I started suffering from C. Diff four weeks ago and I was prescribed a 10 day course of Vancomycin, which I finished the morning of Dec. 20. Since starting the Vancomycin I felt good and the D had subsided and I was making bowel movements every other day. I've been taking Florastor every day.
But this evening the diarrhea has returned along with that constant lower left side abdominal discomfort/burning/cramping. I've gone D 3 times this evening in the last 2.5 hours and I feel there will be more.
I'll contact my doctor first thing tomorrow and request that he run a stool test. I fear that I'm suffering a C. Diff recurrence and all that optimism I was feeling about going back to my normal life is fading.
My GI doctor initially wanted to put my on Flagyl but I read too many bad experiences with Flagyl and I requested Vancomycin, which he wound up prescribing. If I am now suffering a recurrence after Vanco, I'm worried that my doctor will pressure me into taking Flagyl, which I want to avoid. When one suffers a recurrence after taking Vanco, what is the usual next step? I'm hoping I can try Vanco again.
I think it Has Recurred--Feeling Dejected
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Re: I think it Has Recurred--Feeling Dejected
I would ask for Dificid. It targets the c difficile and spares much more good flora. Like vanco, it is not systemic. Flagyl is not usually prescribed if vancomycin did not work. It also has many side effects.
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Re: I think it Has Recurred--Feeling Dejected
I and many others were cured using a Vanco taper pulse. The FDA treatment guidelines outline the recommended taper pulse schedule and length so let your doc know he can refer to this for appropriate treatment. He'll also see flagyl is no longer recommended.
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Re: I think it Has Recurred--Feeling Dejected
The good news is that I don't think I have a C. Diff recurrence. My bowel has been irritable for the past couple days but I only had 2 BMs yesterday and none today. So I think I may be suffering some post C. Diff irritability, which seems to be very common. I'll just keep taking Florastor, eating fermented foods and hoping for the best.
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Re: I think it Has Recurred--Feeling Dejected
You might try keeping a food journal for a while and write down what you eat to see if there is a pattern or any particular food upsets your GI tract.
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Re: I think it Has Recurred--Feeling Dejected
Glad to hear! Off days are extremely common in recovery. The three day rule is the best defense against overtreating.
A food journal is a good idea. Keep in mind while fermented foods are good for the microbiome, they can be hard for some to tolerate. If you keep having bad stomach days, try cutting out fermented foods to see if that helps. I can only tolerate them in small amounts.
A food journal is a good idea. Keep in mind while fermented foods are good for the microbiome, they can be hard for some to tolerate. If you keep having bad stomach days, try cutting out fermented foods to see if that helps. I can only tolerate them in small amounts.
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Re: I think it Has Recurred--Feeling Dejected
Just another update, I haven't made a BM for 2 days and I'm not having any abdominal discomfort. Good idea on the food journal. I ate bacon on the night where the D returned. It may have been the bacon that didn't sit well with me. Is bacon a known problematic food for people recovering from C. Diff?
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Re: I think it Has Recurred--Feeling Dejected
Anything with a lot of fat is hard to digest. I got pancreatic issues after c diff and fatty foods aggravate that. Everyone is different. That's why a food journal might be good to do for a while.
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Re: I think it Has Recurred--Feeling Dejected
I've had bad D today with mucus but no blood. I'm hoping it's just a bad day rather than a recurrence. I almost forgot how physically exhausted the D makes me feel.
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