Health Care worker with Cdiff, New to group.

[lucas' grandma]

Hi. I'm Janet, and I'm so glad to find this site. I've been dealing with Cdiff since November 2010. I was just diagnosed with recurrence # 6 yesterday, just 8 days after completing a 7 week regimen of Vanc 125mg (liquid) with tapering (pulse dosing) at the end. I also take Florastor bid, and 2 Activia a day. I was really hoping this would be the end of it. I hadn't had any diarrhea for a month, even though I still go about 5-6 times a day. My husband and I left on a 2 day trip on our Harley, and on the second day it came back with a vengeance. My daughter had to drive 2 hours to get me, since riding home on the bike with the D and the pain was not an option. I am so frustrated now; I'm wondering if I need to find a new Doc. I'm currently seeing a GI here in town, and he just increased my Vanc to 250 mg qid...I'm off work again....well, enough whining from me. I'm just so glad to know I'm not alone.

[beth22]

Welcome to the site. Read the first forum ALL USERS READ THIS FIRST and its subtopics - especially the announcements: PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU POST and GUIDELINES FOR POSTING TO OUR DISCUSSION BOARDS. They will guide you in using the site and answer some of the most frequent questions. Read Dr. Borody's and Dr. McDonald's ariticles and some of the topics in CDI - formerly FAQ - especially Hygiene, Nutrition, and Testing.

The majority (almost 80%) recovers with one to two rounds of Flagyl or Vancocin, but an unlucky small percentage does not and can suffer for months. Everyone eventually recovers, however,unless other factors are involved such as advanced age or severe health problems. If antibiotics contributed to your C diff, be careful about taking them again. (See CDI - Antibiotics). Somepeople can tolerate them without a problem; some develop c difficile again. (See Dr. Borody's article).

I'm sorry that you are going through this. Maybe the higher dosage will help you. Sometimes doctors also "chase" vanco with Xifaxan or Alinia, so that is something you may wish to discuss with your doctor. There are also other options available, like stool transfers, which more and more doctors are doing now. You will get better, it may just take some time.

[Kathy George]

I suffered from C-Diff for several months. I was on many therapy treatments, but not one was successful. I finally resorted to Dr. Borody's Home Enema Infusion Therapy and it worked for me. It has a high success rate!!! I would be glad to send you the instruction. Just PM me if you are interested. Good Luck!!!!!

[lucas' grandma]

Well, I saw my GI doc today. I've been on Vanc 250 qid since Tues, already feeling somewhat better. He wants me on the vanc for 2 weeks, followed by 2 weeks of rifimaxin. He also has called in an ID specialist. We discussed fecal infusion, and he is all for it; unfortunately, he doesn't do it at our hospital. We have to find someone that does it somewhere.
This is my 7th episode of Cdiff; I sure hope it is the last!

[lucas' grandma]

I started my rifaximin on Tuesday. I took vanc, 250mg 4 x a day,for 2 weeks, and now to rrifaximin 550mg 2x a dayfor 2 weeks.
Around dinner time, I started with the cramping, had to go about 20 min after eating, went again at least 5 times before bed, up at night with gas pains and cramps. I'm not sure if it is the med, or from what I ate. I had a grilled chicken sandwich with one slice fresh tomato, and with dinner had a little coleslaw. Could it be the fresh veggies? I hope that's all it is. I'll watch what I eat more carefully on the meds now and see. I sure hope this new med works......

Janet

[beth22]

It could be the raw vegetables, but it could also be the Xifaxan. I had a very hard time tolerating it. I basically could eat no veggies at all when I took it or I would get D right away. You have the higher dose tablet too - it is like taking 3 single dose tabs in one. Xifaxan gave me bad D when I took it for SIBO. I managed 10 days and then was supposed to start round 2 of it and could not continue. Got watery D with B. Try not eating the raw veggies and see if that helps and make sure you take the Xifaxan with plenty of food. I found if I took Tums with it, it helped too.

[lucas' grandma]

Thanks, Roy and Beth. I had some yogurt today, and some brown rice. Seems a little better. Actually went out for a short ride on our motorcycle today, it was such a lovely day. We''ll see how the rest of my day and night go......

