Post by Rocco - Moved as was posted as reply on old thread

[Lisa33]

Posted By Rocco - moved to new thread so that you get replies...

I'm generally a very healthy young woman, but I have been suffering from c-diff for 2 years now. In these past two years I have been on more antibiotics than I can count on both hands (from either a misdiagnosed intestinal parasite to a staph infection) Anyway, I have only started to treat C-DIFF recently, since ALL my past doctor's never though to test me for this. A month ago I took a round of Vanco, but I still tested positive. Every time I take a new antibiotic, I feel my body growing weaker and weaker. I am convinced this is no longer the answer. Every doctor I speak to and in all my own research I see that one of the main causes of C-DIFF is taking too many antibiotics which kills off your own good bacteria, therefore allowing the bad bugs to take over. Wouldn't it make more sense to then REPLENISH your gut flora with healthy bacteria in order to keep this bad bug from taking over? Each time you take a new antibiotic your just killing your gut by removing more of your own good bacteria which helps protect you from illness and many other intestinal problems! How is this helpful? Also, taking one or two probiotic pills won't do it, medical grade strength is what's needed. I'm currently taking a full sachet of VSL3, but I started slow with it and built up to a full sachet (take the powder, not the pill as it's more effective) I don't have soft stools or diarrhea anymore, but I still have discomfort and most days I feel weak. It's only been a week on the full packet (or sachet) of VSL3, so I'm being patient. I also just read about taking Bacillus Coagulans (aka) Lactobacillus Sporogenes. This is a probiotic spore. And I think this may be a key player in battling this thing along with VSL3. My doctor told me that C-DIFF is a bacteria forming spore, which is why it's so hard to treat. The antibiotics don't kill the spore, it only kills the bacteria and what stays behind? the SPORE! That's why people relapse constantly. By replenishing this good spore in your intestines I think it should fight off this bad c-diff spore (side note: we are all born with this healthy spore strain and most adults lose it with antibiotic use) I've read other threads where people have tested negative finally by using this strain. You just have to take a lot of it. Again, the typical one or two pills won't cut it when you're dealing with C-DIFF. I'm ordering this probiotic on amazon today and will take it with my VSL3 and will report back in a few weeks. I'm starting out taking a few pills then will also try the cultured method, where you let the probiotic sit in milk for 8 hours to multiply the bacteria making it more powerful. I hope to report back with good news and that we can all get the upper hand on this thing!

[Lisa33]

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Welcome to the site, and so sorry you have been through so much over the past couple of years. Thanks for sharing your experience on meds and probiotics. You are right...replenishing good bacteria gives us a shot to keep the bad bacteria in check. The other problem is that a lot of doctors will treat c-diff based on a positive test even though the patient is asymptomatic. There are many people who carry the spore but do not have active c-diff. Over-treating can be an issue and just knock out more of the good bacteria unnecessarily. It sounds like you are headed in the right direction. Recovery from meds and c-diff can be a long process, especially if you've been on meds for a long time. But not having D anymore is a great sign. Now, you just have to boost back up your immune system and digestive health. It is also wise to get a complete blood work up, including checking for vitamin deficiencies after fighting a serious infection and taking strong meds. Many people are depleted in certain vitamins which can lead to symptoms of fatigue, weakness, fogginess, etc.

I wish you continued improvement.
Lisa

[Bobbie]

Rocco,
Oral probiotics help some - and don't do much for others. in fact, they can cause additional problems - gas, bloating, nausea. C diff is a very individual disease - so is the treatment of it. I used VSL3 in the past when I was on a Zpak for pneumonia with good results. I tried it when I had active C diff without good results.

A different way of instilling good bacteria in the GI tract is the FMT. It has a high cure rate. For more info. about probiotics see CDI, Treatments, and the FMT forum.

Welcome to the site.

[seekingcure]

Since you are interested in using probiotics to aid in your recovery, do some research on s. boulardii yeast. It is often recommended for people with c-diff. Also fermented foods such as kefir and raw sauerkraut are good to help replenish good bacteria.