Probiotics During C Diff Treatment?

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Bure96
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Probiotics During C Diff Treatment?

Postby Bure96 » Wed Aug 18, 2021 2:14 pm

I recently began my second c diff battle (I had been doing well for 5 years since my initial battle) and suffered a relapse after a 10-day course of vancomycin. I ended up in the hospital after the relapse and now I'm on a tapered vancomycin course of 4x for 10 days, 2x for 7 days, then 1x for 7 days. However, the doctor at the hospital told me NOT to take Florastor or other probiotics because they are no longer recommended while undergoing antibiotic treatment for c diff. Has anyone else heard this? I am terrified of another relapse because I am allergic to Dificid and I don't know what the next step would be if this round of vancomycin fails. I want to take probiotics to make sure that my gut flora is replenished to prevent another relapse, but I also don't want to go against the doctor's advice.

beth22
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Re: Probiotics During C Diff Treatment?

Postby beth22 » Wed Aug 18, 2021 9:34 pm

I have not heard that. Most people do take them, although for some it causes GI upset. I had to be careful with probiotics because most gave me D or at least loose stools and a lot of gas and bloating. I found one that was okay and I took just a small amount.

Steffi
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Re: Probiotics During C Diff Treatment?

Postby Steffi » Thu Aug 19, 2021 1:24 pm

For the treatment of my cdiff infection my gastroenterologist prescribed metronidazol and when I asked her "Do I need to add a probiotic?" - she said "No". She did not explain in details why exactly I should not take a probiotic together with the metronidazol, she just said that it is not advisable. I also was wondering why ...

Ril
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Re: Probiotics During C Diff Treatment?

Postby Ril » Thu Aug 19, 2021 2:42 pm

I am not sure why a GI dr would even prescribe that med anymore. It is no longer indicated for the treatment of c diff except in the rare instance that vancomycin or Difficid is not available.

Steffi
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Re: Probiotics During C Diff Treatment?

Postby Steffi » Fri Aug 20, 2021 1:38 pm

I live in Bulgaria and the health care here is with very limited posibilities, Dificid is not available in Bulgaria at all and Vancomicin is available only in IV form and only in the hospitals, there is no Vancomicin in pill form here, there is no pharmacy in Bulgaria where I could buy Vancomicin in pill form...

Ril
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Re: Probiotics During C Diff Treatment?

Postby Ril » Fri Aug 20, 2021 8:32 pm

That’s a different story….

GtrGrl
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Re: Probiotics During C Diff Treatment?

Postby GtrGrl » Sat Aug 21, 2021 8:10 am

My twopence’ worth: when I was in hospital and on vanco, the microbiologist came to visit me. She saw my BioKult on the table and said, ‘I’d be taking that, too.’
Contracted C Diff from a round of Flucloxacillin, November 2020.

Metronidazole - Metronidazole - Dificid - Dificid - Vancomycin - Upper GI FMT - Vancomycin - Vancomycin - Lower GI FMT

Bure96
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Re: Probiotics During C Diff Treatment?

Postby Bure96 » Wed Sep 08, 2021 11:08 pm

Just to update - I just had my first follow-up since leaving the hospital and it was with an infectious disease specialist at Penn Medicine, Dr. Brendan Kelly. He said it was fine for my to be taking Florastor or other probiotics while on vancomycin or after the course and he also recommended kefir. He said there is nothing wrong with taking all 3, i.e. throwing the kitchen sink at it.

beth22
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Re: Probiotics During C Diff Treatment?

Postby beth22 » Thu Sep 09, 2021 1:03 am

Just be careful to not take huge doses as probiotics can also cause GI upset. If you take all 3, then take the recommended doses, not mega doses.

Bure96
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Joined: Sat Oct 08, 2016 12:19 pm

Re: Probiotics During C Diff Treatment?

Postby Bure96 » Thu Sep 09, 2021 1:24 pm

I am taking two Florastor capsules twice per day, one Renew Life probiotic pill per day, and 3 glasses of kefir per day. I have some bloating and gas, but no impact on my stools as of yet. If the regimen helps prevent a recurrence of CDI, then the bloating and gas is a price I am willing to pay.

beth22
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Re: Probiotics During C Diff Treatment?

Postby beth22 » Fri Sep 10, 2021 1:09 am

Different people react differently to probiotics. It sounds as if you found a regimen that works for you.


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