Cdiff positive without diarrhea

[wjtlet]

Wondering if anyone can lend advice. I developed a UTI shortly after my baby was born c-section in Feb. My water was broken for 16 days prior. When given Cipro for the UTI, I immediately started heavy diarrhea, pus - basically, I had the c-diff diarhhea and tested positive for it.

I was given Flagyl and the diarrhea disappeared. But after the first round of Flagyl, my c diff toxin (just general, not A and B) level came back still postitive. So my GP gave me Flagyl again. Positive again. Then he referred me to a Gastro specialist who put me on Vanco. Positive again. Then she put me on Vanco "pulsing", which I am in the middle of now (taking one a day at this stage). The thing is, I have not had the diarrhea since February, but I am being told that I must keep taking rounds of treatment until they get a "clean" test. I do have some abdominal discomfort, which my gastro and and gynocologist have been in touch over, debating whether it has been caused by surgery or toxic c-diff.

Not sure what I am saying, but getting discouraged by continuous rounds of antibiotics with no sign of the c diff leaving.

Laura

[Christina]

Most Dr.'s do not retreat unless you are having frank diarrhea even if you test positive. It can take a while off of meds. to actually get a negative test result. Many here including myself have tested positive after treatment before things turning to a negative result. I had 4 positives after my last treatment and it took 4 months for me to finally get a negative test result. As long as your symptoms are mild and tolerable treatment is not warranted but of course, if you develop severe symptoms you will have no choice but to go back on treatment.

If you search around the site there is lots of good info. and more posts about this subject. If I were you I might print a couple and let your Dr. read them. The key to "curing" C-diff is to get off of the Vanco/Flagyl and allowing your good healthy flora to regrow and suppress the C-diff. It will be harder to achieve this if you keep taking antibiotics if they're not really needed.

Good luck and welcome to the site.

[wjtlet]

Thanks Christina - I just called my doctor again on your comment, as it is backed up by other sites as well. Still wants me to do entire pulse treatment as she advised it is not a good idea to stop a program half way through. But I admit I am still concerned. She said we can reassess if it still comes back positive after.

L

[Christina]

I would follow her advice and then maybe if things continue you might want to look into finding a Dr. who may know a bit more about C-diff. Maybe and Infectious Disease Dr. Recurring C-diff is a bit different from C-diff that is cured in one or two rounds of meds. It can be quite a challenge and it can take persistence, patience and a Dr. who is willing to try experimental treatments to get rid of it.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[wjtlet]

I just moved to the third stage of pulsing Vanco - 1 per day, 125 mg. And this morning I started feeling a bit off. I have felt amazing the last week or so. I had 2 loose stools and a lot of itching in the rectal area. Not to mention the familiar pain I get in my lower right abdominal area.

I read on this site some folks mentioning there is a three day rule of some kind. Not sure that applies here. Have an appt this afternoon with my GP and will see.

Are the symptoms above typical of what others experience when they are still testing positive. I have not had diarhhea since Feb but these mild things have been around for some time. And now they seem to be coming back.

Thoughts?

L

[Bobbie]

Laura,
The Three Day Rule is in FAQ. It is meant to help tell the difference between C. diff. & IBS. It is not medical -- but a rule of thumb.

Christina is correct -- many docs. don't treat if you test positive but don't have symptoms. You mentioned seeing a GP, however. I would contact the GI you used earlier & see if he/she agrees on continuing to take meds.