I am really hoping there is someone either with experience in this area personally for professionally to help guide me.
I had abx resistant cdiff in 2015-2017 treated only by 2 fmts via colonoscopy with donor stool. Even then it was over a year of rough recovery. I have not had any abx since.
I am now pregnant with my 2nd and being told I am strep B positive and will need to have IV abx for delivery to protect the baby. Everything I have read seems that not doing this puts the baby at an extreme risk, but for obvious reasons I am stressing out about a re-infection of cdiff and having to go thru 6+ months of misery before insurance approves the FMT.
My OB is consulting with a neonatal specialist to see the potential risks of not treating me and treating the baby immediately after delivery but I feel like no one would be comfortable with that senario. Obviously I’m not comfortable with any of it- how do I get thru this without putting myself or the baby at risk?
Seriously stressed out.
“Recovered” for 3 years now strep B positive with pregnancy
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Re: “Recovered” for 3 years now strep B positive with pregnancy
This is a question for qualified medical professionals only.
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Re: “Recovered” for 3 years now strep B positive with pregnancy
I understand completely. I guess I was just hoping there was someone that went thru a similar situation while pregnant post cdiff.
I am taking all medical advice from my OB at this time only but was just throwing it out there in case I could bring something to an appt that he could research etc.
Thank you.
I am taking all medical advice from my OB at this time only but was just throwing it out there in case I could bring something to an appt that he could research etc.
Thank you.
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Re: “Recovered” for 3 years now strep B positive with pregnancy
Zapper, I am so sorry to hear that you have such a tough decision to make! I hope all go well for you and your baby.
Male 54, contracted C-Diff on Feb 5, 2020, diagnosed on March 2nd, Took Flagyl for 8 days, Vanco for 10 days, relapsed 5 weeks post-Vanco. finished Dificid Taper on June 20 relapsed two weeks later, had the FMT on July 14th, 2020
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Re: “Recovered” for 3 years now strep B positive with pregnancy
I'm so, so sorry that you're going through this, Zapper. I can only imagine how worried you must be.
As Roy said, only a doctor will know what to do. But I wonder if they can at least try to give you an antibiotic that's a low offender for C diff. Or maybe they can give you a C diff antibiotic at the same time as the strep antibiotic to try to keep things at bay.
I really hope you find a solution. Take care and keep us posted when you learn more from your doctor.
As Roy said, only a doctor will know what to do. But I wonder if they can at least try to give you an antibiotic that's a low offender for C diff. Or maybe they can give you a C diff antibiotic at the same time as the strep antibiotic to try to keep things at bay.
I really hope you find a solution. Take care and keep us posted when you learn more from your doctor.
32 y/o female. Got C. diff in Feb. 2020. Prescribed Flagyl (10 days), then Flagyl again (4 days), then Vanco (10 days), then Dificid (10 days), then Dificid again (10 days), then a Vanco taper (5 wks), then a Dificid taper (2 mths) and finally recovered.
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Re: “Recovered” for 3 years now strep B positive with pregnancy
You have to do what the doctors advise and not run any risks for yourself or the baby. If you delivered by C section, would you still have to have the antibiotics? I'm not suggesting that you do that, but is the strep systemic or limited to the cervix, birth canal?
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Re: “Recovered” for 3 years now strep B positive with pregnancy
Hi Beth,
It’s limited to the birthing canal. However my OB will not have a csection without abx (which is understandable). I was able to deliver naturally with my first so he wants to go that route. He suggested taking probiotics which I started up again however not feeling that they will make much of a difference.
My next OB appt is in 2 weeks and hopefully by then he will have had a response from the neonatal specialist with their input on not treating mom and only treating baby etc.
the more research I do there are situations where mom was positive for strep b and delivered too quickly to administer IV abx and baby was fine so there is hope for a good outcome.
Just so stressful when it should be happy. Thanks for the response.
It’s limited to the birthing canal. However my OB will not have a csection without abx (which is understandable). I was able to deliver naturally with my first so he wants to go that route. He suggested taking probiotics which I started up again however not feeling that they will make much of a difference.
