Going to try and get in to see my GI tomorrow

[Vikingjeff28]

I went to one Xifaxin a day on Weds and by Saturday morning had symptoms again. I took 3 yesterday and two today so far. I had 7-8 BM's this morning but now it has pretty much stopped as has the cramping. I think a longer taper with higher dosage may be in order. We will see what he says tomorrow. I think he will work with ID specialist as he mentioned we would go that route if it continued. I must admit to the "blues" while I was running to the bathroom time and again so keep encouraging me, thank GOD for this board.

[Kathy George]

GOOD LUCK Jeff...... Keep up posted. Remember that you will get better!!

[Bobbie]

Good luck, Jeff.

PS
Pls. post graphic details in TMI.

[Vikingjeff28]

Evidently they are using it more and more in place of Vanco. When I was given oral vanco in hospital I got "Red man's syndrome" and they backed off of it after about 10 days. Is getting red on upper boday a big deal from this drug? I did not feel bad but was beet red. He may go with Vanco tomorrow, not sure.

[beth22]

From what I have read, the "red man's syndrome" happens from IV vanco when it goes into your system too quickly. It is not supposed to happen with the pills, even though some of the medicine does get absorbed, it is probably not quickly or not enough to cause this. I haven't read anything about the liquid form one way or the other.

[fire7163]

I have used both Liquid Vanco followed by Xifaxan a couple of times with no issues and know some others who have also done the same course of treatment from the same GI, none of which had any adverse reactions. Everybody's different and can react to drugs. You didn't happen to be also taking a statin or B-3 ?.They are well known for their intense reactions.
Liquid Vanco is actually preferred by my team of GI's as they feel that it by passes the normal digestive processes and hits the C-diff harder, not weakened as the pills are. They also feel that it has a a shorter life expectanty in the system, but feel that it's a fair trade off. Your ID or GI may elect to use a lower doseage if they use the liquid, don't panic just express your concerns and feelings to your care givers

Fire

[Vikingjeff28]

Ok, thanks for the input. I am now on 8 week taper of Vanco-(4) 125 two weeks, then 3,2, and 1. Hopefully no adverse reactions. He said if I did, go off, start the Xifaxin taper over and he will set me up immediately and work with ID doc. He said, we are not going to let this thing win, it takes time with some patients. He mentioned the stool transfer and said they had never done one there but are familiar with it. He said problem is all lab work up front and demand has not been there to get it going. I can tell you if I could stay on 3 a day Xifaxin forever it would be great as when I am on that I feel like I have no C diff at all. He said as you taper down sometimes the baby C diff are just coming in too quickly for your normal gut flora and what is left of antibiotic to fight it off successfully thus the need for a few tapers at times for some people. I asked him what the longest time that he had with a patient battling C diff and he said over a year with some as it is becoming more resistant across the country. New drugs are close though as he mentioned one, don't remember the name.