Seeking Support - New Diagnosis

[snaily]

Hello, my name is Kait. I am 21 and was diagnosed with C-Diff on October 7th. I started Firvanq on Oct 11th.

Before developing symptoms of C-Diff I had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and IBS.

Around Father's Day weekend I started getting sick. I was throwing up in the mornings along with diarrhea that was worse than my normal. I waited a while to see if I would get better, I didn't. So, lots of testing and doctor's visits later- my stool test comes back positive for a plesiomonas shigelloides infection. They put me on Cipro for that, 500mg. I felt better for about a week. After a week symptom free, I lost control of my bowels and continued to do so for about a week before I got used to the urgency. I had no idea I even had to go to the rest room during these first few incidents. I started vomiting again every morning and developed worsened stomach pain, fatigue, complete appetite loss, and began losing weight. I also was experiencing urinary symptoms and severe back pain. I went to urgent care and was diagnosed with a kidney infection, which they put me on Cipro for. I continued to be tested by the doctor for my stool issues. I then began having a lots of mucus in my stool. The doctor finally decided to redo a stool test and it came back positive for C-Diff. He believes I got it after my first round of Cipro for the plesiomonas shigelloides infection.

I am now five days into my ten day treatment of Firvanq and on my last day of Cipro for the kidney infection.

What concerns me is I am still vomiting every single morning, and I haven't heard of anyone else vomiting with C-Diff. I am also concerned because since being symptomatic I have lost a total of 35 pounds and am still losing. I feel horrible and am hoping that there is a light at the end of this tunnel. I even lost my job due to the severity of my symptoms.
I am also no longer experiencing any of the UTI related symptoms.

[NanciT]

Hello Kait and Welcome to the site Please read the first thread for all new posters

Currently are you seeing a GI specialist? Your physician has you on Cipro which can bring on CDIFF and Vanco. I would highly recommend a GI if you do not have one. Until you are off the Cipro, the Vanco may not do the job.

I am one of the few posters who did have vomiting with CDIFF. The D I had was not severe, never more than 3-4 times in the morning, but the vomiting was terrible. Be very careful not to get dehydrated and have your electrolytes checked.
I drank "Smart water" with electrolytes, wore "Sea Bands" for the nausea which both helped.

Once you have completed the Cipro for the kidney infection, the Vanco should start working and symptoms should improve. Speak with your GI about how long you should be on Vanco, 10 days while on Cipro is concerning.

Hope you feel better soon

NanciT

[snaily]

Thank you for your reply.
I am currently seeing a GI and he is aware of the Cipro, but I will mention to him my concerns. I'm glad to know I'm not alone in this!

[NanciT]

Cipro is a high offender, if you are currently on it I don't see how the Vanco could wipe out the CDIFF.

We don't give medical advice on this site but I certainly would want a full course of treatment when the Cipro is done. Then you should see symptoms improve but it can take a few days for it to kick in.

Vanco can also cause bladder irritation, alot of physicians are not aware of this. It is listed under side effects.

NanciT

[roy]

The vanco would still kill the active c.diff even while your on Cipro so your c.diff symptoms should resolve within 5 to 7 days of starting vanco..
The problem is that Cipro destroys so much flora it makes a relapse much more likely.
1st rule in treating c.diff is to stop the offending antibiotic unless its unavoidable and lifesaving.
It's too late to stop Cipro so watch out for returning symptoms once c.diff meds are finished.