My next OB appt is in 2 weeks and hopefully by then he will have had a response from the neonatal specialist with their input on not treating mom and only treating baby etc.
the more research I do there are situations where mom was positive for strep b and delivered too quickly to administer IV abx and baby was fine so there is hope for a good outcome.
Just so stressful when it should be happy. Thanks for the response.
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Re: “Recovered” for 3 years now strep B positive with pregnancy
I had a similar situation. I had JUST recovered from c diff when I was in labor and got an infection during labor that put my daughter at risk. My decision was to get the antibiotics and do whatever I could to protect my daughter, knowing the risks of c diff. Not going to lie, 8 days later I got c diff, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.
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Re: “Recovered” for 3 years now strep B positive with pregnancy
If you research it you will find that IV vancomycin is used if mom is allergic to the usual antibiotics.
That's worth discussing with your Dr.
That's worth discussing with your Dr.
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Re: “Recovered” for 3 years now strep B positive with pregnancy
Update: I delivered my son (yay)! Uncomplicated natural birth that only took 1 hour total. It was super fast and super painful. Here’s the issue. They hooked me up to the abx anyway knowing it needs at least 2 hours to be effective when I checked in at 8cm.
Now I’m 3 days postpartum and having abs pains, on and off diarrhea, lethargy, and little to no appetite. I do not have any fever or other symptoms. I’m praying it’s just post partum stuff and not cdiff beginning to wreak havoc on me all over again.
Now I’m 3 days postpartum and having abs pains, on and off diarrhea, lethargy, and little to no appetite. I do not have any fever or other symptoms. I’m praying it’s just post partum stuff and not cdiff beginning to wreak havoc on me all over again.
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Re: “Recovered” for 3 years now strep B positive with pregnancy
Congratulations on the birth of your son! Hopefully, it is not c difficile, but if the D continues, get a test.
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Re: “Recovered” for 3 years now strep B positive with pregnancy
Zapper,
You’ve had a long difficult time. Congrats on the birth of your baby. As Beth said, call your doc if symptoms persist. Fingers crossed they won’t.
You’ve had a long difficult time. Congrats on the birth of your baby. As Beth said, call your doc if symptoms persist. Fingers crossed they won’t.
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Re: “Recovered” for 3 years now strep B positive with pregnancy
Thank you for the congratulations ladies. The one thing that makes me keep thinking about it cdiff is that I have no appetite. I have urgency without having actual bowel movements mostly just mucus. Still no fever or abdominal pain.
I am six days postpartum now and have barely eaten enough for one day so it’s really catching up with me. I appreciate everyone here on this board and all the help that they have brought me. I am really praying that this is not a reinfection.
I am six days postpartum now and have barely eaten enough for one day so it’s really catching up with me. I appreciate everyone here on this board and all the help that they have brought me. I am really praying that this is not a reinfection.
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Re: “Recovered” for 3 years now strep B positive with pregnancy
You mention in another post that you were constipated and given golytley!
Highly likely that's why your stomach is "off"
Congrats on the baby.
Highly likely that's why your stomach is "off"
Congrats on the baby.
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Re: “Recovered” for 3 years now strep B positive with pregnancy
Roy, very true.
I had hyperemesis gravidarum during my pregnancy and was taking zofran daily that made me constipated. That along with delivery I think contributes to the fecal impaction. I didn’t want to do the prep but the ER doc said it was necessary as I would have difficulty passing the rest of all my stool too (with my tearing and stitches from delivery)
It’s been a lot of trauma to one single area. The mucus and urgency is what is bothering me most. Then the loss of appetite and weakness while trying to care for a toddler and newborn.
I had hyperemesis gravidarum during my pregnancy and was taking zofran daily that made me constipated. That along with delivery I think contributes to the fecal impaction. I didn’t want to do the prep but the ER doc said it was necessary as I would have difficulty passing the rest of all my stool too (with my tearing and stitches from delivery)
It’s been a lot of trauma to one single area. The mucus and urgency is what is bothering me most. Then the loss of appetite and weakness while trying to care for a toddler and newborn.
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