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UC with a C-diff infection

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/20/2010 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
Diagnosed with UC back in 2008...after a little over a year of meds I had the UC in remission for the last 4-5 months. about 9 days ago the diarrhea started and I was diagnosed with a Clostridium difficile infection. The cramping, gut pains, etc. were much worse than anything I experienced with UC. On flagyl (antibiotic) now for about four days and started feeling better on day 2 of the medication. But today I have regressed a bit. Has anyone else dealt with this infection before? 
Posted 3/20/2010 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, quite a few people on here have had C. diff. I hope they'll be along shortly to offer you some help.

Are you on any UC meds?
Posted 3/20/2010 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
If it's C-diff-related, then you are a good candidate for fecal transplantation. In the meantime, start taking probiotics. They should help offset the bad bacteria in your colon with good bacteria.
Posted 3/21/2010 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
i am actually battling cdiff right now. back in the hosp today and trying a new antibotic. Rifampin. have been on 2 weeks of vancomycin with some relief and then a few days ago went back to more diarrhea, and the worst gas pain. Hoping this new antibotic kicks in...so tired of being sick. having a cat scan tomorrow to see what is going on. Good luck!
Posted 3/21/2010 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
Flagyl, for me, was a nightmare, on a wrong diagnosis of CDF. If it doesn't work make sure they give you vancomycin. Of course, flagyl didn't work for me (duh) . I had UC it was later disc overed
Posted 3/22/2010 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Studies are showing that an imbalance of fecal flora might cause colon caner. Probiotics help to balance the fecal flora.

http://www.canceractive.com/cancer-active-page-link.aspx?n=1413

Not all probiotics are created equal. Some are good for treating constipation, others for diarrhea.

And then fecal transplantation is like a super probiotic. It has the most strains of bacteria--great for replenishing any strains of bacteria that were lost from haven taken antibiotics.
Posted 3/22/2010 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hello UC_Hater,

I'm not sure if it is available in your area but try to find a probiotic called BIO-K Plus it has been proven to help with C-diff.  You can google Bio-k to read about it.  I take it daily and it's a great probiotic with 50billion live cultures per container.  I get it from the health food store but it is also available in some grocery stores that have a health food dept.  Its found in the refridgerator.

Posted 3/22/2010 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
I had C Diff on and off for over 6 months last year. Each time I took Metronidazole and it took care of it quickly, then it came back when I stopped taking it. The last time around at my GI's recommendation I added the probiotic Floristor and it went away. It's been over 4 months now and hasn't been back.

To me C Diff was worse than a flare. Good luck!
Posted 3/22/2010 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
Had pnuemonia year and half ago-badly,in the hospital 7 days,got c-diff while in the hospital.Flagyl did away with the c-diff.GOOD LUCK
Posted 3/22/2010 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
While Flagyl might get rid of the C-diff infection by killing off bad bacteria, it's still good to take a probiotic to put back the good bacteria, and, even better, try fecal transplantation if you need to replace lost strains.
Posted 3/29/2010 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
OK, I'm back. I did about 10 days on Flagyl with some relief but symptoms persisted - going ~10 times a day, blood, cramping, etc. Blood test came back negative for inflammation so they moved me to Vancocin (vancomycin). I have been taking Bio-K probiotic for the last 4 days and I'm adding Culturelle (Lactobacillus GG) tonight. I've been on Vancocin now for two full days and overall I'd say I feel better and there has been less blood per BM...but bloating has come back strong and the stench is back to extremely foul like when I first became ill. Not really sure what is going on but I'm almost 3 weeks into this and ready to get back to life. I see stories of people dealing with this for months and I just don't think I can do that.
Posted 4/2/2010 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
uc-hater when they you on vancomycin can I ask how many mg you are taking ? My daughter who is 14 was diagnosed in dec with uc swithced to another dr. in Feb. two weeks in hospital doing great for a month and a half and started having problems again, dr. put her on vancomycin this time for a month to make sure the infection goes away.
Posted 4/3/2010 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on 125mg Vancocin 4xday for the last 7 days. That followed 7 days on Flagyl with limited response. My overall energy level has been better but my frequency has fluctuated and the last two days were 10+ trips to the bathroom and very unpleasant. Same consistency, stench, blood, etc. So today my doctor upped my dosage to 250mg 4x day for the next 10 days and scheduled a flex sigmoidoscopy for Monday morning to survey the battlefield. I'm actually doing pretty good this afternoon/evening compared to the last two days. I hope this does the trick because I'm starting week 4 here.
Posted 4/3/2010 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
My daughter is on 500mg three times a day for 30 days. Only after two days of meds, she is starting to feel a little better. Going to the bathroom less. Blood seems to be getting less. I hope this gets rid of her infection this time.
Posted 4/13/2010 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear you are so ill. I hope you live near Oregon, Rogue Valley Medical Center has just started a procedure for treating C-Diff. Our protocol is a fecal transplant from a healthy donor. Preferably someone who lives with you. Studies have shown a 90% or greater success rate. We prefer to use a colonoscopy to deliver the transplant material. If you can get past the ick factor you may find a return to normal life. Contact (edited). Good luck

Post Edited By Moderator (fruitgirl) : 4/13/2010 10:47:29 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/13/2010 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
My son tested positive for a C diff infection in the fall of last year.  The doctor put him on Alinia (my request as son hates Flagyl due to metallic taste).  I also put him on Florastor after reading that the Mayo Clinic has Florastor on protocol for treatment/prevention of recurrent C diff infections.  Florastor is a yeast (versus a bacteria like most probiotics), so it won't be killed off by antibiotics.  Good luck and I hope that you have treatment success...

Jo 

(mom to 15 year old son w/ UC) 

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