cdiffdiscuss.org

All, I was diagnosed with C. Diff approximately 12 days ago via stool sample. I likely caught the infection in the hospital in Dec. I had diarrhea before the surgery but knew something was off because they were watery and smelled horrific. I was originally prescribed Flagyl 500 mg 3x a day, after 6 days with no relief I was switched to Vanco 125 mg 4x a day. My question for you all is how quickly did your symptoms respond to antibiotics? So far I have had no change in symptoms or frequency of the water stools. I see my GI doctor tomorrow and was told I would likely be hospitalized to receive IV antibiotics if my symptoms have not improved, because of my post surgical condition. When did you notice a change in your symptoms?

Hello flygirl and Welcome to the site Please read the first thread for all new posters

Symptoms should improve while on medication, it can take 3-4 days. If you have a post surgical complication it difficult to know what is going on. From you post it sounds like it
I am not clear why you would be admitted for IV antibiotics, is there a secondary infection?

If Vanco is not working I would ask your GI to start a Dificid Taper for the CDIFF but if you go on antibiotics for something else it will complicate treating the CDIFF.

NanciT

Thank you for your reply! The IV antibiotics would be only for the treatment of the c. Diff. I think the main reason for admittance would be for monitoring and additional testing to rule anything else out due to the complexity of my surgery. I will definitely ask about Dificid if my symptoms don't improve in the next couple days.

CDIFF is generally treated with Oral antibiotics, not IV. I ended up in the hospital several times due to the antibiotics but that was from severe low potassium and needed IV Fluids which we do see in many cases.
Are you seeing an Infectious Disease Specialist or GI for this? The surgeon may want to review your case with possibly both if the Vanco has not helped at all.
It's difficult because you mention a recent surgery and possibly a complication with that so your surgeon will guide you. I would ask about a consult with an ID
Hope all goes well
NanciT

If by day 6 you see no improvement , stools are still watery and frequent , you need to ask you doctor to either revise your vanco dosage or to switch it to Dificid.
Also , As Nanci said , treatment for Cdiff is not IV ,is mainly oral route , of course there are exception where the oral is combined with IV like : high dosages of oral Vanco combined with IV metronidazole , but that is reserved for complicated cases (with ileus or toxic megacolon) definitely not your case.