Success with Flagyl

[Momof3]

Hi!

33yo female Recently Diagnosed with c-diff after taking Clendamyacin after getting mastitis. (Also taking a probiotic and started florastor today)

It seems from reading tons of posts that my current regimen of Flagyl (500mg 3x per day for 7 days) that I've been prescribed has a good chance of not working. The side effects are brutal- I can't believe they prescribe this to c-diff patients especially if the success rate isn't that great. I know it's way cheaper, but I think I'd rather pay more up front for the vanco than end up paying for all the subsequent appts. tests and scripts from the flagyl not taking care of business!

Just wondering if anyone has (or knows anyone who has) had success on the 1st round of Flagyl? I see a GI tomorrow and may ask him to switch me to vanco.

[Rara01]

Hi, I been getting a lot of muscles pain with flagyl! And my back is killing me :((

[Lisa33]

Rara01 - Flagyl is a very hard drug to take for most. It causes many side effects and achiness and muscle pain is one of them. Flagyl actually made me sicker than c-diff. I had extreme nausea, no appetite, extreme fogginess and fatigue. I was switched to Vanco, which is what cured me. Mind you this was after one relapse after a round of Flagyl. I see that you are a new user. If you have questions, feel free to post a new thread under the appropriate forum. There are many on this site who are knowledgeable and helpful. Here is the official welcome letter:

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, C. diff. Bible, Tests, Antibiotics, Hygiene, and Nutrition.
“Doctors” lists physicians our posters recommended and also a worldwide list of C. diff. specialists with contact information. (Many perform FMT's.) See the forum “FMT’s and FE’s” or “Media Reports” for new information on C. diff.
The majority of patients (about 70%) recover with one to two rounds of Flagyl, vancomycin, or Dificid. 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. Other drugs and treatments are in the pipeline, and there is increased recognition of C. diff. 20l6 will be a year of many advances and HOPE.
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. Some people tolerate them; some develop C. diff again. Don’t take medications for C. diff. unless you are tested.
For more information, see other support groups including http://www.peggyfoundation.org, Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI) Support Group, FMT Discussion, Fecal Transplant Foundation, C Diff Foundation, and the UK Support Site. There is also information on some of the better medical sites like Mayo's, Medscape, and WebMD, and the CDC website. Don't use "Dr. Google" to diagnose yourself.
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. The best protection for you and others is thorough hand washing (soap and water are preferable) and good hygiene by you, those around you, and your health care providers.
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 is.
Again, welcome. Remember, the odds are in your favor. (End of letter.)

[Rara01]

Thank you!
I am new to this board but not to c-diff :((( I keep getting it every time my ent puts me on antibiotics for sinus infections ! I have wegener disease too and lots of damaged in my sinus. I am so tired of getting c-diff! I been on vancomycin many times, so I asked my doctor to swicht me for flagyl out of desperation . I have a infectious disease doctor but from what I see in this board a lot of people have a GI doctor? So maybe I need to ground one. :)

[Lisa33]

A GI is a good idea, but an ID should be versed in C-diff as well. Flagyl is usually the first round of treatment and has the least cure rate. If you have relapsed multiple times, I wouldn't think Flagyl is the right course of treatment. Vanco tapers/pulse or even Dificid is a better option. Also, after several relapses, many people do FMT's. (Fecal matter transplants) They have a very high cure rate, and is usually done after several relapses.

Have you been cultured for each of your sinus infections? The reason why I ask is because someone who has had c-diff, should definitely be tested to ensure that the infection is indeed bacterial. Also, knowing what kind of bacteria it is would be beneficial in deciding how to treat. The worst offenders for c-diff are broad spectrum antibiotics. There is a list of antibiotics by risk of c-diff under CDI info on the Board Index. If it is indeed bacterial, then you may want to treat with a low offender. A lot of times sinus infections are viral, and ENT's just prescribe antibiotics without testing and cultures. The other reason why it is important to have a GI doctor who is well versed in c-diff is to see if you should be taking vanco with the antibiotic if you need to treat the sinus infection. If this is a chronic issue for you, a GI should be working along with the ENT to ensure that you do not relapse again. Saline and irrigation cleanses may also be beneficial in avoiding future sinus infections. It sounds like you need a doctor who knows c-diff. To have had Flagyl after Vanco failed is not the norm in my experience. The steps of treatment is usually Flagyl as the first round. If you relapse, then Vanco or Dificid. If relapse again, Vanco or Dificid tapers/pulse, and then FMT.

I am not sure if you are taking probiotics, but they are very beneficial in restoring good gut bacteria. VSL-3, Florastor and the drink, Kefir are all used by many on this site, including myself.

[LLindsey]

Flagyl is an anti biotic and should be taken only as prescribed by doctor. It can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Fever, chills, muscle pain, confusion, headache, sore throat, neck stiffness are all side effects of flagyl and one should immediately look for a doctor.

[Samsoon]

Hi Momo, I'm new here too and sorry to hear you had such a hard time on Flagyl- I did as well, so you are not alone and it is not all in your mind! I just recently finished my first round of Flagyl and so far so good, but another test is in the works. I don't have any symptoms of C. diff and I pray that it stays that way forever. I keep trying to remind myself that the success rate is 70% or something like that, but its also hard not to think the worst at times.

And I totally understand your feeling about Flaygl being the 'cheaper option.' Why prescribe something that makes some people suffer even more?

Anyway, good luck to you Momo and hope you feel better soon!