupt your natural flora enough to allow c-diff to take over. I never actually thought about it being connected before. I have taken Metformin for about 15 years now, but did not get c-diff until I took several antibiotics close together. During that time frame, I was also visiting my mother at an assisted living facility, where I could have been exposed to c-diff and I also had a colonoscopy just prior to finding out I had c-diff.

I'm glad they've identified your problem and, hopefully, now you can start to feel better.
Bea

Bobbie
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Re: Metformin related to C-Diff?

Postby Bobbie » Tue Dec 09, 2014 3:34 am

Check with a pharmacist about this. I, too, have never heard of the connection.

Tonya0504
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Re: Metformin related to C-Diff?

Postby Tonya0504 » Tue Dec 09, 2014 9:03 am

Thank you for your replies, I will keep investigating and check with pharmacist as I am curious! :)

seekingcure
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Re: Metformin related to C-Diff?

Postby seekingcure » Wed Dec 10, 2014 4:11 am

Since I'm taking Metformin, I would also be interested to know. Please share whatever information you find out.
Bea

Lady CDiff
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Re: Metformin related to C-Diff?

Postby Lady CDiff » Fri Dec 12, 2014 5:43 am

I'm a C.diff survivor ( had it in 2005, I was among the lucky ones who beat it with one round of metro, but it took me over a year and a half to feel normal again). I've been taking metformin for T2 diabetes for a year and a half now, and no D or C.diff. I've also never before heard of a connection between the two. Yes, metformin can cause D initially, but it has nothing to do with C.diff. I think it must've been a coincidence that you got C.diff at the same time you started taking metformin.

Roxanne
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Re: Metformin related to C-Diff?

Postby Roxanne » Sun Sep 02, 2018 4:11 pm

I found this article, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25686730 Seems Metformin can help prevent.


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