10 days post-vanco and that smell is back
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2018 12:15 pm
You know the one I mean. That unique smell has been coming and going for almost 2 days now, accompanied by gurgly discomfort and soft, formed stools. No D so far.
But that smell went away entirely before now, and that's what concerns me. I'm taking Florastor and 2 strong (complementary) probiotics, along with kefir once a day. A day after I ran out of my strongest probiotic (which I've since re-stocked) is when that smell reared its ugly head again. I doubt that's a coincidence.
Is it possible to have that smell present (on and off, not constantly) without needing another full course of vanco? Or does that smell mean it's already too late? I know you aren't medical professionals, and I have already consulted my doctor. I just want to hear firsthand stories or opinions before I make my final decision about getting back on vanco.
Brief summary: 33 year old female, had a kidney infection and had to take two different antibiotics for it (Cipro, then Cefdinir)- and that's when I came down with CDAD. Was going about 10-15 times a day and lost 10 lbs in a week. Stool sample was positive for c diff. My doctor tried to put me on Flagyl, but I said no after some research and insisted on vancomycin. I don't have health insurance, so even with loopholes and coupons, etc., the lowest price for a course of vanco is about $300. It worked nicely, but then during my last 3 days on the vanco, I came down with a UTI (probably leftovers from the kidney infection, plus dehydration..... I find it very hard to stay hydrated on vanco). So, my last 3 days of vanco, I was also on a low dose of Cipro to knock out the UTI. *eyeroll*
It was all fine until the last couple of days. Note- I have also started eating more diverse foods over the last few days, and I even had a cup of coffee yesterday morning (yikes, that was a mistake... talk about irritation).
I know it's normal to have IBS after c diff, but what about *that smell*? I've loaded back up on those probiotics in the hopes that my gut flora can win this battle without another round of vanco, but the prescription is waiting for me at the pharmacy in case I need it. Again, no diarrhea so far- just discomfort, soft stoool, and every once in a while, that very specific smell.
Opinions are welcome. Of course, I want to avoid another course of antibiotics if my gut flora can win the fight without them, but I'm not sure if my symptoms are in the normal range of post-treatment experience or not. I'm back to eating bland foods and certainly no coffee... I feel fine otherwise- no fever or weakness like I had the first time. So far.
But that smell went away entirely before now, and that's what concerns me. I'm taking Florastor and 2 strong (complementary) probiotics, along with kefir once a day. A day after I ran out of my strongest probiotic (which I've since re-stocked) is when that smell reared its ugly head again. I doubt that's a coincidence.
Is it possible to have that smell present (on and off, not constantly) without needing another full course of vanco? Or does that smell mean it's already too late? I know you aren't medical professionals, and I have already consulted my doctor. I just want to hear firsthand stories or opinions before I make my final decision about getting back on vanco.
Brief summary: 33 year old female, had a kidney infection and had to take two different antibiotics for it (Cipro, then Cefdinir)- and that's when I came down with CDAD. Was going about 10-15 times a day and lost 10 lbs in a week. Stool sample was positive for c diff. My doctor tried to put me on Flagyl, but I said no after some research and insisted on vancomycin. I don't have health insurance, so even with loopholes and coupons, etc., the lowest price for a course of vanco is about $300. It worked nicely, but then during my last 3 days on the vanco, I came down with a UTI (probably leftovers from the kidney infection, plus dehydration..... I find it very hard to stay hydrated on vanco). So, my last 3 days of vanco, I was also on a low dose of Cipro to knock out the UTI. *eyeroll*
It was all fine until the last couple of days. Note- I have also started eating more diverse foods over the last few days, and I even had a cup of coffee yesterday morning (yikes, that was a mistake... talk about irritation).
I know it's normal to have IBS after c diff, but what about *that smell*? I've loaded back up on those probiotics in the hopes that my gut flora can win this battle without another round of vanco, but the prescription is waiting for me at the pharmacy in case I need it. Again, no diarrhea so far- just discomfort, soft stoool, and every once in a while, that very specific smell.
Opinions are welcome. Of course, I want to avoid another course of antibiotics if my gut flora can win the fight without them, but I'm not sure if my symptoms are in the normal range of post-treatment experience or not. I'm back to eating bland foods and certainly no coffee... I feel fine otherwise- no fever or weakness like I had the first time. So far.