Cdif and fatigue

[Jazzmynn]

On my 14th day of vanco
Besides extreme gassiness and bloating, I'm very fatigued.
I asked my gastro nurse if cdif can cause fatigue, she said maybe from diarrhea.
Can it cause fatigue even if you don't have diarrhea?

[Davidtm]

I got a lot of fatigue from c diff. The loss of good well rounded nutrition, the loss of fluids, the anxiety, and the medicines I'm sure all play a roll in it. I really hope it will pass for you and you get some energy back really soon! Stay hydrated and optimistic

[Jazzmynn]

Oh, thank you sooo much for answering.
I am just not feeling well.
I'm going to see the nurse practitioner at my drs office, they said he's booked up till August.
My family dr wants me to go somewhere else where I will be seen by a dr.
I don't know if it matters!!

[Davidtm]

You've been through a lot with this and I'd think it's to be expected to have some ongoing fatigue. I think it's great that you are being proactive and discussing your concerns with a medical professional and keeping them in the loop. Even if it's a nurse practitioner or a PA but I understand how hearing from a GI or Infectious disease Dr can be more reassuring. You're doing the right thing getting a professional opinion and hopefully they can get you on a path that helps you feel better.

[christyn]

I was very fatigued and was getting dehydrated which will also cause fatigue. I think it is a good idea to get some advice from the nurse practitioner. You might be able to request a phone call from the GI doctor to discuss symptoms. My GI doctor is very difficult to get an appointment with but is willing to discuss my issues over the phone when I do not agree with practitioner or just want confirmation. I agree, your body has been through a lot. Try to stay hydrated and get some rest.

[beth22]

Many of us have been depleted of vitamins and minerals with c diff and are either anemic or deficient in some vitamins or minerals. I was low on D and A and others have iron deficiency, B12, B6, etc. I would ask the NP to order blood tests to see if you are anemic in any of those. That can cause fatigue. But, I have to tell you, that the vanco itself made me very tired. Xifaxan does the same thing. I don't know if it is just me, or if can do that to people. I know Xifaxan can, but I don't know about vanco. It is a possibility. If it happens to me, it can happen to others.

[Jazzmynn]

Beth,
The nurse practitioner checked and I had recent good blood work.
She ordered an ultrasound of my abdomen to see if there's anything going on.
Whenever I eat, I get really bloated/gassy especially in my upper abdomen.
She also told me I could cut my Florastor down to one a day.
She also suggested digestive enzymes.

Thanks!

[beth22]

Vitamin tests such as B12, B6 and vitamin D are not run usually. I would call and ask her if those were taken.

[amg]

Yup, fatigue can be a big factor in c diff. With my daughter, it was one of the hallmarks of active infection, and certainly an awful side effect of Flagyl, and lastly, it was also a part of how she felt in recovery which I think is multifactorial - stress, nutrition depletion, and just the body recovering from a major illness, etc. I hope it improves after you finish your course of antibiotics. And I hope you are able to give your body the rest it needs while you recover. Good luck and hang in there.

[georgina]

I also had a lot of fatigue during and after Cdiff , it got better once I've started B12 shots and VitD.

[afroney]

Yeah. I'd say the crippling fatigue is my biggest complaint of Cdiff. Ive had several relapses over the past year and a half, and each episode leaves me too tired to get out of bed for weeks.

My doc says its our body's way of letting us to rest and repair. Attempting to exercise was what triggered my last two relapses. After talking to an infectious disease specialist, we both agreed no strenuous exercise or work until this infection is beat.