Allergic reactions to vancomysin

[Peanutmop]

I was just diagnosed last month with c diff. I too was treated for the first time with clindamycin for an abcessed tooth.
Within three weeks while I was visiting my daughter in Texas the symptoms of c diff appeared.

I took ten days of flagy but on the last day I began to get numbness and tingling in my hands and feet and bruises started appearing on my hands. I finished the course but 3 days later symptoms returned.

The next treatment was vancomysin. On the 7th day I broke out in a rash and was told to stop taking it. I am 8 days out since my last dose and no symptoms yet..although I'm not too hopeful.

Wanted to let everyone know that a reaction to oral vancomysin is apparently rare because most of it stays in the colon.
However..research was done and apparently when you have damage in the colon from c diff more of the drug is in our blood stream that for someone without c diff. Though blood testing they found that the levels in the blood approached that of the IV vancomysin.

I'm down to dificid if it returns..praying it doesn't. Ruined my entire month visit with my daughter..nevermind the straight 26 hour drive home hoping to outrun the symptoms returning lol

[getwellsoon]

STANDARD INTRODUCTION: Welcome to the site. Read the first forum “All Users Read This First” and subtopics “Please Read before You Post” and “Guidelines for Posting to our Discussion Boards.” They will guide you in using the site and answer some frequent questions. Read Dr. Borody's article and topics in “CDI” – formerly” FAQ” – including “Hygiene” “Nutrition” and “Testing.”

The majority (about 80%) recover with one to two rounds of Flagyl or Vancocin. An unfortunate small percentage doesn’t and can suffer for months. Most eventually recover unless there are factors such as advanced age or other severe health problems. New treatments include fecal infusions and Dificid. Other drugs and treatments are in the pipeline, and there is increased recognition of C. diff.

If antibiotics contributed to your C. diff, be careful about taking them again. (See “CDI – Antibiotics”). Some people tolerate them; some develop C. diff again. (See Dr. Borody's article). Don’t take medications for C. diff. unless you are tested. (See “CDI – Tests.”)

For further information see http://www.peggymemorial.org and several other support groups on FB. Do research on medical sites such as “Mayo Clinic” and “Web MD.”

This is a support site not a medical site. We can’t give you medical advice but can tell you what worked for us and offer support. No one will understand what you are going through except someone who has/had this unpredictable disease. The best protection (for you and others) is thorough hand washing and good hygiene.

Although we know how devastating C. diff. can be - physically, mentally, and financially - it is not a fund-raising site. We rarely ban posters unless they are verbally abusive, combative or insulting; use inappropriate language consistently; or attempt to sell something through the site and usually issue a warning first.
Again, welcome. Remember, the odds are in your favour


I'm so sorry you contracted this awful disease. Lets hope you have seen the last of it. Are you taking Probiotics or Florastor? they seem to help some people. Ask your Dr. if this is something you could try. Cdiff has spoiled your visit but lets hope its the last thing it ever spoils for you. Keep us posted as to how you do. Carol

[ppp67]

thanks for the warning.
I'll remember not to take VANCO if I'm showing signs of internal bleeding, like now.

[Bobbie]

C. diff. has ruined many of the important events in all our lives (one of the lst for me was my youngest son's HS graduation). It's important, however, to maintain as normal a life as you possibly can.

[Peanutmop]

Thanks for all the kind replies.

Yes I am taking probodics...Florastor and drinking Keifer by the gallons. I always hated yogurt but now I look upon it as a gift from above to help restore my flora in my colon.

I am sorry that it ruined my time with my daughter but life goes on and there will be other visits..minus the c diff I hope..lol.

I've found this site while I was still in Texas and really didn't think I had c diff until I read these boards. I thought it had to be frank d or else it wasn't c diff. These boards are what prompted me to find a doctor and insist on being tested. I can't believe the fight I had to have to be tested. The doctor keep saying its been 3 weeks..and it would have showed up within a week. Why do people know more than a doctor? I now know it can show up months later. I don't think the doctor appreciated my pushy northern ways but I got the test lol.

I'm still doing well..mostly normal..some random pains here and there and eating all I can to put back the weight I've lost.

One other thing...I got this abcess shortly before I left for Texas. My regular dentist sent me to a root canal specialist to be treated. I began getting a reaction to amoxcillin and then he switched to clindamycin. Two days after I started taking it a friend warned me about this drug and c diff. The dentist never told me the risk or to take probodics. When I returned to finish the treatment I confronted him about it. His answer was that only old and sick people get cdiff.

Linda

[getwellsoon]

As you have found out firsthand DRs. are woefully uninformed about CDiff and the meds that cause it and the symptoms. We have to advocate for ourselves. I think Drs. are finally coming around to seeing how bad an epidemic Cdiff really is and how much devastation it does to the whole mind and body. I pray for a cure because there is much research going on now. I am waiting for that day when we can get a shot or take a med and its finally over for us. Won't that be a wonderful day. Hope you feel better soon and keep us posted as to how you do. Carol