Tinidazole & VSL3

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Jill79
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Tinidazole & VSL3

Postby Jill79 » Thu Jul 23, 2020 3:33 pm

As some of you may know I've been c-diff free for almost 4 years although I still suffer from severe anxiety & IBS (which got worse after c-diff).

I've had two or three rounds of azithromycin (zpak) over those years for upper respiratory & skin infections and always took VSL3 with no re-occurrences.

However I was just prescribed Tinidazole and Terconazole for a BV and was wondering if:

1. I should still take the VSL3 I have in my fridge? (2 hours before or after like when I was on Metro)

2. Or because of the law suit, is there a new go to probiotic you all would recommend?

3. Or not to take a probiotic at all because in my search of this forum I see some were given Tinidazole as a treatment for c-diff. I'm assuming it's a fairly low risk antibiotic?

**I'm still interested in the general consensus on a probiotic because they sent my urine out to culture and I'm afraid I may be put on another antibiotic later in the week for a UTI.**

Any input would be greatly appreciated! :)

I hope this post finds everyone safe & well. I can't imagine how things have changed with covid. My thoughts and prayers are with you all!

Ali-Mar
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Re: Tinidazole & VSL3

Postby Ali-Mar » Thu Jul 23, 2020 6:01 pm

Visbome uses the VLS3 old formula, I think the new VSL3 has a slightly different formula
Male 54, contracted C-Diff on Feb 5, 2020, diagnosed on March 2nd, Took Flagyl for 8 days, Vanco for 10 days, relapsed 5 weeks post-Vanco. finished Dificid Taper on June 20 relapsed two weeks later, had the FMT on July 14th, 2020

beth22
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Re: Tinidazole & VSL3

Postby beth22 » Fri Jul 24, 2020 1:15 am

The new VSL#3 is lactose free I believe. It agrees with me better than the old formula, but I did not really notice that much of a difference. I just order the VLS#3. I don't know anything about Tinidazole, so hopefully someone else will come on and can help you with that. You could also call a pharmacist. They are pretty knowledgeable.

Bobbie
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Re: Tinidazole & VSL3

Postby Bobbie » Fri Jul 24, 2020 2:28 pm

Jill79,

Lawsuit?????

Ali-Mar
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Re: Tinidazole & VSL3

Postby Ali-Mar » Fri Jul 24, 2020 2:43 pm

There was a lawsuit from Visbiom against VSL#3 after Visbiom bought the VLS3 's original formula from the scientist that created the original VLS#3. VLS#3 lost the lawsuit and had to change it's formula slightly, I used to take VLS3 before the lawsuit before I even heard of C Diff.. I noticed huge improvement in bm then. But I don't now when I use VLS3 so I switched to Visbiom.
Male 54, contracted C-Diff on Feb 5, 2020, diagnosed on March 2nd, Took Flagyl for 8 days, Vanco for 10 days, relapsed 5 weeks post-Vanco. finished Dificid Taper on June 20 relapsed two weeks later, had the FMT on July 14th, 2020

Bobbie
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Re: Tinidazole & VSL3

Postby Bobbie » Fri Jul 24, 2020 3:20 pm

Thx, Ali-Mar.

Jill79
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Re: Tinidazole & VSL3

Postby Jill79 » Fri Jul 24, 2020 11:53 pm

Thank you so much for the responses. :)

Apparently the lawsuit started in Jan 2016 but this is the first bottle I’ve gotten with the new name & haven’t opened it yet.

I was just curious as to any issues with the slightly altered formulation. Plus I was extremely anxious about taking 500mg x 4 (all at once) of Tinidazole for two days when I had never even heard of it before.

I finished both doses and ended up not taking the Visbiome because after researching Tinidazole a little more, it appears to be in the same “zole” family as Flagyl/Metro & may also help treat certain stomach & intestinal bacteria, however it’s mainly for BVs. It even leaves the same awful metallic taste in my mouth.

So far so good except for feeling wired but tired (brain fog), if that makes any sense, had a nauseating dizzy spell last night so I’m using my Sea Bands recommended here by NanciT! :) Took Zofran (an antiemetic) preventatively and some go-to bland foods before the fistful of pills. lol

Beth & Bobbie it’s so nice to hear from you again! Ali-Mar thank you for the info about the lawsuit! I hope you are all doing well and c-diff free!

