antibiotics after having c diff

[gypsylady100]

What do you do if you HAVE to have antibiotics after you have had c diff? Can you use Vanco instead on Clindimycin or Augmentin?

[falco22]

not sureeabout you. the infetious disease Doc told me , that He wants me to be on Vanco 250 2X a day the day before I start what ever antbiotic that want to give me then 2x day for five days during the antibiotic course? What happems in an emergency ? So i am not sure because i was only on Vanco for 2 days when I had c diff. i am so scared. I should of been on antibotics for root canal a fews weeks ago. But I refused.

[trob25]

I wonder about this Vanco along with antibiotics thing. I was never on Vanco, but I assume it works the same as Flagyl in that it wipes everything out of you intestinal track, good or bad.

So, if you go on Vanco and an antiobiotic, aren't you cleaning everything out of your system and opening yourself up for another bout of C-Diff after the meds are finished? Inherently I want to think the best defense is to constantly build up good bacteria with probiotics, yougurt, and the proper foods that feed good bacteria. Then when you go on meds, load up on Florastor, which won't wipe anything out, but keep C-Diff in check with good yeast. That's what my new GI told me anyway, to go on Florastor days before ab's, then to take them for 3 weeks afterwards.

Again, I'm just thinking out loud here, I'm not an expert.

[Allison]

Trob,

You are wise to question the vanco along with other antibiotics thing.
There isn't a shred of real evidence that shows taking vancocin prophylactically will prevent a cdiff infection. Any "positive" results are purely anecdotal.

My own GI stopped the practice altogether because it never worked for his at-risk patients when they had to take other antibiotics. They got cdiff anyway. Instead, he leaves instructions to call immediately if symptoms develop and to submit a stool sample. He will then rx the vanco based on clinical symptoms, but without waiting for the test results if the need seems urgent.

While vanco isn't going to do the same damage to your gut flora that flagyl might (it targets a much smaller group of bacteria), taking it is still not without consequences.
I like your GI's instructions. It's about all we have to go on when there are no guarantees or easy answers.

Once a person has had cdiff, the need for any antibiotic use in future MUST be handled on a case by case basis with the prescribing physician. Sometimes a consult with an ID specialist is also needed to help determine the best course of action should a bacterial infection arise that cannot go untreated.