Dificid followed by a vanco taper

[kippyjim]

I have posted before about my mom and her c diff...well she had her 3rd relapse this past week, hospitalized for 4 days. They put her on dificid this time...sent us home from the hospital with a 10 day supply of dificid ... the followed up with a fairly long taper of vanco...i have searched the group for anyone else that has had dificid and then vanco but have'nt had success...is this something that is done frequently...she did vanco and flagyl both times previously.

[beth22]

My understanding of Dificid is that it kills lots less good flora and just targets the c difficile. To me, and I am not a medical professional, it would see that giving vanco as a taper after the Dificid, would counter the benefits of taking Dificid because it would kill more of the good flora. I have not heard of this combination, but maybe someone else has done this successfully and will hopefully post.

[kippyjim]

That was what I was thinking actually...if vanco didn't work the first two times what would be the purpose of using it again...BUT I am not a medical professional so what do I know...HAHAHA

[roy]

Sounds like a Dr that does not know how Dificid and Vanco works.
Dificid is only superior because it does not kill the good gut bacteria and while your taking it the good flora has a chance to recover.
Follow it with vanco and the recovering gut flora that is susceptible to vanco is damaged again.
Some here tapered and pulsed Dificid with good results.

[kippyjim]

Thanks roy...i think I will give them a call...it was the infectious disease doctor at the hospital...but more and more I am realizing that not a lot of doctors really know how to deal with this disease...so I make suggestions here and there...only because of groups like this that have such a wealth of information

[roy]

It's not part of a Dr's job to know how a med works.
All they know is that a drug rep tells them it's FDA approved and treats something so they go along and prescribe it
Often a pharmacist will know a lot more about meds than a Dr.

[Ril]

Roy, I know you must be saying that sarcastically...that it is not part of a dr's job to know how a med works...and the drug rep comment.
I just don't want others who don't "know you" to take you seriously!!!!

[roy]

A Dr's training has very little to do with how meds work.
Especially one in general practice.
They do get most of their info from the rep selling them the idea of prescribing the drug.
A pharmacist is far more likely to study the drug and know how it works.