I just hope I won’t need another antibiotic for a UTI but I’m happy my doctor is waiting for the culture results first. Fingers crossed!!

NanciT
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Re: Tinidazole & VSL3

Postby NanciT » Sat Jul 25, 2020 9:43 am

FYI
BV is sadly common and for me not until I was post CDIFF. Metrogel which is a vaginal gel *Flagyl) is often the RX I am given and because this has come back time and time again I follow up with Boric Acid Vag ( I have a pharmacy that makes these) and this combo is a known treatment. It has worked for me.
If symptoms return, speak with your OB about it. I get alot of nausea when using the MEtrogel and the sea bands do help!

BV is really an upset in the flora and for me was caused by all the meds I used during CDIFF

Hope the meds you took will take care of this and you feel better soon

NanciT

Jill79
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Re: Tinidazole & VSL3

Postby Jill79 » Sat Jul 25, 2020 11:15 pm

Hi Nancy! :D

Yes, unfortunately this is my second BV, the first post cdiff as well. I was given Metrogel then but now I have a different OBGYN (I’m much happier with) who preferred I use the Terconazole for a yeast infection, that I didn’t even know I had, along with Tinidazole for the BV.

My symptoms were cramping, bloating/nausea & breakthrough bleeding, mainly mid cycle while on birth control.

My IBS-C & menstrual symptoms haven’t been the same since cdiff. :( I even asked if he thought I was perimenapausal and he said no. Sometimes I just can’t tell if it’s intestinal cramping from the IBS or menstrual.

The Sea Bands are a lifesaver! I should probably give probiotics another go to help with the IBS.

Have you tried any of the women’s health probiotics they advertise to keep the BVs at bay?

So great to hear from you, the Sea Bands are a lifesaver! <3

NanciT
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Re: Tinidazole & VSL3

Postby NanciT » Sun Jul 26, 2020 12:06 pm

Hi Jill

Happy the Sea Bands work for you, I am just getting over CDIFF again ( DX March) and although I have finished a Difcid taper, the nausea also continues through the Post IBS for me....I wear them often

The BV became something I could not get rid of, but refused oral antibiotics and just repeated the Metro Gel along with follow up Boric acid. I found this works....but it can come back. The boric acid is also good for yeast.

I have tried nearly all probiotics out there, purfem was the best one but tough to find. I check ingredients carefully, some have Sulfur in them which I am allergic too. But most are much less the the VSL I have been taking.

It's a big challenge, my goal is to avoid UTI's, that is how I relapsed in March...went into a kidney infection and had to treat for 10 days.

I hope the most recent treatment works for you!! Keep us updated!!

NanciT

beth22
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Re: Tinidazole & VSL3

Postby beth22 » Sun Jul 26, 2020 10:15 pm

Years ago, my GYN had a compounding pharmacy make me up some applicators with probiotic mixed in with whatever cream to use vaginally. I had to keep them refrigerated, but they helped. You could ask your doctor about it. I think they still do that.

Jill79
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Re: Tinidazole & VSL3

Postby Jill79 » Mon Jul 27, 2020 5:24 pm

Nanci - I'm so sorry to hear that you had CDiff again this year. :( If you don't mind me asking, was it a relapse or a new infection? I couldn't believe how long I've been off this site but I felt & still feel bad asking questions when I don't have an active infection, however the information I receive here is so extremely helpful, knowledgeable & comforting. <3 Do you have any side effects from the boric acid? The oral Tinidazole was like Flagyl deja vu. I still have a slight metallic taste when I eat and drink. Blech.

Beth - I'm still awaiting the results from my exam (pap), urine culture and need to schedule my blood work but I wasn't sure if I needed to wait a certain amount of time after taking antibiotics. Waiting to hear from my OBGYN & he said the results could take longer due to Covid testing. Ugh. I will ask about the probiotic mixed in if this doesn't clear up or reoccurs, thank you so much! I've just been eating probiotic yogurt right now mainly because I'm still nauseated most of the time and it's part of my bland food family.

I'm still experiencing cramping and some blood in the discharge (sorry TMI) but it's listed as a side effect of the Terconazole cream insert. I finish that in 3 days.

Fingers crossed that my urine culture is negative, but my doctor is fully aware of my CDiff history so I feel like I'm in good hands.

