Vanco side effect or am i crazy?

[mach1320]

Started vanco 4x day for 14 days. Took first one before bed. One this morning when i woke up. Noticed a pimple/cyst on my upper inner thigh ive never noticed before. Am i being paranoid?

[AllisS]

Hi, welcome to the site. The cyst/pimple is unlikely to be related to the vanco. If you were to develop a rash, for instance, that could be a drug reaction.

[mach1320]

Thanks, figure it was not related. Really hope this does the trick for me. After seeing the horrible relapse stories im a little worried.

[AllisS]

A moderator should be along soon with the Welcome Letter to our site.

Meanwhile, as for relapse, most people respond to treatment after one or more rounds of drugs. People who post on the site tend to be those whose infections have turned out to be harder to cure, so the picture you get is somewhat skewed. That said, even those who do respond -- my case of C. difficile, e.g., which occurred two years ago, was cured with Flagyl followed by vanco -- remain susceptible to a recurrence (not really the same thing as relapse, as latter refers to initial infection persisting whereas former is a new event with a longer separation in time) and must be vigilant about taking antibiotics, especially wide-spectrum antibiotics such as clindamycin (the top offender). It's not much comfort, but the entire population, whether they've had C. difficile or not, is much more at risk from antibiotics than was true in the past, as they have been overprescribed for decades and have become treatment-resistant. You should be especially careful about visiting someone in a hospital or rehab-type setting if for any reason you're taking an antibiotic in the future, as those two factors -- exposure to a medical setting, where C. difficile and other opportunistic infections are more likely to exist, combined with the antibiotic-caused decrease in "good" gut bacteria -- seem to potentiate each other.

[mach1320]

I dont know how long you could harbor it. However back in feb doctors thought i had diverticulitis and started a combo of augmentin and flagyl before i even had a ct scan. The flagyl was horrible which is why they opted to not use that with me for this c diff i have. Flagyl made me so sick. Ct scan showed nothing abnormal so i finished the drugs and symptoms were tolerable shortly after. And here i am now. Went to a specialist we agreed post infection ibs but wanted to test stool to be certain nothing was missed and this time it was positive for c diff.

Im taking a pro biotic pill in the morning with my antibiotics hopefully they survive enough to help.

Next up is trying to keep the toilet clean so i dont catch it again i guess. Hopefully everything pans out. Im in my early 20s ,too young for all this medical stuff lol

[seekingcure]

STANDARD INTRODUCTION:
Welcome to the site. Read the first forum “All Users Read This First” and subtopics “Site History” and “Information and Guidelines for Posting to our Discussion Boards.” (Note limits on posting.) This will guide you in using the site and answer some of your questions. Read Dr. Borody's articles. Also see the topics under “CDI” – particularly Recent CDC Report, The C. diff. Bible, Tests, Antibiotics, Hygiene, and Nutrition.

“Doctors” lists physicians our posters recommended and also a list of C. diff. specialists throughout the world with contact information. (Many perform FMT's.) See the new forum “FMT’s and FE’s” or “Media Reports” for new information on C. diff.

The majority of patients (about 80%) recover with one to two rounds of Flagyl or Vancocin. An unfortunate small percentage doesn’t and can suffer for months. Most recover unless there are factors such as advanced age or other severe health problems. New treatments include FMT's, which have a high cure rate, and Dificid. Other drugs and treatments are in the pipeline, and there is increased recognition of C. diff. You can help by educating your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Help us make others aware of C. difficle – which will lead to further advances in treating and/or preventing the infection. If antibiotics contributed to your C. diff, be careful about taking them again. Some people tolerate them; some develop C. diff again. Don’t take medications for C. diff. unless you are tested.

If a medication contributed to your case, please fill out an Adverse Event Report online at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm. Under "Resources for You," in left-hand column, click on "Report a Serious Medical Product Problem Online." (Allison provided this information.)

The best protection for you and others is thorough hand washing and good hygiene. (See Dr. Borody’s articles and “CDI.”) For more information, see other support groups on Facebook, including http://www.peggyfoundation.org, the Mayo Clinic and Web MD web sites, and “The FMT Foundation” under “Links” on the homepage.

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. All of our moderators and frequent posters had/have C. diff. (or a loved one with it) and know how physically, emotionally, and financially disabling it can be.
Again, welcome. Remember, the odds are in your favor. (End of letter.)


Welcome to the club that no one wants to join. Odds are in your favor that this round of Vanco will take care of the c-diff for you. It is more effective on c-diff than Flagyl and you also have the advantage of youth on your side. If this round does not do it, you can request a taper/pulse of the Vanco, which has worked for many of us, but I'm betting that won't be necessary.

I'm a firm believer in probiotics, but others on site have GI issues with even small amounts, so start slowly with those and monitor your symptoms. Kefir is a good source of probiotics that might be helpful for you. It's a probiotic drink that tastes like a yogurt smoothie. Under the Media Reports section of this site, there is a good article that discusses the benefits of kefir in preventing relapses of c-diff when taken along with the antibiotic for c-diff.

As far as cleaning, the most useful tip I can offer is to get some of the Clorox Germicidal Bleach wipes. These are not the Clorox wipes found in local stores, but they can be ordered online. They are so much more convenient for wiping down surfaces than having to mix up a bleach and water solution. I do use the bleach/water solution to mop the bathroom floor with, but these are handy for daily wiping down of the counters, light switches, etc. Also, be sure to close the toilet before flushing. This prevents "spewing" the bacteria all over the bathroom.

Good luck with your recovery. Keep us posted on how things go. If you have any questions, we will be glad to try to help.

[mach1320]

Well, per my regular doctors suggestion I had picked up some pro biotic capsules to try. I was taking them for about 5 or 6 days with no ill effects until the saw the GI specialist. Prior to my c diff results being back we had scheduled a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy. When the nurse asked about supplements etc I mentioned the pro biotic and she didnt think they'd be an issue. But suggested stopping them until we got the procedure done. Once the c diff came back we scratched the scopes and started treatment for C. diff obviously. I knew nothing about pro biotics really so when i went to the store i just grabbed the generic equivalent to align, its the equate brand in the same box as align etc. Took one yesterday with no effects so I'll pop another before i head to work today.

The Kefir is interesting but the nurse has told me to stay off dairy products right now. And to stay on the omeprazole which i think I'll just quit once the vanco is finished. Also got some of those wipes coming.

[seekingcure]

There is some research that indicates proton pump inhibitors such as Prilosec (omeprazole), Nexium and Prevacid, are linked to increased risk of c-diff. I switched to Zantac which is also implicated, but not supposed to be as bad as the proton pump inhibitors. Google it and do some research to see if you might want to ask your doctor about switching.

You might be able to tolerate kefir. Even though it is a dairy product, it is 99% lactose free. When I had c-diff, I made my own, but now I just buy the Lifeway Brand which is flavored and much more palatable than homemade to me. Apparently homemade kefir is an acquired taste and I just never could acquire it.

[mach1320]

Ugh, i feel like crap today. Some good gut pains and queezy . more BMs today than normal so far but nothing crazy at least. Im on my 3rd week of a new job too. This is tough. If i was at my last job id have just said hey i need 2 weeks for these meds and could handle it at home.

[mach1320]

I also emailed the office about stopping the ppi as it was just a maybe this is what you need script by the er doctor thinking it was an ulcer but we know its c diff. Interested to what response i get. I may stop the ppi either way

[beth22]

It could be the probiotics too. I can only take a small amount of very few brands. Align gave me cramping and loose stools.