Safety of Rifaximin and Nystatin?

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MikeDee
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Safety of Rifaximin and Nystatin?

Postby MikeDee » Sun Feb 11, 2018 3:44 pm

I’ve been reading this forum for the past four years but this is my first post.

I was diagnosed with c diff in May of 2014 after a colonoscopy following few rounds of antibiotics for a kidney stone and having my wisdom teeth taken out. I did two courses of Flagyl and then a course of Vancomycin followed by a vancomycin taper. Following the taper I combined S. Boulardii, Oregano oil, diatomaceous earth and Bentonite clay to make sure everything was out and followed with heavy doses of probiotics as well as the Candida diet.

I ended up with thrush and was given two courses of diflucan which knocked it out. Additionally I had esophageal thrush show up during the endoscopy/colonoscopy.

It took a long time for the burning stomach, loose stools and weight loss to subside but eventually I found my way back. I cut down on the probiotics and the symptoms seemed to subside with them.

In 2015 I had another IBS flare up and had some white on my tongue and my doctor prescribed me Nystatin to swish and swallow and it took care of it.

Now flash forward to September 2017. I broke up with my fiancé, was on tour with my band and after coming home I noticed some stomach pain and looser stools. I immediately went in and had a stool test done which came back negative. I attempted to use the bentonite clay and oregano oil again to see if it would sort itself out. No luck. Tried some grape seed extract and it made things worse. I had another stool test done and it came back negative on all fronts.

The stress got worse and the flares got worse. It got to a point where I couldn’t eat and was constantly vomiting, losing weight quickly and was riddled with gas and diarrhea. After a few days of nonstop vomiting I ended up in the ER. All scans came back negative and I was sent home and it was suggested I get a colonoscopy. I was extremely hesitant but I complied, I took Florastor and VSL #3 as well as Thorne research Bacillus coagulants during the prep in order to at least maintain some kind of temporary flora

Everything came back negative.

I ended up back in the ER due to vomiting and they did a capsule pill endoscopy as well as more stool tests. Everything looked clear and they prescribed me Zofran and Amitriptyline.

Neither really worked, the Zofran made me constipated though I was visiting the bathroom often with mucus consistently. The weight loss continued and eventually I gave up the Zofran. I was prescribed Levsin and Lomotil and both made me feel awful.

I met with a new gi doctor and he instructed me to take Florastor every day whether I felt good or not. He labeled it as post infectious IBS. And I should mention I’ve never felt good while taking Florastor. It gives me a burning sensation as well as gas and loose stools.

After a month and a half I gave up and called Mayo Clinic. Drove up to Rochester and they did more stool examinations. Everything came back negative. No c diff, no viruses, no parasites and I was instructed to take citrucel and do a breath test for SIBO. I did the breath test and it was low but they still suggested Rifaximin.

Since I’ve had problems with yeast in the past am I wrong for wanting to try Nystatin again? My main symptoms are loose stools, a burning feeling in the lower abdomen as well as extreme anxiety and fatigue that doesn’t seem to want to let up. I avoid trigger foods but have cut down on excercise due to the fatigue.

Has anyone had any success with Rifaximin or Nystatin clearing up their IBS. How likely am I to relapse? I’ve been told that Rifaximin tends to be very safe since it is not absorbed by the body and is somewhat flora sparing. I mentioned the yeast/fungus thing to my GI doctor and he said that it basically doesn’t exist. He said that the success I felt last time was merely a coincidence. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve avoided antibiotics for the past four years and the only other change I can put into place is I did start dating someone new around the time this all started. I have been checked for all STD’s as well as issue with the liver. The only thing notable is a low body temperature and slightly low White blood cell count whichever I’ve read can be due to a Candida overgrowth.

beth22
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Re: Safety of Rifaximin and Nystatin?

Postby beth22 » Sun Feb 11, 2018 6:05 pm

My GI did have me take Nysatin in pill form when I had PI-IBS and it did help. He said it was one of those treatments that might not help, but couldn't hurt, as they give Nystatin to babies too. I think it helped some. I had SIBO - a very high count and I took Rifaximin. I did not relapse, but we have had a couple of posters that say that they did relapse with it. I would probably try the Nystatin first. Also, there is a medical food called EnteraGam for IBS-D that you get by Rx only, but it is a powder that you mix with water and it is supposed to strengthen your gut immune system and helps D. You can ask your GI about it. Insurance most likely won't cover it. It is very expensive. But, there is a foundation care pharmacy that you can get it through for about $70 for a box of 30 packets. Generally people take one a day. Ask your doctor about it. It is not an antibiotic or medication. It is an immunoglobulin type of med derived from cows. So, if you are allergic to beef, you can't take it.

MikeDee
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Re: Safety of Rifaximin and Nystatin?

Postby MikeDee » Sun Feb 11, 2018 10:58 pm

Thank you so much for the response. I’ll ask the doctor when he calls about the Enteragram. I’ve never heard of it before but it looks really promising

georgina
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Re: Safety of Rifaximin and Nystatin?

