posted
I was wondering about this myself when I was diagnosed with it a few weeks ago.
I did a bunch of reading on the internet, and a few articles said that sometimes stopping the antibiotics you are on will resolve the situation. However, in more serious cases you need to take flagyl, or if that doesn't work, vancomycin.
You don't want it to get out of control, because it can kill you.
Some of the articles I saw suggested that Florastor and Culturelle be taken along with the flagyl or vancomycin. Apparently the Florastor crowds out the c. diff so that it doesn't have room to grow. So, if you're not already taking it, you might want to start.
If you think you have it, you should get tested.
Also keep in mind that it is very contagious--you need to be careful not to infect family members and others. Apparently, bleach is the only thing that kills it--I'm so tired of bleaching my bathroom!
Posts: 227 | From Northeast | Registered: Mar 2010
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
I recently ordered Sacchoromyces.. but not florastor.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
I had alternating constipation and diarrhea, blood and mucous in my stools, pain and cramping in my lower intestines, a bad burning pain in my left side and dizziness. As it progressed I started getting pain and cramping radiating into my back. My heart rate was up, I was running a low grade fever at times and felt and looked just awful.
Today is my last day of a 20-day course of flagyl. I'm feeling better, but not sure if I'm cured yet--time will tell.
Posts: 227 | From Northeast | Registered: Mar 2010
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-------------------- 1999 CFS, 2002 CMV Myco pneumonia 1 year antibiotics on and off 2002 EBV, 2009 Positive Igenex Borellia and Babesia, Brain mri severe white matter disease Monoclonal Gammopathy. On and off antibiotics since sept. March 9 started iv antibiotics Posts: 328 | From somewhereelse | Registered: Apr 2009
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Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
I wanted to post on this but I saw this post.
I am in so much pain - just to the left of my belly button.
I have the runs like never before.
I just want to get to my brothers wedding and I need to find something for temporary relief.
I have Flagyl and Tindimax but I have heard that can make it worse. I was going to try tindi.
Any thoughts - I have taken a test that shows slight elevation but my doc didn't want to go for the big guns yet. He wanted to try natural but it doesn't seem to be working.
Can anyone help me get to my brothers wedding?
Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
I'v read that garlic can kick C Diffs butt
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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I noticed an improvement in symptoms within 24 hours of starting my initial 10-day course of flagyl. Don't know if tindamax will work--didn't see it listed as a drug of choice in any of my research.
Does your doctor know how bad the runs are?
Whatever you do, if it is c. diff don't take immodium or pepto or anything to stop it--that will keep the toxins that c. diff creates in your body and make you even sicker.
Posts: 227 | From Northeast | Registered: Mar 2010
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
Yes you can get it without taking antibiotics, anything that disturbs your GI flora can cause it. You also do not need to have diarrhea to have it. You need 3 stool tests done within an hour to the lab.
If you are in severe pain, that is concerning and if you have a high fever and more than 10 stools/day you should probably go to the ER and get a CT scan of your abdomen to make sure your colon is ok.
Yes, do not take Immodium because it keeps the toxins inside you, damaging your colon.
You need either Flagyl or Vancomycin to treat c.diff effectively and you have to stay on it long enough to make sure it does not come back. C. diff has a very high (60% or more) relapse rate due to the spores that are formed. Usually when it relapses you do a taper down of the meds over 6-12 weeks sometimes longer.
The reason you want brand name Florastor is because it is tested for potency, it is the brand GI's use to study the c.diff cases with, other brands are not so you have no idea what kind of quality you are getting.
The chemicals that are left over in the manufacturing process of Grapefruit Seed Extract may be more potent than Flagyl. They are toxic, but in my opinion, not nearly as toxic as Flagyl.
Posts: 967 | From A deserted island without internet access | Registered: Sep 2009
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
In my experience Vanocmycin worked much better than Flagyl. If you have a mild case, you can try things like garlic sure, but be VERY careful. If the diarrhea and pain don't stop quickly with that you likely need the antibiotics. Once you get it really bad you will understand how scary it is. I wouldn't take Florastor then with the central line warning. If you have bad yeast you should probably stop all antibiotics and get something like a Diflucan until the yeast issue is resolved.
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Ya no doubt Wild Condor.
I don't have diarrhea... so I'm not too worried about it yet.
Thanks for all the info though
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Does the package of florastor actually warn that you should not take it with a central line?
I remember reading a study (or two?) that it was associated with central line infections when the nurses mixed the powdered form at the patient's bedside. The lines were being contaminated by the fungi powder in the air and on the nurses hands. I wish I had saved the article.
Anyways, have there been any studies with the capsule version of Florastor and increase in central line or PICC infections?
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
Thanks WC. Very helpful.
Yes Sammy. It does say it on the Florastar. I had seen articles online regarding this issue with all probiotics but when I saw it on the Florastor instructions, I really took note.
My doc told me to start Flagyl and he is doing another stool test. I will incorporate something for yeast.
Yesterday I was having a reeaalllly bad day. Today I'm feeling a bit more hopeful.
Thanks for the posts.
Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009
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WildCondor
Unregistered
posted
If any of you need to reach me in the future about C.diff please email me. I am not going to be on Lymenet anymore. Thanks!
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