Recurring C-Diff - Need Opinions - New to this group

[TOMY]

Rita,

Thank you....I thought that was protocol...learning as I go. Tom

[Machaon]

Tom, for me, vancomycin is very effective against C-diff. It just doesn't kill the spores.

Whereas, on the "nasty-junk-garbage" flagyl I felt horribly-ill for the 14 days that I took that cursed, torturous antibiotic, I immediately felt better on the vanco. The swelling was another matter. It took a long time for the swelling of my legs, ankles and feet to go back to normal. Still not 100% sure what caused the swelling. I feel that it was either the flagyl, the C-diff, or both.

I hope that your hand arthritic inflammation improves faster than my legs did. Just remember, there is a lot that medical professionals doesn't know. Doctors decided on a career in medicine instead of repairing cars, or programming computers; donned a white coat and POOF, instant medical knowledge and wisdom! :)

[beth22]

Tom - I am seeing a hand specialist this coming Friday. I suspect that he will give me an injection of cortisone in the one hand/thumb area. I suffered with the other hand back in 2012 for 8 months and after I had parathyroid surgery and got a cortisone shot as part of that, the hand cleared up 3 days later. I don't know if you can have that with high liver enzymes. But, I will let you know if it helps assuming that is what the doctor gives me. Meanwhile I wear the brace at night and it does help.

I suspect that yours may be from the Flagyl. It does cause peripheral neuropathy i some people. But, c difficile itself can cause reactive arthritis and I suspect that is what I have as I have not taken Flagyl nor any antibiotics recently. This all happened when my GI issues flared up about two months ago. I may have to take Dificid if they don't improve.

[TOMY]

Morning,

Day 4 on Vanco, and so far I have little to no side effects. Bathroom frequencies are also lessening (seemingly abruptly). Evening diarrhea has stopped for two consecutive days. I'm finding that eating is starting to be quite a challenge. I literally am afraid to eat! Yesterday I ate 'haluke' (whatever possessed me to do that...I don't know), but nevertheless I did and shortly following I felt as bloated as a stuffed pig! I was worried that I was going to have bad diarrhea, but i drank lots of water and the bloating eventually subsided. During the balance of the day, I never once had a bowel movement (including the evening)........

My hands have remained 'about the same' with no appreciable improvement in the swelling or mobility. Still painful 'trigger finger' thumbs, and stiffening that seems to be worse at night and in the mornings with gradual improvement as the day progresses.

I am FULL in agreement with many of the participants in this discussion group with regards the effectiveness of the 'first line of treatment' using Flagyl. With me, Flagyl was FULL of adverse side effects, and ultimately not the 'right' med that fought the disease as originally planned. This leads me to beg the question as to 'WHY' isn't Vanco the FIRST line of treatment for CD.

As I type it's approaching 6:30am on the east coast here, and I have not had a bowel movement in close to 24 hours.....and with going on 7 weeks into this ordeal, I've never been so optimistic as to what's to 'come out' once I go this morning. It's crazy the things that you start prioritizing once something like this invades and changes your life as CD has. As always, I continue to appreciate and learn from all your posts and replies. Thanks You Tom

[TOMY]

Morning again...... Just a quick follow-up to say....that although I didn't have diarrhea this morning.....the halupke yesterday WAS NOT the right move! lol.....very loose stool..... ya live and learn, and I won't do that again! :)

[TOMY]

Day 6 on Vanco, and it's hard to believe I have another 9 days to go! Today I was bloated ALL DAY, flush, and just generally not feeling well. The only saving grace, is that I didn't get nauseous and didn't have any diarrhea....thank god! The other very bothersome thing continuous to be BOTH of my hands. This acute onset of arthritic thumbs and fingers have taken on a life of its own. Seems a little worse today. Very stiff, triggery, swollen and painful.

The overall FULLNESS that I'm feeling today is constant. Not sure why today is worse. I am hoping that everything I'm experiencing is the result of the Vanco, and not some other underlying issue that the CDI has caused.

HELP! Tom

[NanciT]

Tom

You should contact your GI and let them know you are having this specific symptom. I don't know how long they have you on Vanco but if your arthritic symptoms have increased while on the Vanco it should go in your chart.
As far as the rest of the symptoms, I felt OK on Vanco but my issues occurred when I stopped. Everyone is different but your physician needs to know if you develop something that is really bothersome. I also had nausea throughout. I used "sea Bands" which did help....I still used them on and off with post IBS.

Feel better soon

NanciT

[beth22]

My mother had issues with her hands when she took Flagyl. You started with those symptoms prior to taking vanco, but you should definitely tell your doctor. Effects from Flagyl can last a long time.

[TOMY]

I see the Dr. on friday.....It will be at the top of my list to discuss my arthritic issues in my hands.

Is it uncommon for the doctor NOT to schedule an appt toward the conclusion of my Vanco anti regime? I called the doctor's office today to update the doctor as to my arthritic issues i've been experiencing, and while I was on the phone, I inquired 'why' I have not been scheduled and appt? (or even why hasn't anyone asked me how I was doing with a call or email via portal?) Given the fact that this my second round of anti's, I would have assumed that the 'office' would have been wanting to monitor my progress or regress while on Vanco.....but NODDA! I had to set up the appt, and share the inquiries about my progress....etc. oh well. However I do get it....I'm not their only patient!

[Ril]

Actually it's not that unusual in cases of reasonably incomplicated c diff. It is assumed that the medication will eradicate the infection and that if you continue to have problems you will contact the dr.

[TOMY]

This is the end of my seventh day on vanco, and I would like to ask if I should still be having diarrhea at this point. I felt that things were improving from day 2 through 5 then day six and today I've felt more bloating and actually went diarrhea (which I though was starting to go away). It this normal? I am prescribed for a 15 day treatment 4x 250mg daily). Thank you in advance for your responses.

[beth22]

I remember when I used to take vanco that I had improvement the first few days and then the stools would get looser and looser. I think the more good bacteria that it killed off, the worse it got. Probiotics did help with that some. I don't know if it is common, but other posters have said they got looser stools on vanco. I would check with your doctor. The dose you are taking is high enough so that it should not be c difficile, but you could just be reacting to the vanco itself.

[amyc]

I had complete relief from symptoms with vancomycin, but others have had different experiences. I think your reaction to the medication is concerning, and would definitely consider asking for Dificid.

[amyc]

We had a close friend return from Mexico with some kind of virus that caused swollen, painful joints. They never diagnosed what it was, but it went away after a month. I'd find a different vacation spot for the future, sorry to say.