Vanco not working? doctor this am, please help.

[cryingsilly]

I have a question (don't we all) about treatment with Vancomycin.

When I began the Vanco 11 days ago, I didn't feel better at first. The physician upped my dose from 125x4 to 250x4. For the first time in weeks the morning after upping the dose I didn't have the big D.

Then, on the 6th day of treatment, I had to have a tooth pulled. I took one Advil. THe next morning the D. was back. Not as intense and without the blood.

Then on the 9th day, I took another advil. ON the morning of the 10th day, increased bowel movements.

I called my GI who told me that if the Vanco wasn't working, then I do NOT have c. diff. He said that vanco always works. HE said that my lab results must have been a false positive and that he wants to schedule me for a colonoscopy this week. I asked him about going to the max vanco dose. He said well it isn't going to hurt you so go ahead, but it isn't going to make a difference either.

The first morning after taking 500x4, I had a semi almost normal BM. (who knew you could cry when you saw a normal BM)

Was feeling SOooo much better. Unfortunately last night I got a SEVERE migraine. I took Advil. Today I am back to not so normal BM.

Also during this last 5 days I have been having night sweats and feeling hot and cold. My temp says 97.9- -99. I am also achy.. but I feel NOTHING like I did before I started treatment. I could barely sit up I was so sick.

So.. please help me.

It seems as if I might know more than my doc about Vanco.

What I don't know is ... what I should do next? I am seeing my GP this morning who is an internist and very intelligent and willing to listen to me.

I cant find much information on Vanco not treating c. diff with total absolution of symptoms, (even if they come back after the vanco is stopped)

What could I suggest as an adjunct to the Vanco?

Does Questran bind to the vanco and make it less effective?

Can Advil cause an increase in symptoms? ( it obviously is in me, but was wondering if others had the same xp)

My GI was flippant, arrogant and acted as if I was bothering him by calling him on Monday... not someone I want to see again.

He said we could take a stool sample to see if I still had c. diff. positive results. I said.. wouldnt the vanco make that falsely negative, even if I were positive? He said NO.

Thank you so much for any help you can provide me with.

I am in Montana and am fearing that there aren't any specialist close by.

Darlene

[ihcd]

I can't answer all your questions, but I know that Questran has to be "dosed" 3 hours after you take your meds for cdiff and 3 hours before your next dose. Good luck and best wishes in your fight against cdiff. Don't always dismiss your instincts either!

[diane]

Darlene,
I too had leg aches, night sweats etc... Advil does it to you and Cold medicine did it to me... It is something in them that make you go more. It affects people different. I thought for sure it was a relapse then someone said hey havne't you been taking cold meds.. and sure enough when I stopped things slowed down . So the Advil might be triggering something. I had the night sweat bad for a long time. It was like menopause, in the middle of winter I"m opening the window and my husband is like close the window its freezing. (i'm usually the one that is cold) I told him touch the window and I'll break your arm..lol... i was so hot. I guess it all must have to do with c diff some way. You might want to try Tylenol.

I did not have any luck with the Questron.. everyone is different on that too.

Good luck!

[Bobbie]

Darlene,
Where do you live in Montana? I am originally from MT & just moved my mother here (the KC area) from Great Falls when she broke her hip five years ago.

You are right -- there aren't many specialists in MT. Since both hospitals in GF were bought by a big chain, medical care has gone downhall & some docs. have left. Many in GF go to Seattle for care.

First of all, although I am not a doctor, there are few (if any) false positives although there are lots of false negatives. Even on Vanco., you'll have good & bad days.

I don't know about Advil having an effect, but since Diane said it did for her, in all likehood, it could for you, too.

If you take Questran, take it as far apart from the Vanco. as possible or it will "bind" the Vanco.

Yes, Vanco. could affect test results, including a colonscopy. This happened to me in Mayo - the mecca of GI docs. (This was in l993.) They told me everything was normal & I had IBS. I still had active C. diff. ---which returned with a vengence when I went off Vanco. per instructions.

See Doctors --Seattle, WA - Dr. Christina Surawicz. You might try calling her & asking for her advice as she has talked to others in the past. I'm not sure the listed phone # is current but she is at Harborview Hospital.

I know what you mean about your GI's attitude. He doesn't sound well informed about C. diff. If you see him again, print Dr. McDonald's & Dr. Borody's articles & give them to him.

Good luck.

[cryingsilly]

Bobbie,
I am in Kalispell. My sister lived in GF for a while. I really liked Great Falls.

I was raised here, but moved away to Florida for 11 years. Just back this year and all heck has broke loose with my health : )

I am going to attempt to call the doctor in Seattle. I am afraid, feeling like I am not being treated correctly.

I decided to go ahead with the colonoscopy, as it probably will not do me any harm, and perhaps after that he will treat me for the c. diff properly.

I do fear him telling me all is well and having to get horribly ill to prove him wrong. With lupus it is hard recovering from the smallest infection, let alone this monster.

Thanks for your replies all.

Darlene