Postby georgina » Mon Feb 12, 2018 2:23 am

Neither of those are considered offenders . the probability to relapse because of those two meds is very low. Many here have taken courses of Rifaximine and most of them did not relapsed,including myself. Rifaximin is not a SIBO drug , of course is very efficient in SIBO treatment but it was designed for IBS-D treatment so I assume that is why your doctor wanted you to take it. For me , Rifaximin was very efficient ,but I had to take it in several courses , everytime I took it it gave me great relief of symptoms and more tolerance to foods.

beth22
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Re: Safety of Rifaximin and Nystatin?

Postby beth22 » Mon Feb 12, 2018 2:45 am

In the US, Xifaxan is the primary drug used to treat SIBO, which is a type of IBS. It is used when D is predominant. Sometimes Flagyl is given in combination, but Xifaxan is the drug of choice and I believe has finally gotten FDA approval for that purpose, but I am not sure. In any case, I did not relapse from it either, but if you look at some of the older posts, some people say that they have and it does have that warning on the literature that comes with it. I don't think it is common as it used to be used as a chaser to vancomycin for c difficile. Again, if it were me, I would probably try the Nystatin first and ask about the EnteraGam as those don't cause relapse for sure.

Bobbie
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Re: Safety of Rifaximin and Nystatin?

Postby Bobbie » Thu Feb 15, 2018 12:49 am

I am currently on Rifaximin. So far, so good

georgina
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Re: Safety of Rifaximin and Nystatin?

Postby georgina » Thu Feb 15, 2018 12:58 am

Glad you are tolerating the Rifaximin , hopefully it will help you get relief.

MikeDee
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Re: Safety of Rifaximin and Nystatin?

Postby MikeDee » Wed Feb 21, 2018 2:31 pm

I will be starting he Rifaximin next week. My doctor at the Mayo Clinic wanted me to try Welchol just to see if it calms things down. I was advised by two different doctors not to try the Nystatin but I’m still not sure why. The Welchol really hasn’t done much so here’s to hoping. To anyone on here who did take Rifaximin, how long did it take for it to start working? Also, we’re there any heavy side effects?

MKW
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Re: Safety of Rifaximin and Nystatin?

Postby MKW » Wed Feb 21, 2018 10:23 pm

Hi, I have suffered with PI-IBS since my successful FMT in March of 2017. After worsening symptoms in recent months, and lots of testing, I tested positive for hydrogen dominant SIBO. My current GI Doc advised against Rifaximin due to my C Diff history and referred me to a nutritionist/functional medicine specialist with whom I have a first appointment tomorrow. I had put a call in though to the doc's office who did my FMT, which is out of town. I finally heard back, and that GI Doc who specializes in C Diff treatment said in her opinion Rifaximin would be safe for me to take.
So, now I don't know what to do. Through all of this with C Diff, thrush, and IBS, every doctor tells me something different. ...And as a result I am very interested in how others respond to Rifaximin! Please keep us updated on the results of your treatment. - Melanie

Bobbie
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Re: Safety of Rifaximin and Nystatin?

Postby Bobbie » Thu Feb 22, 2018 2:11 am

I have been on Rifaximin for several
Months. So far, so good. I did have one really bad day — maybe something I ate. Who knows? Other than that. I feel almost like myself.

Every doc has his/her own opinion. Frustrating.

Best of luck,

beth22
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Re: Safety of Rifaximin and Nystatin?

Postby beth22 » Fri Feb 23, 2018 12:45 am

It went right through me and gave me D after a couple of days. I had to take tums along with it. But, after I took it, my gi symptoms were much better.

MKW
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Re: Safety of Rifaximin and Nystatin?

Postby MKW » Fri Feb 23, 2018 1:31 pm

I am curious for those who have or are currently taking Rifaximin, were you advised to take probiotics or consume kefir/fermented foods while taking it or following taking it?

Bobbie
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Re: Safety of Rifaximin and Nystatin?

Postby Bobbie » Sat Feb 24, 2018 3:47 am

No probiotics.

georgina
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Re: Safety of Rifaximin and Nystatin?

Postby georgina » Mon Feb 26, 2018 1:42 am

That depends on what are you taking it for. If you are treated for SIBO then probiotics are not recommended , if you are taking it for IBS probiotics can be useful along with it.

MikeDee
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Re: Safety of Rifaximin and Nystatin?

Postby MikeDee » Tue Mar 13, 2018 1:19 pm

I still have put off taking the xifaxan. I saw an alternative medicine doctor who wanted me to make a total flip in diet and try herbal antimicrobials. Honestly, I think it made things worse. Luckily my primary care physician ordered me a prescription of enteragam to try. I now have 3 doctors telling me to try the xifaxan and two telling me not to. I really have no idea what to do, I’ve tested positive for a high rate of malabsorption so I do feel as though I’m on a time crunch since I’ve already lost so much weight and I don’t know how long I can put up with it


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