2.5 years after CDI, Have to take Antibiotics

[maxny2]

So I've been free of symptoms for 2.5 years, following a rather severe recurrent CDI bout that cleared after a Vanco taper pulse regimen.

I told myself I'd never take antibiotics again unless it was a life or death matter, but, had to take the following today, for an STI:

Ceftriaxone 250 mg IM in a single dose
PLUS
Azithromycin 1g orally in a single dose

The doc said since it's a one time thing, I shouldn't worry about CDiff, but as we all know that's easier said than done. Started feeling nauseous pretty quickly. He advised probiotics.

So, taking Lifeway Kefir and Jarrow Probiotics, and will probably buy the pricey Renew Life Ultimate extra care with 40 strains from Whole Foods, even though it's like $50 I thought it had the best results/quality.

Wish me luck....

[OCmama]

I remember you! We had C. diff around the same time; sending you good thoughts and crossing my fingers and toes for you! Let us know how you are doing

[beth22]

I would definitely take the probiotics. Take them for a few weeks at least.

[maxny2]

OCmama wrote:
> I remember you! We had C. diff around the same time; sending you good
> thoughts and crossing my fingers and toes for you! Let us know how you are
> doing

Yah I recall your username too, how are you faring?

Beth I found my list of what I took when I was very sick, on top of the vanco taper. I was ramped it up to like 100+ distinct strains and 1 trillion CFU per day, I figured it was the next best thing to a fecal transplant:

Renew Life Ultimate Flora Extra Care, 150 Billion CFU, 40 strains

Garden of Life Raw Probiotics, 100 Billion CFU, 34 strains

Nature's Way Primadophilus Optima Max Bifido, 90 Billion CFU, 10 strains, enteric coated

Jarrow Ultra Jarro-Dophilus, 50 Billion CFU, 10 strains, enteric coated

Jarrow S Boulardii, 5 Billion CFU

Nancy's Yogurt, ~50-127 Billion CFU, 15 strains

Lifeway Kefir, 15-20 Billion CFU, 12 strains

Also:
Jarrow Inulin FOS ("pre-biotic" supposed to help the probiotics thrive)

I'm not keen to spend hundreds of dollars in probiotics again, but I'll shell out $50 for the renew life from whole foods, at least, and I have some of the Jarrow left. Better safe than sorry.

[roy]

The only one proven to help is S.boulardi.
I would stick with that and kefir.

[maxny2]

My MD PhD infectious disease specialist advised otherwise when I was sick.

I am an evidence based person, but I also understand economic incentives, and there are few incentives to conduct FDA trials for products that are selling well already.

Nonetheless, numerous probiotic strains have been clinically documented to yield various GI benefits, including reducing diarrhea in general whilst taking antibiotics.

And if fecal transplant pills work, it stands to reason that broad spectrum probiotics can help as well.