Third time cdiff? Three day rule?

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Pinklor3
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Third time cdiff? Three day rule?

Postby Pinklor3 » Thu May 10, 2018 12:59 am

Hi, I'm new here. I'm 31 years old and got cdiff after the birth of my child, as I was prescribed antibiotics for infection. First week of April I got my first diagnosis and was put on Flagyl for 10 days / 2 x 400 mg. Four days after the Flagyl treatment, I had another bout of cdiff, which came back very strong. Within two days I was completely wiped out. I was put on Vanco for 14 days / 4 x 250 mg. I finished the course of Vanco six days ago now. Yesterday the D came back. Not as bad as the second time it came back, but gradually it is getting worse (which for me is passing more and more M and sometimes only M). I've definitely been to the toilet yesterday afternoon and last night more than 6 times.

I wasn't sure about the 3 day rule. Should I wait another two days again before I see a doctor? I'm feeling nauseous and feverish / chilly and I'm pretty sure it's cdiff, as the smell is the same (although it's not too strong yet). I've also got pains that get pretty severe at times, especially before a BM. I'm asking because I don't want to over treat it, as I want my body to get stronger before another round of antibiotics.

Bobbie
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Re: Third time cdiff? Three day rule?

Postby Bobbie » Thu May 10, 2018 3:12 am

The three day rule is just," a rule of thumb" and is not medical. If you continue to feel worse, call yourdoc.

roy
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Re: Third time cdiff? Three day rule?

Postby roy » Thu May 10, 2018 6:27 am

If symptoms worsen that fast you don't wait, get a Drs advice.
The 3 day "rule" only applies to mild symptoms.

Machaon
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Re: Third time cdiff? Three day rule?

Postby Machaon » Thu May 10, 2018 10:45 am

I am so sorry that you are suffering with C-diff, especially at a time when you should be fully enjoying the birth of your new child!

You might consider checking with your doctor about taking Dificid, which is very effective against C-diff, but very expensive. I am also a believer in taking one gram of saccharomyces boulardii, which has also been shown to be helpful fighting C-diff.

In my case, immediately after my symptoms came back, which included feeling very ill, weak, diarrhea, I requested Dificid and my doctor sent in a prescription for me and then asked me to come in for testing.

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

Ril
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Re: Third time cdiff? Three day rule?

Postby Ril » Thu May 10, 2018 8:02 pm

Hello Pinklor3 and welcome to the site. Please read the first thread on rules for posting.

As Roy and Bobbie told you, the 3 day rule is a Rule of Thumb and a guide and not an absolute. Severe symptoms require a dr’s evaluation and not a guess from something you read here. We do not give medical advice and will always refer you to your dr when in doubt. You know how you feel and if symptoms continue to worsen you should make that call. Your dr will evaluate based on symptoms, and should not test.

Btw, presence of mucous alone does not signal a relapse. IBS can cause mucous. The dr will evaluate the entire clinical picture.

Please let us know how you do and best of luck.
Rita

Pinklor3
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Re: Third time cdiff? Three day rule?

Postby Pinklor3 » Fri May 11, 2018 1:23 pm

Thank you all for your replies. I went into see the doctor as I was getting worse. I've been put on Vanco again, 20 days this time and then taper. But this was the emergency doctor, I have to go and see my own doctor afterwards. I'm feeling better with the Vanco, but this time I'm having some ringing and pain in my ears. I'm worried it's from the Vanco and will stay for longer. I'm 31 years old. I've started giving my baby the bottle, as I'm worried I will have to go into hospital. I can't describe how sad I am about all of this, but I'm trying to stay positive.

Ril
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Re: Third time cdiff? Three day rule?

Postby Ril » Fri May 11, 2018 4:48 pm

I would call my dr, hopefully a GI but whoever, explain the side effects, and request Difficid.
If your dr is not a GI make an appt with one. With a 3rd episode of c diff you should be seeing a specialist with expertise in treatment options.

roy
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Re: Third time cdiff? Three day rule?