Janet

[beth22]

My ID told me not to eat brown rice while treating c diff. I'm not sure why, but I remember he said that. I don't eat brown rice, so it wasn't an issue for me. Yes, while you are on the Xifaxan, a bland diet would be good. Of course, yogurt has the beneficial bacteria, so that is good too.

[lucas' grandma]

Well, I had my colonoscopy yesterday, it was so easy. I took a prep called Moviprep ( I was half expecting to be a star in a film featuring a colonoscopy ), it wasn't too harsh. The procedure itself I really don't remember anything other than the nurse next to me asking me to turn towards her......then I woke up in recovery. As for the results, my GI doc said the bowel was slightly inflamed, no evidence of pseudomembranous or ulcerative colitis, no polyps. He took some biopsies and I'll get the results of those next week. I've been feeling ok, still loose bm, going about 6 to 8 times a day, but not at night anymore. I finish my xifaxan this week, and I pray that this takes care of this bug for good.
Praying for good health for all.....
Janet

[lucas' grandma]

Well, I finished a 2 wk course of vanc 250 mg qid followed by rifaximin for 2 weeks. On Fri, Jul 8, I had my first colonoscopy. My path results came back consistent with microscopic colitis. I feel much better than I have for awhile, though I still have 8 - 10 soft BM a day. I have an upcoming appointment with my GI. Has anyone turned up with microscopic colitis, and if so, how long does that last, or is it something you deal with for life?

Wishing for good health for all,

Janet

[beth22]

I know of two people who had microscopic colitis. You usually get it following another infection or a stomach virus. One lady went to Mayo clinic and was put on Pepto Bismol that she took for 2 months - I think it was two tablets with each meal, 3 times per day. She was cured of it for years, but then got it back years later after another infection and the Pepto kicked it. A man I know only takes the Pepto when he gets the D. He never took it for a long time. I would "google" it and see what the latest treatment is. My understanding is that it is the Pepto Bismol, which is less harsh than some of the other meds like Asacol that need an Rx, is the main treatment. From what I understand, it can be cured. Good luck. Let us know how you do.

[lucas' grandma]

Beth:
Yes, my doc said I can treat symptoms with pepto or immodium. I have still been going about 8 times a day, just loose, not D. Very light color also. Maybe my new normal? I've been off the rifimaxin for 8 days.....so far so good. Even with the frequency, I have been feeling really well.

As for work, I've been cleared by infection control to work with patients, but I leave the very ill patients to my coworker. Just in case. I did have a patient that came in today with active c-diff. I almost panicked. My coworker took care of her, but I was so nervous, washing my hands all afternoon, disinfecting EVERYTHING, asking my coworker..".did you wash your hands? Gloves, gown?? " I don't know if that panic feeling will ever go away. The patient had been on antibiotics for a sinus infection, and it was a community-acquired C-diff infection. I'm actually giving an inservice in my department next week on C-diff. I'm now the resident expert, I suppose.

[Kathy George]

Such GREAT NEWS!!!!! It sounds like you are on the road to a complete recovery! You are right, as you may continue for some time to have bumps in the recovery process. Remember, not to panic if some symptoms do return, as it is usually a part of the ongoing recovery process. Have you consulted with your doctor as to taking Questran rather than Imodium? Taking Imodium during post C-Diff is a major concern for me. I feel that it may block the toxins that remain in your intestinal tract. On another note, it must be most pleasing that you have been cleared for “Return to Work” status. Good luck to you in the remainder of your journey!!! Keep us posted in your overall recuperation.

[lucas' grandma]

Thank you, Kathy...I am so glad to be working again! I have not taken any immodium, but the questran is a good idea. I have plenty, too.
Thanks again for your support and advice.

Good health to all,
Janet

[Bobbie]

Janet,
Congrats. I am sure you are glad to be back at work. You can educate your co-workers on how it feels to have C. diff.

We have an expression on this site, "Once a C. differ, always a C. differ." Fear of having the infection fades with time - but never goes away completely. The word "antibiotic" makes me sick!

Best of luck to you. Keep us posted, and keep reminding your co-workers to wash their hands.