future antibiotic use

[sept24th07]

anyone that was recovered from c diff ever need to take antibiotics again?

looking for some reassurance.

[anlockwood]

I think we all can expect that we will have to take antibiotics in our livetimes again. It is not a question of if but when. They are life saving in many circumstances. I have seen quite a few people on here who have been able to handle z-paks or penicillan. There are some who relapsed from both of those also but they seem to have the most success. I plan on avoiding taking them until it is possible life and death and then I hope to be able to take the least impacting one on my gut flora. I have worn myself out worrying about this. I think my fear comes from how sick I got in such a short period of time. When my c diff hit it was literally 7-10 times an hour. It was so bad the er immediately started me on Flagyl after submitting a test but not waiting for the results. They did come back positive but I couldn't have waited 2 days for treatment. So my fear comes from having to wait for treatment. I calm myself now by knowing I will talk to my doc about my concerns before taking anything that may cause a relapse to settle on how we will treat if it does. We all have great fears from this bug and you just have to find a way that works for you to comfort your mind.

[beth22]

My friend who had c diff and recovered has used doxicycline twice without getting a relapse. I think the first time it was about a year after she recovered.

[sept24th07]

does anyone know, after taking antibiotics, what the time frame for expecting a relapse would be?

i'm 2 weeks post-antibiotic and feel like i'm walking on eggshells.

[anlockwood]

I think in general you are considered to be more in the clear by 60 days. I would say congrats that you are already 2 weeks past!! Thats great news....I am sure you will continue down that road.

[sept24th07]

thanks for the encouraging words.

i'm supposed to go out of town next week -- across the country, and to say i'm nervous & apprehensive is an understatement....

[beth22]

You could always ask your doctor to give you a prescription for whatever you took for the c diff to take along "just in case", but by 2 weeks you would probably already notice something. I took Xifaxan and tested negative a month after. When you travel your digestive system can sometimes get upset anyway, so don't assume it is c diff right away if that happens. Maybe give it the 3 day rule test, like others have mentioned.

[Nancy1]

See the FAQ section under Antibiotics Most Likely to Cause Cdiff for a list of antibiotics that are most likely, somewhat likely, and least likely to cause cdiff. Good luck.

[Daisydogmom]

My son had to take Zithromycin about 7 months after C. Diff and then Ammox. a few months later. It did not come back. Good luck! I hope you are feeling better.

[cindym]

As per two different doctors antibiotics can work on your gut flora up to 6 weeks. So, the 7th week you can consider yourself in the clear but I personally would think if you were to relapse it would be within 2 weeks.