Hope?

[sevla]

Hi all,
I have not been here in a while. I hope everyone is doing ok in this crazy year. Pandemic, cdiff worries or battling the infection - so overwhelming.

I had cdiff 5 years ago and have not taken antibiotics since then. I fear I might need antibiotics for an infected boil.. did anyone need antibiotics years later and was able to “survive” without a relapse?

Sorry for the basic question, but trying to keep my sanity..

[NanciT]

Hi Sevla

I remember you well. We had CDIFF about the same time 5 years ago. Over the years I have taken antibiotics a few times and all went well. No issues.
Recently I was not so lucky and am now 1 month post Dificid taper. Five years ago I went through a terrible time with my GI starting with Flagyl, then Vanco, Vanco taper, Dificid and DIficid taper.....it was a one year journey. Recovery was long.

This time I have an Infectious disease specialist who reviewed my history and chart and I went directly to a Dificid taper. I am now 1 month out.

I would speak with your doctor, if an antibiotic is needed discuss a lower offender if it is possible. Contact your GI if you were happy with them and let them know. Just in case.

There have been several posters over the years who have had to take antibiotics....without coming down with CDIFF. I know it's always a worry

Take Care


NanciT

[beth22]

My mother took antibiotics on several occasions post c diff and never relapsed.

[sevla]

Thanks a lot, Nanci and Beth. Appreciate the help as always!

Today it feels less painful, but it is still a big bump.. I am doing all I can to avoid a trip to the doctor and subsequent antibiotics (tea tree oil, neosporin, prid..).

Nanci, I am so sorry to hear that you had no luck with the last time you took antibiotics. What was it for and what antibiotics did you take? Glad you are doing well post Dificid taper.

[beth22]

Have you spoken to the doctor about possibly lancing the boil and draining it?

[georgina]

Hi Sevla.From my experience , if it's a boil it needs to be incised and drained (by a surgeon) and maybe a topical antibiotic , nothing systemic .

[sevla]

Hi Georgina and Beth! Thanks for the the recommendation. I was able to heal it with natural stuff: prid, tea tree oil, neosporin, turmeric paste (with black pepper). It’s not fully gone, but just a small painless bump left.. I will keep an eye on it and make sure I heal it completely before it comes back stronger.

Thanks again for all the help! This community keeps one sane..

Stay healthy everyone!

[KFM]

Hi Sevla,

Glad you didn't have to take an antibiotic. If you need to in the future, there are some that are less likely to cause C diff, so make sure your doctor knows your history and can see if one of the less problematic antibiotics will work for whatever you may need it for. And as Georgina said, for skin things, often a topical antibiotic works, and has no affect on your gut. As a note, I did have to take oral antibiotics twice in the last year for a serious UTI that did not respond to herbs. I was able to take Bactrim instead of Keflex (which they initially gave me) after discussing with my doc. Bactrim is safer, and the duration is shorter. I also took a low dose of Vanco simultaneously as a preventative measure. I did not get a recurrence.

Good luck!
Karen

[Ril]

Stevia, keep a close eye on it because if a boil is not fully drained the infection will flare up again. As Georgia said, they often need to be incised and drained by surgeons because the “root” can be deep. So just keep a watch on it.

Rita