Postby roy » Fri May 11, 2018 4:55 pm

Get advice from an experienced Dr.
Your current one should not have put you on flagyl, it's no longer advised as a first choice in c.diff treatment and should not be given if you were breast feeding your baby.

Pinklor3
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Re: Third time cdiff? Three day rule?

Postby Pinklor3 » Mon May 14, 2018 2:17 pm

I went to hospital as I was afraid of an allergic reaction. They monitored me over three days and discharged me today with a 4 week Vanco taper. It wasn't allergic after all. I was treated by an infections specialist. Tomorrow I'm going to another doctor (as my first one really didn't know what they were doing) and hoping he will refer me to a GI. I know, I resisted the Flagyl, but my previous doctor reassured me it was safe. I should probably clarify that prior to this last episode (for the first two episodes that is) I was in another country, where I couldn't even get hold of the Vanco. It was traumatic with the second episode. I was alone with my baby at home (my husband couldn't leave work) and calling all the pharmacies in town trying to get hold of the Vanco (while having bouts of painful D). By the evening a pharmacy managed to get the powder / solution from the hospital, which I had to pay for from my pocket. Now I'm in my parents' country where medicine is much more advanced and I can get the Vanco in a moment's notice. Also having my parents' support has made everything much better.

I'm trying not to think about the future at the moment. Taking it day by day. It's hard though and I keep wondering whether I will have to deal with this for the rest of my life.

Hek725
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Re: Third time cdiff? Three day rule?

Postby Hek725 » Wed Jun 13, 2018 10:29 pm

Just wanted to say that I’m in the same boat as you. I had a baby at the end of April, had an infection and sepsis, and contracted c. diff from the antibiotics used to treat it. My baby is seven weeks old and I just had my first relapse. I’m also on a vanco taper and I’m hoping that this will finally kick it for good. Sending you good thoughts.

Pinklor3
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Re: Third time cdiff? Three day rule?

Postby Pinklor3 » Thu Jun 14, 2018 1:29 pm

Thank you. I did read that a lot of people seem to have had a better experience with the vanco taper. Wish I had been given it with my first relapse, but here we are. I'm on my final week of vanco and seeing the infections specialist next week. Will update you with my experience. Good thoughts to you too, it's so difficult with a newborn baby. I just keep telling myself that the experience has made me stronger.

Pinklor3
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Re: Third time cdiff? Three day rule?

Postby Pinklor3 » Sun Jul 08, 2018 2:48 am

I stopped the vanco taper three weeks ago and was feeling fine apart from a few nights of chills. I also took s boulardii which made a huge difference I think. Unfortunately, I woke up today with the urge to go to the toilet and had lots of M no BM. A few hours later I went again and had normal BM with lots of M again, but the urge to go was the same as with D. An hour or so later I am having D. Abdominal pain comes and goes. Would it be normal procedure to be offered an FMT at this stage? This would be my third relapse. I haven't been offered Dificid up until this point, I don't think it is used here.

roy
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Re: Third time cdiff? Three day rule?

Postby roy » Sun Jul 08, 2018 5:22 am

What country are you in?

Pinklor3
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Re: Third time cdiff? Three day rule?

Postby Pinklor3 » Sun Jul 08, 2018 8:02 am

I'm in Germany. The doctors have been reluctant to change my medication. Right now I'm feeling ok-ish as long as I don't have to go to the toilet. No fever, only mild cramps every few hours. My stool is semi-formed and there is a lot of mucus. And the infamous smell is back. I've been to the toilet about five times today. Maybe it's IBS-related? I didn't have any issues post vanco and was told by both the infections specialist and my own doctor to eat as I pleased, which I did without any major issues. I haven't been great the past few days however and had some pizza (which I read is not good post cdiff). I would like to wait it out and hope that it resolves itself, but I don't want to wait too long either in case the CDiff causes too much damage.

roy
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Re: Third time cdiff? Three day rule?

Postby roy » Sun Jul 08, 2018 10:57 am

In Germany Dificid might be called Dificlir they are its brand names.
Internationaly its called Fidaxomicin, its definitely available in Germany.
Your right to wait and see how your symptoms progress.
If it gets worse consult a Dr.


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