Thank you both, hugs! I'll keep y'all posted!

NanciT
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Re: Tinidazole & VSL3

Postby NanciT » Mon Jul 27, 2020 9:32 pm

Jill

Always feel free to come to the site with these questions, that is why we stay here hoping to help everyone though....no matter how long it has been.

I think we all carry the fear of another infection. I had CDIFF in 2014/15 ( for a full year and 5 relapses). I did not test after and had a great deal of Post IBS for a very long time. I did recently have to take Keflex for 10 days for a kidney infection and came down with CDIFF again....

This time I saw an ID who agreed a Dificid taper which worked last time was where I should start. So far so good....I am nearly 12 weeks out. Still having Post IBS, have had D on and off but did not test. Right now I am pushing through it but with my history I knew what to expect.

Hope you recover quickly from the medication side effects and have NO UTI!

Take Care

NanciT

Jill79
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Re: Tinidazole & VSL3

Postby Jill79 » Mon Aug 17, 2020 5:08 pm

Aww thank you Nanci, it means the world that I can still come here with questions. <3

So my urine culture showed "Mixed urogenital flora 10,000 - 25,000" (100,000+ apparently indicates a UTI) so I'm very relieved of that!

Blood work showed high cholesterol, it's always been high but I started up my statin again, and low vitamin D so I'm taking a D3 supplement.

I saw my primary and a new gastroenterologist, who I really like so far. He didn't feel that I needed a colonoscopy yet but helped me understand IBS vs menstrual cramping more by basically saying if the antispasmodic I take (Donnatal) helps the pain, then it's my IBS, if not it's related to my menses. Makes sense but I wasn't sure.

He also told me to take a probiotic daily, not just when I have to take antibiotics, but to switch them up every month or when they run out to get the benefit of all the different strains. Sooooo.... I started the Visbiome a week ago and had to stop taking it last night because it was making me severely constipated with horrible cramping. I also didn't take the vitamin D because I couldn't miss work today and I wasn't sure which was causing it. Either way, I'm still a little constipated but was able to go a little this morning and no cramping.

Beth - I remember you always saying you had to cut the dosage of the VSL3 due to bad side effects. Do you mind me asking what they were? I read online that the new formulation has dairy in it, so I'm wondering if that's the issue with me. I might just have to order the old VSL3 or switch to something else. (Edit: Beth I forgot to scroll up and see where you already mentioned this, I'll try and order the old formulation.)

I still have to schedule my pelvic and transvaginal ultrasounds then back to the gynocologist and possibly a urogynocologist. I kinda feel like the BV isn't totally gone but I'll have to see if I spot again mid cycle. I seem to be checking all the boxes for Interstitial Cystitis symptoms but I'll let the doctors verify that.

Otherwise just dealing with my horrible health related anxiety/panic disorder, changing my diet to work on my IBS-C and still peeing more than I think I should be but it has gotten better.

If anyone has other probiotic brands that you trust feel free to pass them along since I was told to change it up every so often. I'll let you know how the other testing and appointments go.

Hope everyone is safe & well! <3

NS789
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Re: Tinidazole & VSL3

Postby NS789 » Mon Aug 17, 2020 6:31 pm

I hope you feel better soon, Jill!

The probiotic I'm taking right now is Bio-K, which was highly recommended by my doctor. It's a bit pricey but it's supposed to be a good one. I occasionally have issues with tolerating probiotics but so far I've felt fine on this one. She also strongly recommended fermented foods... like Kombucha or kefir or even a daily spoonful of sauerkraut. She said she has had a lot of women with ongoing "womanly issues" that say fermented foods have made a world of difference.

It's interesting that your specialist said to keep switching up the probiotics. On the one hand, it makes sense to do that to ensure that you're getting a good variety of bacteria. But on the other hand, it puts you at risk of trying a bunch that may not agree with you and make you feel crappy. I guess through trial and error you might find a few that you can tolerate and just keep alternating back and forth between those ones.

Take care!
32 y/o female. Got C. diff in Feb. 2020. Prescribed Flagyl (10 days), then Flagyl again (4 days), then Vanco (10 days), then Dificid (10 days), then Dificid again (10 days), then a Vanco taper (5 wks), then a Dificid taper (2 mths) and finally recovered.


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